ahh the magical APEC Business Travel Card. I know some others who were using it pre-covid, worth it to skip long lines at SGN BKK!

Most recently, March, 2023, I went through the automated gates at SG entry with no problems, but maybe 8 of the 10 foreigners around me needed assistance, so I had to wait for them to get manual assistance.

One time I exited Singapore using the automated gates for Malaysia at Woodlands and MY Immigration didn’t understand why my passport didn’t have a SG exit stamp, so that was a big waste of time.

I have an APEC Business Travel Card, which lets me go in the priority queues most places, including VN (hooray!) but at BKK/Swampy on exit they weren’t running priority or even Thai passport queues, so big crowded waits.

I haven’t been through Toilet, I mean Poipet, overland for years, but never had any delay. Exact amount in USD and rolling eyes at their expectation for “express service” seemed to work. Unlike 90% of others, no problems at Cham Yeam on the way to Trat, but probably just lucky.

Never any problems by land or air into/exit Lao, but I noticed eVisa people were often processed after Visa on Arrival, so…

I’ve got a HKG frequent traveler endorsement, but unlikely to need it again for pretty obvious reasons.

Yes the border crossing at the moment is in a bad state. There are two problems at the moment.

First is that the line from JB to Gemas is being rebuilt, so you have to switch from Diesel to electric train halfway. It takes all day to do this trip so you can’t blame anyone for flying.

Secondly, the RTS Link will replace the fott traffic hellscape. This is like a metro train that will run frequently and the immigration will be done on both sides. That is a few years away from being ready.

I don’t remember how Malaysia stamped us out. I think the train paused at Johor Baru and a Malaysian official came through stamping everyone’s passport. After that the train crossed the causeway.

The journey today looks horrendous. When will they do something about it? The flight takes an hour so is not very sustainable (but undeniably convenient).

Thanks, that is of interest. I forgot I took the old train from Tanjong Pagar to KL, but I don’t recall the crossing experience. I powerwalk when I arrive at SGN because a quick walk might save 30 minutes or more in a queue.

Thanks, corrected!