thailand
Ask question

Are border offices open during Songkran for visa run to Langkawi?

Visa RunsMETVThailand ImmigrationSongkranBorder CrossingsLangkawi TravelMae Sai BorderPublic Holidays in Thailand
April 9, 2018
6 years ago
Tom ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Quick question: So I have a METV and have to make my visa run by the 16th (Songkran). I really wanted to take a bus down to Langkawi and make an adventure out of it. Are the border offices open to stamp for exit and re-entry? Has anyone ever done this?
1,516
views
1
likes
35
all likes
17
replies
0
images
9
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user inquires about traveling to Langkawi during the Songkran holiday with a METV visa, specifically about the availability of border offices for exit and re-entry stamps. Community responses clarify that borders typically remain open during national holidays, although immigration offices may close. However, heavy traffic, especially during Songkran, can lead to long wait times at border crossings. Suggestions are made to consider the timing of travel and to potentially postpone the trip to avoid complications.
Danny **********
don't bother flying at this time, the airports will be a nightmare! You are better off going to Mea Sai and doing this trip at a later time.
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Jeremy ********
The border will only be closed if there is an international dispute that escalates to a conflict status with said country on Thailand’s border and it will be sealed until either it is diplomatically remediated or remediated through a victory in the conflict...as of right now there is no international dispute that will escalate to a conflict in the near future..:go have fun on your adventure
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Ron *******
What I will say about these land borders at holiday times, and particularly the Malaysian and Burmese crossings, is they are rammed with people. I don't know about foot traffic times but it's not unusual for it to take 4,5 or even 6 hours to cross with a car into and out of Malaysia. I've done it a number of times. Any weekend can be bad too.
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Michael ********
Is the border office of a country open on a public holiday. Is this a real question...? The country doesn't close ;)
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Ben **********
it's a bit beyond me that people think that borders close on national holidays...
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Tod *********
it is more than a bit beyond me someone would even contemplate a trip of that magnitude during the Songkran Holiday :/
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Tod *********
Reply
Tod *********
@Tom *****
 and you're doing this DURING Songkran (the most deadly time of the entire year to be traveling) ?? 　

Perhaps you need to just border bounce at the Mae Sai - Tachiliek border and save your cross country sojourn for another time
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Tom ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Good point.
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Tom ******
Reply
Jennifer ****
a bus to Langkawi? Langkawi is an island. Where are you travelling from? I live on Lipe, the island next to Langkawi. There are many boats that go to and from Langkawi - from Lipe, Satun, Penang etc. Let me know which direction you are planning to travel from and I can give you advice on methods of travel and immigration etc.
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Jennifer ****
except be aware and count your days correctly as i believe the boats from Langkawi to Thailand stop on June 18th this year and don't start again until mid October.
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Jennifer ****
@Tom *****
 no problem, you can PM me if you have any other questions. It won't be too crazy to do this during Songkran time - but expect high flight prices & longer lines at the airports & hotels will book up full soon! If you have a METV it might be wise as
@Tod ********
 says and do an easy border bounce now and save the big trip to Langkawi for another time, especially when your METV runs out and you want to get a SETV from the Penang Embassy. Killing many birds with one stone then...
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Tom ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jennifer ***
 thank you so much for your help! 👍🏻
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Jennifer ****
Immigration on both islands is very easy, quite quick and friendly. Satun immigration via ferry i would assume is the same. Satun immigration to Malaysia mainland is another option - also quick and easy (and then bus down to where you get another boat to Langkawi from Kuala Perlis i believe it's called) but i think it's better just to go via Penang or Thailand side direct by ferry.
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Jennifer ****
Tom Camp you have a few options - Fly CXN direct to HAT YAI. and then take a taxi or mini van to Satun where you can get a direct ferry to Langkawi. OR you can fly CNX direct to HAT YAI, taxi/mini van to PAK BARRA, boat to KO LIPE for a few days and then a direct 1 hr ferry to Langkawi. (Immigration is both on Ko lipe island/ Satun mainland - & at both Langkawi ferry terminal piers) OR you can go backwards and fly directly to Penang, Malaysia from BKK. (or one stop from CNX) and then take a ferry north to Langkawi - spend a few days and re enter thailand via Ko Lipe or Satun.
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Tom ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I would be going from CNX to BKK then BKK south to somewhere to grab a ferry. That is my thought process so far at least
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Tom ******
Reply
Ian ***************
Borders generally stay open every day. Immigration and consulates (and other government offices) close for national holidays.
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Tom ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is Mae Sai's border open on Friday? Border runs stay open?
6 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Tom ******
Reply
Thai Visa Advice
... members · 40% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice
How should I plan my visa run around Songkran in Thailand?
10 comments
6 months ago
How can we secure a 60-day visa extension with an METV while in Ranong?
24 comments
8 months ago
Can I extend my visa by traveling to Langkawi from Koh Lipe?
55 comments
10 months ago
Can I get a 60-day stamp on a 6-month METV by returning from Langkawi to Koh Lipe?
2 comments
10 months ago
What are the tips for a visa run from Koh Lipe to Langkawi Island, Malaysia?
7 comments
a year ago
Can I obtain a re-entry permit at the Satun border, and will it be open during the public holiday?
18 comments
a year ago
How can I extend my tourist visa in Thailand after the initial 60 days?
5 comments
2 years ago
What should I know about the Songkran holiday closure of immigration offices in Thailand?
6 comments
2 years ago
Will immigration offices be closed during Songkran for visa extensions in Thailand?
16 comments
3 years ago
Will Immigration Offices Be Open During Songkran?
0 comments
4 years ago
What should I do for my 90-day visa run from Thailand if Malaysia is closed?
18 comments
5 years ago
Can You Re-enter Thailand Immediately After a Border Run at Langkawi?
11 comments
5 years ago
Can I do a border run from CM to Mae Sai during national holidays on July 16th and 17th, 2023?
1 comments
5 years ago
What are the current border crossing conditions at Kanchanaburi for Visa Exempt travelers?
9 comments
5 years ago
Will the immigration office in Penang, Malaysia be open on December 10th, 2018 for a border run?
17 comments
6 years ago
What are the options for doing a visa run from Thailand with a 6-month METV?
15 comments
6 years ago
Will the Myanmar/Maisai immigration border be closed during the Songkran festival this year?
5 comments
6 years ago
What are the best options for a visa run from Thailand to Cambodia or Malaysia given the consulate closures?
26 comments
6 years ago
Can you still do a same-day border bounce at Wang Prachan/Wang Kelian for a METV?
8 comments
7 years ago
Is Wang Kelian still a good option for a 60-day border run with a 6-month METV?
2 comments
7 years ago
Does the Chong Chom border crossing close during Songkran holidays?
17 comments
7 years ago
Do I need to stay overnight for a visa run at the Padang Besar border with a non O visa?
20 comments
7 years ago
Is the Mae Sai / Mae Sot border open on weekends and what is the best option for a border run?
0 comments
7 years ago
Will the Mae Sai Border Crossing be open for my METV entry stamp on December 25th?
5 comments
7 years ago
Is the immigration office open at the Ban Laem border to Cambodia on December 17th for my multiple entry visa run?
3 comments
7 years ago
Data protection policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimerPrivacy policyRefund policy
The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.