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Can I conduct a 'border run' without entering a neighboring country and avoid needing a visa?

border runThailand immigrationvisa regulationsneighboring countriesMyanmarLaosCambodiavisa exemptionMETV
Jun 28, 2022
2 years ago
Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Can a border-run be done without actually entering another country, thus avoiding the need for a visa for e.g. Laos, Cambodia or Myanmar? Meaning: Stamping out of Thailand, but never stamping in in the neighbor country. Instead turning around in the no man's land in between and stamping directly back into Thailand? If not, is there other ways to avoid the third country visa need? I think Myanmar had some border regions that you could visit for an hour or two and then head back into Thailand - visa-free (against USD 10 in cash or so, if I remember correctly). Excuse the question. Never did a border run myself - never had to before. Planning ahead for a season on a METV - as they messed up the new LTR visa.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user is inquiring if it is possible to perform a border run from Thailand to a neighboring country without entering that country, effectively exiting Thailand and immediately re-entering without a stamp from the third country. Several commenters confirm that this is not allowed, stating that one must be stamped into the neighboring country. They discuss various border crossing experiences, specifically at the Myanmar border, and alternatives that may have existed prior to COVID-19. The conversation reveals that while some previous border run methods may have been more lenient, current regulations typically require an entry stamp from the neighboring country, and that visa requirements can vary based on the traveler's nationality.
Jo **********
unless there is interface between two parallel universes
2 years ago
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Jo **********
this is like an episode of Star Trek
2 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jo *********
 Big fan of Star Trek. 🛸
2 years ago
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Jo **********
@Frank-Steven **********
 me too original i am obsessed.
2 years ago
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Jo **********
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Joel *******
This can be done if e.g. the other country turns you away. But generally you have a lot of explaining to do when you stamp back in, I wouldn't recommend it as something to do regularly.
2 years ago
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Antoine ********
Many times I did a border run to Mae Sot, crossed the Bridge to Myanmar, got stamped there and immediately returned to Thailand.
2 years ago
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Maxim ***********
If you enter Tachileik via Mae Sai, no visa is needed if you stay in Tachileik province.
2 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maxim **********
 That is what I wanted to hear? Hope that still applies now after covid and all. But taking a motorcycle into that province from Thailand is still out of the question, right?
2 years ago
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Maxim ***********
You seem to think that avoiding a stamp = fewer restrictions, which I don't think are related. If you are unvaccinated and looking for a quick border run, I don't think it will be possible anywhere for a while.
2 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maxim **********
 I don’t care about any stamp. They can put as many into my beautiful passport as they please (although those empty pages might be needed elsewhere). No, it is wasting money, time and energy of having to get a visa first which I am trying to avoid for a short border run. And don’t worry about vaccine, insurance etc. I have all that. Not one of those anti-vaxxers.
2 years ago
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Maxim ***********
@Frank-Steven **********
 You do not need a visa to border run. In your OP you mention not entering the 2nd country and staying in no-man land, which doesn't mean that the only alternative is to get a visa beforehand. I'm Canadian and I do not need a visa to enter Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia. I can get a visa-exempt or visa on arrival or wtv the name is directly at the border upon entering. The process is very quick. Then you turn around and go back into Thailand. In Laos, you can go in and come back to Thailand within an hour. If one hour is too much I don't know what to tell you. The whole process is no longer than entering Myanmar with that 500 baht piece of paper.
2 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maxim **********
 Well. Don't quite know what to say: But a visa on arrival is still, well a visa - which I need to acquire. But if I just want to get stamped into Thailand for another 60 days, why would I want to buy a visa for any third country first, if I do not really want to spend time there? And I do not think that is about German vs. Canadian passport, as mostly the former is amongst the most easy and powerful and door-opening in the world, which I very much appreciate.
2 years ago
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Maxim ***********
@Frank-Steven **********
 I have no idea of post-Covid restrictions, nor about motorcycles.
2 years ago
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Maxim ***********
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Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Antoine *******
 Ok. Thanks. Just wanted to make sure. As usually, most people would need a valid visa to enter Myanmar.
2 years ago
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Antoine ********
@Frank-Steven **********
 I didn't enter Myanmar as I just went to the office which is at the end of the bridge and straight back. No visa needed.
2 years ago
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Antoine ********
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John **********
While I've done a border bounce to Cambodia in the past without ever personally entering Cambodia I had to both get a visa for Cambodia and a Cambodian stamp in my passport. I sat in no man's land but I don't think that's what you are looking for?
2 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 If I would drive all the way to the Cambodian border, I would probably want to have a look (and a few cheap beers) as well, especially if they make me purchase a visa anyways. That is, if getting the motorcycle across borders doesn't open a new can of worms, wich reports say is happening at least at the Laos border. Myanmar border on the other hand, would much closer to where I spend most of my time. But anyways, thanks for the insight.
2 years ago
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John **********
@Frank-Steven **********
 I'm very close to the Cambodian border, so for me it was simple. Plenty shops, casinos, whatever, in no man's land where I am.
2 years ago
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John **********
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Jonas *************
I always wondered why immigration offices don't have a room where in entry you "exit" the country, and then enter immigration ;-) (for a "fee")

Come to tuck about it, it's almost what airports are. However, to enter the international airport you need to check-in. And to enter you may need to show your boarding pass.

Why not just go somewhere for a few days and have a mini vacation?
2 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jonas ************
 Interesting thought. Going to an international airport, get stamped out, never take the plane and get stamped in again. All at the price of a throw-away ticket and without the need to go to some remote land border. Just not sure all airports would allow to get from international departures straight to international arrivals.
2 years ago
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John ********
@Frank-Steven **********
 that’s why immigration checks your boarding pass and flight number.
2 years ago
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John ********
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Mark ******
Mae sai, chiang mai
2 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark *****
 Location would suit me. So entering Myanmar briefly without tourist visa there and coming right back into Thailand?
2 years ago
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Mark ******
@Frank-Steven **********
 yes. It was like that pre covid. Not sure now. Walk out of Thailand in to Myanmar, and back in to Thailand
2 years ago
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Mark ******
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Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
The Mea Sot or the Tachileik border would be ideally located. Any chance a temporary visa-free entry and back to Thailand scheme would work in either of those?
2 years ago
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Ekkehard *******
@Frank-Steven **********
 On 4 January this year, I was at the Mae Sai--Tachilek border. It was completely closed at that day. I don't know if the border is now open again...
2 years ago
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Ekkehard *******
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Marc *******
Back in the days you got stamps on both sides in Ranong.
2 years ago
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Adam **********
No you have to be stamped in somewhere else, but the process in Satun is very similar to what you want, but you will get a malysia stamp.
2 years ago
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Nigel *********
@Adam *********
 they still looking for the 200thb bribe in the passport down that way.
2 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Adam *********
 Yes. Malaysia would be easy - as German citizens do not need a visa to enter. But I am looking for a similar solution when in the north of Thailand. I was certain there used to be something like that at the Myanmar border.
2 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
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Paul *******
No.
2 years ago
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Graham ******
No, you must be stamped in somewhere
2 years ago
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Marc ********
No cannot I tried. They check the exit stamp from the other country
2 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Marc *******
 Hm. But I am rather certain that (at least before COVID) people went to the Myanmar borders, went shopping in Myanmar for a few hours, and came back to get a new stamp into Thailand - without ever having a visa for Myanmar.
2 years ago
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Nigel *********
@Frank-Steven **********
 think you're talking about the Andaman club. I find think it's possible to go there now. Something to do with wars and stuff. Not 100% . Last overseas place I went to. I don't think you need to pay for a visa there as I still have a crisp $10 us note somewhere but you do need it if you go elsewhere in Myanmar. And you need to stamp out stamp in stamp out stamp in
2 years ago
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Marc ********
@Frank-Steven **********
 I don't know how it works with Myanmar.

But I tried at the cambodian border Cham Yeam.

I "checked out" thai border. Walked to cambodia side and turned back without buying visa.

At the thai side they refused me entering saying I don't have an exit stamp from cambodia.

Maybe if the IO isn't paying attention it will work. It didn't work for me.

Believe me or not
2 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Marc *******
 Hm. That does not really make much sense in the end. It should not matter to the Thai border what the Cambodian border does. What if someone is refused entry into Cambodia, and therefor never get a stamp there. Would this person then be caught forever in between countries, just because the Thai border expects an exit stamp? Hm.
2 years ago
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Marc ********
@Frank-Steven **********
 Of course I argued with the IO a little bit too. He just waived me off

I had to walk back to Cambodia and buy a visa🤷‍♂️

Maybe you can beat them with your arguments.

I am just telling you what happened to me.
2 years ago
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Marc ********
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Gabriel ********
@Frank-Steven **********
 that is possible but it’s all done surreptitiously therefore no visas either direction
2 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gabriel *******
 So that is still on? It used to be just pay 10 USD or so at the border. They kept your passport in between shopping in Myanmar, and handed it back to you with a new Thailand stamp upon return. As far as I remember.
2 years ago
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Gabriel ********
@Frank-Steven **********
 all that is, or at least used to be, true except the stamp piece….they never stamped it, just held it to ensure your return
2 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Gabriel *******
 So the Myanmar side held it. Got it. But what about back at the Thai side then? They gave a new stamp, although one did not have any Myanmar (exit) stamp then?
2 years ago
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Marc ********
@Frank-Steven **********
 Wie das funktioniert mit dem Steckenbleiben zwischen den Grenzen kann ich dir von kambodschanischer Seite sagen. Ich nehme an die Thais regeln das auch so.

Wenn du dich von Kambodscha abmeldest und dann bei der anderen Seite nicht reingelassen wirst, musst du zurück zu Kambodscha. Dann wird der Austeisestempel von Kambodscha für ungültig erklärt. Dann gibt es ein "Cancelled' Stempel daneben und du kannst zurück. Dein altes Visa ist also wieder gültig. Wenn es am gleichen Tag abläuft hast du halt ein Problem denn dann kostet es jeden Tag 10$ Overstay
2 years ago
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Gabriel ********
@Frank-Steven **********
 it was a racket at a single border crossing in chiang rai… both sides were in on it and u got no exit or entry stamps….I remember it being $5
2 years ago
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Gabriel ********
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