Can I do a border run in Thailand after my Muay Thai education visa ends?

Feb 18, 2024
9 months ago
Pablo ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
hello! Question about border runs - my 6 month Muay Thai visa is coming to an end on March 15th - before the Muay Thai visa in 2023 i had flown in from USA, and did extensions and 2 border runs -

My question is, can i do a border run now after my Muay Thai education visa ends?

Update - a land based border run service said i will have no issues. Have to pay extra 1k bhat for IO to “cut” my ED visa at the border
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user inquires about the feasibility of executing a border run after their Muay Thai education visa expires. The responses include concerns about potential issues at the border due to their previous visa history, suggestions to obtain documentation from their school, and advice on selecting land border run services. Some comments highlight risks involved with air border runs, while others reassure that land border runs generally have a lower chance of denial. Overall, caution is advised when attempting a border run under the current circumstances.
Maxim ***********
You have received mostly bad info so far (from Kool, John, etc). There is no such thing as getting denied entry by land except in Poipet. You have done 0 border run in 2024 so you can still do 2 by land. Every time someone come up with anecdotal evidence that someone got denied, it's one of three things: 1) Poipet ; 2) It was his 3rd attempt in a calendar year, or 3) A border officer asked for proof of fund or onward ticket and that person didn't have it. It's never due to something else. If you border run Nong Khai or Mukdahan, they do not ask for any proof of fund or onward ticket, so I usually go there. Keep in mind that BKK and Phuket are strict, but these are by air and doesn't apply to what you want.
Pip ****
I would definitely be very wary of doing this. A friend was mine had a 6 month multi entry visa and then tourist visa and flew to KL yesterday for a border run. Got detained at Phuket airport and is currently still there awaiting a flight back to Malaysia. Been refused entry and is looking at a 6 month ban from Thailand.
Maxim ***********
@Pip ***
Your friend did an air run, border run is by land.
Graham ******
@Pip ***
Why would a refused entry result in a 6 month ban? I think the Immigration Officer has looked at the stay history and decided it's not typical for a tourist and suggested not trying to enter Thailand using Visa Exempt entry for at least 6 months.
Pablo ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pip ***
I was planning on doing a land based run with a company
Bart **************
Don't count on it.
Frank **********
You should really start looking at a long term visa that allows you to stay in Thailand.
Pablo ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank *********
Yes, like another education visa? Is that what you are suggesting?
Maxim ***********
@Pablo *******
There is no long term visa for you unless you get married (which I did). You are too young for retirement and ed visa is less and less of an option. I did visa exempt and tourist visa for 8-9 years. I got married in 2022. So you can still do a mix of visa exempt and tourist visa and be okay but find a wife asap, since you are young you have no other long term solution. It's getting pricier every year to use agent for ed visa or business visa, and never know went they will crackdown again like they did with volunteer visa.
Pablo ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maxim **********
I feel like education visas are perfectly legitimate. Thanks for the insight.
Frank **********
@Pablo *******
I don't know for sure. People say Ed Visas always draw more attention from Immigration. If you can find a job that may be more suitable or keep doing border runs and 60 day tourist visas until Immingration shuts you down. There are people on here who have lived here for years doing that. Anyway good luck.
Pablo ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank *********
Sure. thanks.
Kool *******
With your history you've got a real high chance of being pulled aside and questioned, and warned at the very least.
Pablo ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
Even at a border crossing? I am not planning on flying out and trying to fly back in.
Maxim ***********
@Pablo *******
Do not listen to anyone who haven't done a border run in over 20 years. Old dude love to patronize younger people here with awful info just to make you feel guilty. I'm 37 and have been living in Thailand since I was 25. I'm married now but I'm very familiar with a lot of the border. I live very close to Nong Khai border. Getting denied by land is not a thing in your situation unless you try Poipet which are notorious for bribery. The big 3 to avoid are Poipet, BKK and Phuket airport. The rest of the country is still easy to enter from.
John **********
@Pablo *******
use a border run company, they will look at your history and only take you if they can get you back in
Pablo ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
Thanks so much John, do you happen to have a company that comes to mind? I am looking into it on my own, but I expect you have a suggestion?
Bob **********
@Pablo *******
Queen Vic soi 6 vip van about 3700
John **********
@Pablo *******
no suggestions, best to ask in a group close to where you live
Kool *******
@Pablo *******
doing it yourself. All border entries are fully computerized, and they will treat you the same way, with a better chance of refusing you entry until you get the correct visa at border crossing entries.
Pablo ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
You mean to say they treat you the same as the airport?
John **********
@Pablo *******
everything is computerised and all offices have access to the information so not a huge disparity these days. The border run companies "grease the wheels" so find one that will take you
Brandon ************
Make sure you get a letter from your school that states the date you'll stop studying and cancel your ED extension. Then find a land border run company to take you to a land border and bounce you out and back in without any issues. Given your history if be hesitant to try flying out and back in.
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