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Can I do a one-day border run to Laos from Thailand on an ED visa?

Border RunThailand ImmigrationED VisaVisa ExtensionNong KaiLaos VisaVisa on ArrivalExpat Advice
Jul 26, 2025
a month ago
Farang ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Border run Nong Kai Laos.

I never been there before.

Can I just stay and leave in 1 day?

(Few years ago I did this in Cambodia It took me 20 minutes)

Right now I am on a ED visa (15 months total) and it expires 29 July.

Someone who is sure about this?

And maybe some other advice for me if I am going there?

(Dutch paspoort holder)
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user seeks clarification on whether they can complete a border run from Nong Kai to Laos and back in one day while on an education (ED) visa, which expires soon. Several community members suggest that while they have successfully done quick border runs, recent experiences indicate that immigration procedures have become stricter. They advise the user to potentially use a visa run agency for efficiency and safety. Additionally, the user is advised to cancel their ED visa at the immigration office prior to leaving Thailand, as failure to do so could lead to complications at the border. Users also share that a visa on arrival in Laos can be arranged, although time restrictions might apply depending on the entry point.
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Sean **********
Got hauled aside 3 weeks ago when entering Thailand. They went through passport and noticed that I had done a “border run” last winter. Delayed me for 90 minutes, lectured me, and told me to not do border runs anymore. My best advice is to leave for a few days, then come back.
a month ago
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Robert *********
I would go to immigration office they can be very helpful during difficult times .

You may get an extension
a month ago
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Farang ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ********
 It was my plan to go today. But ofcourse they not open on Saturday i just forgot.. I will go Monday to the immigration here.
a month ago
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Petri ********
@Farang *****
 Monday is king's birthday. Offices are closed.
a month ago
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Petri ********
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Brandon ************
First of all, if you're currently on an Education extension, you need to cancel that at the immigration office that issued it. If you don't cancel it, there's a chance they won't even let you leave at that border because you're legally required to cancel it, per the documents you signed when you obtained it.

Second of all, if you're entering Thailand visa exempt, without a visa, you'll need to stay 1-2 nights in Laos. It depends on how they feel at the border that day. But the days of leaving and returning immediately are over at Nong Khai and many other Laos borders. The only way to do that is with an agent.
a month ago
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Farang ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 Thanks! Good information. Is there a difference between land or air ? Because it could be that I take a flight. (But not sure about it)

But I don't understand something you said.

Because of my ED visa I can stay until 29 July. If I cancel it that means I have to leave Thailand directly right? Or I have to cancell the same day that I am leave? I will leave Thailand 29 July aswell. But I can go to immigration on 28 for cancel ed visa.
a month ago
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Brandon ************
@Farang *****
 You have to get a letter from your school stating your last day of study. Then you take that to the immigration office about a week before that date. They will cancel your extension and re-stamp you in until the date on the letter. So you can cancel it ahead of time.

There is no requirement to stay out any amount of time by air, but you're likely to be denied entry if you try entering Thailand by air after having an education visa. Immigration know it's the most abused visa type, that people use to just live in Thailand and don't care about studying. If you just spent a year in Thailand on an ED visa and then leave and immediately return without a visa, they are going to pull you out of line, interrogate you for 1-2 hours, and probably deny entry for not having a visa and trying to live in Thailand.
a month ago
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Farang ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 I never knew that because they didn't told me this.. but my visa expires in a few days so I don't have time for that. I will go to the immigration Monday and ask about what I should do.

I understand what you mean but the governor here know about my situation so I am not worried about that. They gonna make a visa for me. But what type of visa I don't know right now. I am waiting for people sign documents. Because of the war now it will be to late so I have to do a border run.
a month ago
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Brandon ************
@Farang *****
 what a governor will or will not do makes no difference. The only thing that matters is what you have when you're entering Thailand.
a month ago
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Farang ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 I understand what you mean. I will visit the immigration here first on Monday. Let's see what he can do for me. But i will fly or go with a bus to Laos and they there a couple of days.
a month ago
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Farang ******
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Max *************
Why do you open a new post and ask the same question again? I told you earlier about using an agency and then it will be in and out in no time the same day. They will take care of everything. Doing it by yourself might be a gamble if you need to return the same day without any problems.
a month ago
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Farang ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
If i book i will arrive 22:00 at VTE laos could that be a problem for my VOA? or they make it
****
?
a month ago
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Apple ****************************
@Farang *****
 hiw many time u did the border run visa? And what was your previous visa?
a month ago
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Max *************
@Farang *****
 A VOA isn't the same as a visa exempt.
a month ago
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Farang ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Max ************
 Yes I know I am talking about an VOA in Laos. I know the difference. I dont need an VOA in Thailand because i am from the Netherlands.
a month ago
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Farang ******
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Farang ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Max ************
 I changed my plan i will fly from BKK to VTE i will make an visa on arrivel. Yes I know but because of the war i am very busy and stressed.
a month ago
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Farang ******
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Roberto *********
Use Chong Mek. Always out and in without a problem
a month ago
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Farang ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Roberto ********
 when is the last time you did go? And did you stay onlt 1 hours or less?
a month ago
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Roberto *********
@Farang *****
 Six months ago. Out and back in. No-one had a stopwatch going!
a month ago
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Roberto *********
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Chris ******
I stayed 3 days came back no problem
a month ago
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Farang ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chris *****
 Yes but I am wondering what gonna happen if you stay 1 hours.
a month ago
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Marianne ********
@Farang *****
 I did that last year, but I had brought with me all the documents proving I was getting married to my now husband and needed some extra time because my extension of stay was finished before we could get everything sorted.

But times have changed.
a month ago
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Bob **********
@Farang *****
 you’ll be told how long to stay
a month ago
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Graham ******
@Farang *****
 you will probably get denied entry
a month ago
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Graham ******
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Pete ********
Been doing that run for years you can do a quick return friendship bridge or stay a day or two either has not caused any problem
a month ago
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Graham ******
@Pete *******
 what you did for years is not what might be the current state
a month ago
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Farang ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Pete *******
 what do you mean with:"quick return friendship bridge"?
a month ago
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Pete ********
@Farang *****
 yes I done it Jan 25
a month ago
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Pete ********
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Tony *********
...... best and safest to use a visa run border agent
a month ago
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Farang ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony ********
 There must be someone who did go without an agent and I hope to hear his or her experience. I did look in google and Chat GPT they all said 1 day is enough.
a month ago
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Apple ****************************
@Farang *****
 Stay for one night then next day comeback to the border
a month ago
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Pietro *************
@Farang *****
 In February 2025, I was in Chiang Kong and then in Bokeo City, but I had to sleep two nights in Laos, otherwise Thai customs wouldn't have let me back in. I don't know if the rules have changed today!
a month ago
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Adam *****
@Farang *****
 your visa history with the ED is risky. Moreover, a lot of the data comes from before Nong Khai was a lot more relaxed - they're really more strict now. Why don't you get an agent, or fly in with safe entry?
a month ago
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Farang ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Adam ****
 Airplane is very expensive these dates unfortunately. And I have no idea how I can get an agent.
a month ago
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Adam *****
@Farang *****
 you can leave to Vientiane by land and re-enter by air though Bangkok
a month ago
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Tony *********
@Farang *****
 Very good service,from my experience
a month ago
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Tony *********
Farang Vinn.... FTV Border run
a month ago
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Farang ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony ********
 Is the company around the border? Because my plan is to go from buriram with a bus or the train.
a month ago
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Kenneth *******
@Farang *****
 well your plan is not going to work .Go to agent stop Google. And understand property the same as im saying this site full off experts and not nothing Just pay at agents
a month ago
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Farang ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kenneth ******
 I know i change my plan I go by plane and probably stay a few days.
a month ago
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Tony *********
@Farang *****
 ~5000-5500 from BKK
a month ago
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Tony *********
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Farang ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tony ********
 No time for it anymore. My work (rescue) gonna make a visa but because of the war there is no time for some signs. The governor from Buriram also know my situation.

I did wait for it but did not expected that we are busy with the war right now.
a month ago
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Farang ******
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