Ask question

This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

Can I do a same-day border run from Thailand to Laos and back for a visa extension?

Border Run Thailand Visa Laos Border Crossing Visa Rules NON-O Visa Tourist Visa Udon Thani Nong Khai Vientiane

Oct 7, 2025

2 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

My six month is almost up and im gonna head to Laos for the border run. Can I just book a couple nights in Udon Thani, cross the border same day, and come back to Thailand? Or should I stay in Laos 1-2 days and then come back?

1,973

views

4

likes

48

all likes

19

replies

0

images

12

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

You can do a same-day border run from Thailand to Laos without needing to stay overnight. Most users suggest that it's possible to cross the border immediately after arriving and return for another 180-day entry stamp. However, some recommend checking specific border requirements and potentially staying a couple of days if you plan on getting another visa upon re-entering Thailand.

NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

Pelle Eriksson

Pelle Eriksson★★★★★

Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...

recently on Facebook

Luca G.

Luca G.★★★★★

I used this agency for my DTV Visa...

recently on Google

Trusted Retirement Visa Agent

OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED

#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND

Toni *******

I drank 1 drink after crossing the border and came back (vientiane)

Like

Reply

Anonymous ******************

I am going to golden triangle Lao crossing next week. Let me know if you wanna tag along. No need to sleep, can stay there for an hour. I am alone 😂

Like

Reply

Anonymous ******************

I did the friendship bridge left Chiang Mai at 7am was back in chiang mai 6pm same day, just tell the immigration officer your doing border run he understood I paid 2000 baht it’s cheaper to pay in dollars but I didn’t want the effort of exchanging

Like

Reply

Brad ********

Check your visa requirements. I had to pay, so made it a couple of nights like everyone said

Like

Reply

Steve *******

You have a valid visa, you can return immediately.

Like

Reply

Viktor *****

I stayed 7 days in Vientiane. Just to make sure, there won’t be any problems. However, leaving Thailand the officer asked me, if I just want to do the border run or stay in Laos for holidays… 🤔

Re entering Thailand, I got the stamp without any questions

Like

Reply

Kool *******

You can take the night train to Nong Khai, cross the border into Laos as soon as you get there, then immediately cross back into Thailand, getting another 180 day entry stamp, and catch the next train back to Bangkok the same day. They are only making people stay in Laos extra days if they are getting another tourist visa exempt entry.

Like

Reply

Flynn *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

appreciate it

Like

Reply

Reply to

Flynn *****

Reply

Jef ********

If you are going to the effort of going across the border and buying a visa , I highly recommend spending a few days in Vientiane it’s a cool little city few things to do 👌

Like

Reply

Sunshine ********

I agree 💯

Like

Reply

Dave ***********

absolutely agree

Like

Reply

Flynn *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

ok cool. thanks

Like

Reply

Jef ********

yeah there is something for everyone, I

Lived there for 5 years, if you like Thai people and culture , the Laos are like 30 years behind , so humble and nice

Like

Reply

เอดี *******

I really like laos and always make a

***

week cycling tour when I hop the border. Usually around the north

Like

Reply

Flynn *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

at the border can i pay n baht?

Like

Reply

Jef ********

yeah I think it’s 2,000 for memory,

But you can buy it an online e visa before you go

Like

Reply

Reply to

Jef ********

Reply

Andrew ********

Ask at the border when you leave Thailand

It depends on which border crossing point you use

Like

Reply

Flynn *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Lao Friendship Bridge Nong Khai-Vientiane

Like

Reply

Andrew ********

Have heard different reports... Some people say can do the same day turn around, others have said 24-48 hours needed in Laos...

As you have the Visa already, I would guess (and guessing the important word) you should be able to re-enter Thailand same day.... Perhaps just politely ask when you arrive at immigration before you exit Thailand...

Like

Reply

Reply to

Andrew ********

Reply

Can I do a visa run to the Lao Golden Triangle again without staying overnight?

1 comments

3 days ago

Can I drive to the Laos border and reenter Thailand immediately for a visa run?

15 comments

a month ago

Can you do a same-day border run to Laos from Thailand, or is an overnight stay required?

15 comments

2 months ago

Can I cross the border to Lao and re-enter Thailand for another 30 days on a 60-day exemption visa?

6 comments

3 months ago

Can I do a same day border run from Huay Xai, Laos to Thailand and back?

5 comments

4 months ago

Is it possible to do a border run in Thailand for a day without issues from immigration?

2 comments

8 months ago

Can I do a border run to Pakse, Laos and re-enter Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption?

4 comments

8 months ago

Can I do a visa run from Chiang Mai to Laos to extend my DTV visa?

12 comments

8 months ago

Can I extend my stay in Thailand by exiting to Laos and returning after a 60-day visa plus extension?

19 comments

10 months ago

Can I get a 60-day visa after a same-day land border run to Vientiane from Udon Thani?

26 comments

10 months ago

Can I do a border run to Laos to extend my stay in Thailand with a 60-day visa?

18 comments

a year ago

Can I do a border run to Laos after extending my tourist visa in Thailand?

26 comments

a year ago

How long do I need to stay in Laos before re-entering Thailand at the Nong Khai border?

17 comments

2 years ago

Can I get a new 30-day visa for Thailand by briefly visiting Laos?

26 comments

2 years ago

What is the process for extending my stay in Thailand by driving to Laos and back?

25 comments

2 years ago

Can I do a same-day border run to Laos with a Non-O visa to extend my stay in Thailand?

51 comments

2 years ago

Do I need to enter Laos for a border run after my visa has expired in Thailand?

6 comments

3 years ago

Can I do a same-day border run to Laos for a visa exemption in Thailand?

30 comments

3 years ago

Is it legal to do a same-day border run from Thailand to Laos and back for a new 45-day entry stamp?

16 comments

3 years ago

Can I do a same day run to Laos and back to get another 45-day exemption?

11 comments

3 years ago

Is it possible to do a visa run from Udon to Laos and back without staying overnight on a multi-entry non-O visa?

4 comments

3 years ago

What should I know about doing a visa run from Vientiane after a 60-day stay in Thailand?

0 comments

7 years ago

Can I do a border run from Thailand to Laos and back for another 30-day visa exemption?

20 comments

7 years ago

Can I just cross the border from Thailand to Laos for a short trip and return for the 30-day stamp?

3 comments

7 years ago

Can I extend my tourist visa in Thailand by crossing into Laos?

8 comments

8 years ago

What is the best cannabis dispensary in Bangkok?

7 comments

a month ago

Where can I find the best cannabis dispensary in Chon Buri?

9 comments

a month ago

What are the best dispensaries in Phuket?

21 comments

a month ago

What is the best cannabis dispensary in Surat Thani?

16 comments

a month ago

Where can I find the best weed in Chiang Mai?

8 comments

a month ago

Data protection policy Terms and conditions Disclaimer Privacy policy Refund 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.