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 to Laos for a visa exemption in Thailand?
Visa ExemptionBorder RunLaosThailand ImmigrationLong-stay Visa IssuesTourist VisaStudent VisaVisa Regulations
Feb 13, 2023
3 years ago
Stanley *******
ORIGINAL POSTERMy visa is expiring at the end of next month. I entered with the visa exemption by flight in 2021. Changed it to a work visa for a year and then a student visa for a year.
I need some clarification on the border run to Laos to get the visa exemption on my way back. Just want to go in and come back the same day. Some people say it's no problem, and another person said I have to fly out.
I did a border run 3 years ago but on a different passport.
Can I do it?
I need some clarification on the border run to Laos to get the visa exemption on my way back. Just want to go in and come back the same day. Some people say it's no problem, and another person said I have to fly out.
I did a border run 3 years ago but on a different passport.
Can I do it?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking clarification on whether they can perform a same-day border run to Laos to obtain a visa exemption back into Thailand. They have a history of changing visa types, having entered Thailand on a visa exemption and subsequently converting to a work visa and then a student visa. The responses in the community suggest that while a border run to Laos is generally possible, there are concerns due to the user's extensive visa history and changing regulations on border crossings. Some recommend using a border run agency for assistance, while others suggest that entering with a tourist visa may reduce issues compared to a visa exemption, especially when arriving by air.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Thai Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Todd *********
how did this all work out for you on return to Thailand? go Oilers
Stanley *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Todd ********
I went to Malaysia for 4 days, then came back on the visa exemption . No problems, even with my various visas. Went back to Canada a few months ago, got a new passport. Came back with the tourist visa(better than exemption). And converted it to an Ed visa to learn Thai online with new Stamford language school in Chiang mai. I can take the online lessons from where I live - Ubon Ratchathani. Let's go oilersTodd *********
@Stanley ******
thx for update man. Happy it worked. I have LTR but my GF has similar problems with long term stay. I gotta get a new passport too but really don’t want to go back… unless Oilers are in the finals!!!Stanley *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Todd ********
you can get a new passport at the Canadian embassy in Bkk I think.Todd *********
@Stanley ******
i'm sure hoping so!Reply to
Todd *********
Reply
Maxim ***********
Terrible advice so far. This group is getting too big for his own good so a lot of misinformation is spreading around. I would suggest that people who "do not know" avoid giving their 2 cents. To answer your question
The clampdown on ed and volunteer visa is irrelevant to border runs. The dreaded volunteer visa does not allow you to get the Elite Visa. Both Ed and Volunteer might cause you issues coming in by air, especially from Bangkok airport. And, you might have an issue in Poipet (Cambodia), but this is the case since forever and is not specific to the recent clampdown. Laos was and still is an extremely easy country to border run from.
@Stanley ******
there is no report of getting denied a border run-in-out of Laos, no matter the stamps in your passport (ed, volunteer, etc).The clampdown on ed and volunteer visa is irrelevant to border runs. The dreaded volunteer visa does not allow you to get the Elite Visa. Both Ed and Volunteer might cause you issues coming in by air, especially from Bangkok airport. And, you might have an issue in Poipet (Cambodia), but this is the case since forever and is not specific to the recent clampdown. Laos was and still is an extremely easy country to border run from.
Maxim ***********
It vary from consulate to consulate. Quick google search lead me to Vancouver consulate:
When I did it in Montreal 6-7 years ago they didn't ask any proof of fund nor the other two things in red (hotel and round trip). I'm guessing that website are rarely updated. Best to call the Edmonton one if they have one.
******************************************
When I did it in Montreal 6-7 years ago they didn't ask any proof of fund nor the other two things in red (hotel and round trip). I'm guessing that website are rarely updated. Best to call the Edmonton one if they have one.
Stanley *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Maxim **********
I will go back to Canada for a couple months in May/June. Then return. Do you think it's better to come back on a tourist visa or visa exemption? With my passport history, in worried about getting denied by air and with the visa exemption.Maxim ***********
@Stanley ******
Well, nvm, since you go back to Canada, get a Multi Entry tourist visa (METV).Stanley *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Maxim **********
Thanks Max. You're a great help. One more question. Do I need any documents, proof of funds, or passport photos? Or do I simply just need my passport?Reply to
Stanley *******
Reply
Maxim ***********
@Stanley ******
A tourist visa always increase your chance by air, but it's no guaranteed especially in Bangkok airport. I recommend entering from Chiang Mai or Phuket, the % of denied is minimal compare to BKK.Reply to
Maxim ***********
Reply
Nishant ************
Just stay in Laos for few days or a week and then you can consider going back to Thailand.
Albert ********
Don't think an agency is worth paying.The main thing is to know the laws and how many times you can do this.withiut a retirement visa or marriage visa.possible work visa.
Stanley *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Albert *******
the last time I did it was 3 years ago on a different passport.Reply to
Stanley *******
Reply
Albert ********
Years ago you could walk over the border things have changed.
Steve *******
@Albert *******
You can still walk over the border!Reply to
Steve *******
Reply
Albert ********
I believe you may have to Fly .How many times can you do this?
Brandon ************
It's probably okay as Laos is known as one of the easiest land borders. But you may want to seriously consider using a border run agency to ensure there are no issues as you have an extensive history in Thailand and it's possible you run into issues.
Stanley *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
they said because I have a "non Ed" visa. Does that sound right?John **********
@Stanley ******
yes. There's a big clampdown on people who had Non-ED visas so not surprising.Reply to
John **********
Reply
Stanley *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
actually it was a border run agency that said I cannot. But other agencies have said that I can. That's why I'm confusedStanley *******
ORIGINAL POSTERIssued in bangkok.
Kool *******
@Stanley ******
the problem you could have at the border is concerning your ED visa. If you do not have the normal 90 day extension stamps with your ED visa that you should have if you were actually going to school you could be refused entry. This would mean going to a Thai Embassy, and buying a tourist visa, and showing your airplane flight out of Thailand within that time period.Stanley *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kool ******
it was a 1 year visa stamp for a University doing researchKool *******
@Stanley ******
did you extend this visa every 90 days? If not you could be refused entry. Last month there were major arrests made, and high ranking immigration agents transferred awaiting prosecution for issuing questionable ED visas. Not saying you were involved, but, because of this every ED visa is looked at very carefully at the land borders, and if you don't have the 90 day extensions they expect to see, you can be refused entry, even if your case is a legitimate exception.Stanley *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kool ******
there was no need to extend the visa every 90 days. Look on the right sideKool *******
@Stanley ******
it is not a matter of what is correct. It is a matter of what the immigration agents at the border are used to. Yours is an exception, and they don't usually recognize exceptions, as they don't deal with them on a regular basis, as they do with those on an ED visa going to language schools. Just saying.Reply to
Kool *******
Reply
Maxim ***********
@Stanley ******
The agent most likely is doing a Cambodian border run so ofc they won't preach for the Laos border run. You have received pretty bad advice so far from people with zero knowledge nor real-life experience. Laos border run is extremely easy, even if your passport is full of stamps including the dreaded volunteer visa.John **********
@Stanley ******
the agencies will know the situation at the border crossing they use. Situation could be different at every crossing. If an agency is raising flags I wouldn't try it yourselfReply to
John **********
Reply
26 comments
2 years ago
6 comments
2 years ago
11 comments
2 years ago
8 comments
2 years ago
What is the best method for a short re-entry to Thailand after exceeding a visa exemption extension?
14 comments
2 years ago
13 comments
2 years ago
18 comments
2 years ago
12 comments
2 years ago
51 comments
2 years ago
22 comments
2 years ago
22 comments
3 years ago
16 comments
3 years ago
19 comments
3 years ago
3 comments
3 years ago
7 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
11 comments
3 years ago
1 comments
4 years ago
1 comments
4 years ago
22 comments
4 years ago
41 comments
4 years ago
13 comments
6 years ago
13 comments
6 years ago
4 comments
6 years ago
20 comments
7 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask: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.