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

Visa Exemption Border Run Laos Thailand Immigration Long-stay Visa Issues Tourist Visa Student Visa Visa Regulations

Feb 13, 2023

2 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

My 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?

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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.

Todd *********

how did this all work out for you on return to Thailand? go Oilers

a year ago

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 oilers

a year ago

Todd *********

@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!!!

a year ago

Stanley *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Todd ********

you can get a new passport at the Canadian embassy in Bkk I think.

a year ago

Todd *********

@Stanley ******

i'm sure hoping so!

a year ago

Reply to

Todd *********

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

@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.