Can I do a visa run from Surat Thani to Ranong for a 30-day tourist visa as an American citizen?

Visa Run 30 Day Tourist Visa Visa Exemption Border Bouncing Surat Thani Ranong American Passport Holder Thailand Visa Rules

Sep 8, 2017

7 years ago

Kerry **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hey friends, looking for some Visa advice. I'm in Surat Thani right now and I'm wondering if it's possible to do a visa run over land to Ranong for a 30 day tourist visa? Do you need an E-visa to just get *into* Ranong? I'm an American passport holder. Thank you in advance!!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

An American passport holder can perform a 'border-bounce' from Surat Thani to Ranong to obtain a 30-day visa exemption stamp by exiting Thailand and immediately re-entering. No E-visa for Myanmar is necessary, as only a border pass is needed for a quick exit to another country.

Marco *********

Correct, Tod.

You can get a 30-day visa exemption stamp there.

When you enter Myanmar, at border they charge 500 baht OR 10 USD, only if it's a brand new banknote (in this case you save around 150 baht).

7 years ago

Tod *********

OKay, you're not doin' a "visa run" because you're not going to a thai consulate and buying a visa ;) Also not getting a 30 day tourist visa either because there is no such thing :)

You're actually doing a "border-bounce" because all you wanna do is go stamp out of thailand, stamp in&out of another country and right back into thailand to get a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp.

Be that as it may :P

Are you talking about using the Andaman Club boat that takes you to burma?

You won't need an E Visa to burma because you're just getting a border pass that stamps you in and out.

7 years ago

Robert *******

The school can only cancel your work permit, on the same day you have to cancel you Extension of Stay at Immigration. As Tod earlier replied if not correctly done you will have problems down the road if you try to get another Non Immigrant type Visa Extension.

7 years ago

Kerry **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Rob***

it's an extended stay stamp until oct. 31 but as stated my school is canceling it on September 27.

7 years ago

Robert *******

Indeed a long story without information about the stamp in the passport.

7 years ago

Tod *********

@Ke***

, sounds like a good option, BUT you're not on a work permit because that doesn't let you stay here, it lets you work here WITH the correct visa ;) You are most likely now on an extension of stay that you got at the immigration office.

If that's the case you're on an extension of stay based on employment you need to cancel it before you leave the country. If you don't you will have problems down the road if you try to get another Non-Immigrant Type visa extension . .

7 years ago

Kerry **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Rob***

it's a long story. I'm teaching in Thailand right now and my school has provided me with a work permit. However, my contract with the school ends September 20, and therefore my work permit expires on September 27th. But, my flight back to the US isnt until mid-October. To add to alll of this, I have family visiting from sept 16-oct 11 and cannot leave the country during that time frame. So I feel my only option is to leave the country this weekend and come back as a tourist for 30 days until my return flight. Does that make sense? It's a complicated situation, but this is the only viable solution I could find.

7 years ago

Robert *******

a Work Permit allows you to work in Thailand, a Visa gives you an Admitted to stay period in Thailand. Can you explain what kind of Visa or Extension Of Stay is in your passport? I'm in Thailand on a Work Permit does not make sense, sorry.

7 years ago

Kerry **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Gotcha, thanks for the clarification! I'm currently on a work permit, but need to switch over to a tourist visa. Do you think this will be a problem/raise any questions at the border?

I've read a little bit about the Andaman Club boat, so that's what I'm leaning toward. I just wanted to guarantee that I'd receive a 30-day tourist stamp 😊 and it sounds like that's the case! Thank you so much for your help, Tod!

7 years ago

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Kerry **********

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