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Can I drive to Laos or Myanmar for a visa extension in Thailand?

Visa Extension Thailand Visa Tourist Visa Cross-Border Travel Myanmar Border Laos Consulate Visa Rules Expat Advice Chiang Mai Visa Types

Jun 6, 2019

7 years ago

Conrad ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I need a visa extension. I have the use of a car. Is it possible to drive to either Laos or Myanmar or do you have to fly.TIA.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The conversation revolves around the need for a visa extension in Thailand and the possibility of driving to neighboring countries, Laos or Myanmar. One commenter suggests driving to Mae Sai to cross into Myanmar for a 30-day visa exemption, advising against taking a car for this as it may be cumbersome. Another respondent highlights that a tourist visa can only be obtained from a Thai consulate and not at land borders. It's important to cancel any existing visa extension related to employment before attempting to re-enter Thailand on a new visa. The participants discuss the logistics of driving and the requirements to enter Laos with a vehicle.

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Biff *******

I would drive up to Mae Sai, park the car and walk across the border to Myanmar. Come straight back and get your 30 day visa exempt stamp. Don’t bother taking the car across it’s a pain in the arse and not really worth the hassle.

7 years ago

Conrad ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

That’s very helpful thank you

7 years ago

Tod *********

@Conrad *******

if all you're wanting is a 30 day visa exempt entry you can bounce out and back in at the Myanmar borders of Mae Sai - Tachiliek or the Mae Sot - Myawaddy

IF you're wanting a tourist visa you'd have to go to the thai consulate in Vientiane Lao (which requires an online appointment) or the thai consulate in Savannakhet Lao.

7 years ago

Tod *********

Now IF all you're wanting is a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp you should be able to go to the border, stamp out of thailand, stamp in&out of another country and then stamp back into thailand to get a 30 day stamp.

Where ARE you in thailand so people can advice the closest border for you to cross at?

7 years ago

Conrad ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

in between Chiangmai and chiangrai

7 years ago

Reply to

Conrad ********

Tod *********

@Conrad *******

, IF you are on an extension of stay based on employment that you got from the immigration office then BEFORE you try to stamp out of the country by land you need to go cancel it at the immigration office.

THEN you can go to a thai consulate in another country and BUY a single entry tourist visa <- that's what gets you stamped in for 60 days.

you cannot get a 60 day tourist visa at a land border, you need to GO to a thai consulate and get one.

7 years ago

Conrad ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

thank you for your help

7 years ago

Tod *********

I know to get into Lao you need a vehicle 'passport', which you get from the DLT near the border BUT I would say google is your friend :/ This is a visa advice group, not a "can I drive my car into another country" group :O

7 years ago

Conrad ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

so if I cancel at immigration I can then drive to a Thai consulate? Just want to see a bit more of the country. Done enough flights before we got the job.

7 years ago

Reply to

Conrad ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Sorry yes you’re right. We finish a job shortly and lose our work Permit. We will need a tourist visa 60 day.

7 years ago

Tod *********

okay first off you don't GET an extension of a visa by exiting/re-entering the country :O

How about stating what type of visa you're on now and what you hope to accomplish by exiting/re-entering the country?

7 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

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

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