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Can I exit Thailand to Laos overland if I hold a Non-O visa?
Jan 18, 2026
3 months ago
Breathtaking************
ORIGINAL POSTERHi. I need help. An agent told me they not allow to exit Thailand via border to Laos, Vientiane. The agent told me must to exit only with a flight. However, I have never heard of such restriction before. I have booked a flight to Udon planning to cross there. My biggest worry that they will tell me to return to Bangkok and order a flight to Vientiane. I have heard they don't allow some people in but never heard they deny exit.
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user is concerned about exiting Thailand to Laos via a land border because an agent has informed them that they must exit by flight. Although many commenters suggested that crossing by land is possible for those with valid visas, there are apprehensions about being flagged due to prior visa-exempt stays. Experiences shared indicate mixed outcomes at various borders. For travelers planning to apply for a visa in Vientiane, it's advised to ensure all paperwork is korrekt and to be aware of the potential scrutiny at borders.
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Terary **********
I have crossed several land borders. Not one time did I find people living in between the border. Just saying..
Breathtaking************
ORIGINAL POSTERTerary Apellido I know. There were reports lately of people being told to go back and fly out. They are not sleeping between the borders 😆
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Breathtaking************
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Sean *********
A few people have commented on not being allowed to leave at the boarder to Loas. I assume it is down to the visa your holding
Gorgon *****
ok, re the Northeast, so I assume the same for the crossings in the North....restrictions were in their infancy early last year, though one only had to stay a minimum of 4 days, but one can almost conclude that flying out and in is the only recourse. (Re Laos)..and pretty much has to be Vientiane, or Savannakhet should you want to obtain a tourist visa....(these are but assumptions at this point)
Breathtaking************
ORIGINAL POSTERGorgon Lar I'm going to apply for non-o in Vientiane. That's why i plan to cross the Nong Khai border. My biggest worry is that they will send me back to Bangkok to order a flight.
Gorgon *****
had assumed lao air had a flight from Udon Thani since I have flown INTO there before, but perhaps too short a passage to make it worthwhile.
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Gorgon *****
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Ian **********
It doesn't affect people who have a visa. They are being intolerant of visa-exempt border bouncers.
Breathtaking************
ORIGINAL POSTERIan Morrison I have a non-o single entry that ends soon. I plan to go to Vientiane to do another non-o. Do you think that's ok to cross that border?
John **********
BreathtakingReindeer1677 How many Non-O single entry visas have you had? This may be a consideration. Why not just get an extension of stay as you are supposed to do?
Breathtaking************
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
I had many. I didn't transfer money to Thailand.John **********
BreathtakingReindeer1677 in which case I really don't know if this will be an issue for you or not
Breathtaking************
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
the previous times the immigration officer didn't say anything. There is no rule against it. The new rule applies to visa exempt visa runs.Shane ***********
BreathtakingReindeer1677 I’m heading there tomorrow to get my METV through an agent, they told me I had to fly from BKK.
Breathtaking************
ORIGINAL POSTERShane Kinneally interesting. That's also what the agent told me.
John **********
BreathtakingReindeer1677 there's no entry rules against it but it must be questionable whether the consulate will continue to keep issuing you with 90 day Non-O visas for ever
Breathtaking************
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
never been warned before. can assume that if there was an issue with that they would have warned me before.John **********
BreathtakingReindeer1677 you'll either get the visa or you won't. You won't get a warning. No idea how border immigration will react
Breathtaking************
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
my worry is not the visa. My worry is to be denied a border exit.John **********
BreathtakingReindeer1677 I guess it's a possibility, I've really no idea in your situation
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John **********
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Collywobble **********
that border is nasty but unfortunately I stay quite near...had to wait an hour to exit and told to return via airport...if not for family and friends here to visit I would not return to Thailand until things returned to previous friendly ways
Breathtaking************
ORIGINAL POSTERCollywobble Thomason interesting. Thanks for the info. Was you on visa exempt or going to apply to a visa in Laos. Good thing they let you out to Laos.
Collywobble **********
BreathtakingReindeer1677 no just a 2 week holiday/aka visa run......had to fly to don muang and anxioius time in Laos but chose a homely looking immo officer avoided the stern loolers and back in easy peasy. visa exempt 60 more days ...next year tourist visa but the thais moved the goalposts without warning ...not nice nor conducive to encouraging people to visit
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Collywobble **********
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Jonny *********
Problem is you can get stuck in Laos at the border if you not let in back to Thailand.
Breathtaking************
ORIGINAL POSTERJonny Larsson I will apply for a visa in Vientiane
Scott *********
Jonny Larsson he never mentioned he wanted to re-enter Thailand. Could be continuing his travels elsewhere.
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Scott *********
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Richard ********
Contact a thai embassy.
Robert *********
I just don't it 3 days ago..
Canadian
METV visa
Lots of foreigner do it on that day.
I was sent for a secondary inspection. No.problem.
Nong kai was nice
Canadian
METV visa
Lots of foreigner do it on that day.
I was sent for a secondary inspection. No.problem.
Nong kai was nice
Bob **********
Robert Merrell you had a valid visa that’s why they let you
Robert *********
Bob D'Andrea many were on visa exempt ,no problem .
I think it's basically a problem for people trying to get more than 6 months on exempt.
I think it's basically a problem for people trying to get more than 6 months on exempt.
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Robert *********
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John **********
If you have a history of staying in Thailand visa exempt they won't let you out if they know they're not going to let you back in visa exempt. If your purpose of exiting is to go to apply for a visa you should be OK
djfre*****
@John *********
it not only effects Visa exempt .I always get an evisa from Australia still get a lecture n scrutiny n threats to not allow entry on arrival at Bangkok immigration .so not coming back to Thailand till these power Hungry immigration officers are reigned in ,treating people like criminals doesn't do much for tourismTom **********
@John *********
What if one doesn't intend to come back via this border (e.g. taking a flight back)?Garrett ***********
@Tom *********
Then you're fine. They just don't let you out if you won't be able to come back it.Reply to
Garrett ***********
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Breathtaking************
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
Not exempt. I will be applying for non-o marriage.John **********
BreathtakingReindeer1677 have the paperwork with you and you should be OK
Reply to
John **********
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