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Can I get a 60-day tourist visa at the Padang Basar border?

Jan 14, 2025
a year ago
Jack *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I've looked at all the border-run options and for me the best is an overnight train to Padang Basar, returning the same day on another overnight. Just want to confirm before booking that the 60 day tourist visa will be issued at that border? Also, is there anything to do in Padang Basar during the day-long wait?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post inquired about obtaining a 60-day tourist visa at the Padang Basar border and what to do during a lengthy wait there. Several commenters clarified that tourist visas are not issued at this border, advising to consider visa exemption options available for many nationalities. They expressed concerns about the accommodation in Padang Basar and raised issues experienced with border runs, suggesting that travelers look into organized visa run agencies for convenience.
Kristin *********
Flights to KL are super cheap. And I think thai immigration is more flexible when you come in by air as opposed to land.
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Mike ***********
Just did the border run from Hua Hin to Padang Besar with a return on a sleeper train, same day! Do not try it! You now have to spend a night in Malaysia before returning. Tried to buy a new return ticket. All trains full for 6 days. Ended up with minivan to Hat Yai and 11 hours by bus to Hua Hin. Next time I'll go to Myanmar or Cambodia.
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Jack *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mike **********
Just to confirm, you mean you tried to come back in on the same day and immigration said no, you have to spend one night in Malaysia?
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Jack *******
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Peggy ************
There is nothing to do or see in Padang Basar!!

We had to wait 2h for a connecting train to Butterworth and the wait was painfully long!!!

(we arrived by train from Hat Yai)
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William ********
It depends where you are.

I would suggest just use a visa run agency.

You pay a little bit more but the convenience is definitely worth it.
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Bent *************
What country are you from?

90 countries dont need visa.
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Jack *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bent ************
I meant visa exempt, which we're entitled to so indeed no visa required.
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Jack *******
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Chris *********************
Makes me laugh these posts can afford to stay in Thailand but want the cheapest boarder runs ???? Go have a holiday in a different country relax
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Lyndon ************
If you do stay the night, I wouldn't recommend Padang Besar, unless the accommodation has improved dramatically. What was available was rented by the hour, and the room was dire.
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Jack *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lyndon ***********
Yeah looks that way on Booking. So no, we'll take the overnight back again. Just got to pass the day there.
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Jack *******
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Lynnette *******
I don't think they issue visas at border. You'd apply on line for that and takes a few days. You'd be better to enter on the exempt of visa option if passport is from one of the countries on the list. You'd still get 60 days. No visa required and can extend 30 days too.
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Jack *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lynnette ******
Thanks, yes that's what I mean - visa on arrival or whatever it's called.
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Bob **********
@Jack ******
you should check they may want you to stay a day or two before returning
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Lynnette *******
@Jack ******
visa exempt. No visa. Entering without any visa. . .

A visa on arrival is a visa type for 15 days, only for certain passports.
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Lynnette *******
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