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Can I leave Thailand for a few hours on a DTV visa and return the same day?

DTV Visa Thailand Immigration Visa Regulations Border Bounce Re-Entry Rules Expat Advice

Aug 6, 2025

5 days ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi, I have a DTV visa, and I'm wondering if I absolutely need to leave Thailand for several days or can I leave for a few hours and come back the same day? Thanks in advance for your help.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Users discuss the possibility of leaving Thailand with a DTV visa for a short period and returning the same day. While many have successfully done this without issue, responses suggest caution as experiences vary with immigration officers and specific border rules. Some officers may question this practice, viewing it as an attempt to circumvent visa regulations. Ultimately, it's noted that while many report no problems with quick exits and returns, some borders may impose restrictions on same-day re-entries.

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Mike *****

The reason why you need to. Leave is to stamp out and to stamp in with the proper stamp. So you can just come back within 5 min and should have no problems.

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Henrik *****

You may be lucky to get by with a few hours / minutes, but some Immigration officers, are smart enough to see that you are trying to circumvent Thai laws, and then it can be troublesome.

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Alex ********

I would just take a weekend and hang out somewhere 😆

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Anonymous ******************

People have been doing border bounces for a very long time..........

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Anonymous ******************

All depends on Thai immigration officers; some borders prohibit, while others allow.

I took a walk out and returned to Thailand in less than ten minutes.

You can also use an agent, but the cost is higher, and the wait time for group passports back within the border was 30 - 60 minutes. As a result, I prefer to do the run solo.

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DTV_Be*******

You can literally fly to KL go through immigration walk to the check in counter go back through immigration and come back to Thailand

I used to leave at 8am arrive KL at 1030am, depart at 1400 and arrive back in bkk at 1630 same day

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Luit *****************

Of course you can do that, and it is perfectly legal, but might attract IO attention because it is obvious you might try to circumvent Thai laws, especially when you do this near the end of your 180 days stay.

This might trigger the IO to check you for complying to all visa requirements, so it migh be a good idea to be prepared for that.

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DTV_Be*******

@Luit ****************

you have a valid visa it’s not grey area it’s a border bounce

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DTV_Be*******

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Roger ***********

DTV_Begpacker it s all up to immigration agents….

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DTV_Be*******

@Roger **********

the op stars he has a valid visa so harm at all

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DTV_Be*******

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Anonymous ******************

I've done a few hours to singapore and back

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Wannikea *********

In all likelihood having a multiple entry visa you will encounter no restrictions. You haven't said where you plan to actually cross and reenter.

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Pete *******

By air you can exit and immediately return. Some border crossing don’t allow same day re-entry.

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Luit *****************

I experienced that before DTV at Pedang Besar crossing with Malaysia.

We were just shopping and got back and were not allowed in by Thai IO.

The IO could not give a good reason for refusal, he just said at this border crossing they did not allow same day return.

I never found an official rule stating this, do you know if it is an official rule or just some kind of trick to get advantage for IO?

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James ********

@Luit ****************

it's up to the Thai Immigration Officer. That's why it's wise to use a border bounce service company. They have you out and back the same day or next day if unable to use a Cambodian border crossing. They pre-clear your passport before doing a border bounce.

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James ********

THIS Bangkok based border and Visa run service company is the largest and its website is full of helpful information.

****************************

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James ********

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Greg ********

Plenty reports of people doing border bounces for quite a minimal time. Leaving Chiang Mai for the Laos border, crossing and returning to Thailand.

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Paul ************

Went to Singapore in the morning from kou samui and flew back that afternoon no questions asked.

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Toni *******

I was in cambodia few minutes (enter and exit counter are next to each other), ban pakkad border, february. This month I will be driving to Vientiane border

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Anonymous ******************

Yea, I dont recommend cambodia border runs right now obviously

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Anonymous ******************

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