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Can I re-enter Thailand from No Mans Land after shopping without crossing into Laos, and am I eligible for a visa on arrival?

Visa Rules Thailand Immigration Visa on Arrival NO Visa Visa Exempt Entry Thai-Lao Border Crossing Friendship Bridge Nong Khai Immigration Procedures

Jan 3, 2018

7 years ago

Mark ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

If I exit Thailand at the Thai Border Gate on Friendship Bridge Nong Khai. and go shopping in No Mans Land  ,Can I re enter without crossing the bridge to enter Laos and can I get a visa on arrival to re enter Thailand?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion revolves around whether one can exit Thailand at the Friendship Bridge, shop in No Mans Land, and then re-enter Thailand without officially entering Laos. The consensus is that you must obtain a Lao visa to cross the border and cannot return to Thailand without entering Laos first. Additionally, misconceptions around the visa on arrival and visa exempt rules are clarified, indicating that the length of stay and eligibility depend on nationality.

Amornrat **********

I wanted to send the link from MFA web page, but found out that they still use the file from march 2016, which is out of date. I have send a request to update, let's see if any use.

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Tod *********

Here is the notice that moved visa exempt entry stamps back to 30 days and put a limit on them of TWO in a calendar year by land for 44 countries.

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Amornrat **********

Mexican need visa before arriving in Thailand.

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Ivan ************

I believe Mexicans need to get a visa in advance Terary, they will get nothing at the border.

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Terary **********

And people form Mexico will get 15 or 30 days?

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Terary **********

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Terary **********

@Mark **********

-- Depends on your nationality. Some people on this site are particular about what you call it "Visa on Arival" or "Visa exempt" or whatever. But in all cases if you enter Thailand via land border the length of stay depends on your nationality.

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Oscar ******************

Totally different.

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Steve *******

Visa on arrival and visa exempt are two different animals. Not really being particular.

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Steve *******

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Mark ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I understand that the Thai visa on arrival from Lao is now reduced to 15 days.

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Alvin ******

Thanks again Tod!

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Tod *********

if you have that Non-O visa you can bounce in and out by the border.

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Alvin ******

Hi Tod, if I managed to get a multiple entry visa based on marriage, will it be okay to just cross the border by land every 90days? Or does the rule of visa exempt entry by land applies? Thank you!

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Oscar ******************

@Mark **********

, the 15 days visa on arrival is only for some countries, I remember now Malta, Andorra, some ex-soviet countries... but not your nationality.

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Oscar ******************

30 days exemption visa stamp.

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Tod *********

that is incorrect. :/

Visa exempt entries by land borders for people went back to 30 days on Dec 31st 2016 and at that time they made a rule that you can only get TWO 30 day visa exempt entries by land in a calendar year.

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Tod *********

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Jim ************

B1000 for Laos Visa whether you stay for 5 minutes or 30 days

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Oscar ******************

1500 baht (I'm Spaniard).

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Frank **************

Agree 1500 Baht, If you are a Swiss National you get 30 day free , at least 2 month ago Laos Border Savannakhet

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Steve *******

1500 if paying in baht

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Jim ************

true - B1000 rough guess

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Tod *********

Lao visas are sold on a sliding scale depending on country of passport. it ranges from $42USD down to $30USD

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Tod *********

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Tod *********

, if all you're wanting is a 30 day visa exempt entry (seeing as there is NO such thing as a 30 day visa on arrival) you would have to BUY the visa for lao, stamp in and out of lao and then back into thailand at that border.

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Ian ***************

Years ago I "accidentally" rode (motorbike) across the Friendship bridge without getting proper stamps. Within less than a minute there were Lao cops in my side mirrors and I was "escorted" back to Immigration and put in interrogation room. Trust me, don't try to break protocol with these guys ;-)

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Tod *********

, sorry, I thought you were stating you could just stamp out of thailand, walk out on the bridge turn around and stamp back in without going into lao. :/

A LOT of people try that thinking they're gonna get away with it and none do. ;)

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Jason ******

Tod Daniels Of course you will need to stamp into Laos first. Basically exit Thailand at Nong Khai, then go to the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge and stamp into Laos, but then you can leave Laos, and return and stamp back into Thailand at Nong Khai.

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ริค ***********

Yes lucky me hahah

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Tod *********

, and

, nope you can't stamp out of thailand, pretend to go to lao, turn around and then stamp back into thailand. It doesn't matter if you're on a multi-entry visa or not. You have to stamp in&out of another country by a land crossing.

The people at thai passport control will send you to Lao to get a visa and the entry exit stamps.

Believe me you ain't the first people who thought up that idea, and you won't be the last.

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Tod *********

, canada is the most expensive country to get into Lao it's $42USD

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Jason ******

@Terary *********

You can do this if you have a METV. Stamp out stamp right back in. But most people also go to Laos to apply for a SETV, so staying in Laos for at least 2 days is the minimum.

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Ian ***************

Lao visa on arrival most nationalities pay $30-35USD If you pay in baht it costs more.

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ริค ***********

Depending on your country. I am from Canada and I paid 1800 baht

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Bernie ********

How much is the visa for Lao? tod

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ริค ***********

Thai person can do this for 100 baht. But just to go to duty free and than come back.

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Terary **********

Has anybody tried this before? Exit Thailand, walk across the street and re-enter while never officially being in Lao. I know some people have walked through the check point without getting stamped - maybe this could work.

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Mark ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Question answered thank you

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Mark ***********

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Joe ***********

Have you been to this bridge? No real shops - exit Thailand - cross the bridge... Been there several times saw nothing but the Thai exit and the bridge

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Joe ***********

You buy a Lao visa on arrival - then you can walk around - go to Vientiane - what ever

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Steve *******

. If you're that close then paying for the Laos visa is going to be the cheapest option, at least no/little traveling expenses.

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Mark ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Was just working out the most cost effective way to get Visa lol I live 20 minutes from Nong Khai .

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Steve *******

. If you dont want to go to Laos then dont exit Thailand at a Thai/Laos border crossing.

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Ian ***************

Thai immigration won't let you back into Thailand without a Laos exit stamp, which means once you're on the bridge with a Thai exit stamp you must enter Laos and get a Lao visa (on arrival). Then you can turn around and go back.

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George *******

mission impossible...555!

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Mark ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I dont want to go to Loas

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Mark ***********

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