thailand
Ask question

Can you do visa runs by flying in and out of Thailand instead of using land transportation?

Visa RulesBorder BouncesVisa RunsThailand ImmigrationTravel TipsAir TravelExpat LivingThailand Visa Policy
Nov 10, 2022
2 years ago
Glen-do **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Seasons Greetings,

I see a lot of posts about border bounces, but never see anything about people just flying in and flying out.

Has anyone done recent visa runs via flight and what's the go? Smooth like butter?

Why do so many folks take a bus ten hours to do it?
2,663
views
4
likes
71
all likes
28
replies
0
images
14
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion highlights the possibility of conducting visa runs via flights instead of traditional land routes. While many expats opt for land-based border bounces for cost-effectiveness and guaranteed re-entry, others have successfully flown to nearby countries like Cambodia and Vietnam for quick returns to Thailand. The ease of airport immigration is noted, especially when showing proof of onward travel. However, individual experiences may vary based on past entry history and specific circumstances.
William *******
To answer your question. Yes you can leave and return by air.
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Mark *********
I take a 10 minute bus across the Mekong
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Steve *******
@Mark ********
 Less than 5 mins at Mukdahan-Savannakhet
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Steve *******
Reply
Bennett ********
I recently did a border bounce to Hanoi & back from Bangkok. US citizen, I got the 45 day visa exempt entry no problem. Airport immigration did ask me how long I intended to stay in Thailand, I showed them my plane ticket out within the 45 days, & no problem.
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Glen-do **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi
@Bennett *******
 was that in the same day? And how is entry into Vietnam? Thanks
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Bennett ********
@Glen-do *********
 No, I stayed overnight. Mainly because I'd never been to Vietnam. Also - flying these days, I think it would be a hassle to go roundtrip same day. Just my opinion. Even for that short flight I had to leave early in the morning to be at airport 2 hours early, & didn't get to hotel until like 5pm. Entry into Vietnam is no problem - at least for me as a US citizen. No Covid restrictions, no pre-flight or post-flight tests required, proof of vaccine not required. (Although I did bring a copy of my vaccine records just in case. I mean, until a few months ago, even certain venues in BKK, like museums, were asking for your vaccine records before entering. But no longer.)
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Bennett ********
Reply
Rei ***********
Been to Phnom Penh last Monday morning and back evening. Everything was fine.
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Leon ****
1st. Bus ticket is cheaper than air tickets. 2nd there is no delay or cancel with bus. 3rd not everyone is living at Bangkok. It might require multi trip to the airport.
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Jonathan *******
Took the 7am flight from DMK to Penang, spent the day there wondering around and took the 10 flight home. Immigration was a breeze but I guess it depends on your past entry history.

Was a nice day though
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Glen-do **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert *****
 also Penang?
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Robert ******
@Glen-do *********
 yes
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Robert ******
Reply
Robert ******
@Jonathan ******
 Did it a couple of weeks ago like you say a breeze.
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Robert ******
Reply
Erin ***************
I flew to Cambodia…walked through customs/immigration and returned through check-in
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Glen-do **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Erin **************
 yeah no worries, I appreciate the heads up. I guess just never knew people fly in and out like that 😅
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Glen-do **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Erin **************
 really? That easy?
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Erin ***************
@Glen-do *********
 it was awhile ago….so, do your homework before trying anything.
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Erin ***************
@Glen-do *********
 yup
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Erin ***************
Reply
Alistair **********
You can fly if you want. The reason people do border runs by land is because the companies pay a guy at the border to make sure you get stamped back in. That's why you don't hear of people getting denied entry using a company.

If you flew here on a 30day visa exempt and then got another 30 day extension, you probably won't have an issue flying out and back in. Do it a couple more times, u probably will. Or if you have a history of staying in Thailand, then you can have issues.
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Steve *******
@Alistair *********
 Not really what happens.
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Steve *******
Reply
Brandon ************
You just asked about a border bounce. A visa run is when you go and apply for and purchase a visa. A border bounce is stamping out of Thailand, stamping into another country, then stamping right back into Thailand. It doesn't matter if you're doing it by land or air, still a border bounce.
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Peter ****************
Okay
@Gabriel *******
, sorry as said, I'm no native English speaker. Only see now that the word "application" has two meanings I think.

'y'r "in application" and e.g. "make an application for a visa". I was refering to the second one, so that's why my remark.
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Peter ****************
Well
@Gabriel *******
, I am not a native English speaker but you say 'application'. You not do any 'application' with border hops/bounces. You come in on visa exempt, multi entry tourist- or non O multi entry visa. The only difference in my knowledge is that you can do this by land borders only two times a year with visa exempt. And another difference is only the imm. officers themselves. Does not matter by land or 'by airport imm' coming in. They can be giving you a hard time or not.
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Dan ********
@Peter ***************
 application - when a theory (or set of rules) is actually applied to the real life situation. 'In Theory / In practice' . Does not relate to any application form.
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Gabriel ********
@Peter ***************
 no idea what you’re talking about re my use of the word application…the land border limit is what I was speaking to…certainly you make a good point regarding the whims of individual agents
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Gabriel ********
Reply
Gabriel ********
@Brandon ***********
 it matters very much if you do it by land vs air
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Brandon ************
@Gabriel *******
 not for the generic term of border bounce and it's definitely not a visa run.
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Gabriel ********
Not sure either of those terms have exact definitions but in application there are big differences between flying in vs crossing by land
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Steve ********
@Gabriel *******
 A visa run entails getting a visa. Crossing over a border whether by land or air, you do not get a new visa. You merely get a new entry stamp as exempt, or 90 days on a non-O, or 365 days on a non-OA. The terms are used frequently in the context of entering Thailand. If you wish to redefine what has been used for years it's your prerogative, but you'll only add confusion. Whether you like it or not, flying out and flying straight back in again is a border bounce, not a visa run
2 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Steve ********
Reply
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
What are the easiest destinations for border bouncing to get 180 days in Thailand by plane?
16 comments
4 months ago
Can I enter Thailand again on a visa run bus tour after multiple entries this year?
7 comments
7 months ago
What are the budget-friendly options for a visa run or border bounce from Bangkok?
16 comments
9 months ago
Can I do a same-day visa run from Thailand with a multiple entry tourist visa?
22 comments
a year ago
What are the best and cost-effective options for a visa run from Bangkok?
21 comments
a year ago
Can you repeatedly do visa runs by land in Thailand, and how does immigration handle them?
13 comments
a year ago
What are the best cities for a quick air trip from Thailand for a visa run, and is it possible to return the same day?
4 comments
2 years ago
What is the experience of doing a visa run from Thailand to Malaysia by air?
12 comments
2 years ago
What is the process for doing a visa run in Thailand after long-term stays?
14 comments
2 years ago
What should I know about doing a visa run by land from Thailand to a neighboring country?
24 comments
2 years ago
What is the best way to handle a border run from Bangkok to Cambodia or Vietnam?
24 comments
3 years ago
What is the difference between a 'border bounce' and a 'visa run' in Thailand?
5 comments
3 years ago
What is the difference between a border bounce and a visa run in Thailand?
41 comments
3 years ago
What are the current travel costs and requirements for visa runs to Thailand?
12 comments
3 years ago
Where Can I Quickly Do a Land Border Visa Run from Thailand?
6 comments
5 years ago
Is crossing the border from Thailand to Cambodia by plane for a visa run as easy as by van?
0 comments
5 years ago
Can you do two visa runs by land back-to-back in Thailand?
4 comments
6 years ago
What are the differences between a flight and a bus for border runs to Thailand, and can I obtain a 60-day visa by land?
19 comments
6 years ago
Why should I fly to a city in Thailand close to the border to get a visa, and what are the advantages of stopping at the Thai Embassy?
20 comments
6 years ago
What are the quickest and cheapest options for border bouncing from Chiang Mai when I’ve exceeded land crossings?
8 comments
7 years ago
What are the options for doing a visa run from Thailand with a 6-month METV?
15 comments
7 years ago
What are the rules and options for doing border runs in Thailand?
17 comments
7 years ago
Is it allowed to take a same-day flight out of Thailand for a visa run?
13 comments
7 years ago
Can I fly in and out of Thailand to get another 30-day exemption after my 60-day extended visa exemption?
7 comments
7 years ago
What are the best options for a visa run by flight from Bangkok?
48 comments
7 years ago
Data protection policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimerPrivacy policyRefund policy
The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.