Answered4 years ago
Can you do visa runs by flying in and out of Thailand instead of using land transportation?
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?
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?
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.
28 repliesnewest first
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William *******
To answer your question. Yes you can leave and return by air.
Mark *********
I take a 10 minute bus across the Mekong
Steve *******
@Mark ********
Less than 5 mins at Mukdahan-Savannakhet
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.
Glen-do **********
OPHi
@Bennett *******
was that in the same day? And how is entry into Vietnam? ThanksBennett ********
@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.)
Rei ***********
Been to Phnom Penh last Monday morning and back evening. Everything was fine.
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.
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
Was a nice day though
Glen-do **********
OP@Robert *****
also Penang?
Robert ******
Robert ******
@Jonathan ******
Did it a couple of weeks ago like you say a breeze.Erin ***************
I flew to Cambodia…walked through customs/immigration and returned through check-in
Glen-do **********
OP@Erin **************
yeah no worries, I appreciate the heads up. I guess just never knew people fly in and out like that 😅Glen-do **********
OP@Erin **************
really? That easy?Erin ***************
@Glen-do *********
it was awhile ago….so, do your homework before trying anything.Erin ***************
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.
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.
Steve *******
@Alistair *********
Not really what happens.
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.
Peter ****************
Okay
'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.
@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.
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.
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.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 agentsGabriel ********
@Brandon ***********
it matters very much if you do it by land vs airBrandon ************
@Gabriel *******
not for the generic term of border bounce and it's definitely not a visa run.
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 runGabriel ********
Not sure either of those terms have exact definitions but in application there are big differences between flying in vs crossing by land
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