Answered9 years ago
Can you exit Thailand and return through a Laos border crossing without a Laos visa?
Did Ash just delete his post thinking he could, leave Thailand and return, at a Laos border crossing without entering or buying a visa for Laos?
Answer summary
The conversation discusses the misconception that one can leave Thailand, briefly enter 'no man's land' near a Laos border, and return to Thailand without obtaining a Laos visa or entry/exit stamps. Commenters emphasize that this is not feasible as Thai immigration will likely refuse re-entry without proper documentation and may send individuals back to apply for the necessary visa.
40 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Andrew *******
F
Jan **********
Let him try please let him try
Jan **********
Irony, dear, irony.
Amornrat **********
Please do not try.
Tod *********
Believe me Ash, ain't the first foreigner to try this (& I'm sure he won't be the last either ;) ).
The question comes up on thai related forums ALL the time.
There is an extremely small (and in minuscule) chance the I/O at passport control won't look for your lao visa and entry exit stamps.
Most reports I've read say the foreigner was sent back to get the lao visa along with the entry/exit stamps BEFORE they're stamped into thailand.
The question comes up on thai related forums ALL the time.
There is an extremely small (and in minuscule) chance the I/O at passport control won't look for your lao visa and entry exit stamps.
Most reports I've read say the foreigner was sent back to get the lao visa along with the entry/exit stamps BEFORE they're stamped into thailand.
Amornrat **********
and there a few that you not read about, they are the ones locked up and deported for illegal entry.
Andrew *******
I've heard and read of people doing this at various borders. Of course you *should* get a visa for Laos (or wherever) and Thai immigration will probably turn you back if they check and notice you don't have one...but they evidently neglect to check this at least a certain proportion of the time.
Don't get me wrong - I think chances are that you won't get away with it, but the chance of them not noticing are definitely higher than 0%/impossible. How many people enter Thailand each day with the incorrect stamp? It's definitely more than zero. ;)
Don't get me wrong - I think chances are that you won't get away with it, but the chance of them not noticing are definitely higher than 0%/impossible. How many people enter Thailand each day with the incorrect stamp? It's definitely more than zero. ;)
Amornrat **********
and how many sit in IDC because of such small oversight. I can tell you a few. Thai Immigration in general do not like to look you up, but in such case, even you have a entry stamp it is considered as illegal entry.
Steve *******
OPAsh Gourley. Nice try but, as Im sure you know now, it cant be done.
Jacco ***********
LOL there is NO way it can be done, in none of the four neighboring countries, Thai immigration will see that you are lacking an entry/exit stamp from the other country and will send you back
Maxim ***********
What do u mean? You can't cross Nong Khai to Dongphosy without paying the visa on arrival. If you mean u got rejected at border in Poipet well if you don't pay the bribe it's game over.
Troy *********
I'm currently on 13 months on mine
Tod *********
@Ma***
, They most certainly do have a year-long multi-entry Non-Immigrant Type O visa for thailand. With that visa you need to exit/re-enter thailand every 90 days, but you can get almost 15 months of stay out of it.Steve *******
OP@Maxim **********
. Yes the non-imm OMaxim ***********
They don't have 1 year multi-entry in Thailand? Do you mean non-O something? The 6 months multi-entry do exist yes but u need to make it in ur own country (or Perth i've heard?).
Maxim ***********
Yeah border crossing have never been a problem in any country for me but everytime I in and out Laos the same day it seem to take longer and more eyebrows then Myammar.
Steve *******
OP@Maxim **********
. Around $150 for the 1 year multi entry to Thailand.Steve *******
OP@Maxim **********
.Border crossings. For whatever reason you go.Maxim ***********
Not sure if u mean crossing or border run in and out inside 30 min. If both well I was probably unlucky. Myammar border much cheaper $10 usd... Laos is $40+ for Canadian.
Jacco ***********
@Steve ******
Yes and FSB III (Nakhom Phanom) is pretty ok as wellSteve *******
OP@Maxim **********
, nong khai, mukdahan and chong mek crossings all seem to be fairly user friendlyJacco ***********
@Maxim **********
Yeah :) Easy there, I got my two stamps as well, and I'm just a tourist, next time it's visa time in Vientiane :)Maxim ***********
I'm relocating to Phnom Penh saturday, not for that particular reason but 1 year multi-entry for $280 is very appailing.
Jacco ***********
@Maxim **********
So you are done doing border runs now :)Maxim ***********
I had some problem in the border near CM (Chiang Khong?) on a border run late last year. They told me to not come back at this border and do a proper visa next time although this was my first border run that year. I've done 2 border run in Tachilek this year and it was $10 usd and very easy in and out.
Jacco ***********
@Steve ******
Yeah Lao is easy, entered Lao many times, although never to do a border run, Lao is a destination in it's own right :)Steve *******
OPMaxim Thibodeau. Laos border crossings are no problem, IMHO easier than Myanmar.
Steve *******
OP@Jacco **********
. Yep. That's what I said.Maxim ***********
Even trying is a bad idea they might feel insulted and just blackmail his passport. Border run in Laos is not that easy anymore, easier in Myammar.
Jacco ***********
@Steve ******
Ash thought he could exit Thailand and enter Lao without paying for a visa on arrival on the premises that he would return straight away, or even not enter Lao at all. If he does enter Lao he will pay for VOA, if he does not enter Lao, he will be send back by Thai immigration and still pay for the LAO voa.Steve *******
OPAll the comments said he couldnt.
Steve *******
OPThis seems to be what Ash thought he could do with his origional post.
Maxim ***********
Did not see the post, if he ask for it it mean he don't know? If he delete post knowing it mean people said he could?
Steve *******
OPOf course it's not possible, that's what we're saying!
Maxim ***********
That's impossible. It's a nice angle to try but 0% chance it work.
Steve *******
OPI think he means trying to leave thailand, enter 'no mans land' and then return without entering another country
Ade ******
Done that at Nong Khai. Tried at Poiphet and got sent back!
Maxim ***********
Did not see his post but he can't, in Malaysia you can.
Amornrat **********
In such case, at land border, going OUT/IN without having the other side visa and entry/exit stamp, Thai Immigration in Bangkok or elsewhere would consider this an illegal entry. You must have the other side visa and entry exit stamp.
Steve *******
OPMaxim. But you still have to enter Malaysia, albeit, some countries dont need a visa. Ash was talking about leaving Thailand, not entering Laos, and then re-entering Thailand.
Activity
10 joined10
people
Related
25What should I do if I forgot my 90-day report in Thailand and am due to leave soon?
1.2k11126d
What happens if I'm late on my 90-day report while on a visa extension in Thailand?
4.7k29821mo
Will I have problems entering Thailand again after multiple stays this year?
3.2k20542mo
Will I be fined for filing my TM30 late if immigration is closed on my arrival day?
6.4k63522mo
Can I use the THIM app with a DTV visa when returning to Thailand?
1.5k8215mo
What visa options are available for expats in Thailand with a Thai spouse after multiple tourist entries?
15.3k204355mo
Will I face issues with Thailand immigration without a return ticket and while applying for a marriage visa?
5.7k49587mo
Can I enter Thailand on a DTV using the Laos border crossing and receive a 6 month stamp?
510241y
Do I need a fresh TM30 for my next 90-day report after returning to Thailand, and can I submit it online?
1.6k881y
What should I do if I want to visit Thailand again after three previous entries this year?
4k32381y
Can I switch from a tourist visa to an extended yearly visa in Thailand?
5.6k55252y
Have the remarks on Thailand's DTV visa changed for remote work categories?
3.5k28292y
Can I obtain a new visa after getting a re-entry permit for a 90-day Non-O visa in Thailand?
763192y
Do I need to file a 90-day report if I'm leaving Thailand exactly on the due date?
1.5k9153y
Can I get a 7-day visa extension before my flight, and enter Thailand as a tourist later?
988493y
Do I need to register my return to Thailand if I have a multiple entry visa?
3.4k21483y
Can I still extend my Thai visa if I'm one day overstay?
6k39743y
What are people's experiences with the Chong Chom border crossing in Thailand?
2k1593y
What visa should I apply for if I want to return to Thailand to get married after my education visa?
925554y
Is it legal to do a same-day border run from Thailand to Laos and back for a new 45-day entry stamp?
2.3k16194y
Do I need written consent from my ex to take my daughter on holiday to Thailand?
4.1k34354y
Can I travel to the Philippines and return to Thailand on a Covid extension visa?
1.5k8174y
Is it necessary to book a return ticket when moving to Thailand, or is a one-way ticket sufficient?
4.2k42187y
Can my friend renew her tourist visa extension at immigration more than once in Thailand?
3168y
What options do I have for my visa in Thailand between January 11th and February 10th?
2.2k15238y
Resources
Need help with your retirement visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served