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Do I need a re-entry permit before leaving Thailand for a border run to Laos?

Thailand immigration Re-entry permit Visa rules Thailand Tourist visa Border run TM30 form

May 29, 2024

9 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I’m am doing my first boarder run to Laos next week and I looked in my passport at the stamp when I extended my current tourist visa and it mentions something about a re-entry permit. Can anyone advise if I need to go back to the immigration office before leaving to get this, or can I simply leave Thailand for a few days (I have booked three days out of the country) and then return without any issues? I know I need to go back to the immigration office upon my return to submit a TM30 confirming where I will be living.

Many thanks in advance.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is inquiring about the necessity of obtaining a re-entry permit before undertaking a border run to Laos while holding a tourist visa. Comments clarify that a re-entry permit is needed to keep the current visa valid upon re-entry, while others suggest border runs can be done without lengthy stays and provide insights on new visa announcements.

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Jeffrey **********

You don't need to spend 3 days in a neighboring country I've done numerous border runs by absolute quickest one was 2 minutes. Laos usually takes a little bit longer but I have been out for less than an hour never an issue

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Dave *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jeffrey *********

100%? I read a minimum of a few days so played it safe with 3 days. Is it also true that you can only re enter thailand twice in a calendar year now?

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Jeffrey **********

land border crossingsare 2 times in calendar year

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Dave *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jeffrey *********

so flying you can do as many as you like?

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Shaughn ***********

technically yes until they count up the total number of days you’ve spent in the country in the past 12 months is over 180 days then they seem to begin asking questions

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Jeffrey **********

technically

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Jeffrey **********

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Jim ********

They just announced new Visa,s starting June 1st, Google it

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John **********

they? There has been no official announcement. What you have heard or read may or may not happen

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Jim ********

Not starting until September

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Jim ********

I just read it again it says June 1st

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Stephen *********

next month. Beginning of June

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Jim ********

@Stephen ********

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Jim ********

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Dave *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I’ve just read it starts in June too.

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

*****

6-2024-05-28

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Dominique *********

merci du renseignement

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Jim ********

Government announced changes will be introduced from September. You do realise June 1st is only two days away and the changes have to be published in the Royal Gazette?

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Jim ********

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Brandon ************

A re-entry permit would make it so you cannot do a border bounce. The re-entry permit means your stamp does not go invalid when you leave Thailand. That means when you went to Laos and then re-entered Thailand, you would only be stamped in until the end of your current stamp instead of getting a new stamp. It would make a border bounce useless.

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Dave *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

Ah, so it is only of use if I have a visa with lots of time remaining and I want to leave and come back without applying for a new visa and voiding my current one?

I’m planning on staying in Laos for 3 days. When I come back into Thailand will I simply get another tourist visa or do I need to go to the Thai embassy in Laos first? Sorry for all the questions, it’s my first time doing this. I am going to apply for a retirement visa in a few months as I need to go back to the UK at the end of July regardless so I planned on starting the process at the Thai embassy in the UK in the hope that it will be easier without the language barrier.

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Brandon ************

if you want a tourist visa you apply for it and pay for it at a Thai embassy. But you can't just walk in. Vientiane requires an appointment and Savannakhet will require an appointment starting June 4th.

Otherwise if you're from a country that's eligible for visa exempt, you'll receive a 30 day stamp when you enter Thailand (not a visa).

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Dave *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

so basically I need to make an appointment at the embassy if I want to return? I looked and it says they only do applications 9am to 12 noon and it takes two working days not including the day of application before you can collect. This would mean I need to stay a day longer there as my flight on the 4th of just only land mid morning so I’ll be cutting it fine to get there in time.

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Brandon ************

as I said, if you want a 60 day tourist visa you'll need to go to the embassy. If you just want a 30 day visa exempt stamp then you don't need to do anything except return.

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Dave *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

that’s all I need, plus an extension to give me the three extra weeks to take me to the end of July. I’m thinking that’s better than stay yet another day in Laos. Thanks for your advice. I find it confusing sometimes because I seem to struggle getting my questions across using Google translate.

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Dave *********

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