Do I need to stay overnight in Laos when performing a border bounce for my METV in Thailand?

Visa Rules Border Crossing Thailand Immigration METV Laos Visa Expat Life in Thailand

Dec 9, 2024

9 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I've been coming to Thailand for many years staying in our house in Chiang rai with my wife who is dual nationality UK/Thai for 5 months from October to march .I have always used a 6 month METV..we have over the last 3 years gone across to Laos at the golden triangle resort and spent a few hours looking around the new place they are building then coming back into Thailand and starting my next 60 days.. I will be doing the same routine next week with my wife but I'm being told that I will have to stay in Laos for at least one night.. can you  confirm this .I will be with my wife who is a Thai...thank you

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is seeking clarification on whether they need to stay overnight in Laos during their routine border bounce to extend their stay in Thailand using a METV (Multiple Entry Tourist Visa). Comments indicate that while traditionally, a quick exit and re-entry might not require an overnight stay, recent regulations may now mandate at least a one-night stay, especially for those doing a visa-exempt border bounce. Some users have shared experiences of successfully crossing and re-entering without lengthy stays, while others suggest verifying the latest rules with local border services.

David ********

What's the big deal with overnight or even a couple of nights. It's cheap as chips and you get your visa. Relax and enjoy the holiday.

9 days ago

Peter *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@David *******

I've got my visa..just asking the question

9 days ago

Chris ******

@Peter ********

Good question. I am 60 days exempt and need to do a bounce for new 60 day exemption soon. I have not done an extension.

8 days ago

David ********

@Chris *****

go by train goes across from Thailand Nong Khai to Vietiane you can get the sleeper train from bkk

8 days ago

Chris ******

@David *******

Am in ChiangMai.

8 days ago

Reply to

Chris ******

Jack *****

I did border bounce... sop ruak. One night stay lao....sv hotel...return next morning. Suggest the immigration man to the far right .... you will have to pass through police check point in and out from sv hotel... in no problem.. said sv hotel.. out... the head police guy wanted passport. He used phone to take photos..called someone.. he say ok. ..go. I walked to immigration building... in and out..immigration man say ""Friday " I say "today " which was Thursday. He stamp me our... ferry back to Thailand. The first immigration man on the left seemed cranky. Got 60 stamp from man on the far right.. this was less than two weeks ago... 2000B lao fee .. paid in thai baht..

9 days ago

Tod *********

@Jack ****

that's Chiang Saen that takes you by boat across to the Special Economic Zone on the Lao side right?

8 days ago

Jack *****

@Tod ********

Sop Ruak....north of Chiang Saen..still called Chiang Saen Immigration

8 days ago

Tod *********

@Jack ****

thanx for that (y)

8 days ago

Reply to

Tod *********

Peter *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jack ****

did you have a METV jack

9 days ago

Jack *****

@Peter ********

9 days ago

Reply to

Jack *****

Wannikea *********

Golden Triangle is a bit iffy, suggest you head up there beforehand and speak with the officers at the counter about whether a simple bounce is possible on your passport. Otherwise it's off to Chiang Khong with the same uncertainty. A bounce service will have the latest info on whether or not you need to stay in Laos overnight or 2. The likelihood increases with your current stamp being visa exempt with an extension.

9 days ago

Chris ******

@Wannikea ********

What about an exemption without an extension? I just need to bounce and get another 60 days.

8 days ago

Reply to

Chris ******

Willem ****

If you have a multiple reentry visa i guess you can go in and out as pleased. This talk about minimum stay in Laos is for those who do a visa exempt border bounce.

9 days ago

Jules ***********

@Willem ***

Correct

9 days ago

Peter *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Willem ***

thank you Willem

9 days ago

Reply to

Peter *********

James ********

The number of days you will need to Stay out of Thailand is happening with Thai border crossing entries. Suggest you ask an experienced border run service company to take you to the Thai border, cross and reenter Thailand with a new 60 days STAMP with SAME DAY return.

9 days ago

Steve *********

@James *******

I think he said he has an METV didn’t he?

8 days ago

James ********

@Steve ********

Yes AND he is asking about the number of days he may need to stay out of Thailand when doing a simple LAND BORDER BOUNCE. That's why I said to use an experienced border run service company to take him to get a NEW 60 days STAMP. They do it the same day... no overnight outside of Thailand needed.

8 days ago

Chris ******

@James *******

How much do these border run services cost?

8 days ago

Reply to

Chris ******

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