How can I extend my stay in Thailand if my 60-day visa exemption is about to expire?

Dec 27, 2024
2 days ago
Paul ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
So I’m currently in Thailand. I’m from the uk so I have 60 day visa expemption. I want to stay 5 days past the 60 days expires. I am only 60 miles from the boarder with loas now. How easy is it to cross the boarder? Do I simply just walk over the boarder stamp passport and then walk back? (I have not done this before.)

Also- so my 60 days ends on the 14 February does the 60 days get added onto that date. Or just start again on the point I return.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user, a UK national in Thailand, seeks to extend their stay beyond the 60-day visa exemption. They inquire about the ease of crossing into Laos and returning to extend their visa. Responses suggest it is easier and more cost-effective to visit a local immigration office for a 30-day extension (costing around 1,800 to 1,900 baht), rather than crossing the border, which incurs additional costs and potential re-entry issues. If the user chooses to cross into Laos, they will be eligible for a new 60-day visa exemption starting from their return date.
Steven *******
𝕄𝕒𝕘𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕝 **************************
Go to Immigration and make 30 days exemption. At border they can deny your entry. Look here for Details

******************************************
Darren *******
Go through a travel agent bro, easier and guaranteed stamped re entry
Ralph *******
Are you able to take your moped across?
Peculiar ******
You're nearing the end of your 60-day visa exemption in Thailand.

Crossing the Border into Laos

Crossing the border into Laos is relatively straightforward. You can take a bus, taxi, or songthaew (red truck) from Thailand to the border. The most convenient border crossing near you is likely the Chiang Khong-Huay Xai border crossing.

*Steps to Cross the Border:*

1. *Travel to the border*: From your current location, head to the Chiang Khong-Huay Xai border crossing.

2. *Exit Thailand*: At the Thai immigration office, surrender your departure card (TM.6) and get your passport stamped out of Thailand.

3. *Enter Laos*: Walk across the border to the Lao immigration office. You'll need to fill out an arrival/departure card and pay a small fee (around 10,000 kip or $1.20 USD).

4. *Get a Lao visa (if required)*: As a UK citizen, you can get a Lao visa on arrival. The cost is around $30-$40 USD, depending on the type of visa.

5. *Return to Thailand*: After getting your Lao visa, you can exit Laos and re-enter Thailand. You'll need to fill out a new arrival/departure card and get your passport stamped back into Thailand.

Visa Exemption Period

When you re-enter Thailand, you'll be eligible for a new 60-day visa exemption period. This period starts from the date you re-enter Thailand, not from the original expiration date.

*Example:*

Your original 60-day visa exemption ends on February 14th. If you cross the border into Laos and return to Thailand on February 19th, your new 60-day visa exemption period will start from February 19th, not from February 14th.

Please note that immigration policies can change, and it's always a good idea to check with the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate for the latest information. You should also consider reading a book or two before your travel.. I'd recommend a book "Thailand Unveiled 2024-2025" by James Anderson on Amazon..it has all the info and recommendations you need..you should check it out 😀
Nicolas ********
Laos * not loas
Andy **********
It's better to just go to the immigration office in the area you're staying in, and ask for a list of requirements for a 30 day extension, get everything on the list together, and go back about a week before your current stamp expires, when you get the extension it's added on, you don't lose any days.
Thehoodyguy *************
Just go to your local immigration office it’s so straightforward usually in and out in 20 min proof of hotel/residence and passport it’s 1800 baht or 1900 and they fill in the paperwork for you why even consider a border bounce that will probably end up costing you twice that and zero guarantee of re-entry if the IO decides your trying it on
John *******
If you exit and return, your new stamp has nothing to do with old stamp. You get 60 days on arrival
Ranjit *******
go to the immigration office and get a 30 day extension for 1800 baht approx
George *******
If your nearest border is Nong Khai, then it'd cost you $40 USD= 1360 THB for a Laos visa at the border, then if you come straight back across the bridge there's no guarantee the IO will grant you another visa. If you paid for a Laos visa with Thai baht, good chance they'd charge you more than 1,360 THB. Better as some have advised to go to immigration office and get a thirty day extension, which would cost you 1,900 THB.
George *******
What this guy says is correct:

Paul Carr Its better to get a 30 day exemption from immi mate. Just ฿1900. Over the border will cost more and you have to stay 1 night
Brandon **********
Need visa on arrival for Laos
Jan ******************
Depends which border. Nong Khai - Vientiane is ok, but several borderpoint demands one or two nights out for foreigner’s bouncing on their own now. Easier to go to your local immigration and apply for a 30 days extension. Bring passport with copy of ID-page and last stamps, a pass photo, receipt of your TM.30 if asked for, you apply on a TM.7 form at the immigration and pay 1900 baht in cash.
Tim *********
It is cheaper to go to your Thai Immigration Office and pay 1,900 baht to extend your stay by 30 days. The visa to enter Laos is 1,400, or thereabouts, then add travelling costs
Phil ******
@Paul *****
Its better to get a 30 day exemption from immi mate. Just ฿1900. Over the border will cost more and you have to stay 1 night
John *******
@Phil *****
is that true you have to stay one night on a border run. Never heard that before
Phil ******
@John ******
for Laos
Ralph *******
@John ******
Some people have reported they had difficulties when they came back the same day. For safety it should be a few days at least.
John *******
@Ralph ******
good to know, thanks
Nick ************
@John ******
i know two friends who have crossed the border at Nakhon Phanom over the bridge by bus and re entered the same day with 60 days Visa exempt no problem.
Rob *******
You dont to exit Thailand, just go to local immigration office & extend for 30 days
Andy **********
@Rob ******
Even Geoff Carter managed this. He paid an agent to do all the waiting for him.
Paul ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rob ******
how much is the cost compared to just riding my moped out there?
Warren ******
@Paul *****
this option won't guarantee u entry they could deny u just crossing the boarder to enter the same way again
Paul *********
@Paul *****
I did it at mukdahan
Paul *********
@Paul *****
1800 for Laos visa on Arrival plus photo I did it yesterday
Ralph *******
@Paul ********
Did you return to Thailand the same day?
Paul *********
@Ralph ******
I could of done apparently but I stayed a night as I’ve been told it looks better in your passport by a immigration officer
Paul *********
@Ralph ******
I could of done apparently but I stayed a night as I’ve been told it looks better in your passport by a immigration officer
Graham ******
@Paul *****
you need a visa to enter Laos which costs more than the 1900B extension
Stephen *******
@Graham *****
1700 baht for Laos visa at nong khai friendship bridge I was there recently
Rob *******
@Paul *****
1900 baht, all info is avalible online
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