How many days can I stay in Thailand if I cross the border at Mae Sai and return immediately?

Aug 28, 2017
7 years ago
Jessé ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello everyone, I just wanted to ask how many days I would get if I crossed at the border at Mae Sai and came back in immediately? Also what do you need to take with you?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
If you cross at the Mae Sai border and return immediately, you can receive a 30-day visa-exempt stamp. However, keep in mind that you are limited to two 30-day visa-exempt entries by land within a calendar year. To cross the border, make sure to have your passport and either $10 USD or 500 baht.
Troy *********
I got a better exchange rate when I changed it back, so I made some baht lol
Joe ******
So you both had lunch ;-)
Tod *********
You can get a 30 day visa exempt stamp entry at ANY land border crossing BUT you are limited to TWO 30 day visa exempt entries by land in a calendar year.

for the Mae Sai - Tachiliek border; take your passport, and $10USD (or 500baht).
Troy *********
Copy of data page, copy of TM6 form, application form, copy of current stamp, 1 X Passport photo.
Ivan ************
@Ni**
for the extension you also need a passport photo which must be 4x6 (which is slightly larger than a regular passport photo size). That's it.
Niko *****
@Troy ********
Yes, the 30days extension at Promenada Immigration office 🙂
Ivan ************
@Val***
I have done two border bounces this year at Tachileik (most recent 1 month ago) and both times they took $10 without question. Years ago you used really have to argue with them over paying in dollars, this year it was zero problem.
Ivan ************
@Joe ****
I've done it twice this year (and around 10 times before that) - they are not that picky any more with the USD. Maybe if the currency is actually ripped, but last visit (a month ago) I even paid using an old series (oval portrait) $10 bill and they accepted it without question. Previous years you REALLY had to persuade them to take $10 over 500B but this year have had zero issues.
Troy *********
@Niko ****
are you talking about the extension INSIDE Thailand?
Niko *****
hi Tod, beside paying 1900 bath, we need passport copy for photo page+30 days visa chop page, departure card (TM6) -is there any other things beside the above? Thx
Valère *************************
They stopped taking the dollar notes for a while now.... something to do with that great exchange rate 😂😂😂
Troy *********
My note was as crisp as new because I had only just got it from the exhange place. I'm thinking he wanted the baht so he could have some lunch money lol
Joe ******
@Troy ********
- Usually they reject 10US$

if they do not look like freshly printed.

No problems though with tacky THB ;-)
Tod *********
@Tr**
, :/ I didn't know that, what a bummer
Troy *********
They didn't accept my 10 USD note back in April. I had to pay 500 baht.
Jessé ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Okay great! Thanks for the useful information.
Tod *********
@Je***
, you heard wrong :O they stopped issuing 15 days and went back to 30 days when they put the limit at 2 per year.

You can get a 30 day extension on a 30 day visa exempt entry at the immigration office for 1900baht.
Jessé ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks so much, I heard somewhere you only get 15 days.

I can also extend these for another 30 days inside Thailand, right? (In Chiang Mai)
Jessé ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
South African
Tod *********
what nationality is your passport?
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