Answered3 years ago

How safe is it to do a land border crossing in Thailand with a complex visa history?

Thailand Visa Rules Land Border Crossing Visa Run Exemption History Immigration Advice Tourist Visa

Joren ******

asked Oct 7, 2023

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Maybe it's a dumb question and I'm sure no one knows for sure but I'm curious how safe it would be for me to do a land border crossing on my own (or possibly with an agent) with my current exemption history. 

I'll have spent just over 6 months in Thailand this calender year and 75 days at the end of last year. 

My latest stay will have been a little under 4 months with an uneventful Laos border bounce. The other time spend outside of Thailand was a couple of months in PH and a couple of months in Cambodia. I only did the one Laos land border. 

I truly am just on a very long vacation, staying mostly in hotels with tm-30s filed from all corners of Thailand but I'm not sure if they really look at any of that.

Answer summary

The user inquires about the safety and feasibility of conducting a land border crossing in Thailand given their extensive stay and exemption history. They have spent over six months in Thailand this calendar year, with a previous border bounce to Laos. Commenters suggest using a specialized agency for border runs, with Nong Khai and Chong Mek identified as favorable crossing points. They caution that spending more than 180 days in Thailand may classify the user as a tax resident, potentially requiring documentation upon reentry.

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Erick ******************

Hi All....I landed in Thailand the first time at the end of July...Then went to do a loop in Laos on land. Back to Thailand across the border a few weeks later.....Then back to Laos to go on to Vietnam and Cambodia...

Now, a few weeks later, I want to re-enter Thailand by bus and stay two weeks. Having been there twice, I read that I only re-enter twice in a year.... If this is the case, do I have the option to apply for something somewhere ?....THIS is a real issue for me.

3 years ago

Erick ******************

I do not think they will ask anything. However, I have a booked a dated flight from Penang to fly back to OZ..

3 years ago

Joren ******

@Erick *****************

yeah, I think it's only two land border crossings per year. Maybe you'd be okay after the new year but I'm unclear on that. I suspect you wouldn't have any issue if you were to fly in.

3 years ago

Erick ******************

@Joren *****

Thanks for the response....so 1 airport entry and 1 land re-entry = what to resume before I take step if needed ?.....

3 years ago

Joren ******

@Erick *****************

probably wouldn't hurt to have proof of onward travel, required funds, and accommodations, but I haven't been asked for any of those post covid

3 years ago

Joren ******

@Erick *****************

yeah, I truly don't think you'll have any issue, from what I've gathered in all my reading

3 years ago

Erick ******************

@Joren *****

All together, I think, less than a month or so....

3 years ago

Joren ******

@Erick *****************

2 land borders are allowed per year. "Unlimited" air entries.

I actually just reread your comment and it sounds like you've only done one land border and probably only spent about 3-4 months in Thailand this year.

I'm no expert but I don't think you'll have any issue crossing into Thailand by bus.

3 years ago

Richard *********

@Erick *****************

2 visa exempt entries/calendar year

3 years ago

Roberto *********

Follow the advice of

@Bra****

and use either a specialised border bounce/visa run transport agency OR use a Laos border crossing (from reports it appears Nong Khai and Chong Mek are the most user-friendly). Something else to be aware of, from January 1 next year people living in Thailand for more than 180 days per calendar year will become "tax residents" and may well have to produce income/tax paid records for entry above this limit. Thai authorities are well aware that many (and I'm not suggesting you're in this situation) people are working illegally in Thailand whilst staying on tourism-based entries.

3 years ago

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

Whether you're on vacation or not, short term stays are not for living in a country, which 6 months is living in a country.

If you want the best odds, find a land border bounce agency to take you and facilitate you leaving and returning to the country.

If you truly want to risk doing it yourself, use a Laos land border again, Nong Khai being the best odds.

3 years ago

Joren ******

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

thank you for the advice! I was eying some of the southern land borders around Trat to Cambodia but a trip back to Issan doesn't sound terrible.

I just really loathe the idea of 10 hours or whatever in a minivan that a visa agent would entail.

3 years ago

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

@Joren *****

I've seen someone talk about a Malaysian land border and the agent letting you drive yourself behind the van and still using their services at the border. Or leaving early if driving a motorcycle and arriving before the agent van and waiting for them. I don't have any more details though as I just saw a random conversation under a post. Don't even remember which group it was.

3 years ago

Joren ******

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

oh, that could be interesting, maybe get them to pick me up near the border or something. Thanks for the idea!

3 years ago