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Is crossing the border at Nong Khai for a 60-day visa exempt the best option for me?

Apr 5, 2025
a day ago
David **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi guys,

I have been on a retirement visa for 4 years then a marriage visa for 3 years,

I then got the 60 day visiting family,

I now have to leave and come back to get the 60 day visa exempt,

I'm in khonkean, would going out at Nong khai and coming back through the same route be my best option?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user seeks advice on how to obtain a 60-day visa exemption after living in Thailand for an extended period on various visas. They ask if exiting through Nong Khai and re-entering would be suitable. Comments suggest caution as past experiences show mixed results at the border, with recommendations for using border bounce agencies for smoother processing. Some commenters question the user's visa history and advise that long-term residents may face issues when attempting to enter as tourists.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Nongnuch ********
@David *********
what's the reason for your question? Are you divorced from your Thai wife?
Kevin ***********
7 years in Thailand and your asking about visas
David **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kevin **********
No I'm not asking about Visas, I'm asking if Nong Khai is the best option to leave and come back.

I have never done a land crossing from there.
Paul *******
Your terminology is very incorrect. It is possible that arrived on a retirement visa (maybe) but you could not have had it for four years. If you had a retirement visa, it ran out after one year. Maybe you then obtained extension of stay based on being over 50 for the next three years. Then you possibly had extensions of stay based on being married to a Thai person for the next three years. The Visa exempt entry is for tourists coming to Thailand. I can see (and so will the Immigration officer) that by your 7 plus years of living in Thailand that you cannot claim to be a tourist, therefore I would expect that if you attempt a visa exempt entry, that the Immigration officer would rightly deny you entry into Thailand. If you want to come to Thailand you need a long term visa appropriate to your reason for stay.
David **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
My retirement visa was 90 days then 4 years extensions, is that better?
Kool *******
@David *********
you will have problems trying to come back to Thailand as a tourist, as your record shows you are living here long term, and not really a tourist. You had a retirement visa extension, then a marriage visa extension, then visiting family, and now trying to get a tourist entry. It actually looks like you ran out of money, and can't afford to get the visa extension you should be on anymore. Expect to be told you can not enter Thailand until you again get the correct long term visa, as you are not a tourist. Thailand has lots of long term visas, as you know, but they all require that you have money to afford them. If you don't have the money for them then the simple fact is Thailand does not want you here, even if you are married. That is the reality you face when you try to return without using an agency.
Paul *******
@David *********
and three years of marriage visa? sounds like crap to me.
David **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
Is that really what you take from my post? ๐Ÿคฃ
Khun ************
Just wanted to say, doing it on your own, be prepared for a knock back these days. I have a similar visa history as you, went out into Malaysia (ok different location I know) but on return they said no! They saw I was married my visa history and immediately said no....... until I paid 2000baht. Then I got welcomed.
David **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm guessing you flew back from KL?
Khun ************
@David *********
no, walked back via Dannok Songkhla
David **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Khun ***********
Ok I have never been there,

I was asking about Nong Khai specifically
Khun ************
@David *********
yes I am aware of that, but wanted to share my experience as this is happening more and more across all borders.
Jan ******************
Nong Khai - Vientiane is still known to be one of the easier border points and still possible to bounce out and in within the same day.
Brandon ************
@Jan *****************
Same day not possible anymore (for visa exempt). With a visa still possible
Jan ******************
@Brandon ***********
Ok, thank you for the update.
Brandon ************
For the fastest and easiest option, use a border bounce agency to take you to the border and back so you can get it all done in the same day.

If you want to do it yourself, you will have to spend 2 nights in Laos as the Thai side will not let you leave and return in the same day if you are entering with visa exempt. Only using an agency to grease the wheels will that be possible.
David **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
I can do it myself and stay a few days no problem thanks mate
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