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Is it easy to do a border crossing from Chiang Mai compared to Pattaya?

Border run Visa regulations Chiang Mai Pattaya Laos border crossings Myanmar border crossings Visa types Thai consulate advice Golden Triangle EX&IM travel

Jul 22, 2023

a year ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi all.  Looking to do a border crossing/run in the next few weeks.  Never done one before.  Not sure if I'll be in pattaya or chiang mai.  I know how to do them from pattaya but are they easy to do from chiang mai?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The conversation discusses the ease of conducting border runs from Chiang Mai versus Pattaya. Many participants express that doing a border run from Chiang Mai is straightforward, especially to Laos, while avoiding the more problematic borders near Pattaya. Suggestions are made about hiring a car for exploring the Golden Triangle or using local agents. Some participants share personal experiences regarding crossing to Laos and the required visas, emphasizing that a day trip is feasible.

Giorgio ******

from Chiang Mai it's very easy , you go to Chiang Rai (3hours) then Mae Sai ( 1hour) easy to cross and come back ,very few farangs doing it and you can stay a few days around in the Golden Triangle area , a total change from Pattaya and so . 0

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Rosie *****

is mae sai closed? Ive searched the group and online but cant find any information regarding this

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Rosie *****

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Stephen *******************

Did the Laos run a while back from Mukdahan-Savanakhet

Easiest and most friendliest Thai consulate of them all.

Just a thought 🤔

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Andrew *******

Hi

, I was in the same boat. First visa (METV) needing to to 60 day border runs. The easy way is to use an agent but I didn’t fancy sitting on a coach for 12 hours. So I hired a car from Chaing Mai and went to the Golden Triangle and crossed the river at Laos. It was easy and a pleasant experience with a nice river crossing. I wrote a post on this group about it last week. You can do it in a day or stay in a hotel and explore the area and Chaing Rai as I did.

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Ronnie *******

Did you need a visa to enter Laos? Can you do border runs or flights with the 30 day free visa?

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Andrew *******

I’m British so I needed a day visa which costs 1800 bht. I paid 140bht for the boat crossing and that was it.

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Andrew *******

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Jeffrey **********

From Chiang mai it's easily done in a day.

Lao or Burma, if they are open. Several companies like Red Ride to take you

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Steve *******

Chiang Kong or Thachileik

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Andrew *******

Thachileik is currently closed to foreigners because of the civil war. I tried it a few weeks ago.

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Steve *******

I thought it had re-opened with a 1 day pass.

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Matthias *********

not true. Last month was open.

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Andrew *******

I can assure you that I tried on the 13th July and they told me all borders to Myanmar are closed to all foreigners. I went down to Laos to do my border run.

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Andrew *******

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Gardar ***************************

I had no problem doing it from Pattaya 2600 baht to ban laem border, call 0810002123 (thai number so +66) and book sure they come very early but you come back in the afternoon

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*****

(thai number so +66) and book sure they come very early but you come back in the afternoon

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Phil ******

thought of flying rtn to Singapore for your border run?

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

The closest border to Pattaya is the single most problematic land border in all of Thailand that everyone should avoid.

Laos is easier in general so if you're going to do a border bounce, going to Laos while you're in Chiang Mai makes more sense.

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Jason *********

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

You're talking about Poipet?

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

@Jason ********

yes

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

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Paul *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

thanks for your advice. I'll do my research but not sure where I will be on the 11th

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Paul *********

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