Answered8 years ago
Is it possible to get a new visa on arrival for Thailand by flying to Kuala Lumpur and back on the same day?
Tourist visa on arrival (Canadian passport): I am planning a visa run 'flight' from Chiang Mai to Kuala Lumpur, round trip flights on same day. Is it an issue for immigration, to get a new visa on arrival? (Thanks!!).
Answer summary
A Canadian passport holder planning to do a visa run by flying to Kuala Lumpur and back on the same day is inquiring about potential immigration issues regarding obtaining a new visa on arrival in Thailand. Community responses indicate that obtaining a 30-day Visa Exempt Entry is possible if this is not a frequent pattern. Recommendations include preparing financial proof, onward travel, and accommodation details, as immigration may ask for these during entry. An alternative suggested is to use land borders, like Mae Sai, where fewer checks may occur compared to airports.
26 repliesnewest first
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Tod *********
WHY are you FLYING to Kuala Lumpur and back on the same day to get a new 30 day visa entry stamp?
Why not just go to the Mae Sai - Tachiliek land border crossing with Myanmar, pay 500baht stamp in and out of Myanmar then stamp right back into thailand?
They have people border bouncing there ALL day long.
You're not gonna get hassled stamping back in you're not going to get a cranky immigration officer (like you might at the airport) asking you for proof of funds, proof of onward travel or proof of a hotel booking.
You are allowed TWO 30 day visa exempt entries by a land border in a calendar year.
Why not just go to the Mae Sai - Tachiliek land border crossing with Myanmar, pay 500baht stamp in and out of Myanmar then stamp right back into thailand?
They have people border bouncing there ALL day long.
You're not gonna get hassled stamping back in you're not going to get a cranky immigration officer (like you might at the airport) asking you for proof of funds, proof of onward travel or proof of a hotel booking.
You are allowed TWO 30 day visa exempt entries by a land border in a calendar year.
Biff *******
@Scott *********
yeah I heard that too. But essentially, if the Thai authorities won’t let you back in to Thailand, you’re stuck in a small part of Myanmar, with no visa, so they check that you’re ok to come back before they let you leave Thailand.Scott **********
@Biff ******
Biff, all correct info. The only thing I will add is that a day pass is the default. I believe you can ask for a pass that would give you a few nights stay but it would be just in Tachileik. I have also read that you can do some serious hoop jumping to be allowed to go to one other specific city if you have a local guide.
Mouseen *******
OP@Biff ******
very helpful. Thanks!!Biff *******
And, if they were going to ask you they'd ask you BEFORE you left Thailand when you stamped out because they can't let you out then deny you entry coming back. At that border post you only get a day pass for that particular region of Myanmar and if they refused you entry you'd be stuck in Tachileik with no visa for Myanmar so they check everything they want to check before they let you stamp out.
Tod *********
@Scott *********
I have never heard a verified report of the Mae SaI border asking for anything as far as the 3 proof ofz.Scott **********
@Mouhsine *******
20,000 baht or an equivalent amount in a widely traded currency. It comes out to $800 CAD. Maybe a bit more with the current bad exchange rate to the baht.Mouseen *******
OP@Scott *********
just for information: how much cash do they ask (when they ask)?Scott **********
Thanks as always Tod. I did a bounce at Mai Sai last weekend. Beforehand I did a search to try to decide if I might be asked for the proofs. I was not able to convince myself that they would never ask so I brought everything. Not a big deal for me although I prefer not to carry that much cash. Do we know for sure that Mae Sai never asks? If so I will not bother the next time.
Mouseen *******
OPit does make sense. and much better/cheaper option than flying. Thank you!! (big thanks to this group, valuable help).
Liam *****
The answer to your question is in your entry history. If this is your first entry into Thailand, and your return from KL will be your second, it's overwhelmingly unlikely to cause a problem. If you have been multiple times and/or have a history of back to back stays and extensions, you may well have a problem. Either way, you'd be well advised to have the '3 proofs' (cash, accom, onward travel)
Barry ******
No it’s quite normal for tourists in south east Asia to travel for months without plans so they won’t bother.
If your travel patterns look out of the ordinary they may start asking questions and/or requesting proof until they are satisfied or you are sent back to where you came from.
If your travel patterns look out of the ordinary they may start asking questions and/or requesting proof until they are satisfied or you are sent back to where you came from.
Richard **********
Did bkk to kul and back on January 7th with a valid METV, denied entry and sent back to Australia
Liam *****
@Richard *********
For future reference, in the situation you describe they CANNOT force you to go back to Australia. It's legally a bit complicated, but in most cases it's the airline's responsibility to get you back to KL. Unless they legally deport you (which they did not as you were not in the country to begin with), Thai immigration has no right to determine where you go outside of Thailand.
Maxim ***********
Have to agree with Richard i'm hearing more and more of people with proof of funds that get denied especially in BKK. They don't get send to questioning either. They will put a bogus reason on the paper like *suspicion of working*, but it's just because they have to put a reason on it. Some people are still in denial of such practice, but i've spoken to enough people recently to know that it's been stricter especially last few months knowing the election is coming.
Richard **********
@Jonathan ******
all good mate, it was pretty frustrating and very inconvenient, but we live and learn
Jonathan *******
@Richard *********
Oh damn that sucks. Sorry to hear that mateRichard **********
@Jonathan ******
it never came up, they looked at my passport, my file on their computer and their mind was made up before they said a word to meJonathan *******
Hi Richard, I was just wondering whether you showed them the money you had, or said you had it. Or did they completely ignore it?
Richard **********
Robert Lagas doesnt really matter if you believe it or not, thats what happened. But you're correct your history of staying in Thailand, how long you have been there, etc is being taken into account by immigration more strictly now
Robert *******
Even with a valid visa you can be asked to show funds. I not really believe nobody asked you anything and you got sent away to Australia.
Richard **********
@Robert ******
apparently the stamp says insufficient funds, which i believed the METV negated. Had *****
baht cash in my wallet and nobody asked about itRobert *******
Nice, and why did you get denied entry?
Robert *******
If this will be an issue for Immigration we do not know. That totally depends on your history of living in Thailand and some other factors. Be prepared and take the 20.000 Thb or equivalent currency in CASH, proof on onward travel within these 30 days and proof of accommodation with you in case questions are asked.
Robert *******
As you have a Canadian passport you only can get the 30 day Visa Exempt Entry if you enter Thailand without a visa.
Mouseen *******
OPThank you for info!
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