Ask question

Is it possible to spend 5 months in Thailand using a Tourist Visa and border runs?

Tourist Visa Visa Extension Thailand Immigration Udon Thani Visa Rules Laos E-Visa Border Crossing Expat Visa Advice Passport Requirements German Citizen Visa Requirements

Apr 15, 2023

2 years ago

Manfred **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I want to spend 5 months in Udon Thani, German passport. 

Is it feasible to plan like this:? 

2 months Tourist Visa from the Thai-Embassy in Germany, EUR 35.00

1 month extension from Udon Thani Immigration, THB 2,000

Laos E-Visa, USD 50, regular bus to Nong Khai/Friendship Bridge/Vientiane.

Taking the next bus back across land border crossing into Thailand, getting stamped in for 30 days for free. 

1 month extension from Udon Thani Immigration, THB 2,000

Thanks guys!

2,127

views

4

likes

73

all likes

42

replies

3

images

11

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is inquiring about the feasibility of staying in Udon Thani, Thailand, for five months using a combination of a 2-month Tourist Visa, a 1-month extension, a trip to Laos for e-visa, and another 1-month extension. The comments agree that this plan is feasible, with some suggestions for alternatives and advice on visa regulations regarding land border crossings and costs.

William *******

The Thai embassy in Berlin charged me 175 euros for the 60 day visa!

Like

Reply

Stuart *********

@William ******

are you sure you didn’t apply for a multiple entry visa for that price (even if you were given a single)? Most embassies charge the same equivalent price of £30 for a single entry visa give or take a bit for exchange rates.

Like

Reply

William *******

@Stuart ********

Oh, that's my mistake, yes it's a multiple entrance visa! Keep up the good work... ((:

Like

Reply

Stuart *********

@William ******

There are some embassies around the world that differ but generally they’re around the same price. Many times people apply for a multiple entry visa but don’t offer a good enough reason to be issued one and are given a single entry but aren’t given a refund on the price.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Stuart *********

Reply

Carsten *********

Is a land crossing not just 15 days (in Vientiane right now and was thinking about flying back for the 30 days)

Like

Reply

Carsten *********

Though not sure you can get those from a land crossing (im from Denmark)

Just wanted to help out but if my information is wrong, i do apologise

Like

Reply

Carsten *********

Like

Reply

Graham ******

@Carsten ********

You are correct, some land borders do not issue Visa on Arrival but, with a Danish passport, you'd enter Visa Exempt

Like

Reply

Reply to

Graham ******

Reply

Carsten *********

my bad

Like

Reply

Graham ******

@Carsten ********

Visa exempt entry is 30 days by air, land or sea

Like

Reply

Carsten *********

thank you, ill try that then.

Still a twice a year limit, right ?

Like

Reply

Graham ******

@Carsten ********

2 land entries per calendar year, yes

Like

Reply

Carsten *********

gf just crossed the border today at Nong Khai , think its no longer 1 month

Like

Reply

Carsten *********

Like

Reply

Graham ******

@Carsten ********

That's Visa on Arrival which is different to Visa Exempt

Like

Reply

Reply to

Graham ******

Reply

Glyn **********

Been doing something similar for the past 15 years.

Like

Reply

Steve *******

Not sure but I don't think you can use the regular bus from Udon to Vientiane unless you have previously purchased a Lao visa.

Like

Reply

Manfred **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I think so, too. That's why I included the E-Visa in my list of documents and expenses

Like

Reply

Reply to

Manfred **********

Reply

Hakim ************

Easy 2 border bounce plus 1 extension.

Like

Reply

Manfred **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Hakim ***********

thanks for the suggestion, it's an option. However, as the price of Laotian E-Visa and Thai immigration fee are the same, I save myself 1 trip to the border if I do it like outlined. And also, the number of border bounces are limited to 2 or 3 per year, so I'd keep that ace up my sleeve for later.

Like

Reply

Hakim ************

@Manfred *********

2 border bounce, Cambodia best bet.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Hakim ************

Reply

Bob **********

Your paying a lot for a Laos visa

Like

Reply

Stefan ****

ok thanks 👍

Like

Reply

Bernard *****

That is the price for E-visa. Cheaper at the border.

Like

Reply

Jasmine ********

Yes was $40 USD or 1800 baht for us in January. November it was 1700 baht so they make up whatever they want in baht. We paid US both times. Easy as, just need a passport size photo.

Like

Reply

Stefan ****

whats the border price?

Like

Reply

Jody *******

It's actually 40 usd now.

The price went up last year.

It's one price for all countries now too.

The price is higher if paying in baht.

The aircon Vientiane green & white city bus stops at a bus stop just to the right as you clear immigration/customs, which is a good tip!

Like

Reply

Bob **********

I believe it’s $30 + they ask for another dollar for what I don’t know

Like

Reply

Bernard *****

30$ (but not for all countries, 45 possible). But if you don't have dollars with you the exchange rate is very bad (for example from THB to $)

Like

Reply

Steve *******

You can pay in Thai Baht, it's 1500

Like

Reply

Bernard *****

Yes,that's what I say .If you have dollars it is 30, in baths 1500 = 45 dollars 😳😳😳. Very bad exchange rate !

Like

Reply

Bob **********

yes bring U.S. dollars

Like

Reply

Reply to

Bob **********

Reply

Manfred **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

the USD 50.00 are listed on the Laos E-Visa website and I heard that the bus company will not let you board in Udon anymore without a visa.

Like

Reply

Bob **********

@Manfred *********

oh ok

Like

Reply

Reply to

Bob **********

Reply

Stefan ****

Yes , you can do it like that

Like

Reply

Stuart *********

Absolutely feasible. You would save yourself 200 baht though as extensions are only 1,900 baht 😀

Like

Reply

Manfred **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

I wish☺️. In March in Udon the receipt said 1,900 but no change was given for my 2,000...

Like

Reply

Henrik **************

it's been 2000 the last 6 years in udon but they do all the paperwork and take copy's and u don't need a photo, they just use their webcam.

Like

Reply

Manfred **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Henrik *************

that's true, I came prepared but didn't need any of my copies and photos. That's why I did not complain, kinda service fee in my mind.

Like

Reply

Henrik **************

@Manfred *********

Yes I like it, only thing we need to do is sign the copies and look into the camera they take care of the rest and it's usually in and out in 15 minutes.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Henrik **************

Reply

Stuart *********

@Manfred *********

I’ve no experience of that office but that’s illegal 😀 Perhaps they were out of tea.

Like

Reply

Manfred **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stuart ********

Courteous and fast service requires an occasional break time 😅. I was happy with the smooth processing, so I didn't insist.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Manfred **********

Reply

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

... members · 60% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

View the Conversation

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

Can I do a border run to Laos after extending my tourist visa in Thailand?

26 comments

3 months ago

Is it feasible to live in Thailand long-term using tourist visa exemptions and extensions?

30 comments

5 months ago

Can I spend 6 months in Thailand by using a combination of tourist visa and visa exemption?

21 comments

5 months ago

Is it possible to extend a stay in Thailand using a combination of different tourist visas?

15 comments

6 months ago

How can I extend my stay in Thailand from 2 to 5 months during winter 2024/2025?

17 comments

7 months ago

Can I stay in Thailand for 4 months by using a tourist visa and border run?

14 comments

8 months ago

Is it possible to stay in Thailand for 4 months with a 60-day visa extension and a border bounce?

43 comments

a year ago

Can I stay in Thailand for 180 days with visa extensions and border runs as a UK citizen?

35 comments

a year ago

How can I manage my visa situation in Thailand with a tourist visa and extensions?

14 comments

a year ago

Can I enter Thailand on a 30-day tourist stamp and extend my stay through border runs or flights?

7 comments

2 years ago

Could I encounter issues when re-entering Thailand from Laos at Ubon Ratchathani?

5 comments

2 years ago

Is it possible to apply for two tourist visas consecutively by traveling to Penang during my stay in Thailand?

16 comments

2 years ago

Is my plan for a 4-month stay in Thailand using a tourist visa feasible?

4 comments

2 years ago

Can I Get Two Extensions on a Tourist Visa in One Year in Thailand?

22 comments

5 years ago

Can I Stay 6 Months in Phuket with Tourist Visas and Extensions?

2 comments

5 years ago

Can a traveler extend their stay in Thailand by using multiple land border runs consecutively on a 30-day stamp?

2 comments

5 years ago

What are the challenges of obtaining multiple tourist visas for Thailand through Laos?

6 comments

5 years ago

Is it possible to stay in Thailand until September 30, 2019, with a border run and applying for a tourist visa considering my previous entries?

14 comments

6 years ago

What are the options for extending a Tourist visa in Thailand for six months while visiting family?

9 comments

6 years ago

Can I stay in Thailand for seven months using a combination of exemptions and visas?

37 comments

6 years ago

What should I know about doing a visa run from Vientiane after a 60-day stay in Thailand?

0 comments

6 years ago

Can I cross the land border from Thailand to Vientiane for a visa run if I've already crossed twice this year with a German passport?

3 comments

6 years ago

What are the options for extending my stay in Thailand until April next year with a tourist visa?

19 comments

6 years ago

Can I obtain a total of 4 months in Thailand using tourist visa extensions and land border runs?

8 comments

7 years ago

How can I extend my stay in Thailand after a 30-day visa on arrival?

24 comments

7 years ago

Data protection policy Terms and conditions Disclaimer Privacy policy Refund policy

The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.