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Is it safe to perform a same-day visa exemption run from Thailand to Laos and back?

Visa Exemption Thailand Immigration Same-Day Visa Run Travel to Laos Visa Policy Expat Advice

May 3, 2023

2 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi guys, decided that I am going to fly to Laos at the weekend and fly back the same day to get a new visa exempt stamp, I have only done one visa exemption this year. I just want to make sure there should be no issues with doing this the same day if I have only got one visa exempt stamp this year? I would assume they are unlikely to deny me once back in Bangkok especially having flown in? Would be flying to Laos in the morning, and flying back to Bangkok in the evening.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The original poster is planning a same-day trip from Thailand to Laos to obtain a new visa exempt stamp, having only used one visa exemption this year. Community responses emphasize the importance of having a legitimate stamp into Laos to ensure re-entry into Thailand and caution that same-day visa runs might face more scrutiny regarding recent travel history and previous visa types. They advise having proof of onward travel, sufficient cash, and accommodation arrangements.

John **********

Just make sure you have a ticket out (to anywhere), 20k baht cash and accommodation booked.

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Roberto *********

Same day bounces are always examined a little closer. As

Thurkettle says it's more to do with recent history and types of visas you've had previously. Never ever kid yourself that flying in means you won't be denied. There's plenty of people been put back on the flight they've just arrived on!

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Roberto *********

The worst that can happen is you can actually be denied entry and put into IDC whilst awaiting a flight back to your home country!

However as you appear to have very little on your immigration record, I'd say 99.9% you'll have no problem re-entering.

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Ron *******

They absolutely will not put you back on a flight to Laos as you need a visa to enter Laos.

You'll be going home once you have bought a ticket

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Leo *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Roberto ********

I suppose the worst that can happen is they put me back on a flight to Laos, I stay a few nights and fly back again? However I have only been here 75 days, and prior to that I was here 4 years ago.

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

it's actually up to the discretion of the immigration officer. They have the option of letting you choose where to fly out to, but they've also forced people to buy a ticket back to their passport country before as well.

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

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Christopher *********

Everytime I did left the country to restart my visa I stayed a few days I never did the same day.

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

How many visa exempt stamps you have this year doesn't really matter. It's more about how long you've been in Thailand. How long have you been in Thailand with little or no time in between leaving and returning?

If you've only entered Thailand the one time in the last few few years and now this will be your second time then you should be fine.

Just make sure you stamp into Laos and don't just try to stay in the airport for the day as you won't be allowed back into Thailand if you didn't stamp into another country in between.

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Leo *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

I have been here for 45 days + 30 day extension at the immigration office. I am currently in the process of starting a educational visa, so I want to get another quick 30 days exempt whilst I sort it out.

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Us *****

DO NOT LEAVE THE COUNTRY IF YOU HAVE STARTED YOUR ED VISA PROCESS. THEY WILL MAKE YOU DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN BECAUSE OF NEW ARRIVAL DATE. IT JUST HAPPENWD TO ME AND I DIDN'T KNOW. SO MUCH REGRET RIGHT NOW.

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

if you weren't here last year then you'll have no problem getting in again with visa exempt.

But beware when you say you're in the process of getting an ED visa. If your school has already submitted paperwork to the ministry of education, you need to check with them before leaving the country.

As part of your application to the ministry of education they would have had to include your entry stamp from when you last entered Thailand. By leaving the country and getting a new stamp it's possible you would invalidate the application the school already sent to the ministry. So if you have a school and they've already started the process, talk to them and see what they say.

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Leo *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

thanks Brandon, I haven't started submitting anything as of yet, just have a school I have been talking to, negotiated price etc and I will start the submission once I return from Laos. I haven't been in Thailand since 2019, so in that case I will assume it's a safe bet doing a same day fly out fly in, as long as I stamp into Laos aswell.

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

I'd expect you'll be fine then. No guarantees on anything immigration related as it's all at the discretion of the officers.

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Marc ********

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

Airport they don't care where you come from and don't look for an exit stamp.

Land borders they do

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Leo *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

well I appreciate your help, I saw your previous comment, I would hope if they make you buy a ticket to your home country they don't force you to take it🤣 and it's just to show you will leave after a certain date.

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

that comment was in reference to being denied entry. They basically get to dictate where you're going after you're not allowed in.

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

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