Answered2 years ago
Is there a new two-night stay requirement for border runs from Thailand to Laos?
I have just read rumors that at Laos land borders (Chiang Sean & Chiang Khong) they are currently enforcing a minimum two nights stay for a border bounce. Another made up “rule”? A Pai visa run agency reported so. Not sure if true. Just giving a heads-up. Any recent first hand experiences?
Answer summary
Recently, there have been rumors about an enforced requirement of a minimum two-night stay for border bounces at the Laos borders, specifically at Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong. Some users have shared their experiences, noting that the requirement seems to be enforced by Thai immigration rather than Laos officials. While some reports confirm the two-night stay, others indicate that border bounces have been completed successfully without this new rule. The discussion highlights differing experiences and anxieties about border crossing regulations, alongside advice on logistics such as transport and accommodation.
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Tanisha ******
Daily service from cm & pai
New Border Run Rules
Must Stay 2 Nights
Someone Ald Done His 3rd Border In A Row
So Can Do More Then 2 Times In 1 Year
Round Trip 2500 baht
One Way 1500 Baht
No Visa Fee For Laos
Swiss Denmark Spain Finland Norway Austria Belgium Korea Japan Russia & Asian
Hotels 280 to 300 Baht Night
Room Share 150 to 200
Taxi 100 baht Each
Bus 25 Baht
Meal 40 to 80 Baht
Pm thx 🚙🚙🚙
New Border Run Rules
Must Stay 2 Nights
Someone Ald Done His 3rd Border In A Row
So Can Do More Then 2 Times In 1 Year
Round Trip 2500 baht
One Way 1500 Baht
No Visa Fee For Laos
Swiss Denmark Spain Finland Norway Austria Belgium Korea Japan Russia & Asian
Hotels 280 to 300 Baht Night
Room Share 150 to 200
Taxi 100 baht Each
Bus 25 Baht
Meal 40 to 80 Baht
Pm thx 🚙🚙🚙
JD ********
Chiang Saen is the 1 by boat right… heard that 1 is harder to get to & do but told it was only 1 day there but guess it’s changed to follow rest already
Klaus ***********
@JD *******
u go a motorbike ? I don’t know how this is hard to get to it’s a tourist hot spot (golden triangle)It’s one of the easiest once.. not cramped .. easy peasyJD ********
Wish I had known would’ve just done before weekend now I need to do the stay as I need to exit by Friday. Flights too Exp. Now & heard few people still being denied at Bangkok airports.
So then best TOLD just take a bus from cm terminal 2 to Nong Khai border, then cross to Laos but I don’t know this border never did it anyone have experience at this one
So then best TOLD just take a bus from cm terminal 2 to Nong Khai border, then cross to Laos but I don’t know this border never did it anyone have experience at this one
Klaus ***********
@JD *******
I would love to know more about the history of the once facing problems at immigration- I never encountered an issue in decades of traveling.JD ********
@Klaus **********
since the new 60 day VOAs, as well as other visa options, now restrictions have increased & even expanded including most recently certain land borders have been basically ordering & enforcing a minimum of 2 night stay in the country you enter, mostly Northern as told & now personally experienced Plus flagging more passports they choose especially on 2nd border run… even saying now you cannot do 2 straight border runs a year. Though none of these restrictions are official they are still being implemented and have a horse in certain areas it another’s it’s just as it was so truly just unlock of where your location is as was the case if I had known I would’ve flown out and planted earlier but you can never know for sure even getting more strict with flight reentries 
Rfael ************
I was at Chiang Saen last week to do a border bounce. I crossed the river to Laos and back in less than an hour and got a 60 day stamp with no questions asked. Backstory: This is the first time I did it in 2024. I accompanied my son who has been in Thailand since June (prior extension was through Thai immigration CM office). Son used his US Passport, I used my PH passport.
Nicole *********
Here currently across Chiang Saen and yes you have to spend 2 nights here. It’s the casino hotel in the special economic zone highly DONT recommend coming to this border crossing to stay here. The Thai immigration officer didn’t even recommend we cross and stay overnight, although we did.
Klaus ***********
@Nicole ********
I luv the officers in CS very easy going always joking- and yes it started a year ago - at this time pretty random Laos officer told some they need to stay - it seems they finally created a scheme how to get more kick back on Laos side with a deal involving the hotels at the different crossings. Let’s see how long that last. I would recommend everybody to seek other options to not support this scam once visa fee income decline one would think they would rethink on a higher level. But everyone to his own I do now longs weekends in Hanoi - very nice solutions are available.
Christopher ********
Not true, I did border bounce in July, very easy
James **********
I literally did this run with the company in Pai 4 days ago and it wasn't a requirement then but it is now. This guy and his company is well known and respected, and he's shared the conversations between himself and his customers (with their permission) proving that yes, they are currently enforcing this requirement, at least at the Golden Triangle crossing.
JD ********
@James *********
hello hm was the service? do they cover chiang mai too… can you provide contactTanisha ******
@James *********
yes we r doing from cm alsoJames **********
@JD *******
Reach out to @Tanisha *****
on Facebook. Not sure if they do Chiang Mai or just Pai but they're extremely helpful and can likely point you in the right direction.
Peter ****************
@Christopher *******
TRUE. More and more reports. Also on Thai visa advice group.
Jon **********
@Christopher *******
so nothing can change in 28 days :-) hahahChristopher ********
@Jon *********
July 22, but sure anything possible in thailand. But no word from border run companies going everyday here in pattaya, I would have heard if anything like that is true. No more than 2 entries at the airport, otherwise get a visa or turned away, this might be the discrepancy. Leave by air and there might be a minimum out of country time.
Andy **********
@Christopher *******
I think going from Pattaya, they bounce at the Cambodian borders.Jon **********
@Christopher *******
the reports were coming back for Laos borders. Pattaya probably going to Cambodia but not sure.
Terje **********
.
Jozef *********
Who is enforcing this 2 day requirement? Thailand or Laos?
Aaron ****************
@Jozef ********
Thailand. The Laos officials knew nothing about it.
Frank-Steven ***********
OP@Jozef ********
could only be Thailand for refusing to re-enter earlier. Cannot be Laos holding you.Dany ************
I has book a van for 25th :/
JD ********
@Dany ***********
did you do your border run successfully through chiang khong …Can you share details
Linhof *********
@Dany ***********
with what company?Dany ************
bordervisachiangmai.com
Dany ************
@Simon ***********
yes they said is true
Simon ************
@Dany ***********
ask the company if the information is true 👍Dany ************
So what to do guys?
Frank-Steven ***********
OP@Dany ***********
Observe the situation, if it is true and if so, if it changed back. Else, do a border bounce elsewhere. Or just enjoy 2 nights in Laos. 😉Dany ************
@Frank-Steven **********
where I can do the bounce? Do you know?Dany ************
@Frank-Steven **********
why not Convenient Malaysia or cambodia?Frank-Steven ***********
OP@Dany ***********
Cambodia or Malaysia. Not too convenient however, if coming from Pai / northern Thailand. I would just fly out for a quick vacation. Or stay in Laos for a few beers.
Jim ********
Tod Daniels reported it earlier in another group. He was asking for first-hand experiences
Frank-Steven ***********
OP@Jim *******
Ok. Good to know. Sadly, I am not part of that other group.Jim ********
@Frank-Steven **********
"The Other Group" - don't know what you're talking about! Are you really sad about that? 😆Frank-Steven ***********
OP@Jim *******
I am good. 😃 This way I can be the Tod Daniels of this group - sort of. 😂
Alex *******
Following
Sue **********
@Brook *******
not working!Brook ********
@Sue *********
following
Carsten ************
@Brook *******
doesn't work about 90%Linhof *********
@Carsten ***********
bingoActivity
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