What are effective tips for successfully completing a same day visa run from Thailand?

Aug 7, 2023
a year ago
Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi šŸ‘‹

A few months ago I was able to do a 30 minute Visa run at Padang Besar.

Last time it didnā€™t work out.

Is there a border that has agents who are more likely to allow a same day visa run?

Have you noticed ifļæ¼ arriving in the morning gives a lot of more chance to be allowed to do a same day visa run?

Are they border that are fairly close to each otherā€™s so that if I get refused for same day run at one I can drive to the other one and try ļæ¼again?

If you have any advice that can augment the chance to do a same day Visa run, Iā€™m happy to know.

Thank you for your help šŸ™ļæ¼
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking advice on performing a same day visa run at a border crossing, specifically asking for borders with lenient agents and if timing affects their chances. Several commenters provide insights, warning against the risks of attempting unauthorized runs and suggesting that using a border run agent is safer. They mention specific borders like Sadao and Wang Kelian, discussing potential costs and experiences with getting refused entry. The conversation highlights the complications of the visa run process and the importance of adhering to immigration rules.
Paul *******
Look at a map. Parang Besar is very close to Sadao, but they're both quite strict. Ban Prakob and Wang Prachan, although a bit further away, are still fairly close as well. Actually, from the Malaysian side, Wang Kelian (next to Wang Prachan) is very close to Padang Besar, only half an hours drive. However, from the Thai side it's a big detour of over 100km, as there is no road connecting the Thai side of Wang Prachan with Padang Besar as there's a national park in the way and Thailand doesn't know how to construct road tunnels through mountains.
Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
got it there šŸŽ‰ someone else recommended it. I see your message only now.
Paul *******
Satun border you can same day but it costs around 1900b
Paul *******
@Paul ******
Sorry, I meant Wang Prachan (Wang Kelian is the name on the Malaysian side).
Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
wow thatā€™s actually weā€™re I went. It was intense and passed with difficult šŸ˜…šŸŽ‰
Paul *******
Paul *******
@Paul ******
Which Satun border, the ferry to Langkawi or Wang Kelian (the road border)? The latter is efficient enough, but the officials there will hand your passport from one person to the next to figure out if you're "allowed" to enter.
Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I already was in another direction. I sent you a private message on messenger.
John **********
You've been in Thailand a long time on various visa and visa exempt entries. If you don't use an agent you risk coming unstuck. They already refused you a visa exempt entry last time and you had to go to Penang and get a visa. What makes you think it will be any different this time? With the added bonus of a visa being unlikely to help.
Paul *******
@John *********
I'd say having a tourist visa would increase his chances, though not guarantee his entry.
John **********
@Paul ******
I'd say he's pushing his luck. Doesn't like to listen to advice. If he did he'd have used a border run company.
Paul *******
@Vincent **********
The officers told you to stay away at least 3 nights. Why are you trying to return after 1 night? Stay away 3 nights it's not that hard.
Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
got it at Want Kelian the next day āœ…
Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
John Stanners no last time they refuse a same day border run but they were accepting a new visa exempt if I had staid 2 nights in Malaysia. I went to Penang cause it was better to get 90 days.

I am in Malaysia now. I passed through Sadao border. The officier mentioned to stay 3-4 nights in Malaysia.

Iā€™m thinking of going to Padang Besar tomorrow instead to try to get a visa exempt after spending 1 night.

Would being refused the exempt would make me have a red refused stamp on my passport which would have negative consequences for future visa requests? Or would getting refused would have no impact but to have wasted time?
John **********
@Vincent **********
getting refused just means they won't stamp you in. Whether you will then have issues at other borders I can't say as they may make an entry on the database.
Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
thank you.

ā€œMake an entry on the databaseā€. Do you mean the refusal will be saved? Yet, itā€™s not known to be heavy of negative consequences?
John **********
@Vincent **********
it could be, yes.
Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
cause if I try, I cannot jus asked in advance if they will let me in before getting a stamp of approval or refusal in Thailand arrival office as I will already have a stamp out of Malaysia?
John **********
@Vincent **********
I don't think having a tourist visa makes much of a difference to whether they will let you in or not. It's more about your history.
Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
so therefore trying to to Padang Besar now to try is as wise than to go ask for a tourist visa?
Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
ok. So to be safe would you recommend not to try and go to Penang for a tourist visa?
Tito *********
In Sadao, I believe you can pay around 1000 baht to the officer just outside of the office (the one who gives out the TM6 form), to be able to re-enter on the same day
Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tito ********
I sent you a private message on messenger.
Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tito ********
i so I go there, I ask to have a visa exempt on the same day. And I may need to pay them 1000 baht?

How would you approach them about the payment?

Would you propose straightforward or wait there request?
Tito *********
What happened when they didn't let you re enter ? Did they stamp a refusal in your passport?
Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tito ********
no I didnā€™t try to do same day after they told me they wouldnā€™t give same day? I just went to Penang for a tourist visa because they told me I had to stay overnight in Malaysia.
Ken ***********
I can border run for you, pm me if youā€™re interested thanks
Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ken **********
you are joking I suppose nobody can do that for you.
Ken ***********
@Vincent **********
ok no problem if you think Iā€™m joking, thanks šŸ™
Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ken **********
if you are not joking, how can you get me a stamp on my passport for visa exempt without me going to the border?

Call me at +66 6-1446-7089.
James *********
@Vincent **********
The answer to your question involves a handful of Baht šŸ˜†
Lynnette *******
One day to get a visa? I guess you're not bothering with a visa run and just going out and back in Visa Exempt ( no visa).
Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lynnette ******
I sent you a private message on messenger.
Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lynnette ******
yes, Visa exempt in same day I mean.
Brandon ************
Use a border run agent for your border bounce and stop trying to save money abusing the system by yourself, or you're going to end up getting stuck outside Thailand and spending a lot more money.

Also it sounds like you've already done 2 border bounces. You can only enter Thailand at a land border without a visa 2 times per calendar year. If you've already entered at a land border without a visa twice in 2023 you cannot do it again.

It's impossible to do a 30 minute visa run as there are no Thai embassies that close to the border and none of them offer same day service.
Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
I sent you a private message on messenger.
Vincent ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
I meant border bounce. I didnā€™t meant having a tourist visa but a visa exempt. It will be the second time If I get a stamp so itā€™s still possible ļæ¼as you said.
Tore *********
@Brandon ***********
thatā€™s only valid for visa exemption stamps. A proper visa doesnā€™t have that. Just get a METV
Brandon ************
@Tore *****************
the op obviously doesn't have an METV or they wouldn't have gotten rejected trying to do a border run previously. Only those trying to enter visa exempt the same day they left tend to run into this problem.
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