What are some fun overnight destinations for a family trip from Bangkok during a visa run?

Penang< one of my top 5 cities in se asia

Air Asia to Kuala Lumpur - not expensive, lots of flights and quick

You're going to need to spend a couple of weekdays at the consulate in the country you choose to visit. There's no other way around it. Vientiane and Savannakhet are probably your best bets, as they issue visas overnight. However, Vientiane is always busy and requires an appointment in advance. Even if it's "boring" Savannakhet is the consulate you want, assuming they issue education visas (probably they do) but make sure you have all the documentation you need in advance.

For Savannakhet, in order to minimize the time away from school for the kids, you'll need to fly domestically from Bangkok to Nakorn Phanom or Ubon Ratchathani (the nearest airports to Savannakhet on the Thai side) then find a taxi to drive you to Mukdahan, which unfortunately, doesn't have an airport of it's own. However, it shouldn't take you much more than 1.5-2 hours from either Ubon airport or Nakorn Phanom airport, to reach the border. From there, catch a cross-border bus for the 5km into Savannakhet town.

Do this on a Sunday. You apply for the visa between 9am and 11am on Monday, then you'll receive your passports back from 2pm-4pm on Tuesday. Get there at 2pm, take the bus or a taxi back to Mukdahan and make a beeline for the closest airport, catching the evening flight back to Bangkok.

It may be a bit stressful with children, though it's doable.

Stay at the Daosavanh hotel in Savannakhet as they have a pool, though no guarantees about whether it's in good shape, post-Covid. Immediately pre-Covid border closures (March 2020), I stayed there and it was fine but that may have changed. Anyway, for a one night stay it should be doable.

However, if you can schedule an appointment in advance and don't mind spending several hours waiting at the consulate to submit your documents, Vientiane can be efficient and is probably more fun for the kids.

I don't know whether Penang, Kota Bharu or other nearby consulates can issue visas the next day.

Yangon can, but that's a risky place to travel to at the moment especially with children, given the current political situation. Also, proof of vaccination or a test + health insurance is required to visit Myanmar right now, as well as a visa. Note that e-visas need vaccination proof, so if you're not vaccinated, you'd need to apply through the Burmese embassy although an agent could help you with that meaning you wouldn't have to show up in person.

Phnom Penh takes 4 days to issue a visa, or did, the last time I went there.

Singapore or Penang.

Both family friendly.

Hoi An

You can fly into Siem Reap, which is a very short flight of just 33 mins on average. That's the closest international flight. Or fly to Vientiane - a 48 minute flight on average, but much more expensive than flying to nearby Udon Thani, from where it's a short 40 minute van ride to the border, then another 20-25 minutes into Vientiane city.

Siem Reap

Vientiane Laos

Georgetown Malaysia.

Singapore can be a fun city.

Siem rep...educational trip!

Denang Vietnam highly recommended. Check out Celina Hotel, very affordable, big rooms, big bathrooms. Have roof top swimming and near the beach. This Town is a popular holiday destination for the locals. Also we used for extremely quick service. The one time they helped me while I was at the airport. Couldn't fly without it so I recommend them.

Bus to Poi Pet Cambodia border crossing. Then hop the train to Battambang. Nice little place

Penang: seconded. A walking museum.

I vote Penang. Cambodia and Lao in my experience would be boring for kids. Penang, is beautiful country, you can rent a motorcycle, plenty of activities.

School age children, angkor wat is pretty dam cool, Cambodia, short flight. Also the temple there has a great history lesson on pol pot and you can teach them about brutal dictators and why being free is a blessing.

Panang?? Lovely Island n Food is 5♡♡♡♡♡

Stay Happy n Safe

For 48h max , no destination can beat Singapore (if you flying from BKK): no visa needed, tons of convenient and cheap flights (direct flights, 2h30 only) delicious and various local food, tons of activities to do as a family (for all ages) like Universal studios and so many others !!! 🇸🇬

Penang for sure

If you're on tourist visa you don't need to leave to get an education visa

Penang

I would fly to Da Nang and stay for a night in Hoi An.

How about Saigon?

Bear in mind that consulates aren't open on the weekend so you'll need to do this during the week, and pick a consulate that does next day visas (not all do). Generally with the ones that do do next day you submit in the morning day 1 and pick up afternoon day 2. 48 hours might just about be possible but you typically want to be at the consulate first thing day 1 so it's usually 3 days minimum.

Savannakhet