What are the best border crossing options for Brazilian passport holders seeking a 3-month visa exemption in Thailand?

Dec 11, 2019
5 years ago
Liv ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi, I hold a brazilian passport and haven't done any border run yet.

I actually tried to go with Bangkok Buddy for a border run but when I got to the meeting point instead of paying 3k baht as advertised on their website they wanted me to pay 7k because "Brazilians get 3 months stamp and it's more expensive" also implying it wasn't the company raising their price, it would be a bribe for the immigration officials...!

I was skeptical and thought they were trying to rip me off, so instead I booked a flight to KL, spent a week there and came back.

Now I'd like to try it again, my questions are:

Any input from people who are elegible for 3 months visa exempt?

Recommendations and tips for friendly borders to go on my own by bus or train, without a visa company? (i read here Mae Sai, any others?)

I have 5 back to back visa exempt entries since February 2019, I guess it's quite a few, so this should be my last attempt to entry Thailand.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A Brazilian passport holder shares their experience with border runs and seeks advice on obtaining a 3-month visa exemption. They encountered unexpected fees with a visa service and are now considering self-managed border crossings. Respondents recommend friendly borders such as Nong Khai and Mae Sai, caution about varying experiences based on nationality, and advise against using agencies unless necessary. Concerns about back-to-back visa exemptions and potential entry issues are also discussed.
Terary **********
dido - be careful to pay attention about information specific to Brazilian. I am impressed you've done so many back-to-back visa waivers. Always we hear about the people that hit a snag -never the success stories. Normally, I fly, have visa, have proofs: accommodation, funds, outbound travel. I cheap bus tickets for outbound travel.

Good luck ( US passport holder by the way).
Federico **********
@Maxim **********
we do NOT get unlimited border runs nor exemptions.

Also Thais cannot visit "south america" for 90 days. They can only visit the 5 countries that hold bilateral agreement (Arg, Chile, Peru, Brazil and Korea)

If a Thai goes to Mexico or Uruguay they need a Visa as its true the other way around

I am ARG and even tho i do not use exemptions i an also admin of a group of argentinean people in TH and they get denied everyday just like any other nationality lately.

Last week a couple with a 2 month BABY was denied coming back from KL through DMK contacted me via pm crying etc... sad

My advice would be stay away from big airports.

Nong Khai seems to be a good choice, always been a friendly border for these type o' things.

Plus they cant deny and "send u back home". Worse case u re enter Laos and fly Vientianne somewhere else... or try next day....

With more than 4 consecutive stamps (more than a year inside no breaks) i WOULD expect to have problems tho i wish u good luck.
Ivan ************
I don't know what the current situation is for Brazilians at Mae Sai. I have heard reports of at least one other visa waiver country NOT being allowed there. You need to make sure that information you get is specific to Brazilians, or at least other 90 day visa waiver countries (like Korea or Argentina). That a French or an Irish person has no issue doing two border bounces a year at Mae Sai has no bearing on whether you can as a Brazilian.
Ivan ************
Brazilians have the advantage of getting stamped 90 days with no visa. The point is they are on a different visa regime and the rules for the 45 or so visa exempt countries aren't necessarily relevant to their situation.
Maxim ***********
This is the weirdness of Thailand, each border and airport arbitrary make their own decision. A few months ago I was driving with my GF, police stopped us at a checkpoint. They ask us where we were going and to show passport. I didn't even had time to lean to grab it that he asked where i'm from, i said Canada and I was good to go. He never saw my passport.
Maxim ***********
Nong Khai, Mukdahan, Mae Sai, and Padang Basar (via Train) are all really easy. Entering via Chiang Mai or most other airports like for example Surat Thani which I did last week is also very easy. Avoid Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samui, Krabi, and Poipet by land. p.s: Never use an agency, you don't have a higher chance of success, there no point unless you are a total newbie.
Ivan ************
Key is it can be different for Brazilians, or others that get a visa waiver rather than a visa exemption. If you aren't Brazilian this experience isn't necessarily going to be their experience. The rules are different for them. Same goes for Russia, Korea, Hong Kong, etc.
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