Answered9 years ago
What are the best options for a visa run by flight from Bangkok?
What is the cheapest and easiest option for a visa run by flight from Bangkok? I would like to go somewhere that is nice to explore too. I have gone to Laos already and I would like to see a new place.
Please give me advice about any information I need like about the Thai embassy and how difficult is it for me to do this by myself. What are the steps?
Do we always need a flight leaving Thailand already booked months in advance when we get a tourist visa?
Please give me advice about any information I need like about the Thai embassy and how difficult is it for me to do this by myself. What are the steps?
Do we always need a flight leaving Thailand already booked months in advance when we get a tourist visa?
Answer summary
This post explores options for a visa run by flight from Bangkok. The user is seeking the cheapest and easiest destinations for a visa run, mentioning prior travel to Laos and expressing a desire for new experiences. Community comments suggest several destinations like Kuala Lumpur, Phnom Penh, and Ho Chi Minh City, highlighting varying visa requirements and costs. Important considerations include the need for flight and accommodation proof, with the Thai consulate in Vientiane being noted for leniencies in requirements. Comments also provide advice on booking flights and navigating consulate procedures, emphasizing that doing this process independently is feasible.
48 repliesnewest first
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Jerrell ********
If you need an onward ticket Bestonwardticket.com
Terary **********
Every Consulate is different.. Even some consulates have different requirements on different days. I would recommend booking some place - then cancel -- just to have the receipt/proof. Oh. I mean book where ever check their cancellation policy, print your proof and make final decisions about where you will stay when the time is right for you
Luke ******
OPDo I also need to provide proof of 14 days hotel booking in Thailand? It seems Vientiane is the only place that doesn't need onward travel proof?
Terary **********
"Onward Travel" doesn't have to be a flight. Also there are many cheap flights. Also there are some options that allow you change your fly dates -- and you will likely want to fly within 90 days of arrival.
Cody *******
Kuala Lumpur and Phnom Penh are probably the cheapest.
KL is a lovely city with good public transport, amazing and can be very cost effective while Phnom Penh is... Phnom Penh.
KL is a lovely city with good public transport, amazing and can be very cost effective while Phnom Penh is... Phnom Penh.
Tod *********
Remember the thai consulate in Phnom Penh has that 3 day turn around on getting your passport back (unless you use an agent) :/
Michael ********
I agree with Cody and Mark. KL is a nice place to visit and as an American did not need a visa to enter. 2 times going there for visa and no real problems.
Mark *******
Also, as you mentioned "cheapest" keep in mind the cost of the visa when choosing a destination. For example, for me, a visa to Laos is $42, Vietnam cost me close to $90, Malaysia $0, Bali $0 (although some destinations in Indo do charge depending on where you land).
Tod *********
More and more thai consulates are requiring some or all of the 3-proof-ofz when you get a tourist visa from them
They are proof of;
onward travel within 60 days (although most consulates will let it be 90)
sufficient funds 20k baht in a bank account
hotel booking or confirmed lodging
Some consulates want all of those, some want two and some don't want any. AFAIK, the ONLY consulate around that requires NONE of those things is the thai consulate in Vientiane.
They are proof of;
onward travel within 60 days (although most consulates will let it be 90)
sufficient funds 20k baht in a bank account
hotel booking or confirmed lodging
Some consulates want all of those, some want two and some don't want any. AFAIK, the ONLY consulate around that requires NONE of those things is the thai consulate in Vientiane.
Amornrat **********
Luke Goss, it looks like you have answered your own question. On a more serious note, in principle all Thai Embassies are pretty straightforward, just go on their webpages and they list the requirements. As long you are a newbie here you will have no problem to get visa ,even in the more difficult places, like S'pore or Phnom Penh.
Luke ******
OPI think it's easy to overlook things so I'm just looking for advice from people have done visa runs already.
Tod *********
This isn't a post designed to push that article you posted is it?
I'm not saying it is, I'm saying it's coincidental that you only linked to that article when there are possibly hundreds of articles on visa runs. :/
I'm not saying it is, I'm saying it's coincidental that you only linked to that article when there are possibly hundreds of articles on visa runs. :/
Tod *********
no worries, :)
Luke ******
OPI just would like to go to Penang and that article had all the information I needed so I thought it will help other people too.
Sean ********
Ho chi minh is excellent.
Manfred *******
Vietnams a cheap option, if the Thai airlines are allowed to fly by the time your going
Luke ******
OPGoing end of this month
Walter *********
Panang, Hanoi, Saigon, Mandalay and Yangon are also short flights. The cheapest option will vary with airline promos.
Michael ********
Panang and then a weekend in Malacca
James **************
Siem Riep....50 min flight....pretty cheap....
Shahin **********
Skyscanner. Then put "everywhere" int he destination, and pick your dates. This will give you the cheapest flights return to Bangkok, categorised by country.
Luke ******
OPSorry, from Bangkok.
Chris ********
@Duncan ******
How much was Jim's service?Luke ******
OPI also have to go to the consulate on a weekday and pickup the visa the next weekday and check if there is no Thai or Malaysian holiday.
Luke ******
OP@Duncan ******
I have to book a flight to leave Thailand within 90 days of the tourist visa and print the ticket for them. I don't want to have to book a flight so early. Everything else about this options seems perfect.Duncan *******
also @luke not sure where you are from, but for commonwealth citizens it's 90 days free visa exempt stamp into Malaysia, I think other westerners get 30 days free.
Luke ******
OPOk, thank you very much for the advice.
Duncan *******
@luke link below. Ive used him once based on recommendations by others, March this year, couldnt be more simple. Make sure you take "proof" of a flight out of Thailand and accomodation details - Penang consulate requires it now.
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Chris ********
Do you know the hours for doing this? Is it exactly the same as Vientiane? up till 11.30AM for drop off and pick up after 1,30PM next day?
Worth *******
Yes, Chris
Chris ********
Whats the turn around time on a Thai visa in Penang? Is it like Vientiane (drop in the first day, and pick up the second?)
Luke ******
OPOk, that sounds good. Could you give me the info for that agent? And do you still think it's easy without an agent too? Will I have to pay for a Malaysian visa?
Duncan *******
k and thanks for the reply. Flight cost - Penang or KL will probably be your best cost wise. Penang would be my personal recommendation - really nice place, if you want a tourist visa you can pay an agent to do it for you for and not a lot of money. Stay on Chulia Road, hire one (Ive used Jim's before but it's up to you) and while I like KL as well, Penang is cheaper.
Duncan *******
From where would be a helpful starting point.
Andre **********************
I was late 🤦🏼♂️
Luke ******
OPI edited 😊
Andre **********************
But he did said from Bangkok? ☝️
Duncan *******
Nah mate, they're all in Europe ;)
Terary **********
Are those places near Thailand? I could go visit maybe for my next visa run
Duncan *******
Maybe he's in Hat Yai, maybe Udon Thani, maybe Chiang Mai, or maybe you're a dopey [redacted] that thinks that Bangkok is the only place in Thailand perhaps :)
Terary **********
Do you suppose if he is posting on Thai Visa advise - that he is asking about a visa to/from Mars?
Terary **********
Doing visa by yourself very easy. I recommend having all the requirements (though you may not need some), several photos - Easy.
Terary **********
Bali is awesome - but I haven't gotten a visa from there. I recently did visa run to Ho Chi Minh City... The visa process was as smooth as can be expected. Although I would recommend exploring outside of HCMC. The trains in Vietnam are pretty cool.
Jim *******
Trains there are dirty and a ripoff.
Marie *******
Bali
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