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What are the best strategies for border bouncing and visa runs in Thailand?

Nov 7, 2022
3 years ago
Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
**ATTENTION MEMBERS:

BORDER BOUNCING, VISA RUNNING**

Many of you are trying to make posts about what border to go to so you can bounce out and back and/or what consulate to go to so you can get a visa

The thing is the factors that control IF you have an easy time bouncing out and back OR if you have any issues applying for a visa are your previous stay history.

You will NOT have any issue bouncing out and back at any border with Lao to get a new visa exempt entry stamp (or activate a new entry on a multi-entry visa)

Nor will you have any issue getting a tourist visa in Lao at either thai consulate (Vientiane or Savannakhet) as long as you meet the requirements listed on their websites and realize Vientiane needs an appointment booked to get IN to apply and has a 3 day turn around while Savannakhet is walk up service with 2 day turn around

Very few issues are being reported with the borders in Malaysia either bouncing out and back (although most people who have extensive stay histories are using a service to bounce them out and back NOT doing it on their own).

There is almost no info out there on how the thai consulates in Penang or Kota Bharu are other than they are hard on people with extended covid extension stay histories as far as issuing a tourist visas. KL is a no nonsense consulate, you need an appointment to apply, they don't take walk up service.

There are MANY issues with the Cambodian borders bouncing out and back on your own, and we advise you use a provider to get you out and back in at that border IF you have an extensive stay history

Keep in mind people, the cheapest way to bounce out and back MIGHT not be the best way and many people who tried to save a baht or two and bounce on their own got hung up at the Cambodian border and told to slog on up to Phnom Penh and fly back in :O Don't be stepping over dollars to pick up dimes.

You wanna find a service that can bounce you out and back post on a group related to where you live in thailand asking for recommendations on border bounces. This group is NOT the place to look for or ask for recommendations on that.

Google and groups related to where you stay in thailand are your friend, (y) use them
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TLDR : Answer Summary
This post provides comprehensive advice on border bouncing and visa running for expats in Thailand. It discusses the options available at various borders, particularly Laos and Malaysia, and offers insights into visa application processes at Thai consulates. Emphasis is placed on the importance of previous stay history and understanding the nuances of each border crossing. The conversation highlights common experiences and potential issues faced by expats, underlining the need to plan ahead and consider using services for border bounces to avoid complications.
Bryson ********
Great info. Thanks
@Tod ********
!
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Jake *********
When i last went to Vietnam by flight by extensive history of many tourist visas and education visa etc made them question if i was working in Thailand. He asked me if I worked in Thailand, i said no. He then asked me if I could speak thai because I had a education visa before where I studied Thai... I proved I could speak with him and told him that I can speak thai, and my girlfriend is Thai from sakhon nakhon and that's why I spend alot of time here, plus I pay for rental here even when I'm not in Thailand. I also added that I'd never broken the rules and overstayed. He said that he knew that and then stamped me in for 45 days... But that was 2nd officer... The first immigration officer in suvarnabhumi obviously just looked at my passport and decided to call the other officer over to question me....

Heres my most recent experiences.

Was fairly okay though, not many questions, he didn't ask me any difficult questions in thai either, was basic questions to answer.

My concern is next time, although I think popping to laos might be my best bet ... In a few days il go extend my 45 day by 30 days then end of that il head to laos and get visa on arrival at laos, then return via nong khai and take bus from there to udon to fly back to Bangkok...

... I've done this before, but last time it wasn't for a visa run, it was just vacation and I had a tourist e visa,... In that case I went to chaeng wattana and applied to re entry permit. Then when returning to thai from laos I just shown them my reentry and they stamped me back in for the remaining days on my e visa
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jake ********
at some point entering by air you're gonna get pulled aside and/or denied entry. They are getting harder and harder on it for people living here on free visa exempt entry stamps and/or tourist visa entries. It's just a numbers game and when your number is up, it's up 😮
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Tod *********
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Wojtek ***********
Hi guys, is it any limitations how many times can enter with visa exemption flight in by plane? I read there is limitations by land only?
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Wojtek ***********
@Ellie ******
thank you for your help.
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Ellie *******
@Wojtek **********
, the limit of two times on visa-exempt entry is only by land (or so-called sea). No written limit for visa-exempt entry by air
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Ellie *******
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Martin ************
I went to Tha Li border crossing to Laos. I expected to just walk out to Laos and back into Thailand to get visa exempt. Thai Immigration at the border wouldn't let me leave Thailand without a Laos visa already in my passport, saying it's been that way since COVID.

So would have to go to Nong khai to get the visa. If I had gone to Nong Khai is it possible to just leave to Laos and get the visa arrival on the Laos side?

Last time I did an extension instead, but will be doing a border bounce soon, hopefully more successfully😁
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Martin ************
Yeah, with extensions that could take me well into next year, but will get a longer term solution before reaching any limits.

...and just wanted to clarify the limits on land/air entries in case anyone asks. Definitely won't be chancing it flying in hoping for the best!

Thanks again.
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Martin ***********
no official limit on flying in with visa exempt entries BUT if they think you're living here on back-2-back free stamps they'll pull you out of line and question you about it.

This ain't the place it was pre-covid where people lived here on endless visa exempt or tourist visa entries. They're tough now about it

One more thing remember the visa exempt entry program was increased to 45 days from 30 days until Mar 31st for air OR land entry.

So you bounce get 45 days, take the 30 day extension for 1900baht and you'll be into next year when you get 2 more visa exempt entries by land.
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Martin ************
@Tod ********
yeah I was surprised though. Friends in that border crossing area weren't aware of this requirement, so off I went. Extension instead in Chiang khan no problem.

That Nong Khai approach is my plan for in a couple of weeks, thanks for confirming its ok.

... And thanks for anticipating the question I should have asked regarding limits. I was given to believe that limits has been relaxed. So I could do another land border run now and another couple soon in the new year. What is the limit on flying in visa exempt IN ADDITION to the land ones?

Thanks a mill.
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Martin ***********
Totally is, you just picked the WRONG Lao border (one that you need to have bought a visa for lao to use as a foreigner)

Go to Nong Khai, you can stamp out of thailand, go to Lao buy the visa on arrival, stamp in and out, and come right back to thailand for a new entry stamp

Remember if you are wanting a visa exempt entry (the free stamp you get) you can only get TWO of those per calendar year (Jan 1 - Dec 31) by a land entry.
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Kumiko ********
Thank you Tod always!

Let me report I just got Thai TR visa in Ho Chi Minh City (with ED and some covid visa history during Covid)

and let's see how I can enter Thailand again next Jan...
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kumiko *******
thanx for that update, (y)
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Timothy *********
Did a trip to vietnam and back at dmk just asked to confirm I didn’t have a visa this time after 4 years of multiple visa and entries, stamped in 45 days quite a breeze
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James ********
@Timothy ********
when did you do your return to Thailand from Vietnam?
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William ******
@Timothy ********
I'm going to Vietnam soon. We're you on any covid extensions?
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Timothy *********
@William *****
have quite a history of covid extensions
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Timothy *********
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Louise ******
Thanks
@Tod ********
. Good helpful info.
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Young ********
Just fly or for a break of a week somewhere in SEA
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Cheron **********
Always on top of things - valuable info thanks !
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Marc *********
A fountain of knowledge as usual 👍🏼🙏🏻
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John ********
As ever super reliable words and advise
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Tod *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm tod daniels and I approve this comment (y)
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Tod *********
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