What are the important considerations for visa runs to Thailand during COVID-19?

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**ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS:
OFF TOPIC POST: VISA RUN INFORMATION**

As I previously posted a visa run is when you GO to another country and BUY a visa from the thai consulate there :)

Apologies to the group, I know this is NOT related to Thai visa advice  but it sure is important for people in thailand thinking they're gonna wing there way to Phnom Penh (or another country) grab a tourist visa and skate back into thailand without issues :O

The BIG things you need to think about no matter what nearby country you're going for a thai visa IS

How long have you been IN thailand? <-meaning; have you been here since the lock down, took amnesty, been taking covid extensions for the last two years?

That is what is gonna throw you under the bus coming back in. You'll get out of thailand fine. You'll get the tourist visa at the consulate in what ever country you go to without issue (if you meet the requirements)

BUT

when you go to come back you're gonna be raked over the coals and given the inquisition by the officers at passport control at both Bangkok Airports (Suvarnabhumi & Don Mueang)

They denied a half plane full of people who were comin' back from Phnom Penh the other week.  Some were comin' back visa exempt (not getting a visa before they came back) and some were comin' back on valid tourist visas they'd just gotten but to a person they shared one thing in common :O ALL of them had been in thailand for a lengthy period of time during covid.

If you have an extensive stay history during covid (Non-B, Non-ED, Non-O, to covid extensions), to maximize your chances of getting in without much problem make sure you have what I call the "3-proofz";

-proof of 20K baht in CASH (not a bank balance, not a credit card, not an online screen shot but cold hard baht or the equivalent)

-proof of onward travel within the days you'll be stamped in for; back to your HOME country is preferable

-proof of lodging for the time you'll get stamped in for

NOTE: If you're comin' in on a tourist visa they probably will give you grief if you have a lease for an apt. I mean you're a tourist, WTF are you doing leasing an apt? Make a booking (that you can cancel) showing you're staying at a hotel for the time you will get stamped in for

AND

If you're at all concerned about entering thru Bangkok fly DIRECTLY in to Phuket, Samui, Krabi, or Chiang Mai from Singapore. (you'd have to get from Phnom Penh to Singapore to get direct flights to those cities I listed) There are NO reports of denial of entries from those airports.

Go to the website of the thai consulate that you're thinking of using and see what the requirements and turn around time to get visas issued there are. Policies have changed since pre-covid times.

One last thing; it goes without saying you still need to meet ALL the entry requirements to get back IN to thailand (thai pass, covid insurance, booked AQ/Test&Go, etc)

EVERYONE no matter if you're coming in with a visa or visa exempt has to do that.

Sorry this was long, hope it was helpful

Good luck to all of you in your visa run endeavors (y)

Ask Thailand · Answer

This post provides critical information for expats considering a visa run to Thailand, especially in light of COVID-19. It emphasizes the potential scrutiny from Thai Immigration upon re-entry, particularly for those who have been in Thailand for extended periods under various pandemic-related extensions. Key recommendations include having sufficient cash, proof of onward travel, and appropriate lodging arrangements. The post also advises that flying directly to tourism-friendly airports such as Phuket or Chiang Mai may reduce the likelihood of entry denial.

Michael ****** · Answer

Very useful. Ta.

Robert ******* · Answer

And how scary the phrase "They denied a half plane full of people" sounds it still means that the other half did get the visa that fits their purpose and length of stay and entered Thailand without any problems.

Avoid extra costs by flying around the globe to jump hoops and play games, get the correct visa and you can stay inside Thailand without fear of being cought out.

Marcos ********** · Answer

pin this post. this is very important

Colin ******** · Answer

For us new people, thanks for sharing this information. I have never done a visa run before so the above details are appreciated 😀

Barry ****** · Answer

Normal times coming back.

I guess people are forgetting that Bangkok airports are notoriously strict for landing on an appropriate visa.

And also it would suck to be denied entry to a country during this transitional covid uncertainty.

At least Cambodia is open without tests and Singapore VTL goes away tommorrow

Raymond ********* · Answer

Excellent post Tod and not long at all

Damo ******** · Answer

Valuable information as per usual [mention redacted] 🙏

Julie ************ · Answer

What if you decide to leave Thailand and come back after 1 or 2 months (after being in TH for very long time- the lockdown, amnesty and Covid extensions)? Do you still recommend to fly direct to Phuket, Samui, Krabi or Chiang Mai?

Norman ********** · Answer

GOLD

Kevin *********** · Answer

A post worth pinning.

Michael *********** · Answer

Nicely done! Very clear and useful.

What are the important considerations for visa runs to Thailand during COVID-19?

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