Ask question
This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

What are the recommended visa run services from Bangkok for activating a tourist visa?

Nov 7, 2018
7 years ago
Tom ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Can anybody recommend a visa run service from Bangkok to any neighboring country.

I already have a tourist visa in my passport so just need to cross the border and back to activate it.

Tried calling thivisaservice but no answer and their website says no need to pre book just turn up at the meeting point so not completely sold on that.

thanks.
1,654
views
57
all likes
35
replies
11
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the need for a visa run from Bangkok to activate a tourist visa that is already in the user's passport. The user mentions attempts to contact a specific visa run service without success and seeks recommendations for reliable services. Various comments provide insights into visa rules and operational border run services. Some users confirm the existence of services that facilitate border runs, while others discuss personal experiences regarding visa usage and immigration officer discretion.
Paul *********
Is the Ban Phu Nam Ron boarder open weekends?

Will be driving myself.
Like
Reply
Paul *********
Iโ€™m in Bangkok Chris so itโ€™s the closest boarder to me.

I have used this crossing before just not on a weekend.

Cheers for the heads up though.
Like
Reply
Chris ******
@Paul ********
Be prepared for awesome questions. When I was there they asked me since I was from Phuket why I didn't do my border run from there. I told the IO Phuket doesn't border any other countries. Rather dumbfounded he stamped me in.
Like
Reply
Ellie *******
borders open everyday..
Like
Reply
Reply to
Ellie *******
Reply
Ellie *******
depends on your area and passport, another service operate border runs from near Asoke BTS station three days per week.
Like
Reply
Richard *********
Is this group an advertising service? I hope not.
Like
Reply
Richard *********
OK. Still think it should be advertising free. But obviously Tod runs it and does an amazing job for all of us so I respect his decision on adverts.
Like
Reply
Ellie *******
this group arrows mentioning the service providers for only visa run or border run. It prohibits mentioning providers doing the visa application services in the country...
Like
Reply
Reply to
Ellie *******
Reply
Michele *********
I can confirm as well: Excellent service.
Like
Reply
Robert *******
That is a surprise, you have a tourist visa inside your passport but have to activate it? How did you manage that?
Like
Reply
Mikkel *******
Being allowed entry, in however form or shape is always at the discretion of the particular IO you hand over your passport to. Be friendly and polite, and its not out of the question to ask for something. I also had friendly IO's (thai and laos) sqeeze in exit and entry stamps in on otherwise full pages in the middle of my passport, because I only just had two full pages left when I went to Laos to get a SETV, where the Laos visa and TV alone takes two whole empty pages.
Like
Reply
Steve *******
@Rob***
I guess that's the one. No official stance just up to the Imm O
Like
Reply
Robert *******
You need the cooperation of the Immigration Officer, he/she can decide yes or no. If yes, you lucky and can use the Tourist Visa on a later entry but before the enter before date, if NO than the visa will be used.
Like
Reply
Tom ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Immigration saw it and under my 30day entry stamp they wrote a small note that i didn't want to use it for entry this time.

Sounds like i got lucky in the sense.
Like
Reply
Gregor **********
the stance is, if the officer is willing to do it, it is up to his decision on how to handle it. That's the famous "Last word has the immigration officer"
Like
Reply
Steve *******
@Gre***
Yes. Would be good to know the official stance on this
Like
Reply
Gregor **********
ah ok thank you
@Robert ******
i didn't see you replied already ๐Ÿ˜Ž
Like
Reply
Robert *******
@Gregor *********
Thanks for the trust, but I already answered several times.
Like
Reply
Steve *******
@Robert ******
Immigration told me the visa had to be used and wouldnt entertain me entering visa exempt whilst I had a valid visa in my passport
Like
Reply
Gregor **********
probabyl lucky and they didn't see it. However I sincerely wish and would be happy if Robert Lagas or Tod Daniels could give us a definite answer if this is possible or not
Like
Reply
Gregor **********
an SETV Visa is good for use within 3 months from the date of issue . so if he explains, he wants to stay in Bangkok for just a week, it is plausible he wishes to save that Visa for a later entry. Nowehere it says that he has to use this visa long before the "to be used until" date
Like
Reply
Steve *******
@Gregor *********
Like I said immigration wouldnt let me do it, so I guess he just got lucky
Like
Reply
Robert *******
@Steve ******
It will not be voided, If the IO is wiling to stamp you in on VEE and save your TV it is okay.
Like
Reply
Gregor **********
@Steve ******
he just explained that was what he did. I remember having read it in a Thailand related forum a few years ago when somebody did exactly the same
Like
Reply
Steve *******
@Gregor *********
Like I said, if immigration see the Tourist visa then you have to use it, also if they see that he entered without using it then it may well be 'voided'
Like
Reply
Gregor **********
it's a cool way to do it, if for example you wish to stay in Thailand for just a week before heading out to a neighbouring country, with the intention to come back to Thailand for a longer period. I reckon he actually must have come back from the intermittend trip on a second 30-Day Visa Exempt and now he needs the visa run to activate his original SETV (or METV)
Like
Reply
Steve *******
@Gregor *********
You cannot do that, I tried it many moons ago but was told by immigration I had to use the VISA, maybe he just got lucky or they didnt see the visa in his passport
Like
Reply
Steve *******
@Rob***
OK that reply never came up on my viewing of this thread.
Like
Reply
Gregor **********
he could also do that with a Single Entry Tourist Visa, if that's what he has saved up for a later use. No need for a METV. I would rather say he has an SETV, because what he saved are the two Re-Entry Permits he's need if he had used the original visa
Like
Reply
Robert *******
@Steve ******
He explained three replies ago, stamped in on Visa Exempt Entry to save his tourist Visa. Nice cooperation of the Immigration Officer
Like
Reply
Steve *******
@Robert ******
I can only guess he has an METV and wants to activate another entry
Like
Reply
Valรจre *************************
@Tom *****
That's also a way.... ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜
Like
Reply
Tom ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I was only meant to be here a short amount of time and didnt want to waste the visa, so i asked to be stamped in on visa exempt 30 days, which they did for me.
Like
Reply
Valรจre *************************
@Robert ******
you don't know how they do that? That's also a surprise ๐Ÿ˜‰
Like
Reply
Reply to
Valรจre *************************
Reply
Ellie *******
This one is often mentioned in this group. Departing Tesco, Onnut. they say they work fine.

********************************
Like
Reply
Reply to
Ellie *******
Reply
Thai Visa Advice
... members ยท 40% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.