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What are the requirements for a border run from Thailand to Laos with a DTV visa?

border run DTV visa multi-entry visa Laos entry requirements Thailand immigration Chiang Mai Huay Xai

Mar 16, 2025

2 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Did my first border run this weekend from Chiang Mai to Huay Xai - after much research and overthinking I decided to book 2 nights in Laos to cover myself. Arrived at the friendship bridge and was given a card that said no 2 day run unless you had certain criteria (can't remember exactly but 10000thb available etc), told them I had a DTV visa and was then told by the lovely immigration officer 'oh you have DTV it's multi entry you can go and come back same day, sabai sabai!' 🙃 

Not sure if i just got lucky with a nice IO but sharing this info in case it's helpful to anyone needing to do a run up north soon!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

User shares their experience of a border run from Chiang Mai to Huay Xai. They initially planned to stay two nights in Laos but were informed by the immigration officer that with a DTV multi-entry visa, they could return on the same day. The post aims to assist others considering similar border runs, highlighting variations in officer responses regarding regulations.

DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

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Oliver *********

No more border runs? :(

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Rob *******

So did you come back on the same day ? did you pay for visa on arrival in laos ? Did thailand ask for any “fees” ?

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Ellen *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

so I ended up going to Huay Xai anyway as I'd already paid for my room and bus back so made the best of it! I did do a border bounce at the same place over a year ago on the tourist visa before the new restrictions and yes you have to pay the $40 visa regardless if you actually step foot through into Laos or go straight back over the bus. Extra fees I think I paid 40bht for admin then 35bht for the bus ticket and my overnight bag, then I had to pay 20bht for some other admin fee too

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Brandon ************

Of course you have to pay for visa on arrival in Laos. You can't do a border run without entering another country.

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Rob *******

@Brandon ***********

Certain countries are exempt from paying for a VOA in Laos, so i dont know why your saying “of course you have to pay for VOA in Laos” when not everybody does.

I never asked if you had to enter another country whem doing a border run, i think that part’s fairly self explanatory, not sure why your being so rude either ? i just want the OP to reply to my questions

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Brandon ************

So you just said that certain people have to pay and some do not. So why does it matter? They either qualify for free or they have to pay. It's one or the other. Yes, they got the visa that was required or they couldn't have done a border bounce. Your question makes no sense. It's like asking if you had to pay for a ticket to enter somewhere they lets children in free.

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Rob *******

@Brandon ***********

That was 1 of 3 questions i asked, i wanted the OP to reply so i could ask a few more questions, it has nothing to do with you what i ask so i dont know why you feel the need to reply in such a rude way, i’m sure you have read a lot more silly questions on your page.

Anything else you want to add ?

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Rob *******

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Donna ******

It's nice to hear a positive story. Thanks for sharing. :)

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Daehoon *****

Wow thanks for information. but remember each officer says diffetent thing.

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Jessica ********

I didn’t think we needed to do border runs

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Wannikea *********

@Jessica *******

absolutely a border run is necessary at least once a year. Each entry stamp is 180 days, you can only do one in country extension per entry. After an extension you absolutely must bounce. Extensions are a bit of a black hole, so bouncing is recommended every 180 days.

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Jessica ********

@Wannikea ********

bouncing where? So every 180 days I can go to Vietnam for a day or two or Malaysia for a day or two? I imagine I may have to come back to the USA atleast once a year to visit friends family, holidays ect

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Wannikea *********

@Jessica *******

whatever place you choose, it can be near or far, but bottom line you must leave Thailand.

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Wannikea *********

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Ellen *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jessica *******

you can extend to get a full year but I've been reading about it being super difficult recently so at the moment seems much easier to do a border run every 6 months

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Jessica ********

so it’s 5 years but you still have to leave every 6 months

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Ellen *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Jessica *******

aye pretty much

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Jessica ********

good to know!

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Jessica ********

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Beatrix **********

@Jessica *******

still necessary yes

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Jessica ********

@Beatrix *********

why?

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Beatrix **********

@Jessica *******

because the visa is only good for 180 days 🤷🏻‍♀️ it clearly says that on everything DTV

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Jessica ********

Visa is good for 5 years. I can do border runs once a year. But I’m not doing it all the to me

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Marb ********

@Jessica *******

who said anything about doing it all the time? You need to do it once every 180 days?

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Beatrix **********

@Jessica *******

yes it is good for 5 years but only 180 day stays at a time 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ its all really clearly written out by the government. you can try your hand at the extension. search extension in this group and read about it

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Beatrix **********

@Jessica *******

thai government is weird about visas it is what it is. but you can leave and come right back. you can extend but everyone is saying its such a hassle to get it extended and many are rejected. easier to do a border run

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Beatrix **********

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Tim ***********

Contratulations. I'm also overthinking too much

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Marianne ********

DTV is indeed multi entry and it should not matter if you are outside of Thailand for 1 minute or 1 year (or more).

As long as your visa is valid.

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Jade ******

thanks for the info this is super helpful

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Wannikea *********

The border bounce restrictions are for those milking the free visa exempt entry stamps and extensions, not for those with genuine visas or multiple entry visas.

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Reply to

Wannikea *********

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