What are the rules and risks of doing a border run with a visa-exempt entry in Thailand?

I've never done this as I'm on a long term visa however as Immigration are reportedly cracking down on 'non tourists' I would think this might be seen as 'dodgy' by Immigration as a normal tourist is not likely to stay for the 60 days, get a 30 day extension then go to a different country for just 1 day and then return and try to stay another 90 days. This sounds more like trying to live in Thailand without the required long term visa which is what that Immigration are reported to say they are cracking down on. If you were to return to your own country for a few weeks and then return I could see this being accepted but what you are saying sound like what they are trying to stop. As I said I've no experience of this but this is from what I've seen the expat news and other reports on the Internet, I hope it's helpful.

From what I've read they are not extending a second visa, seems 150 days is the bench mark with visa on arrival. Tourist visa is the way to go and then that might not work

I will give you my experience of my successful boarder run last week. I entered Thailand visa exempt last year in August and stayed for 55 days. Returned to my home country for 6 weeks and re-entered Thailand on visa exempt in November of 2025 and requested 30 day extension and then a 7 day stamp. Ended up overstaying for 10 days due to my flight home canceled. New flight isn't until April. Immigration did not grant an extension based on my current circumstances they said I needed to leave the country and re-enter.

I did a boarder run to Maynmar with a company and I had zero issues. I had to pay my overstay fines and was stamped back into Thailand for another 60 days-without question.

In Thailand only Malaysian border run no problem. Other than Malaysian will have big problem if keep use border run.

You can go from

Hua Hin Via Ranong to Myanmar and back in a day

With an organised company

12 hours round trip

6.30am-6.30pm

5300 baht per person

For a 60 day stamp

From what I've seen 180 days in 1 calendar year is still possible. 60+30+60+30 but then it gets more complicated. Land borders are more likely to reject you but a flight re-entry is possible, especially if you use an agent.

I'm not sure how successful you will be and I think it depends on where you're crossing I tried to do this in Cambodia but this was about 2 years ago and I was denied entry had he fly back, we just took a few days to go on a trip

That completely depends on the history over the previous 12 months. If there was another tourist entry with an extension during that time, I would expect problems.

If there was a tourist entry without extension 8-9 months ago, it would probably be okay since there was a large gap between the 2 entries.

Do note that a land border entry will likely not qualify for any extension.

If you're worried, you can use a land border bounce agency who will ensure you can get out and back in without any problems by preclearing you with immigration before driving you to the border.