What are the visa implications for repeated overland crossings into Thailand and how can we prepare for emergencies while rock climbing?

Nov 8, 2018
6 years ago
Tayler *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Seeking advice regarding overland crossings.My partner and I are traveling around SEA and get the 30 day visa exemption every time we come into Thailand. My partner tried to cross into Thailand by land for the 3rd time in a year (not consecutively) and was denied access at the border (he had to go back to Siem Reap and FLY into Bangkok instead). We both plan to rock climb Thakek, Laos for 2 months. If a medical emergency happens, the quickest way to Bangkok is to cross the border to Nakhom Phanom (takes 40 mins) and fly to Bangkok. Now that we've learned we cannot cross by land again, I'm scared for our time rock climbing. In case of medical emergency, we would have to take a 7 hour bus ride to Vientiane and fly from there to Bangkok. That is a scary thought if a true emergency happens. Has anyone had experience with this rule or getting around it? Any advice appreciated!
2,097
views
2
likes
58
all likes
25
replies
1
images
9
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation discusses a couple's experience with Thailand's visa exemption rules, specifically their difficulty with repeated overland entries, leading to one partner being denied entry. They express concern about their safety while rock climbing in Laos, particularly regarding emergency medical evacuations, due to the lengthy travel time to hospitals. Respondents emphasize the importance of comprehensive health insurance that includes medical evacuation coverage and suggest exploring options like the American Alpine Club for additional support. They also advise carrying necessary documentation to avoid visa issues at the border.
Robert *******
As I fully understand how important a good insurance is for this extreme sport and you want your basis needs covered, this is not the place to discuss this insurance. This page is set up for Thai Visa advice. I wish you lots of fun and joy during your rock climbing trip and safe return into Thailand.
Ron *******
$5000 won't be getting you much of a medivac. A straight forward Helicopter transfer from Pattaya to Bangkok is $3000 ๐Ÿ˜‚
Steve *******
Your 2 visa exempt land border crossings re-set on the 1st Jan 2019.
Robert ********
@Tayler ********
Two per person, per year and not per passport, so getting a new passport won't help...
Tayler *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
Thank you so much. I wasn't sure if it was per calendar year or a year from my first crossing.
Steve *******
@Tay***
It's 2 per calender year.
Tayler *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
This is really good to know!
Robert *******
The rule of maximum 2 land border crossings is from 31 Dec 2016, this is the official announcement
Tayler *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you
Paul *******
If you have a history of being denied entry the a tourist visa from a Thai Embassy is the best option. But have 20,000 Thai baht cash in any currency, an outward travel ticket and details of accommodation booking. These are not always asked for but Immigration can require them.
Christopher *********
Aren't there any decent hospitals in Laos? How serious an injury do you foresee?
Michelle *******
Absolutely nothing in Laos for these injuries!
Tayler *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I don't forsee any serious injury, but I want to have my bases covered because you never know. Climbing is inherently risky
Robert ********
Suggest you get proper health insurance that include Med-Evac in case of such emergencies.
Tayler *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you all for your input! I spent tens of hours researching travel insurance before I left and the options are annoyingly slim for long term travelers. Most policies require you to have a return flight. Finding policies that cover rock climbing (sport climbing) adds an additional challenge. IMG was one of very few that covered those things but I didn't realize helicopter evac wasn't included. I'll look into the American Alpine Club to see what I can find for additional coverage during the months that I'll be climbing.
Ron ******************
@Tayler ********
the only problem maybe that in that remote area such a service may not available. So you can have insurrance that provide a service thats not available. I think that you should first find out if such a service is available in that area and then get a policy that cover med vac. It is of little use if a chopper must fly in from Bangkok as your med vac via your planned route maybe faster. The policy must also cover rock climbing.
Michelle *******
MOST policies do not include helicopter evac. People search this out when they are going way into the backcountry on long distance hikes.

Are you a climber? Or a mountaineer?
Michelle *******
@Robert ***********
He is not wrong.
Robert ********
@Tayler ********
...do better research before engaging in such inherently risky activity, good luck and be safe ;-)
Michelle *******
IMG doesn't include the helicopter evac on any of their insurance btw-- I had their insurance for Nepal so I asked a bunch of questions and found out that their medical evacuation insurance means you will be transported from hospital to hospital in the event of an evacuation.

So don't get their insurance for this.

Instead see if you can join the American Alpine Club. Their memberships include up to $5000 for helicopter rescue.

You will need to ask them if your situation will help you get this helicopter OR if there is even an option for this in that area.
Robert ********
"Hope" and being "lucky" do not count as insurance...
Robert ********
You had better make sure your insurance covers any and all medical emergencies...otherwise you might be denied treatment if you can't afford to pay!
Tayler *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I do have insurance, I just hadn't thought about med evac as an option. I use IMG's Patriot International with adventure sports rider added on. Haven't had to make a claim yet, so I hope it's good! ...Or that I never have to make one, haha
Robert ********
Please do NOT visit anyplace and engage in rock climbing WITHOUT proper health insurance covering emergency evacuation, OR you might end up being a statistic and in the hospital while your family sets-up a Go-Fund-Me-Page...Not Good Idea!
Tayler *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
That's a good point - I guess a good insurance plan would be able to cover something like that!
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