What is the best option for a border run to extend my visa in Thailand before May 20th?

I would say be aware of which border and airport are friendly and not friendly in Thailand.

Thanks for the feedback guys - greatly appreciated. I'm a retired married codger (mid 60s) that only spends 6 months a year in CM ie 1 flight in (plus extension/boarder run) + 1 boarder run flight etc. I'm toying with applying for a RV but not sure if 6 months a year really justifies the RV application hassles plus having 1.6 mill baht tied up doing nothing. It's a mild painless hassle doing extensions/visa runs but doable, so long as it's all legit. I guess if I get so sick of the boarder runs I might settle down here full time. Thanks again

@Charles *****

. Its always at discretion of IO when entering on vias exemption/voa/tv ,The more entries you have, the higher the chance they will scrutinize you

@Charles *****

in theory yes, but the IOs get a bit grumpy at when they see a lot of VE in your passport, just make sure you have the 20k thb in cash with you when arriving, as sometimes the IOs use that for an excuse to deny an entry

@Mint ***

so Steven, does that mean when I do a flight boarder run, staying 1 month in Cambodia, and return to CM and get a VoA that I can then get 1 extension + 1 land boarder run = 90 days. Rinse and repeat?

Note. Land borders 2 times a year on exempt. Airport arrival has no limit per year officially.

If you run out of time, re enter on 30 day exemption to buy some extra time. If they question you at passport control, explain that you are waiting for work visa approval and carry some evidence of that with you.

@Maxim **********

i did it last time cuz it WAS cheaper

And SG is much nicer airport to hang out

Figured walk around.... have coffee... etc

But like i said; i was using EXEMPTION (not visa) so the whole "im gonna stay 1 day" raised suspicion.

Then i was asked for the ticket and they realized it wasn't even 1 day.... i was gonna be there for 3-4hrs

Even the officer at SG said "next time go use another country like Malaysia or Laos for ur thai errands"

They werent friendly

Again: MY experience

Had i put "5 days" in the arrival card i guess nobody wouldve asked a thing

@Steven **************

Freaking KK flight expensive, I am already out of border bounce. Getting married the next step.

@Maxim **********

Prices change all the time but sounds like KL is easier now anyway. Its been 18 months since i needed to.

@Federico *********

. If she has documentation showing that she is awaiting aporoval for a B visa, it should be enough to satisfy thai immigration. Shes doing the right thing by following the stay rules and will need to enter thailand to collect it at some point and start work anyway.

Federico Wechsler I do not see the point of airport-bouncing Singapore when KL is almost always cheaper anyways.

Steven de Blaquiere i guess its impossible to answer accurately then.

We dont know if she has a multiple entry or not.

That breaks it into 2 completely different scenarios.

You even suggested in the next comment to patch it up w a 30 day exemption.

But going back to cost/time:

We can go and discuss how far her house is located from an airport... or bangkoks traffic... or the layover time for the cheapest flights...

Whether that is quicker than the van to Aranyaprathet

Or in my case... i prefer a plane.... an airport w coffee shops... etc even if i gotta pay a bit more

Its quite personal and ultimately up to her.

Its an endless array of variables.

I think the important thing is we r all doing this for free.... trying to help and sharing our experiences.

If she does consider Singapore... and she doesnt have a multiple entry... then maybe my comment will help her write "4" days in the arrival card and not be asked much... not sure.

Just sharing my 2 cents thats all.

The main problem is not going to Singapore it is coming back into Thailand via BKK. I would say in ur case just write 5 days or wtv *holiday* and than if they question u the next day or wtv just tell them u have an emergency. The tough part is entering via one of the two BKK airport.

Read the post again..

Firstly its a she not a he.

Secondly where does it say she doesnt have a multi entry visa? It expires 20th May so if she re enters prior to that she can still gain entry on it.

The question was least time and cost, not diffuculties.

@Steven **************

we are talking about 2 completely different scenarios here.

U were doing a border bounce.

Basically "activating" another 90 days of a visa u already have, and is valid for a year.

He isnt.

He would be using a 30-day exception scheme which is what they r becoming tougher with nowadays.

Basically he has no visa and to the Singapore eyes he is abusing a system.

Whereas u have a long stay visa.... married to a national...

The credibility of the story is vastly different.

Yes: i couldve just had bad luck.

Then again... outta of all options, it would be my least favourite.

@Federico *********

. Ive done it twice in Singapore same day on a multi spouse visa. They didnt even blink. No questions. I didnt even leave the airport.

Any part of a day is one day.

@Steven **************

strongly discourage Singapore

I did that 2 months ago.

On entry u gotta fill the Singapore arrival card.

Maybe my stupidity but it asks to state how many days will u be staying.

If u fly back same day what do u write? 0?

I wrote 1

Pulled aside. Asked where i was coming from... TH

Where was my next flight.... TH

So why would someone fly all the way there for the day? Or even for a night?

Its pretty obvious.

Was detained and treated like a criminal for about an hour till i was given many warnings that every time i went back i would have to do "manual" and additional verification of documents (black list basically)

KL.... sure

Or any bordering country

Singapore i wouldnt