A few local friends in Chiang Mai have asked me for guidance on a border run. Their ED visas run out in April. They'll need another full 90 days just on a TR visa (not on another ED visa or any other Non-O) before they depart Thailand permanently. Thus the visa extension doesn't quite get them the 90 days they need. Guessing Laos is the best/closest option for them to do a border run to get a new 60 day TR visa that they can then extend another 30 days in-country. Is the best travel option for them to fly to Vientiane and do all that at the embassy there, or fly to Udon Than,i and then head to and cross the border to take care of business?
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user discusses how friends with ED visas expiring in April can undertake a border run to obtain a 90-day TR visa before leaving Thailand. The preferred method appears to be traveling to Udon Thani, as there are no direct flights to Vientiane from Chiang Mai. Upon reaching Udon Thani, they can take a bus to the border. Alternatively, they could choose to apply for the TR visa at either of the two Thai embassies in Laos, with Savannakhet being noted as the easier option that does not require an appointment.