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Answered9 years ago

What is the cheapest and fastest way to do a border run in Thailand when on a 30-day arrival visa?

Elizabeth *********
asked Jul 1, 2017
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Hello all - I have a quick question. What would be the cheapest fastest way to do a border run? I came in on a 30 day arrival and then extended once. Have to fly out and just want to get another 30 days. Thanks in advance for all your help. This is a great group!
Answer summary
The community discusses various options for doing a border run to extend a 30-day visa in Thailand, particularly for those currently in Chiang Mai. Suggestions include taking a Green bus to Mae Sai, which costs approximately 319 baht and includes a Songtaew ride to the border. Participants noted that the travel time is about 5 hours and described the bus as comfortable. They also mentioned that crossing the border requires a fee of 500 baht or a pristine $10 bill, after which travelers can return with a new visa exemption stamp for another 30 days. Detailed instructions were provided on the process of crossing the border and obtaining the visa stamp.
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Charlotte *******
Charlotte *******
I did the CM - Mai Sai border bounce the other day. Got the 08:00 Green Bus there and the 15:30 bus back. Got back to CM about 21:30. It was a long day, but by far the cheapest to get my stamp. The bus was surprisingly comfortable.
Ivan ************
Ivan ************
@El**
I did it six weeks or so ago, you will get a 30 day visa exempt stamp, yes. This stamp can be extended by a further 30 if you want at Promenada immigration.
Charlotte *******
Charlotte *******
I guess you'll get a 30 day visa exemption. I'm not an expert in this as I'm on an METV so it's different. So others may be able to confirm!
Elizabeth *********
Elizabeth *********
OP
This will give me 30 days correct?
@Charlotte ******
Elizabeth *********
Elizabeth *********
OP
@Charlotte ******
Thank you so much for all the great, detailed info. This is definitely the way for me. Enjoy and have a good one. :)
Charlotte *******
Charlotte *******
Yes, dead easy. I found it more straightforward to book the bus tickets at the bus station as I somehow managed to buy the wrong ones online!

As previous posters suggest, you get off the bus at Mai Sai bus station and jump in a Songtaew to the border (takes about 15 mins). Then you walk through and get your exit stamp from Thailand. Keep walking (cross over the bridge) and you go into a little office on the Myanmar side where they take your passport and give you a receipt, in exchange for a PRISTINE $10 bill, or 500 bhat. You then wander off into the market if that's what you want to do.

When done, go to the opposite side of the bridge and pick up your passport from the Myanmar chaps, cross back over the bridge diagonally and you get to the Thai border. Fill out your forms, get stamped in, then look for the Songtaew to take you back to the bus station.

I couldn't find anything I wanted to eat at Mai Sai bus station, so worth getting something by the border. I survived the day on pringles and haribo, which isn't recommended 😂
Elizabeth *********
Elizabeth *********
OP
Thank you for the info. Sounds easy enough
Robert *******
Robert *******
OP reacted to my question: Eliz Douglas Oh sorry - I am in Chiang Mai

Like · Reply · 1 · 2 hrs
Walter *********
Walter *********
>> It takes about 5 hours to the border.<< OP is in Phuket, so I don't think so!
Brad *******
Brad *******
Take the Green bus (319 baht for VIP seat one way) to Mae Sai bus station and then a red truck (15 baht) to the border. Walk across and pay 500 baht or 10$ and return to Chiang Mai. It takes about 5 hours to the border.
Robert *******
Robert *******
Would make sense if we know where you stay? From Chang Mai it is a long way to Malaysia and from Phuket a long way to Loas.
Robert *******
Robert *******
Just scroll a little down in the group. Details are in the post from Barry Kevin.
Elizabeth *********
Elizabeth *********
OP
@Robert ******
ok, thank you. What exactly do I need for this? How long does it take? Any details would be much appreciated.
Robert *******
Robert *******
Mae Sai Border. Be aware that you can only have 2 Visa Exempt Entries from land borders in a Calendar year.
Elizabeth *********
Elizabeth *********
OP
Oh sorry - I am in Chiang Mai
Lance *******
Lance *******
Air Asia to kl Malaysia cheapest i found. Book one way tickets then you don't have to stay at the airport so long
Gigi ********
Gigi ********
ecxatly....

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