Useless Trivia for the day
The difference between a border bounce and a visa run.
People usually interchange the terms 'border bounce', and 'visa run' with no issues
BUT
I'm here to tell you they are two completely different things.
BORDER BOUNCE
When the land borders were open (back pre-covid-shit-show) a border bounce was going to a border, stamping out of thailand, stamping in and out of another country, turning around and stamping right back into thailand to either enter the country on a visa exempt entry (which you are allowed two by land in a year) OR to activate another entry on a currently valid multi-entry visa.
NOW with the land borders closed a border bounce means you FLY to a country that's open (meeting the entry requirements there) then fly back to thailand (meeting the entry requirements to get in here too). This is to enter on a visa exempt entry
VISA RUN
This is where you go to another country and BUY a visa of some type from the thai consulate there before you come back to thailand. Most embassies/consulates have a turn in the application in the morning one day, pick it up the next afternoon (business days). So that means you're staying in another country a few days.
SOME thai consulates have a list of countries who cannot apply for visas OR who have long processing times (up to one month) so check the website of the consulate you're using BEFORE you wing your way there thinking everything will be fine.
It appears the thai consulate in Kuala Lumpur is hard as nails right now in issuing visas to people, so make sure you read the requirements on the website and MEET them or you're not gonna get a visa from them. There are no reports of the thai consulates in Penang or Kota Bharu Malaysia as far as issuing visas
Right now Singapore is one of the easiest (as you applying online using their proprietary online application process and can find out if you're approved before you even leave thailand :O )
There are no reports from the thai consulates in Vietnam as far as visa issuing at this time
RE-ENTERING THAILAND
One other thing I will touch upon and that is comin' back IN to thailand (especially if you have a lengthy stay history here during the covid 'lock down' (since March 23 2020)
A half plane full of foreigners was denied entry over the weekend comin' back from Phnom Penh (most had been here 2 years or so) and the ones that got in were grilled for a good while.
Remember an immigration officer at passport control can ask you for proof of funds (20K baht or the equivalent which has to be shown in CASH), proof of onward travel during the number of days you'll be stamped in for (on every entry but a Non-Immigrant type visa) and they can say you need to show the onward travel to the country of your passport origin if they want to :O. They can also ask for proof of lodging once you get out of Test&Go or quarantine,
SO if you have a lengthy stay history over this covid period are gonna border bounce or visa run BE PREPARED when you come back to get put thru the wringer getting stamped back in.
Right now the denial of entries are happening at both Bangkok airports (Don Mueang & Suvarnabhumi). There are no reports of people being denied entry flying into Phuket OR to Chiang Mai.
Sorry this was long, hopefully it was helpful
TLDR : Answer Summary
The post explains the distinction between a 'border bounce' and a 'visa run' in the context of travel to Thailand. A border bounce involves crossing into another country briefly and returning to Thailand, often to activate a new visa or enter on a visa-exempt entry, which is now done by flying due to land border closures. A visa run, on the other hand, is when one travels to another country to apply for a visa at a Thai consulate, often requiring a stay of a few days. The author highlights current challenges with various consulates, entry requirements, and the importance of being well-prepared with necessary documentation to avoid denial of entry upon returning to Thailand.
