ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS:
Difference between a "visa run" and a "border bounce"
With the ending of the oh-so long ;) 60 day covid extension program (which in case you were wondering ran from Nov 1st 2020 to August 24th 2022 or 21 months and 3 weeks :O ) people will now need to exit/re-enter the country when their current covid extension stamp runs out.
There are two things which people can do when they exit/re-enter
VISA RUN
A "Visa Run" is pretty self explanatory :P
You "run" (go) to a thai consulate in another country and BUY a visa for thailand then return. This can be done by land using the thai consulates in the border countries or by air flying to another country and using the thai consulate there to get a visa before you return.
BORDER BOUNCE
A "Border Bounce" is also pretty self explanatory (if you think about what you're doing :P ).
You go to the border, stamp out of thailand, "bounce" (stamp) in and out of another country and then re-enter thailand to get a new entry stamp OR to activate another entry on a valid multi entry visa. This can also be done by land or air where you fly out and back in.
Now keep in mind the companies that lug people to the border and back AND who also lug people to the thai consulates in other countries call BOTH things "visa runs" but that is to keep it simple.
That's the two choices people who have stamps running out in the near future are going to have as options.
We wish everyone good luck in their visa running, or their border bouncing.
TLDR : Answer Summary
This post explains the distinction between a 'Visa Run' and a 'Border Bounce' in the context of Thailand's visa regulations, especially following the end of the COVID extension program. A Visa Run involves traveling to a Thai consulate in another country to purchase a visa before returning to Thailand. In contrast, a Border Bounce refers to exiting Thailand, briefly entering another country, and then re-entering Thailand to receive a new entry stamp. Both options are common for individuals whose visa stamps are nearing expiration.