Answered6 months ago
What should I know about my 2026 visa run from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong?
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First Visa Run 2026 - CM to Chiang Khong
Hi everyone, I'm looking for a quick sanity check on my first visa run of the year. (I haven't been in Thailand during 2025)
I'm currently in Chiang Mai and I'm traveling on a passport that qualifies for the standard 60+30-day visa exemption.
My current visa expires May 15th. I’m planning to DIY via the Green Bus to Chiang Khong/Huay Xai around May 13th.
My Plan:
1. DIY via Green Bus + Tuk-tuks.
2. Have $40 USD (pristine) for Lao VOA + 2 photos.
3. TDAC QR code ready for re-entry.
4. 20k THB cash + proof of onward travel ready.
Questions:
* Has anyone done this specific land border in the last week? Any issues with "same-day" turnarounds for a first-timer this year?
* How is the TDAC verification at the bridge? Does it add a lot of time to the process?
* Is it better to book the Green Bus a few days in advance, or is there usually space on the day?
* Is it actually worth spending the "peace of mind" money to the visa run agencies to ensure my reentry?
Thanks for any recent updates!
Hi everyone, I'm looking for a quick sanity check on my first visa run of the year. (I haven't been in Thailand during 2025)
I'm currently in Chiang Mai and I'm traveling on a passport that qualifies for the standard 60+30-day visa exemption.
My current visa expires May 15th. I’m planning to DIY via the Green Bus to Chiang Khong/Huay Xai around May 13th.
My Plan:
1. DIY via Green Bus + Tuk-tuks.
2. Have $40 USD (pristine) for Lao VOA + 2 photos.
3. TDAC QR code ready for re-entry.
4. 20k THB cash + proof of onward travel ready.
Questions:
* Has anyone done this specific land border in the last week? Any issues with "same-day" turnarounds for a first-timer this year?
* How is the TDAC verification at the bridge? Does it add a lot of time to the process?
* Is it better to book the Green Bus a few days in advance, or is there usually space on the day?
* Is it actually worth spending the "peace of mind" money to the visa run agencies to ensure my reentry?
Thanks for any recent updates!
Answer summary
The user is planning their first visa run of 2026 from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong, having not been in Thailand for 2025. They seek advice on this process, specifically about same-day turnarounds, the TDAC verification process, bus booking, and the necessity of using a visa run agency. Various comments express concerns about the viability of their plan and suggest alternative options including visiting local immigration offices to renew visas rather than doing a border run.
12 repliesnewest first
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Yesi **********
you can't just stay here for 60, then exit and reenter.... they ask you for a reason. Onward travel helps, but you are taking a huge risk. An agent only costs a couple of thousand. Remember, if you enter by land, you can't do the extension, and by air you can only do 30 days extension once per year.
Simon *******
Ɓuy a correct visa ,it people like you that are taking advantage of the system causing the change to 30 days on a visa exemption.
By the way you do not have a visa so how can it be expiring, you have a stamp that allows you to enter Thailand without a visa
By the way you do not have a visa so how can it be expiring, you have a stamp that allows you to enter Thailand without a visa
Mike *******
Why are you doing a border run? Just go to your local immigration office, pay your 1900 baht, and get it processed while you wait 👍
Nay ********
Mike Smith he already did the 30-day extension dumbass
Mike *******
Nay McLegh oh dear, you felt the need to bring out the dumbass, my condolences to your poor family, you on a daily basis must be horrible 😢
Greg ***********
Mike Smith he seems to already have used up the 60 days visa-exemption plus the 30 days touristic extension
Flemming ****
Visa runs? Indicates many trips…
Good luck…. Thailand don’t want people with visa runs…
Good luck…. Thailand don’t want people with visa runs…
Ant ***********
As
Mentioned were you in Thailand in 2025 ?
Not familiar with any Visa run companies from Chiang Mai / Chiang Rai
You use to be able to go from Chiang Rai to Myanmar but that is closed
In one day you can do
Hua Hin > Ranong > Myanmar and back in one day ( 12 hour round trip )
5300 baht per person for a 60 day stamp
Mentioned were you in Thailand in 2025 ?
Not familiar with any Visa run companies from Chiang Mai / Chiang Rai
You use to be able to go from Chiang Rai to Myanmar but that is closed
In one day you can do
Hua Hin > Ranong > Myanmar and back in one day ( 12 hour round trip )
5300 baht per person for a 60 day stamp
John **********
First of the year is immaterial, what about last year? There is no reset for a new year. If you were also here on visa exempt in 2025 you would be well advised not to attempt this yourself but to use a reputable border bounce company to take you out and back. They'll look at your history and will only take you if they can get you back
Lee ************
OP@John *********
I wasn't in Thailand during 2025 at all. Does that help my case?John **********
@Lee ***********
it does, your wording re the 1st border run this year implied you'd done so previously hence my question. You may need to stay a night or two before returning and you likely won't get another 30 day extensionGreg ***********
Lee McAllister you won't be doing this on the same day. I guess it will take you two nights in Huay Xai before you can re-enter visa exempt. The Thai side might even tell you that you can't use their border for a re-entry but will have to fly to Thailand . . . . So you haven't done any visa-exempt entries in 2025, which is fine because it minimizes the risk of getting refused. Having the three famous proofs also helps. Keep in mind, on top of these second 60 days visa-exemption, you will only be able to buy a 7-days extension.
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