This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What should my friend do after being denied exit from Thailand for visa issues?
Visa rulesThailand immigrationVisa exemptionOverstayMedical visaTourist visaVisa application processNong Khai borderBumrungrad Hospital support
Dec 9, 2025
5 months ago
Patrick ******
ORIGINAL POSTERA couple days ago a friend of mine took a 15 hour bus from Pattaya to Vientiane, Laos in order to exit the country in an attempt to re-enter for his third VISA exempt entry in a relatively short time and was denied the ability to EXIT Thailand at Nong Khai, into Laos after the Thai Immigration official saw his passport. He had a heart procedure scheduled in Thailand in a few weeks and he thought if he showed his medical paperwork they would allow him back into Thailand one last time. However, they sent him away and he had to return to Pattaya with two days left before he will be an overstay. What happens next I don't know. Just thought this info might be helpful.
TLDR : Answer Summary
A friend tried to leave Thailand to renew his visa exemption but was denied exit at the Nong Khai border. Despite having a scheduled medical procedure in Thailand, officials refused him entry based on his frequent re-entries within a short period. Comments suggest he should leave before overstaying and seek appropriate visa options, including a medical visa extension through his hospital.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Thai Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Jack ****************
555
Mark ********
As mentioned go to the hospital they will support and sort it out. I was in BPH hospital earlier this year they actually asked me if I needed visa help I didn’t as it happened. Not sure if it’s for free or not though.
John **********
@Mark *******
I doubt they will help simply because surgery is scheduled for some time in the futureMark ********
@John *********
in a few I would hope 2 or 3 if it’s 26 weeks then maybe not but heart surgery is pretty urgent I would think.John **********
@Mark *******
as I said earlier the medical extension is for those unable to travel but this guy obviously couldTania **********
@John *********
This is not true ; each individual has personal story and circunstance.Hospitals know it , hope you never be into it; OP is looking for support not judgement.
John **********
@Tania *********
I'm not judging, just stating fact. "It must be certified and requested by the doctor at the hospital where the treatment was performed, stating details about the illness,the duration of treatment, and the doctor's opinion that the illness is an obstacle to travel."
Mark ********
@John *********
yes you are right but if you’ve never been in the situation you wouldn’t know which tbh I hope you’re not but the Doctors are very considerate about the circumstances and generally would support.Reply to
Mark ********
Reply
Tania **********
@John *********
They do ; special on vital organs surgeries, that surely are schedule for soon as possible .John **********
@Tania *********
yes, but such things normally preclude the person from travelling, which obviously isn't the case hereTania **********
@John *********
Not exactly ; i went through a brain surgery , and i can tell .Each situation is different.
Mark ********
@Tania *********
I also had brain surgery successfully I might add big thumbs up the Doctors and nurses 😊Tania **********
@Mark *******
Same me , Mark ; Phyathai Hospital amazing doctors and nurses, helped immensely ; wish you fully recovery and all the Best !Reply to
Tania **********
Reply
Christopher ********
Should have applied for the DTV months ago if he knew he had surgery coming up, very easy to get when Drs give you the correct paperwork. No excuse.🤮
Adam ***************
@Christopher *******
haha you are a toolJody *******
Christopher ********
@Jody ******
he has a home country to seek refuge in ... Just like the rest of us. No reason to be illegal when you've been told for months this was happening. I fit in just fine here for years ... Because I follow the rules. It's a simple process.Jordan *****
@Christopher *******
explain to me what’s the purpose of having them fly to Laos instead of leaving by landReply to
Jordan *****
Reply
Nongnuch ********
@Christopher *******
you also need 500,000 THB equivalent in your bank account for a minimum of three months for the application to the DTV outside of ThailandAlex ******
@Nongnuch *******
what if you live in America. Will come visit friend 3 months Vietnam and then want to visit Thailand for 2 months. What bank account would Thai boarder official want to see my American account???? Then was going to fly back to Vietnam for a month and then back to America…เดแคลน ***********
@Alex *****
they wouldn't want to see any, they will want you to have 20k ฿ in cash or its equivalent in another currencyNongnuch ********
@Alex *****
just carry 750 US Dollar on you in cash. You will get stamped in visa-exempt for 60 days. Only ATTENTION you must pay with the airline that flies you to Thailand from Vietnam. They could ask you for a proof of onward travel out of Thailand within these 60 daysChristopher ********
@Alex *****
why would it matter? As long as you have funds to pay for living expenses and whatever procedure ... Otherwise there are 90 day visas you can apply for - METV ... Either way just follow the rules and Thailand is happy to have you. Think your special and thailand should make an exception? Not how life works to be babied.Reply to
Christopher ********
Reply
Christopher ********
@Nongnuch *******
yes you do, but someone having medical work done in the future should have these things ... He could have applied on his cell phone from the Laos border last visa run he did ... Like I applied from Cambodian border last year on a visa trip. 🙄🙄Reply to
Christopher ********
Reply
Trav **********
Well your friend should follow the rule, its his own fault.
Adam ***************
@Trav *********
haha you are a toolJames ********
@Trav *********
Wow , such a well thought out reply.Trav **********
@James *******
Thank you champ, appreciate it. I do my best to put idiots, who give out false information, in their place. People don't need to hear bullshit.James ********
@Trav *********
Wow, what a Facebook hero...you go for it " champ " , bet it almost beats you polishing your fridge magnet collection.Trav **********
@James *******
Oh, another coward keyboard warrior. You must have downed a few whiskies today champ to find your balls. 🤡 🥱Reply to
Trav **********
Reply
BM ******
@Trav *********
where is the rule written that thai imagration can restrict the ability to leave thailandScott *******
Good point. Unless you have committed an offence, I don’t think they can do this legally.
Jody *******
@BM *****
Exactly, these clueless clown fan boys parrot online grifter 'experts' who make money from putting out b.s...Trav **********
@Jody ******
Ha,ha,ha, just because you don't know doesn't mean other cant correct you. Its people like you who are full of themself who give bullshit info to people.Trav **********
@BM *****
Immigration can do what they like. Its farangs like you who dont get this. Their country, their rules.Reply to
Trav **********
Reply
Jody *******
@Trav *********
The "rule" that changes every 5 minutes... 😆Mark ***********
@Jody ******
the rules rarely change, enforcement of the rules do change. This guy was fairly obviously trying to take advantage of visa exemptions instead of applying for the correct visaJody *******
@Mark **********
Rules changing & enforcement of rules changing is the same in effect. 🤡Mark ***********
@Jody ******
you just like changing things to suit your argument. You have stated many times they changed the rule which is complete BS. You appear to be the clown 🤡Reply to
Mark ***********
Reply
Trav **********
@Jody ******
Bullshit!!!!! These have been the requirements for many years. Do you research before you make yourself look foolish by commenting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Jody *******
@Trav *********
Which rule are you talking about exactly? Being not allowed to leave via a land border? 🤡Reply to
Jody *******
Reply
ERIK*****
@Jody ******
i know you just love your border runsPhil *******
@Jody ******
so what? It doesn't take a genius to keep up with the changes.Jody *******
Trav **********
@Jody ******
My god, what an air head.Reply to
Trav **********
Reply
David ***********
The days of long stays with out correct visas are gone. I noticed this change starting about 18 months ago
Nickna******
@David **********
they announced it a long time ago. At this point, it's on the individual. Get a proper visa or be subject to difficultly as you try to abuse the visa exemption scheme.David ***********
Nickname9876 i started noticing a change of attitude about 18 months ago. Nothing formal but it was obvious then that things wete changing. I was given a very had time on a landborder 12 months ago for my 2nd entry of the year with no bad history at all
Nickna******
@David **********
yep me too, had an issue re-entering around June 2024. Still got in but was pulled aside for awhile and they were trying to send me back at first. Have had proper visa sinceReply to
Nickna******
Reply
Martin ********
They are tightening up the misuse of their visa rules... respect the rules and you have no problems. Try to misuse them and you are in for a surprise... the rules will be enforced!
Dennis *********
@Martin *******
first they actually need to fix the rules since people are actually following them.Jody *******
@Martin *******
The 'rules' change constantly... 🤔Markie ******
@Jody ******
not sure where you are from but where i am from certainly rules change for people from Asian countries. Obviously younare not aware tooJames ********
@Jody ******
Correct . Depending on the whim of the particular imo.ThrillingSu***********
Nonsense.
Jordan *****
@Jody ******
Yes, there is no rule banning some people in particular from leaving by landSteve ********
@Jody ******
Actually, the rules rarely change, it’s the enforcement of those rules that changes and varies from immigration post to immigration post.Jody *******
@Steve *******
Claptrap... a 2 minute Google search shows up tons of rule changes in the last few years alone... 😂Martin ********
Steve Reevesyep... the rules are how they are - the enforcement differs from time to time and from place to place - so just follow the rules. It IS their contry and hence their rules.
Jordan *****
@Martin *******
a rule, or law is clearly stated and published to allow everyone falling under it to know whether they have commited a transgresion, or not. When I see so many people doing border runs, paying their way in by taking vans to Myanmar and back, not bothering to apply for a long term visa, but still being allowed in, it tells me that there are no actual rules in place and you can’t substitute real rules for discretionary authority, since we have seen where that takes us. All the land borders were ridiculously lax in screening visa exempt travellers in the past, while at some airports people who did not spend a particularly long time in the Kingdom were detained and forced to fly back to Europe, or other far away places.
It seems that it would be easier both for immigration and for travellers if some fixed rules were in place.
Jody *******
@Martin *******
B.S...Steve ********
@Martin *******
Absolutely. As I do and recommend others who don’t, start doing so.Reply to
Steve ********
Reply
Rick *********
@Jody ******
so you keep saying but it’s their rulesJody *******
@Rick ********
If they make a rule that you should jump off a cliff I suppose you will do it then? Put the pipe down... 🤡Rick *********
@Jody ******
now your just being stupid and the rule has been around for a while their just enforcing it idiot 🤷♂️Jordan *****
@Rick ********
this is the first time in Thai immigration history when travellers are banned from leaving by land, because someone divinated they will try to return the next day.In any case, what stops these people from flying to Vientiane and returning by land to Thailand?
Reply to
Jordan *****
Reply
Mike ********
Go to the hospital where he is having the procedure, they can assist in providing a medical extension to the visa / exemption. Bumrungrad have a dedicated service for this with immigration officials visiting the hospital. Tell him to talk to his hospital
John *****
@Mike *******
smartest thing to doScott *******
Best advice yet 👏🏻 worth a try.
John **********
@Mike *******
this is generally for people unable to travel due to a medical reasons. He is obviously able to travelReply to
John **********
Reply
Mauro *********
Respect the rule
Marc ********
@Mauro ********
it's not a ruleJordan *****
@Mauro ********
I don’t remember the “rules” banning people from leaving Thailand for Laos by land. These kind of bs restrictions should be complained of at the national embassies since I don’t know on what criteria they can discriminate who can leave the country by landDac *******
@Jordan ****
so let him leave and then deny him back in. Then he would have really been up a creek with a paddle. The immigration officer kept him from leaving because he knew he wouldn’t be let back in.Jordan *****
@Dac ******
They have to leave one way, or the other. Why stop them from leaving by land? The people commenting here are disposed for no reason at all to defend any stupid policy and innovation. Ever since tourists starting coming to this country 70 years ago there was never a rule in place banning certain people from leaving by land. You think if he flies to Laos he won’t try coming back in?Dac *******
@Jordan ****
I hear you. It sounds however that his intention was not to leave and stay out. It was to leave and come back in as a visa run. If Immigration just let him go into Laos and then he wanted to come back in and was denied he would have been outraged. Especially if all his stuff was still in Thailand.If he just wanted to leave through this immigration point and not come back in and was denied, I’m fully with you. Let him out and enough his next travels.
Reply to
Dac *******
Reply
Robby ************
@Jordan ****
100 kmNickna******
@Jordan ****
give your head a shake, would you rather them allow him to leave, then deny him re-entry, and get himself stuck in Laos? Probably had one small bag with him and probably obvious he was doing a border bounce (he probably even told them), not actually leaving Thailand.Jordan *****
Nickname9876 I would rather leave at my own risk then get stuck in a place like Mukdahan, more than a hundred miles away from any airport that has internationak flights, while counting the hours left before I begin overstaying.
They had no problems allowing people to leave whichever way they wanted in the past and if they left luggage in Thailahd, then it was their problem. What stops them from flying to Laos and returning by land anyway?
They had no problems allowing people to leave whichever way they wanted in the past and if they left luggage in Thailahd, then it was their problem. What stops them from flying to Laos and returning by land anyway?
Reply to
Jordan *****
Reply
Peter *******
@Jordan ****
There is no ban on leaving and no restrictions, it was the Laos immigration that refused him entry because they know he was abusing the system and are helping the Thais clean it up, and also being pissed off by people coming over the border for a few hours.Jordan *****
@Peter ******
The post clearly states he was stopped from leaving Thailand. It’s not the first complaint of this type here. I also know 100% that Laos never denies entry to people who visit the country for the purpose of doing border runs, and why would they, it’s not like entering Laos is free
Mauro *********
@Jordan ****
banks that nail down super bank deposits as a guarantee for pensioners who are increasingly monitored taxes to pay this seems too much to me and I repeat my opinionPeter *******
@Jordan ****
you are correct I apologise for my incorrect postReply to
Peter *******
Reply
John **********
@Jordan ****
the would have let him leave if he wasn't trying to return on yet another visa exemptJordan *****
@John *********
how did they know they were trying to return? Do they read minds now? I have no problem with them denying people trying to return, absolutely none, but to deny someone the right to leave the country through whatever border they wish, without there being a law in place is discriminatory, not to mention that these people risk overstaying because of this.How are these people supposed to know in the first place that they are allowed only to leave by airplane? Imagine travelling all the way to Mukdahan in order to get to Laos, only to be told that you have to leave by air, the closest airport offering flights to Laos being more than a hundred miles away
Doug *******
@Jordan ****
How did they know he was trying to return? Here is what YOU wrote:“A friend of mine took a 15 hour bus… in order to exit the country in an attempt to re-enter for his third VISA exempt entry…”
Mauro *********
@Jordan ****
They don't care if they are discriminatory or not, they do as they say, it is not necessary to enter Thailand to visit other countries at the moment and so to avoid complications and stress we go elsewhere, how can you have problems leaving and returning even with closed and paid airline tickets for the return to the country of origin, there is a dark plan behind all this, pensioners, wives, lovers, children, everything is confusing, contradictory and the proof of 9Nick ************
@Jordan ****
there is an airport in Udon Thani which is about 60km from Nong Khai.Donald **********
@Jordan ****
You pays your money and you takes your choice! Bar Stool Barry clearly thought he was smarter than the average bear and could continue with the border runs when a little research would have suggested otherwise. Boo hoo 😭Jordan *****
@Donald *********
you can research all you want, there is nothing suggesting I cannot leave the border from whatever legal crossing, whenever I want to. It’s not like they tried going to Myanmar, or Cambodia. Laos border is open.John **********
@Jordan ****
I'd assume they asked them. Better that than being stuck in Laos for the foreseeable. I suspect them saying he needs to fly is simply them moving responsibility as I doubt he'd be allowed to enter by air either but they have mechanisms to deal with that at air bordersDennis *********
@John *********
you shouldn’t be denied leaving the country — this is bs!! Now they would be rightfully within their rights to deny reentryStéfan ********
@John *********
then they should deny him entry… simple . Preventing people from leaving is just weirdSunny *******
@Stéfan *******
id rather know that I can stay in Thailand and fly out somewhere in this case instead of being on Laos border . With nowhere to go, the ability to come back to Thailand, where my belongings areStéfan ********
@Sunny ******
ok… then you can just fly out of Thailand in the first placeReply to
Stéfan ********
Reply
Jody *******
@Mauro ********
The "rule" changes every 5 minutes...Charmae *******
The rules haven't changed AT ALL They're just being enforced
Nick ************
@Jody ******
the rules gave been the same for a long time but now they are being enforced. People can no longer get away with breaking them.Jordan *****
@Nick ***********
what I learned since living here is that people generally do not know what a rule, or law is.Until now and still today the one who decided how many times you can enter visa exempt was the immigration officer, whose criteria for allowing someone in were arbitrary, and where the umpire can make the rules as he pleases on the spot, there are no rules at all.
Starting from November last month the io’s can still allow visitors to enter on a visa exempt stamp even after their second visit, if they consider they are not commiting an “abuse”, and they are the sole authority who can decide what an abuse is.
******************************************************************************
This is an example of how rules and laws should be drafted. Whether sports rules traffic laws, civil laws, or immigration laws. there is no difference in the manner of composition
Reply to
Jordan *****
Reply
James **********
@Jody ******
no they don’t there just being enforced properly nowMauro *********
otherwise take your money elsewhere
Jordan *****
@Mauro ********
I see you are using the old disingenous argument of “you don’t like the rules, f off somewhere else”. People like you said the same about the alcohol ban that was complained of by expats and tourists, and which got promptly overturned.Reply to
Jordan *****
Reply
Mauro *********
@Jody ******
you have to get used to this in thaiReply to
Mauro *********
Reply
สก็อต *********
I would of applied for a 6m tourist visa or even the medical visa visit one
Peter *******
Leave before overstay and get correct visa
Collywobble **********
🥹
Reply to
Collywobble **********
Reply
55 comments
5 months ago
23 comments
5 months ago
44 comments
9 months ago
166 comments
a year ago
119 comments
a year ago
102 comments
a year ago
89 comments
a year ago
24 comments
2 years ago
16 comments
3 years ago
9 comments
3 years ago
13 comments
4 years ago
65 comments
4 years ago
9 comments
4 years ago
7 comments
6 years ago
10 comments
6 years ago
12 comments
6 years ago
0 comments
7 years ago
10 comments
7 years ago
0 comments
7 years ago
5 comments
7 years ago
7 comments
7 years ago
52 comments
8 years ago
16 comments
8 years ago
22 comments
9 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.