Answered6 years ago
When will border runs for visas to Malaysia, Myanmar, and Vietnam be possible again?
Anybody any clue as to when visa border-run will be possible again? E.g. Malaysia. Myanmar, Vietnam?
Answer summary
The possibility of visa border runs to countries like Malaysia, Myanmar, and Vietnam remains unclear due to ongoing travel restrictions, particularly related to COVID-19. Comments indicate that border crossings are contingent upon government decisions, and many countries have their borders closed or heavily restricted until at least August 31. Concerns about visa extensions and the future of border runs loom large in discussions, with many speculating about potential policies and the need for alternative visa options.
53 repliesnewest first
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Hitachino ******
Out of SEA brothers, Vietnam would be the first ... depending if they could ever reach bi-lateral travel agreement ... otherwise 2021
Benjamin *********
How about making an ED visa, would that be a feasible option? Any disadvantage?
Garrett ***********
@Benj****
Schools are closed.
Bruce *******
Welcome to the ..we don't have a clue club..
Daniel ************
for Western Passports - i guess end of the year - before will be quarantine if allowed
Otto *********
OPDaniel, that would be good, but nobody knows the thinking of the Thai political elite.
Brahim ******
Dumb question again
Nick ************
why not keep your dumb comments to yourself?
Lisa ********************
You can leave and fly to a near by country but the problem may occur, when trying to return to Thailand.
Hitachino ******
@Lisa *******************
, malaysia health minister just said yesterday ... the first batch bi-lateral agreement for travel could be” Ausie,Vietnam, Japan, S’pore” and would have to be equally agreed upon...on terms for both side. Greg ********
Which nearby countries are allowing people in apart from Cambodia? There are pretty big qualifications to get in there too at the moment.
Lisa ********************
@Gr**
I believe Vietnam is letting people in, or soon will be? 
Jane ***********
@Lisa *******************
I think you're wrong there, personally, Malaysia is the earliest at 31st August and that's likely to be heavily restricted, even delayed. I can't see Vietnam or Indonesia happening before that and the route Indonesia seems to be on is 'travel bubble' from other Asian countries, not including Thailand. Lisa ********************
@Gr**
1st of July currently. Maybe. But my point was, if you leave on a border run, may be difficult to get back in. After careful consideration of all these factors, I flew home on Sunday.Greg ********
@Lisa *******************
Thailand will not be open to everyone by July 31stGreg ********
@Lisa *******************
Want to bet on that date? You really think there is going to be free passage without restrictions for all nationalities by July 31st? I admire your optimism but do not share it.Lisa ********************
@Gr**
my point is, by July 31st most places will be.Greg ********
@Lisa *******************
Vietnam is not letting people in. Vietnam has said nothing as of yet. This is conjecture at best. Otto *********
OPTo me it looks like everything is guesswork for the time after July 31st.
Most sensible would be to extend the current situation until borders around are open and a suitable amount of flight are available again.
But frankly I doubt, the Thai government will allow an extention of the status quo.
Most sensible would be to extend the current situation until borders around are open and a suitable amount of flight are available again.
But frankly I doubt, the Thai government will allow an extention of the status quo.
Otto *********
OPBTW I live here vor many years...
Ivan ************
@Ot**
there hasn't been a pandemic with borders closed before in the many years you have lived here, this is unprecedented.I'm not trying to be difficult or to do a "if you don't like it, go home", I'm more just trying to get across from a purely practical point of view _if you (or Paul) have 800k_ you may be best putting that in a Thai bank account ASAP and doing a regular extension.
Maybe before you were able to do border runs and this is what you like to do but that isn't likely to be possible any time soon.
So your options are _likely_ going to be to go home before 31 July, or extend. If you have the option of extending, you are in a better position than many people, and it might be in your best interest.
There is IMO no issue with having 800k in a Thai bank. There's no problem moving it back out either, despite what people might tell you. If you do it with the same bank it came in to there isn't even any paperwork, they automatically log that you brought it in and can send it back out, it's automatic.
Bobby ********
@Ivan ***********
. In the current climate what you are suggesting makes perfect sense. People have to realise the landscape has altered and the previous ability to carry out border bounces and visa runs has gone, and personally I feel border bounces have gone forever. It is obvious the Thai government want to maintain tight border controls with respect to importation of potentially deadly viruses (and as we know it, Covid 19 could well resurface on a regular basis, or in some other guise). This may include mandatory testing, insurance, quarantine and who knows what else? I have to say I'm amazed that those on amnesty have not been using their extended time to persue alternative options of remaining in the country. One of those I agree would have been to ship in the 800,000 baht into a Thai account (contrary to some perceptions, it's not going to "disappear"). If this had been done three months ago when the first shit hit the fan, it would already be seasoned ready for an attempt at getting some in-country extension. It appears many amnesty visitors are merely sitting back with fingers crossed waiting for land borders to open unhindered, and for another couple of months amnesty. For anyone serious about remaining in Thailand, that is one huge risk to takeOtto *********
OPIvan I have no intention to do that. And I'm not very fond of people telling me, what I have to do with MY money.
Otto *********
OP@Ivan ***********
, what if I don't want to put 800k at risk of vanishing within the Thai banking system? There are repeated cases, where huge amounts of money miraculously vanished. And beside that, 800K can work for me to make more money instead of laying around on some dumb account.Ivan ************
@Ot**
you are free to leave Thailand and go home in that case. No one is forcing you to do anything.Otto *********
OPI'm here on a NON-IM O/M visa and get me new visas issued every year in my "home country", i.e. where I hold nationality, but not residence.
Thomas ********************
Yeah, agreed. My visa concerns were increasing already before covid :)
Oh, and again, to anyone entertaining the notion. It takes a while to go through the various stages. I think I was a month and a half. But could've been quicker if my banks weren't assholes. So, we're near last chance unless the government does the right thing and extends the amnesty.
Oh, and again, to anyone entertaining the notion. It takes a while to go through the various stages. I think I was a month and a half. But could've been quicker if my banks weren't assholes. So, we're near last chance unless the government does the right thing and extends the amnesty.
Thomas ********************
Just in case anyone is following and interested. I can confirm that you can convert from amnesty to elite. Just did it a few weeks ago. Painful amount to let go off, yeah. But, oh man, have I slept like a baby ever since.
Bobby ********
@Thomas *******************
. I've heard from a few people that it's virtually the only avenue for a visa amnesty to convert to a visa in country. Just weigh up what you've spent on border bouncing, visa runs, flights home and to other countries, plus all the unknown crap surrounding Covid 19, where you can fly, IF you can ever get back in again, cost of Covid insurance, cost of quarantine, looking at news every day to see if and when land borders will ever open. I really think if you can put a cost on all of that, a five year Elite is actually cheap. Greg ********
Exactly - everything is guesswork. The majority of people could get home if they really wanted right now though. I know 2 people personally who flew back to London, as an example, and both said only 30 in economy.
Otto *********
OP@Greg *******
What about that majority, who's home is in Thailand?International flights are scarce and prohibitive expensive right now. Unless you had booked and paid before the lockdown.
Brett *******
@Bobby *******
I feel my days of staring in home porn are long gone. 🤣🤣Bobby ********
@Brett ******
. The way to go! OA is the mother of all visas. When you balance the cost of the insurance against constantly thinking of border bounces, visa runs, cost of flights home/other countries and the restless nights that I'm sure many are having now, it's negligible. And, unlike the marriage visa, you don't need to provide pictures of you shaggin' your missus in your bedroom and in the driveway of your home! 🤣🤣🤣Brett *******
@Greg *******
I guess I feel very fortunate that I am here on a Non O-A that I actually extended this morning for another 12 months. Greg ********
@Otto ********
If your home is in Thailand then what visa are you on? If people are on visa exempt or tourist visas they are not resident?Greg ********
The biggest question for many is what happens post 31st July when the amnesty/extensions end? Will it be extended? If so for all visa holders including tourists and visa exempts plus O and B. If not all and let's say Tourist / Visa Exempt are not extended and you are required to leave where can you go? It is all up in the air at the moment and there are no clear directions.
Chester ********
Yes i have estimated they will make u return to home countries. I hope not.. or hope for some under-table deal
Michael ********
@Chester *******
yes i think your right and people better plan accordingly. No border bouncing for a while or flights to local airports.Chester ********
@Mic****
i hope we can hold hands lolMichael ********
@Chester *******
Going to be lots of people in your situation.Chester ********
@Mic****
i was about to go on ED visa but was too late. Now idk what's gunna happen, can't leave as own 2x businesses hereGreg ********
@Chester *******
I had a visa exempt converted to a 90 day O visa in the past through an agent. This was then extended for 1 year as O extension based on retirement. However, to get Non B I had to leave country (Twice through complications). I was on O retirement + multi re-entry extension. Got a job so flew to Singapore and back and asked at Swampy to cancel Retirement O. They would not and said go to issuing office. They were no help so i had to go through agent again to have it cancelled (for a fee of course). I then had 7 days to do a border bounce and come in on visa exempt. I then flew to Singapore and got my 90 Day non-B. Went to One Stop Shop and got WP and Non-B extended for 2 years. Peoples mileage may vary but I it was over-complicated for me :-DMichael ********
@Greg *******
Singapore they made everyone go to there country of passport. My son was born in Singapore but farang parents even both his parents actually in Singapore at moment and vouched can support him.No extension of visaGreg ********
@Michael *******
I can see that being a policy here in Thailand too for tourists either on a visa or visa exempt. For O and B inc those who need to get B for WP I would hope they are pragmatic but if i was in the position I would not be putting all my eggs in that particular basket. Singapore are sticklers for SOP's though - i worked there for over 10 years :-)Greg ********
@Jeff ******
Good to know. 
Jeff *******
@Greg *******
yeah an extension to a 90 day non B I got in Penang. Extensions of non B are proceeding normally. Greg ********
@Jeff ******
So that was extension to current Non B? They should be fine???Jeff *******
@Greg *******
i got a 1-year extension to my Non-B last month at Chaeng Wattana.Bobby ********
There's no border with Vietnam, you have to fly.
Michael ********
Check Bangkok post all official travel notices are there. Most peoples crystal balls not working at moment and the service agents are closed because of covid
Michael ********
Malaysia border is closed until August 31st they announced that about 2 weeks ago.
Steve *********
When the various governments decide to open up.
Garrett ***********
When the countries open...
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