Just another Border Run Experience

(Chiang Mai → Chiang Khong / Laos)

Hey everyone, border run stories are nothing new – but I figured it’s always helpful to have an up-to-date report. Btw, if you prefer to read the story in German, head over to my FB page.

In little twist in my story: I told the officers straight away that I planned to come back to Thailand the same day (even though many say not to). And it turned out to be the best decision!

🚌 The trip

I caught the 8:30 AM Greenbus from Chiang Mai (Bus Terminal 3 near Central Festival) to Chiang Khong and about six hours later, around 2:30 PM, the bus dropped me and some travellers off at the junction near the Friendship Bridge to Laos. Tuktuks were already waiting for passengers and it was just a quick ride to the border (50 THB). Easy start!

🌏 The border crossing

Thai side? Super smooth – the officer joked a little and even spoke some German. Then I hopped on the border bus across the Mekong into Laos (25 THB). At the Visa-on-Arrival counter, I was upfront and told the officer I wanted to return the same day – and it worked like a charm. She stamped me in and out in one go – no photos, no forms, no fuss. The only catch: It cost 45 USD instead of the usual 40 USD if you stay in Laos. Since I didn’t have enough USD on me (I brought 40 but not 45), I just paid 2,000 THB. Yes, you can pay in THB and don’t need USD! A few minutes later I was already heading back to Thailand. The return trip cost another 25 THB. Just be advised that, coming from the Visa-on-Arrival counter without entering Laos, the ticket counter is a bit hard to find. Look for the exit where people entering Thailand come through and you can find the counter on the left hand side. On the Thai side, again super friendly – a bit of small talk, a smile, and I walked away with a fresh 180-day stamp. 🎉

🏙️ Chiang Khong

By then it was late afternoon (~4:30/5:00 PM), so I grabbed a tuk-tuk into Chiang Khong. Officially it’s 60 THB per person in a shared ride, but I paid 120 THB so the driver would take just me and 1 more woman without waiting. The town itself is small but really charming – I stayed the night, strolled the riverside boardwalk along the Mekong, and enjoyed good food with a cold Leo. 🍺 Perfect way to end the day.

🚌 The way back

Next morning at 10:30 AM, I hopped on the Greenbus again and was back in Chiang Mai by 4:30 PM – easy and stress-free.

💡Tip

Bring a warm jacket (the AC is *freezing* 🥶) and pack some snacks & water. The bus doesn’t stop for lunch – only a quick 10-minute toilet break in Chiang Rai – and there are no food options at the border.

📊 Facts & Figures

* Bus (Chiang Mai ↔ Chiang Khong): 870 THB (VIP ticket)

* Tuk-tuk to border: 50 THB

* Border bus over Mekong (return trip): 50 THB

* Laos visa/stamp: 2,000 THB

* Tuk-tuk to Chiang Khong: 120 THB

* Hotel: 1,000 THB

* Dinner: 235 THB

Total: ~4,325 THB (<120 EUR)

Anyone did the border run to cambodia recently with Dtv ?

I am living in Thailand on a DTV visa. I am getting close to my 180-day mark. What is the most hassle-free method to renew my 180days? Can I just do a border run? Recommendation/ advice welcomed :)

I have a Dtv visa and been living in TH for the last year on a yearly rental contract in 1 place. So, 90 day reports are easy to deal with.

Question:

Now I am going through TH by bicycle, staying alway's at different guesthouses/hotels/places along my way.

- How to do the tm30 and when? ( I hear the times to do are changed)

-Do I need to check-in at emigration where I continue to cycle AFTER a border run and give the 'place of stay' to them before I continue again? ( this was needed in Kanchanaburi based on a year- house contract)

- Did I forget anything what's important?

Thanks

Hello I,m in Thailand on a 6 month METV. Having done one border run to Laos my 60 days ends about 7 days before i fly back home. Can i do a 30 day extension at immigration or do i have to do another border run.Thanks

Has anyone found a visa service that helps with DTV extension in Chiang Mai? I used The Colonel for help with a residency permit but they don't help with the DTV extensions. After what I have read about trouble getting extensions at CM IO, I've decided to just use CM Border run service as they have been very good the 2 times I've used them and the process was predictable! If a visa service is available that can do it reliably and drama free that would be a good option. Thanks! :)

Hello. I have a question about applying for a Thailand non-o visa in Vietnam. I have a limited time in Vietnam on their visa. If my non-o e-visa for thailand takes too long, can I enter thailand and then do a border run to Vietnam when the e-visa comes through and come back on the non-o? Anyone have experience with that?

huge travel noob here, I'm from the uk, last month i went to thailand for 2 weeks on holiday, i loved it so much im now planning travelling around thailand in 2026 and i want go for around 6 months to a year, i understand that i can go for 60 days with the Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme and then extend for another 30 days, 90 days in total, obviously i want to stay longer than that, so what type of visa should i apply for?, or is it easier to leave thailand for vietnam or somewhere for a certain period and then come back for another 60 + 30 days and if so how long would i have to be in vietnam before i would be allowed back on the Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme?, i have no idea what im doing as you can tell, any help appreciated.

Is it possible to activate a METV with a border run after arriving on a visa exempt?

The case is basically that the METV is applied for but might not get issued in time. Can you fly in on visa exempt and then a week later when the evisa METV gets emailed, do a border run and then get in on that METV?

A friend plans to stay around 6 Months in Thailand and I heard if only on visa exempt, it's more difficult to stay that long, because of rejections at border runs without real visas.

Side info: he's from germany, not been in Thailand over 1 year.

Kind regards

Hello everyone, does anyone have current experience, duration, tips for a Border Run to Laos? With family and car/car either to chong mek or mukdahan. Base was Non -O Visa 150 days incl. Overtime . For a special reason, I have to extend it again. Thanks for the helpful answers.

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Hallo zusammen, hat jemand aktuelle Erfahrungen, Dauer, Tips für einen Border Run nach Laos? Mit Familie und Auto/ PKW entweder nach Chong Mek oder Mukdahan. Basis war Non -O Visa 150 Tage incl. Verlängerung . Aus besonderem Grund muss ich nochmals verlängern. Danke für hilfreiche Antworten.