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!

Can i still do Golden Triangle Crossing For DTV visa run?

Hi, everyone

Chiang Khong Friendship Bridge Ok?

For DTV Border pass during this month.

Thanks

Hello everyone, does anyone know or can recommend a service that provides same-day visa-exempt border runs at Chiang Saen or Chiang Khong?

Thank you very much.

Hi to you!

Is it true that if you do a border run at the Chiang Khong/Huay Xai border you have to stay a minimum of two(2) nights in Laos?

It's suppose to be an enforcement from the Thai border dating from august 2024.

Thanks!

Further more do we still have a 60 days Thai Visa Exempt Stamp. This would be my 2nd so I should be ok.

Thanks again for your help.

A canadian.

Has anyone on a DTV Visa done a border bounce through Chiang Khong recently? Is it possible to come back same day? I would prefer to go solo rather than by bus with a visa company. Thanks all!

Hi,

Anyone know if a same day border bounce through Chiang Khong is still possible?

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)

DTV 6 month update - Laos border - August 2025:

Edit to add info: US passport holders on remote worker DTV

We had a successful same-day visa update on our own (no agency) by driving to Chiang Khong, parking at the vehicle checkpoint, and then taking the Friendship Bus over to Houayxay and back.

Immigration in Laos (Houayxay) tried to push us to stay for a few nights in Laos, saying that Thailand wouldn’t let us back in same day. We kindly said we still want to try, as friends (aka posts from this group) said that they had no issue. We had a friendly conversation and he stamped us out, saying we would need to get a new Laos visa if we are turned around by Thailand.

To confirm - no issue on the Thai side!

We’ve previously done a crossing at the Golden Triangle (Van Pak Len), but I would recommend Chiang Khong/Houayxay instead! It was simpler and didn’t feel as sketchy.

Just make sure your USD are pristine 🫧💵 - they will reject any bill with even the smallest mark.

We also encountered the 20B fee to exit Laos immigration - it seemed more official than other postings I’ve seen, giving you a QR code to scan to exit.

Sorry about the anonymous post I don't usually do it but don't want a certain person bugging me. Done my second entry today at chiang khong and it was smooth asf. Leaving laos he said you only stayed one night but I had my print out to hand and (laminated with dtv print out on one side and soft power document on the other side.a smile and through in 2 mins max. On the thai side exactly the same but took a bit longer as the lady was interested about my cycle touring as I was entering with my touring bike.took about 3 mins max. Showed my dtv but she just passed it back to be with a โคกดีและปลอดภัยเดินทาง.