I am traveling SE Asia, with Thailand as a “home base”. I came to Thailand in on a 6 month METV that was issued on September 10, left in December and am going to return from Cambodia (land crossing) with less than 10 days on the visa.

Here’s my question...

What do I do to maximize my time in Thailand?

I have not used a visa waiver yet, and understand that there are various options for extensions/border runs/etc.

If I return with such little time, is it best to fly out on expiration date and return? Can I go to an office in country or should I visit a consulate outside?

Also I’m trying to be as cost effective as possible. Thanks for your help!

Kevin Joe Bowman asked in another topic:

I know that doing a visa run from CM to Vientiane has been discussed on this site many times. Can someone point me to that discussion? Answering not only questions regarding application procedures but also best and cheapest way to travel from CM. Eg Air to Udon and bus to Nong Khai... TIA

best place near thailand and cheapest to get too to renew 60 day single entry tourist visa plz peeps.

I just completed using Ho Chi Minh City for a visa run to switch to a non-imm B visa. Was pleasantly surprised. Cheap AirAsia flight, cheap hotels, cheap food. The Thai Consulate was almost empty. Dropped off paperwork midmorning and picked up the next afternoon. Only thing to be aware of is that most countries must do visa on arrival to get into Vietnam. There's not much to do in the city but had enough time to get in the War Museum and such. Not a bad 48 hours quick vacation.

HI Guys and Girls, what's the cheapest easiest way to do a quick visa exempt border bounce? When do those vans leave from Tesco Onnut to Poi Pet? Is flying out an option too? I have to go to Laos to apply for an EDU visa but need something a bit cheaper so will probably try that next month. Thank you

Yangon Visa Run Report:

1) Just get the Myanmar e-visa. Don't go to the embassy. Way too expensive.

2) If you want to go cheap, I would definitely recommend booking Scott Hostel through Agoda. Good location, bargain price compared to prices on the ground.

3) There's like a LOT of decent food in Yangon now--not true 2 years ago--but you really need to be with someone who knows all the good places--probably an NGO worker.

4) Bring a USD $100. The Thai visa office only takes USD, and they have lots of change. Easiest way to break $100 here that I know of. Visa costs $40.

5) No decent, cheap food in the Yangon airport.

Attached is the visa fee table in the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok right now. Now it's neither cheaper nor more convenient to just do an e-visa.