Hi everyone,

I'm on a DTV and live in Phuket but currently in Chiang Mai until mid next week. I'm considering doing a quick border run while I'm up here since I know Chiang Mai has easy access to the Laos border.

My situation:

- Not urgent (still have plenty of time on my current 180-day stamp)

- But this seems like a good opportunity while I'm already in the north

- I’ve been reading that in-country extensions are proving difficult in both Phuket and Chiang Mai, with immigration often directing people to border runs anyway

- Looking to do it quickly - ideally a same-day service

Questions:

1. Can anyone recommend reliable border run companies operating from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong/Huay Xai?

2. What's the current cost and timing? (I've seen ~2,500 THB mentioned for 8-hour trips)

3. Any recent experiences or tips for this route?

4. Is it worth doing now vs. waiting and flying to Malaysia/Cambodia from Phuket later?

Appreciate any advice or recommendations! 🙏

Hello, I’m planning to do a visa run to Laos from Chiang Rai, I have the DTV, but I’m seeing some people saying you have to stay in Laos for two nights, but I’m not sure if that is just for visa exemption/visa on arrival. Has anybody done this before and know how it works? Thanks in advance.

maybe dumb question but for exit and reentry can I just drive on my own to Laos border, go into Laos and immediately reenter?

Hi Guys, this is a back up from my previous post. After numerous trips to immigration and the Thai embassy, it has become very clear that, I need to leave Thailand and apply for a non o visa before returning. My wife and I are planning a road trip to the Laos border and then applying from Laos. If any you guys have done this and want to share your experiences and maybe toss in any relevant tips it would be most appreciated. As a footnote, my wife is Thai and a Thai passport holder.

Just another parrot in here reaching the 180 day point of a DTV. who's looking for the easiest way a british citizen in bangkok can extend another 180 days outside of a flight or visiting Bangkok immigration? Not just a location that I should border bounce at but an actual simplified journey planner. I can be up as early as needed. Apologies if it comes off as demanding but I prefer real time verified answers instead of finding a post about border running 6 months ago. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

What are the current rules on getting extra time in Thailand by doing a Laos/Myanmar border bounce ie used to just walk out of Thailand and walk back only took about 30-45 min to get processed BUT when getting my family visa in Chiang Rai (prior to that had my tourist visa and its extension) the immigration officer told me now need to stay out of Thailand for 2 nights before I can return.

Appreciated if someone could let me know the current amount of time I need to stay out - I preferred the in/out but if needed will book a hotel. All the best.

Hi , I arrived in Thailand on a 60day E Visa , August 18th , I have been to my local Immigration Office and gained a thirty day extension which allows me to remain until 16-11-24 , as long as it’s before 16th can I leave Thailand by land boarder to Loas , return the same day and gain another 60days , also if yes are these 60days from the 16th or from the day I do the boarder run ?? TIA…

Hello all,

My wife and I have one way tickets to Bangkok from the UK next week we will be entering Thailand under a 30 day visa exemption, we will be travelling north through Thailand to the Laos border, not sure how long we will take to get there - Around 10 days I guess but it is flexible.

We will be travelling light and haven't booked onward travel, we intend to take the slow boat when we get into Laos from Huay Xai onwards.

There is no option to buy a ticket for the public boat online which would prove onward travel, does this pose a risk for boarding the flight with Thai Airways? If so, any advice on workarounds?

Before posting I have read various posts and will phone the Thai Airways next week to enquire further.

I am looking at onwardflights.com as a backup if that is actually required.

Any advice very much appreciated.

Could anyone advise me? I have 1 land border run I can use this year. I have been here since November. I came on a tourist visa and have extended that to get 90 days. Plus, I used an agency to go to Cambodia and back by land to get 30 days, which I have extended again. My question is: I plan to go to the Philippines once this finishes on March 23rd for 1 month, and I plan to come back again via a land border around April 23rd. I know Don Mueang airport won’t be the best option. What country and border is best to come back through into Thailand. I plan to get a 6-month education visa once I arrive. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Hi guys! I entered Thailand with VISA-free with Taiwanese passport, I thought I can extend 30days but the immigration said they can only give me 7 days stamp due to my nationality, so I did not get it. And it will expire tomorrow.

I wonder if I do a one day border run from Chiangmai-Laos tmr, is it possible for me to get another 30days? ❗️