Piefko

Just a short update from my side... After I've spend a couple of wonderful days sightseeing Vietnam and Laos together with my gf, we took today the international bus from Vientiane to Udon Thani. At the border to Thailand the immigration officer was asking several questions, especially about the place I'm staying but that was sorted out very quickly after a short conversation to my gf asking for the address and how long I'm planning to stay. That was it. Basically no trouble at all to re-enter on the Visa exemption. Now we're on our way to spend some days in Bangkok before heading further to the south next week. Thanks again for the support and advice. Best!

Currently I'm spending my time in Saigon for a couple of days. I haven't been here for years... Many things changed. And my gf never has been outside Thailand besides once with me in Malaysia. So it's also a nice trip for her. One of her first impressions was, all the honking of the scooters and cars in the traffic would make the Thais freak out in Thailand... Haha. Anyways, on the 20th we're heading to Laos, Vientiane and spend couple of days there before going back to Thailand and taking the land boarder. Btw. Thanks everyone for their comments, even though some are not really understandable to me. Maybe some context missing for some people or they really didn't follow the thread...? Cheers

Sounds really like a great idea. Thanks for the hint... Didn't even think of that. I've been there already a few times, but it's actually a while ago and honestly, why not again? 😜 I just looked into fights and I think I'm going to make this trip to Vietnam and then back to Thailand via Vientiane. It sounds like fun! Thanks again for the advice 😊

Thank you for your fast feedback and for sharing your expertise. Then I will book a flight for Wednesday to Laos and take the land border back to Thailand a couple of days later. My gf also never has been there and so we can spend some nice time closer to her home. She's also excited about that. Just a side note... A visa agent from the language school I'm actually visiting, just told me, my only option would be Ranong (Myanmar). But it's also a whole day trip in a van from Phuket to the border and back (5am - 10pm). Wondering why according to them that would be my only option? Maybe they also just try to sell this route and fill up their van? Regarding you advice to apply for a SETV or METV (I'm assuming this are the extended tourist Visa). I have to be honest, I didn't think the immigration would make such a big fuzz out of it, especially after I was leaving for 2 weeks and did not do only this 1 day border run. The next time I'm going for a Visa anyways. Enough of this gamble with some officials. And somehow my trip turned out different than I actually expected. Wanted to continue my travel to another country and not spend so much time here... Got sucked in somehow... Haha 😂 And regarding the extension - I was actually aware of the extensions, but I honestly wanted to do the trips to the Philippines and to Malaysia. The purpose was not only just to extend my stay here. That's what I'm trying to do now before leaving back to Germany... 🙂

Hi together, I'm looking for someone who maybe had a similar travel history and experience I have. I would like to extend one more time my stay here in Thailand for another 30 days before heading back to Germany for good. Here my recent travel history the past few months, all on Visa exemption stamps and always by plane. - arrived end November 2023, departed 3 weeks later in December 2023 (arrived in BKK and returned then to Germany) - arrived mid January 2024, departed mid February 2024 (arrived in BKK, was leaving then to the Philippines for 2 weeks) - arrived end February 2024 in BKK by plane, departed mid March 2024 by plane from HKT to Malaysia - arrived back 3 days later in March 2024 in HKT and got stopped by the immigration officer with the advice I need a proper Visa (he promoted the elite Visa to me - felt almost like they are trying to push this visa on you to make money...). He told me, it's the last time I can enter like that for the next few months. I must apply at least for a proper (Tourist) Visa but also then entrance isn't guaranteed. And I had to book a flight out of the country and show it to him. He took a picture of the booking, even though it wasn't confirmed yet. Anyways, afterwards I applied for an extension for another 30 days (+ 1900Baht payment) at the immigration office in Phuket - worked without any hassle. Now I have to leave Thailand actually 17th May 2024. I was wondering if I can do another border run via Laos? Fly out for a couple of days to Vientiane and return to Thailand by crossing the land border? Anything I should consider or any experience, especially after the oral warning from the immigration officer? Thank you guys. Best!