Hello, I've been traveling around Thailand and SE Asia casually, and I've run into my first visa complication. I thought I was clear till early March, but it turns out, I'm only stamped till February 5th. I just paid for an apartment in Chiang Mai till the end of February.

 

I'm a US citizen and have always entered visa exempt. I last entered early December, and this was my first time extending. I'm debating whether it's better to do a border run and hope for another exemption or go to Laos for a proper tourist visa. The catch is that I have a good number of stamps over the past thirteen months. (I was dating someone in phuket, and went in and out of the country a fair bit - four times before I entered in December.) The duration of my stay isn't important, I'm more concerned about likelihood of success. Visa Run or Border run? Thanks!

A border run is the easiest option, but has a higher chance of being questioned or denied entry.

 

Whenever possible it is best to enter using a visa. Especially with a long history of recent tourism, or back to back entries.

Border run (as I understand it) is 2 per calendar yr. So seems you could skip to border that suits and get another VE. If needed then extend it another 30

Just to add to above post, you could choose nice/reasonable border like Vientiane. Try visa exempt and be prepared to obtain setv. Udon chilled joint. 

Edited January 22, 20197 yr by DrJack54
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If you plan to spend time in Thailand, avoid using Visa Exempts except in cases where a trip for a Tourist Visa doesn't work out (you don't get the Visa), and use the Visa-Exempt as backup.  And, given your longer-stay/frequent history, best to stick to safe land-borders for entry in all cases.

Thank you, thank you! I am debating Mae Sai or Huay Xai. I suppose Laos gives me options if I am denied a visa exempt, but Mae Sai looks a bit cheaper. Any difference in leniency?

Mae Sai doesn't deny VOA if you have less than 2 in calendar year.

 

It shows up on their system, so since it's the beginning of the year you'll be fine.

 

Just take a return Green bus from Arcade station to Mae Sai.