Hi , in previous years I have stayed in Chiang Rai and crossed the border at Mair Sai to give me 3-4 months stay ( using TV ) . Is the border open now again after Covid ? I read through recent posts but couldn`t find any info. on this . Thanks .

Also , is the SETV the best option for me ? I am over 50 but don`t want to retire permanently to Thailand , just spend 5-6 months / year .

The crossing into Myanmar at Mae Sai is still closed, not because of Covid, but because of the general instability in Myanmar. If you want to do border bounces, from Chiang Rai, you will need to use crossings with Laos.

 

For a six-month stay, it would be possible to use three visa exempt entries (first by air and the other two by land) combined with 30-day extensions on each. Note that, from October, you will almost certainly receive 45 days on a visa exempt entry.

Thanks - good job I checked . I`ll have to have a look at the map and see where will be most convenient . My base is actually Udon , so maybe Nonghai would be ok .

5 hours ago, persimmon said:

My base is actually Udon , so maybe Nonghai would be ok

If you are in Udon Thani then Nong Khai is the obvious choice.