I've been in Thailand for the last 18 months on tourist/ then agent volunteer visa, which expires next week.

I've subsequently turned 50 and now wish to change to a Non-O retirement.

 

I spoke to a visa run company, and they've told me that all border bounces in Cambodia are off limits to anyone who has been here with Education/Volunteer/Covid extensions

over the last year+.

 

Flying home and obtaining a 90 Non-OA is an option, but I'd rather avoid the insurance requirements, especially when it comes to extending it.

 

Have the Laos borders adopted the same policy? Is it possible to maybe spend a night in Vientiane, and come back visa exempt?

Or are there any other options?

 

Many thanks.

 

I don't know if something has changed but I've went to a few visa run companies this week and they said no problems doing the Cambodian border run with COVID extensions.. 

15 minutes ago, Daithi85 said:

I don't know if something has changed but I've went to a few visa run companies this week and they said no problems doing the Cambodian border run with COVID extensions.. 

He said as of yesterday it's not possible for Education/volunteer and extension (which I took to mean covid extensions).

What area is the visa run company your dealing with?As of a few days ago the Pattaya companies said no problems.

3 minutes ago, Daithi85 said:

What area is the visa run company your dealing with?As of a few days ago the Pattaya companies said no problems.

Pattaya.  Maneerat visa on Soi 13 gave me his number. I haven't asked any other visa run company.

1 hour ago, mockingbird said:

Pattaya.  Maneerat visa on Soi 13 gave me his number. I haven't asked any other visa run company.

8 weeks ago I went from Pattaya to nongkai and done a border bounce there.Very long trip but no problems at the border.You could also get the direct bus to mukdahan and do the border bounce there....Im supposed go to Cambodia with the border run company but if the rules have changed it will be back to loas.

3 hours ago, Daithi85 said:

I don't know if something has changed but I've went to a few visa run companies this week and they said no problems doing the Cambodian border run with COVID extensions.. 

There was a report here from a guy with multiple Covid extensions who was refused exit on the Thai side of the Cambodian border. I had the same problem too, but managed to cross the border, although it was not easy.

immigration are cracking down on ED visas now. its one of their main objectives going into 2023.

 

watch out..

29 minutes ago, JoseThailand said:

There was a report here from a guy with multiple Covid extensions who was refused exit on the Thai side of the Cambodian border. I had the same problem too, but managed to cross the border, although it was not easy.

My thinking was if I used a visa run company I'd bypass these problems at the border.

1 hour ago, Daithi85 said:

My thinking was if I used a visa run company I'd bypass these problems at the border.

I used a visa run company, but they couldn't help. I was left on my own with my problems.

1 hour ago, JoseThailand said:

I used a visa run company, but they couldn't help. I was left on my own with my problems.

So how did you make the problem go away?

1 hour ago, JoseThailand said:

I used a visa run company, but they couldn't help. I was left on my own with my problems.

Oh ok that doesn't fill me with confidence,I might be better going to loas again.

My suggestion would be to fly to Vientiane on Air Asia (cheap now) and return either with a tourist visa (requires an appointment from the Thai embassy) or visa exempt via the Friendship Bridge to Nong Khai. From Nong Khai, arrange to fly from Udon Thani airport, take the train to Bangkok, or go by bus.

11 hours ago, JoseThailand said:

I used a visa run company, but they couldn't help. I was left on my own with my problems.

Which border did you have problems at?

9 hours ago, BritTim said:

My suggestion would be to fly to Vientiane on Air Asia (cheap now) and return either with a tourist visa (requires an appointment from the Thai embassy) or visa exempt via the Friendship Bridge to Nong Khai. From Nong Khai, arrange to fly from Udon Thani airport, take the train to Bangkok, or go by bus.

Thanks Tim.

 

Yes, that's what I was thinking. I don't need a tourist visa as I'll be switching to retirement, but I'm not sure if crossing visa exempt would be a good idea.

 

54 minutes ago, mockingbird said:

Thanks Tim.

 

Yes, that's what I was thinking. I don't need a tourist visa as I'll be switching to retirement, but I'm not sure if crossing visa exempt would be a good idea.

 

I crossed at nongkai and got 45 days exempt no problem after 2 years of COVID extensions.I just checked the visa run companies in Pattaya again this morning and they said no problems at the Cambodia border.

2 hours ago, mockingbird said:

Thanks Tim.

 

Yes, that's what I was thinking. I don't need a tourist visa as I'll be switching to retirement, but I'm not sure if crossing visa exempt would be a good idea.

 

Historically, Thai immigration at the Friendship Bridge in Nong Khai has been hassle free. While there is never 100% certainty that nothing changes, it is extremely unlikely that you would be refused a visa exempt entry there. Returning by air to Bangkok, however, especially if planning to enter visa exempt, would not be risk free.

10 hours ago, Daithi85 said:

Which border did you have problems at?

Ban Laem.

20 hours ago, Caldera said:

So how did you make the problem go away?

By contacting the immigration superintendent.

20 hours ago, Daithi85 said:

Oh ok that doesn't fill me with confidence,I might be better going to loas again.

But since you're already off covid extensions, there should not be a problem. The problem was that I was on a covid extension and they told me I should use an airport to clear it. Which of course was bullsh*t.

Some very good Agents in Pattaya who can help you accomplish what you want without the hassle and headache that immigration is famous for. 

 

PM if you like. 

Why not just fly to HCMC and apply for the retirement visa? About the same price as all the visa run groups but no long rides.

Keep in mind the 800k in the bank requirement unless you can prove 65k a month in income.