Border Run: do we really have to make it all the way to Laos?

[brianthainess]

5 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

I live near the Mukdahan/Laos border and I don't need border bounces at my age unfortunately, as I used to love the adventure aspect of them, but I still fly out to Cambodia and Vietnam every so often for the different vibe.

 

I don't understand why people are so adverse to nipping out of the country for two or three days, and so desperate to find shortcuts to stay in. It's not as though they have any desperate need to be here 24/7.

 

Everything will still be here when they get back.

I don't need boarder runs any more either, I used to drive 150klm in heavy rain on a motor bike to do my boarder runs, that was an adventure on it's own. 

[herfiehandbag]

1 hour ago, Tod Daniels said:

Just curious there slick, when was the last time you bounced out and back at Mae Sai / Tachileik ? That border has been closed more than 2 months now

This year it seems to be open for a while, then close again for a few days, then open again. Rather at the whim of the Myanmar authorities.

 

If it is closed you have the alternative of going into Laos - a bit more expensive!

[Skipalongcassidy]

22 hours ago, Ryokan said:

So, I have been doing border runs for a while already and every time I do it, I am always debating with myself whether or not it is okay for me to return to Thailand without actually entering Laos. I just had a really bad experience getting into Laos, sometimes the officials there are up to no good. 

 

Does anyone have experience with this? because it is physically doable to return to Thailand without actually crossing to Laos, and from the Thai border perspective I think they only care about their own stamps (that you got out of their side of the border). 

 

Any inputs would be deeply appreciated.

Instead of gaming the system why don't you get a long stay visa... too cheap?

[oldestswinger]

It has always amazed me that Thailand continues to make people do border runs. It achieves nothing except to put money into the governments and businesses of neighbouring countries.

Apart from anything else, this puts a big dent into Thailand's reputation for being able to make money from foreigners at every opportunity.

[zzzzz]

2 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

I don't need to enter and exit but was interested in what you said, It's a long time since I have been up your way but I did like the change of environment and scenery.

 

I thought they had closed the Myanmar/Thai border for now?

 

Obviously not.

Ranong/Kwathoung is the ONLY one open for foreigners

[In the jungle]

20 hours ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

just did my last border hop allowed last week in Chiang khong-Laos border

 

would have MUCH rather done Mae sai-burma which i was lucky enough to do 1st border hop

 

Now MS is close to tourists but allows thais make ZERO sense to me but welcome to thailand

 

So i hate having to go to vientiane laos and am able to get my 6 months total with the 2 allowed border hops.....always come here one way..no visa for 15 yrs.....

 

get 30 day stamp at bkk--fly to Cm--extend    mae sai for 30+extend   chiang khong 30+extend

gets me the 6 months and i heading home in Oct...having arrived in May

 

Was very easy apart from buying a Laos visa which drives me crazy as im not even "entering"

 

and foolishly rode my 100cc honda dream to CRai...took me 5 hrs..took the bus to CK next day

 

very nice up there..mellow with the rice fields and mountains and found a nice cottage as the bus stops running from CK-loas checkpoint at 3pm.....so walked to this cheap little resort..

 

always prefer mae sai as i can  just pay the $10 usd but apart from paying for useless laos visa taking up my passport pages would use CK in the future.....the laos guys take usd but wanted 40 IF entering laos..50 if doing a turnaround...so i just paid the 1800 bt.....nice enough and very quit up there as i was the ONLY one there...thai side open daily until 8pm..take 25 bt bus over mekong

 

 

You can get a Laos E visa which saves a page in your passport but they will still hit you up for some cash at the border.  That was my experience at Savannakhet.

[ericthai]

10 hours ago, oldestswinger said:

It has always amazed me that Thailand continues to make people do border runs. It achieves nothing except to put money into the governments and businesses of neighbouring countries.

Apart from anything else, this puts a big dent into Thailand's reputation for being able to make money from foreigners at every opportunity.

Thailand's not making anyone do boarder runs.  Most visitors to Thailand will never do a boarder run.  

[sandyf]

20 hours ago, In the jungle said:

You can get a Laos E visa which saves a page in your passport but they will still hit you up for some cash at the border.  That was my experience at Savannakhet.

We went into Laos on e-visa at LP and no problem or cash. Came back into Thailand at NK Friendship Bridge and my Thai wife had to pay 30 baht to exit Laos, I didn't pay anything, that was a first.

Edited September 6, 2023 by sandyf