Nong Khai Border Bounce. Avoid !!!

[VintageTQ]

As has been mentioned in another thread this border point is definitely one to avoid if you want a quick out-in.

 

I hadn't seen the other thread mentioning the problems before going today and was expecting an easy hassle free border hop and it was completely the opposite.

 

My history. 13 years or so in Thailand on mostly non o visas or marriage extensions.

 

Last 6 months before coming to Thailand this year I was in UK and came here in october on visa exempt which I extended for 30 days.

 

Yes I know I should have had a visa but with reports of an easy hop nong khai seemed a good option rather than the hassle of getting a visa and I plan to go back to UK again at the end of this 3 month stint.

 

Anyway the IO (one of the worst I have faced and I've had some bad ones) asked why I was coming back in after just leaving. I explained it was just to stay an extra 2 month to stay with my wife and son. ' cannot' was the answer.

 

Told to wait in a separate area where the same guy came and asked loads of questions saying i had to back to Laos, he said he would let me back in after 2-3 days.

 

Anyway after much pleading and begging he relentled and said if I could show a ticket back to UK he would let me in. So after booking onwardtravel tricket he accepted it and I got in.

 

Horrible experience but suppose I was still one of the lucky ones.

 

As a side note, while I was in the queue they were giving anothrt guy a bit of hassle and I kept hearing him saying ' I have a visa '.

 

 

[DrJack54]

3 hours ago, VintageTQ said:

As has been mentioned in another thread this border point is definitely one to avoid if you want a quick out-in.

Thanks for report.

@Tod Daniels updated forum re change of policy at this previously friendly same day bounce now requiring overnight stay.

 

 

 

[thai006]

Dammm I need to go there tomorrow and I didn't know I need to spend one night there 

[DrJack54]

3 minutes ago, thai006 said:

Dammm I need to go there tomorrow and I didn't know I need to spend one night there 

It's a new squeeze.

Perhaps take some extra baht to grease the wheels. 

[DrJack54]

Nonsense post removed

[Phillip9]

Since this was historically one easiest most hassle free border bounces, I'm guessing this one night policy will be implemented at every crossing, eventually.  The border bounce may be ending.  Or at least the free border bounce may be ending.

[DrJack54]

2 hours ago, Phillip9 said:

Or at least the free border bounce may be ending.

Guessing we might see that the border bounce folk  will be using agent organized minivan runs.

Price includes "safe passage" and hopefully same day turn around..

[Expat68]

If has you say 13 years, then you should know that not all immigration are the same

[DrJack54]

6 minutes ago, Expat68 said:

If has you say 13 years, then you should know that not all immigration are the same

Don't follow.

The OP was blind sided.

Previously he would not have had that type of issue at that border crossing.

Welcome to the "new age" of border runs.