Hello. I understand that we may need to stay a night or two if we cross the border into Huay Xai, Laos before we can come back into Chiang Saen, Thailand. Is this rule still in force and, if so, how many nights do we have to stay in Huay Xai, Laos? 

 

Thank you.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1343549-need-to-spend-two-days-in-laos-ay-at-chiang-saen-crossing/

@tygerstar if you end up doing the run please do a report of how it went.

You seem aware of how things have changed for land border crossings.

Even recent report of the "friendly" Nong Khai crossing making chap stay for couple of nights.

Not sure if he had option of VIP treatment at cost. 

It would be helpful if someone who's done this border bounce in the last fortnight could share with us their experience.🙏

9 minutes ago, tygerstar said:

It would be helpful if someone who's done this border bounce in the last fortnight could share with us their experience.🙏

Don't think you will receive post.

Hasn't been any recently.

@Tod Daniels may have up to date info.

23 minutes ago, tygerstar said:

It would be helpful if someone who's done this border bounce in the last fortnight could share with us their experience.🙏

 

   I did it 6 weeks ago .

I had to stay in Laos for two nights .

I needed to have a flight back to my home Country and also evidence of accommodation in Thailand .

   I didn't have a flight back home and they refused me entry into Thailand  , told me to go back to Laos .

   People who went with agencies were allowed straight back into Thailand with no requirements 

Sounds like they're running a scam. I wonder what they will do to tourists who don't really need a new visa exemption and only want to hop over for a few hours and check out what's on the other side. 

Don't understand why you need to show a flight ticket for your home country  Thailand is not the center of the universe , if you Want to go to Vietnam or the Philippines after what the matter for them,  some thai immigration abuse of them power. I saw that at nong khai border last time 

38 minutes ago, thai006 said:

Don't understand why you need to show a flight ticket for your home country  Thailand is not the center of the universe , if you Want to go to Vietnam or the Philippines after what the matter for them,  some thai immigration abuse of them power. I saw that at nong khai border last time 

 

  Its to stop people staying in Thailand long term without long term visas , Spending three months in Thailand on visa exempts  , going to Vietnam for a few days and coming back to Thailand for another three months on visa exempt .

   That's what they are trying to stop 

On 1/9/2025 at 1:23 PM, tygerstar said:

I understand that we may need to stay a night or two if we cross the border into Huay Xai, Laos before we can come back into Chiang Saen, Thailand. Is this rule still in force and, if so, how many nights do we have to stay in Huay Xai, Laos? 

 

Thank you.

You got your border crossings mixed up a little bit,

Chian Saen you cross by boat to the special economic zone (where kings Roman casino is) and at Chiang Khong you cross by bridge to Huay Xai.

 

Right now if you bounce your self they are indeed asking you to stay out two days (sometimes one), and when you stamp back in they are asking you to show proof that you're going back to your country in 60 days, plus they are asking proof of lodging for the time you will be here on your new 60-day stamp

 

You can use a service like Chiang Mai Visa Run, they have it set up so you can get out and back the same day and not show proof of onward travel or proof of lodging when you stamp back in.

 

That is the reason you use a service because the wheels are pre-greased at the border when you show up versus the I will bounce myself and save money ideas that don't often work out saving you anything.

 

Even the easiest land border in all of Thailand in Nong Khai is tightening up and having people stay out overnight.

 

 

On 1/11/2025 at 1:41 AM, Nick Carter icp said:

 

  Its to stop people staying in Thailand long term without long term visas , Spending three months in Thailand on visa exempts  , going to Vietnam for a few days and coming back to Thailand for another three months on visa exempt .

   That's what they are trying to stop 

Unless you pay their agent-friend for each entry - then you can stay here indefinitely as a tourist on border-bounces.  "Not Paying them off," is what they are trying to stop.  

Last week crossing the bridge from Chiang Khong bridge to Huay Xai

 

A sign is posted stating you must stay two nights in Huay Xai.  There are exceptions requiring a one night stayif you are existing on a certain visas (they weren’t specific on which visas) if that visa was being cancelled on exit with no re-entry permit. No overnight stay required if exiting on a visa with a re-entry visa. No overnight stay if you’re using a visa run service or visa agent. All clear as mud based on impeccable logic, right?

 

Everyone without a visa was asked to show an outward bound ticket but it didn’t have to be a ticket to your country of origin. An e-ticket on your phone will work. I wasn’t checked for 10,000 baht and I didn’t notice anyone in front of me being asked. I was told by an IO in Chiang Saen that credit cards would suffice but who knows. I didn’t see anyone asked for proof of lodging in Thailand. 
 

That was a week ago and of course all that could have changed by today. 
 

 

@bubba excellent report