Feb Update:  I was in and out within 30 minutes yesterday.  No demand of 2.5k for immediate return and no requirement of stay in Laos.

37 minutes ago, Everything Picture said:

Feb Update:  I was in and out within 30 minutes yesterday.

Didn't use border run agent? 

Good result 

Did not.  Drove my car.  Parked in front of the stalls on the side in front of the big building.  A couple of cars were clamped as they were in the middle (you'll know what I mean if you go) and there are signs saying don't park there between 09:00-16:00.

No fingerprints.  2000 baht or $40 at Laos side. Friendly IOs on both sides.

Just returned from a morning 'Border Bounce' at Chong Mek.

    

Absolutely NO issues. 

   

Just like the above post - friendly IO staff on both sides, to Laos and back in 30 minutes.

 

This was on the back of a 60 Day VE  >  60 Day Border Bounce >  30 Day Thai Extension and then today 60 Day VE via Land Border.

Now will do the Non - O 90 Day then Retirement Extension.

I also had no issues here when I went in January. Planning to attempt one more next month...

Any March updates??? 

Wondering if the mandatory 2 day stay in Laos or bribe has made it this far down the border yet.  I'll be it attempting next week so will have an update myself then as if there are still no issues, it makes more sense for me to do that than a 30 day extension (long story).

13 minutes ago, Everything Picture said:

Any March updates?

@Tod Daniels knows about border bounce to various Laos crossings.

He may have recent report info. 

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

@Tod Daniels knows about border bounce to various Laos crossings.

He may have recent report info. 

Dear Drjack54,

No insults intended, but I always wondered how many people % wise live in Thailand on ST visas doing border runs or flights in & out, and for what reasons. Maybe under 50 who don't qualify for retirement, or not married to a Thai so don't qualify for marriage. One guy told me he's been here 8 years on every different ST visa while doing border bounces, etc.,  but he just received the 5-yr DTV on a company he just made up.

 

ST = short-term

10 minutes ago, JohnnyBD said:

Dear Drjack54,

No insults intended, but I always wondered how many people % wise live in Thailand on ST visas doing border runs or flights in & out, and for what reasons. Maybe under 50 who don't qualify for retirement, or not married to a Thai so don't qualify for marriage. One guy told me he's been here 8 years on every different ST visa while doing border bounces, etc.,  but he just received the 5-yr DTV on a company he just made up.

 

ST = short-term

 

There are obviously quite many, and that has always been the case. And why not? One door closes, another one opens, whenever there has been a crackdown of some sort, those determined to stay have found another way...

7 minutes ago, Caldera said:

 

There are obviously quite many, and that has always been the case. And why not? One door closes, another one opens, whenever there has been a crackdown of some sort, those determined to stay have found another way...

Yes, with every "crackdown," immigration has expanded or price-increased their agent-partner services.

40 minutes ago, JohnnyBD said:

No insults intended, but I always wondered how many people % wise live in Thailand on ST visas doing border runs or flights in & out, and for what reasons.

In the big picture I don't think it's large% of foreigners here in Thailand. 

Personally I don't get into the "get correct visa" Slaging. 

For example with Oz pp I have 90 day visa exempt to Japan yet I need to Obtain 30 day tourist to get into Vietnam. I just accept the rules. 

If there's a way to bend em then fine. 

 

Back on topic.....

March update:

Chong Mek is still the place to avoid 2 night stay in Laos.

On 2/12/2025 at 7:28 PM, Everything Picture said:

Did not.  Drove my car.  Parked in front of the stalls on the side in front of the big building.  A couple of cars were clamped as they were in the middle (you'll know what I mean if you go) and there are signs saying don't park there between 09:00-16:00.

No fingerprints.  2000 baht or $40 at Laos side. Friendly IOs on both sides.

 

No fingerprints? They're mandatory when entering/leaving Thailand. Laos does not fingerprint you though.