Visa run to Laos, always fine? No problem with TDAC

[anotherfarangishere]

Hello everyone,

My tourist visa extension is ending in one week, I'll go to Nong Khai by train and make a vira run at the Laos border.

Last year, everything was fine at this border. Is there something new I should know?

Did someone already make a visa run at this border since May 1st and TDAC?

Westerners incoming to Thailand without visa get always 60 days? I read immigration was speaking to come back to 30 days?

Thank you!
 

[BrandonJT]

Nong Khai now requires you to stay in Laos.  I don't remember if the reports say 1 or 2 nights, as it varies by border.  You will need to stay in Laos for whatever amount of time that border requires.  

 

When you return to Thailand, you will receive a 60-day visa exempt stamp if you have no visa.  There is no mechanism to receive a stamp less than that unless the government modifies the visa exempt program again.

[anotherfarangishere]

30 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

Nong Khai now requires you to stay in Laos.  I don't remember if the reports say 1 or 2 nights, as it varies by border.  You will need to stay in Laos for whatever amount of time that border requires.  

WT. ... 😩 Are you sure? It was already the same for other Laos borders last year except Nong Kai.

Otherwise, is there an alternative with Malaysia - Padang Besar - or Myanmar - Mae Sai?

[BrandonJT]

23 minutes ago, anotherfarangishere said:

WT. ... 😩 Are you sure? It was already the same for other Laos borders last year except Nong Kai.

Otherwise, is there an alternative with Malaysia - Padang Besar - or Myanmar - Mae Sai?

Yes, I'm sure.

Why not just use a border bounce agency? They will get you out and back without any overnight stay.

[anotherfarangishere]

I did it one time by the past... so many time in the bus + usually they are mini van and I don't use mini van, too dangerous.

So, what about Malaysia and Mae Sai now?

[BrandonJT]

10 minutes ago, anotherfarangishere said:

I did it one time by the past... so many time in the bus + usually they are mini van and I don't use mini van, too dangerous.

So, what about Malaysia and Mae Sai now?

Mae Sai is closed.  Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong require 1-2 night stay.  Most Malaysian borders require overnight stay.

[anotherfarangishere]

And by plane the same day?

[Nick Carter icp]

1 hour ago, anotherfarangishere said:

I did it one time by the past... so many time in the bus + usually they are mini van and I don't use mini van, too dangerous.

So, what about Malaysia and Mae Sai now?

 

   You need to be very cautious about doing visa runs , numerous reports of people getting refused entry for spending too much time in Thailand 

[Jack1988]

44 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   You need to be very cautious about doing visa runs , numerous reports of people getting refused entry for spending too much time in Thailand 

use safe entry and no problem

[Nick Carter icp]

3 minutes ago, Jack1988 said:

use safe entry and no problem

 

   He doesn't want to use that mini bus option 

[Jack1988]

1 hour ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   He doesn't want to use that mini bus option 

then he likes to take the risk

[freedomnow]

Fly to near Malay border or out to Malaysia then overland back in...recent less hassle border was....

 

Wang Prachan vs other 2 near it which have aggressive IOs...avoid female IOs if you can...they can be super pissy.

[BrandonJT]

1 hour ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   He doesn't want to use that mini bus option 

Safe entry is for airports, not mini-bus.

[Nick Carter icp]

3 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

Safe entry is for airports, not mini-bus.

 

  I did mean that he doesn't want to get a mini bus to the land border .

Land borders also do guaranteed entry