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 

[DrJack54]

8 hours ago, anotherfarangishere said:

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.

Check out this thread re border run to Nong Khai Dec last year.

You may be required to spend night or two in Laos and even buy flight out of Thailand.

Have not read recent reports.

 

Where are you located in Thailand.

Agent run minivan companied going to Cambodia from eg Bangkok or Pattaya are a good option for a bounce. 

Current thread running where companies charging 5700b for guy with a DTV for same day bounce. 

 

Flying into Thailand always the issue on hassle with immigration if extensive history.

Also issue of onward flight requirement from airline.

Someone mentioned "safe entry service" yes that works however ~4500b.

 

 

 

[anotherfarangishere]

5 hours 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 

My last visa run was in august 2024. Then I left Thailand in September and came back in February 2025 with a visa.

[DrJack54]

12 minutes ago, anotherfarangishere said:

Then I left Thailand in September and came back in February 2025 with a visa

What type of visa.