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. 

 

[Briggsy]

I count a possible 7 months out of the last 12 months in Thailand on tourist visa options. (May - Sep '24 & Feb - May '25) You may be inconvenienced at the border coming back in and possibly denied entry.

 

You would be better to use an agency to facilitate your re-entry. It looks like you are based in Bangkok. There are options but they do include mini buses, which you stated you do not like. You could possibly meet them at the border travelling by yourself. This is usually negotiable.

[Upnotover]

30 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

What type of visa. 

 

 

9 hours ago, anotherfarangishere said:

My tourist visa extension is ending in one week

 

[DrJack54]

23 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

My tourist visa extension is ending in one week

Yep noticed that but surprised he even opted to obtain SETV given both provide 60 day stamp.

Perhaps he is referring to visa exempt entry as "tourist visa" 

 

Edit: I recall this OP now and in this thread.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1357038-bangkok-immigration-government-complex-something-new-i-should-know/

 

 

Indeed entered Thailand with a SETV and obtained 30 day extension at CW.

Now needs border bounce for another 60 day stamp.

Suggest minivan agent bounce from Bangkok to Cambodia.

However he ruled that out.

Another option is to consider mini holiday and exit return via air.

Saigon would be my pick.

Safe entry services recommended however comes at a price. 

 

[anotherfarangishere]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

What type of visa. 

 

e-visa, tourist

[DrJack54]

Just now, anotherfarangishere said:

e-visa, tourist

Yes. See post above..

In any event you have ruled out minivan run.

You could consider getting to border by yourself and spending couple of nights out of Thailand.

Nong Khai or Cambodia.. up to you.

 

Flight out and back after few days tempting as you seem to be located in Bangkok.

Detailed information helps folk giving advice. .

You previous thread (link above) good example 

[anotherfarangishere]

39 minutes ago, Briggsy said:

I count a possible 7 months out of the last 12 months in Thailand on tourist visa options. (May - Sep '24 & Feb - May '25) You may be inconvenienced at the border coming back in and possibly denied entry.

I used an e-visa rather than a visa exemption to come back in February to be sure to be ok with my first visa run... even if it couldn't be 100% sure.

[JAG]

7 hours ago, anotherfarangishere said:

And by plane the same day?

Immigration will show great interest in that when you present on return!

[DrJack54]

10 minutes ago, JAG said:

Immigration will show great interest in that when you present on return!

Absolutely.

There was a post (still can't believe the stupidity) a guy sent his 82 yr old mum on bounce to Singapore return flight same day.

Sadly she had hell of a time at airport on return to Thailand.

Was eventually admitted however very upsetting.

The OP could use "safe service" by agent however approx 4500b 

[Briggsy]

57 minutes ago, anotherfarangishere said:

I used an e-visa rather than a visa exemption to come back in February to be sure to be ok with my first visa run... even if it couldn't be 100% sure.

Tourist visas give a slightly better chance of entry than visa exempts but they are refused sometimes.

 

You have spent 7 months in the last 12 months in Thailand on tourist options (VE & SETV).

 

You would be very well advised to use an agency or service to re-enter. You would be "poking the bear" to try a re-entry on the same day without one.

[ChaiyaTH]

With agents not need to stay over night for both northern laos borders as well malaysia, aside from that ranong is another option too. Without agents 2 nights. As far I know the best deal at the moment is still do to Ranong for around 2400 baht fee on the border or packages from like islands at 4000 baht total.

 

If you plan to go by train yourself anyway you might as well then just give in to the 2 nights and make it a holiday. Have great resorts there anyway, get one with a pool and some beers, not that bad for a few days.

[anotherfarangishere]

50 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Absolutely.

I asked by curiosity but didn't really think to do it.

[anotherfarangishere]

14 minutes ago, ChaiyaTH said:

With agents not need to stay over night for both northern laos borders as well malaysia, aside from that ranong is another option too.

Could be an idea but agents use a minibus/van? 

[anotherfarangishere]

19 minutes ago, Briggsy said:

Tourist visas give a slightly better chance of entry than visa exempts but they are refused sometimes.

 

You have spent 7 months in the last 12 months in Thailand on tourist options (VE & SETV).

 

You would be very well advised to use an agency or service to re-enter. You would be "poking the bear" to try a re-entry on the same day without one.

Seems really pessimist. In 2025 I stayed only 3 months in Thailand with a visa + 30 jours extension.

My plan is to stay 9 months in Thailand so the next time I'll use airport safe service.