Urgent help! Extension Almost Out – Best Way to Do Nong Khai-Laos Border Run With Agency

[Corry]

Hello everyone,

My passport is running out of days, and I recently learned that all Cambodian borders are currently closed. Because of this, I plan to travel to Udon Thani and then continue on to Nong Khai, near the Laos border, to do a border run with the help of an agency.

I've heard quite a few horror stories about people getting denied re-entry when doing border runs by land or air on their own right now. So I’d prefer to use an agency and pay to make sure everything goes smoothly and that I can return the same day without any issues.

-Are there agencies available near the Nong Khai border that I can visit directly?
-Does anyone have tips or experience with this?

Or would it be better to arrange everything through an agency in Udon Thani before going?

Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much for your time and help!

Cheers!

[DrJack54]

8 hours ago, Corry said:

My passport is running out of days, and I recently learned that all Cambodian borders are currently closed

What is the validity of passport? 

Have you obtained a 30 day extension already? 

[faraday]

PDC Udon Thani, is a visa company 

[Tod Daniels]

The real questions are :

What do you mean by the statement my passport is running out of days? 

Do you mean you're current stamp is running out? 
OR 
Do you mean your passport is expiring soon?

Another question is WHERE are you in thailand? 

If you're in Bangkok there are border bounce services that take you to the borders in Lao and back SWD Transport is one (www.thaivisaservice.com) 

If you have an extensive entry/stay history you are unlikely to bounce yourself out/back at the Nong Khai border without either being told to stay IN Lao 2 days or so OR being told you can leave but have to fly back in <- which again, with an extensive entry/stay history (especially if it's free stamp visa exempt entry) can come with it's own set of problems 

[Jake44]

5 hours ago, Corry said:

My passport is running out of days,

 

Nobody knows what this means.  

[Jingthing]

Even though very poorly worded, I think it's reasonable to assume that he does NOT mean that his passport is expiring. Why? Obviously a border run would do nothing to address that at all. 

[Corry]

10 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

What is the validity of passport? 

Have you obtained a 30 day extension already? 

Sorry, I wrote it wrong — I meant that my Thai visa-exempt stay is almost over. I only have a few days left.
Yes i did the 30 day extension 

[Nick Carter icp]

4 minutes ago, Corry said:

Sorry, I wrote it wrong — I meant that my Thai visa-exempt stay is almost over. I only have a few days left.
Yes i did the 30 day extension 

 

  So you want to contact an agency who provide a secure entry service ?

[Corry]

10 hours ago, Tod Daniels said:

The real questions are :

What do you mean by the statement my passport is running out of days? 

Do you mean you're current stamp is running out? 
OR 
Do you mean your passport is expiring soon?

Another question is WHERE are you in thailand? 

If you're in Bangkok there are border bounce services that take you to the borders in Lao and back SWD Transport is one (www.thaivisaservice.com) 

If you have an extensive entry/stay history you are unlikely to bounce yourself out/back at the Nong Khai border without either being told to stay IN Lao 2 days or so OR being told you can leave but have to fly back in <- which again, with an extensive entry/stay history (especially if it's free stamp visa exempt entry) can come with it's own set of problems 

Sorry, I wrote it wrong earlier — I meant that my Thai visa-exempt stay is almost over. I only have a few days left. My passport is valid for two more years, so that's not the issue. I'm currently in Bangkok and looking for a visa agency to help with a border run.

I’ve heard that there are many visa agencies near border in Nong Khai and Udon Thani, and that you can just fly there and visit them directly — but I’m not sure if this is true. Is it possible to just go to Nong Khai and find a reliable agency near the border to help with the visa run, or should I contact someone in advance? Arecommendations would really help. Thanks!"

[DrJack54]

8 minutes ago, Corry said:

I meant that my Thai visa-exempt stay is almost over. I only have a few days left.

Where are you located

[Corry]

3 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

  So you want to contact an agency who provide a secure entry service ?

yes a border bounce 

[Corry]

Just now, DrJack54 said:

Where are you located

i am in bkk now 

[Corry]

6 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

  So you want to contact an agency who provide a secure entry service ?

Border bounce. secure entry service that is when you arrive by air right?

[DrJack54]

6 minutes ago, Corry said:

i am in bkk now 

I'm not aware of agents that do bounces from UT to Hong Khai border. 

 

You could fly to UT and make your way to border. 

Be prepared to spend few days in Vientiane. 

 

You state few days left. 

Most likely you don't have time to do a flight and return with "safe entry service" at Bangkok airports

[Corry]

19 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I'm not aware of agents that do bounces from UT to Hong Khai border. 

 

You could fly to UT and make your way to border. 

Be prepared to spend few days in Vientiane. 

 

You state few days left. 

Most likely you don't have time to do a flight and return with "safe entry service" at Bangkok airports

I will have to fly there and check it out. I've been in Thailand for a long time using a mix of ED visas and several border runs.
6 days left to be exactly 
 

[DrJack54]

6 minutes ago, Corry said:

I will have to fly there and check it out. I've been in Thailand for a long time using a mix of ED visas and several border runs.
6 days left to be exactly 
 

Your options are limited. 

Given extensive history and ED visa the safe entry (at airport) won't be super cheap. 

Contact them urgently for a price. 

Are you visa exempt to Vietnam? 

 

Your other option would be to stick with the Nong Khai idea and stay few days in Vientiane. 

 

Obviously under 50 so Non O not an option? 

[Corry]

3 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Your options are limited. 

Given extensive history and ED visa the safe entry (at airport) won't be super cheap. 

Contact them urgently for a price. 

Are you visa exempt to Vietnam? 

 

Your other option would be to stick with the Nong Khai idea and stay few days in Vientiane. 

 

Obviously under 50 so Non O not an option? 

Yes Vietnam is fine. 

Yes or i will go to the Ranong and make a border bounce at Myanmar border as i just learned you can do it. 

you are correct not under 50

[BrandonJT]

Either use a border bounce agency from Bangkok, or fly from Bangkok and return with a safe entry agency.

 

Tod posted details of runs from Bangkok recently.

 

 

[Aussie999]

22 hours ago, Corry said:

Sorry, I wrote it wrong — I meant that my Thai visa-exempt stay is almost over. I only have a few days left.
Yes i did the 30 day extension 

If visa exempt, you might need to obtain a visa, eg tourist visa, to re-enter Thailand, I am going through the process now, I flew to Vientiane, filled out eVisa, had to go to Thai embassy to pay visa fee, am now waiting to, hopefully get it. It can take a few days 

[DrJack54]

18 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

Thai embassy to pay visa fee, am now waiting to, hopefully get it. It can take a few days 

Please update when eVisa approved. 

Recent reports that process time in Savannakhet is basically overnight after payment. 

[oxo1947]

On 6/28/2025 at 1:02 AM, Corry said:

I plan to travel to Udon Thani and then continue on to Nong Khai,

 

 If you get your Lao Visa on internet---- you can just get the bus (about 6 a day) from UT go straight into Lao (Vientiane city)  ,  about 80 baht.

[Aussie999]

20 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Please update when eVisa approved. 

Recent reports that process time in Savannakhet is basically overnight after payment. 

Will do, my ne is delayed because the eVisa is vague on documents needed, and being the weekend, I will post all documents required. Though one sticking point, they say a bus ticket, or air ticket for return to Thailand, but hey, can't really do that until visa is approved, otherwise risk losing the booking, and fee.

[DrJack54]

7 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

Though one sticking point, they say a bus ticket, or air ticket for return to Thailand, but hey, can't really do that until visa is approved, otherwise risk losing the booking, and fee.

They may still require that regardless of approval