Hi everyone,

I’m planning to do a border run from Thailand and I’m trying to figure out which specific checkpoint is the best for a smooth exit and re-entry into the country.

I’m currently considering doing the run via:

• Laos

• Malaysia

• Myanmar

But what I really want to know is:

 Which checkpoint is the most relaxed, safest, and tourist-friendly for a border run?
 Where are they least likely to question or deny re-entry back into Thailand?
 In your recent experience (2024–2025), which checkpoint do you recommend — and which ones should I avoid?

I’m not planning on staying long outside, maybe 1 or 2 days — and back in without any drama.
Would love to hear from anyone who’s done this recently and can recommend a specific border crossing (e.g. Nong Khai, Sadao, Mae Sai, etc.).

Thanks in advance for the help! 🙏
Your advice will really help me avoid problems at the border.

myanmar is closed  ,the most easy way should be a round trip to KL and use the safe entry service 🙂

The real question is what is your previous entry stay history this year in the country. 

 

I mean have you been milking free stamp entries and 30-day extensions to facilitate living here? 

 

Because the borders take a dim view of people doing that who bounce out and back to get another stamp

 

This is exactly why people use the service to bounce you out and back because they can get you out and back safely with out regard to your entry history. 

 

Best of luck with it

5 hours ago, thai006 said:

myanmar is closed  ,the most easy way should be a round trip to KL and use the safe entry service 🙂

the Ranong/ Kwathoung sea border is open and in fact u can also fly into the country.

Burma is NOT closed 

 

I would recommend chiang khong, nong khai, mukdahan, chong mek, padang besar, sadao, hat lek. It's possible you will face issues if you have long history in Thailand and only stay out 1-2 days. Let us know how it goes if you do one of these borders. 

 

Tod Daniels is right that it would be better to use a visa run service so you are guaranteed entry 

Ranong is very relaxed, you can jump on an organised  minivan/stamp trip from chumphon

If you can get to Wang Prachan in Satun that borders with Malaysia, the "fee" at the border is 2000 baht to come back the same day, not sure how relaxed the others are but this one is.

11 hours ago, thai006 said:

myanmar is closed  ,the most easy way should be a round trip to KL and use the safe entry service 🙂

 

7 hours ago, Tod Daniels said:

The real question is what is your previous entry stay history this year in the country. 

 

I mean have you been milking free stamp entries and 30-day extensions to facilitate living here? 

 

Because the borders take a dim view of people doing that who bounce out and back to get another stamp

 

This is exactly why people use the service to bounce you out and back because they can get you out and back safely with out regard to your entry history. 

 

Best of luck with it

Yes i have a long history, but i was thinking to stay outside for 1-3 days before coming back. As i understand almost near all borders have visa service that you can pay extra to bounce back. Thanks!

6 hours ago, zzzzz said:

the Ranong/ Kwathoung sea border is open and in fact u can also fly into the country.

Burma is NOT closed 

Yes that border is open. 

5 hours ago, hovercraft said:

I would recommend chiang khong, nong khai, mukdahan, chong mek, padang besar, sadao, hat lek.

 

Hat Lek is a border crossing with Cambodia and is, like all the other land border checkpoints with Cambodia, currently CLOSED.

 

In normal times I agree though, it's a relaxed and friendly checkpoint.

6 hours ago, frank83628 said:

Ranong is very relaxed, you can jump on an organised  minivan/stamp trip from chumphon

As i understan you pay only 10usd to cross to Myanmar at the checkpoint where laos and malaysia is 40-50 usd 

25 minutes ago, Corry said:

As i understan you pay only 10usd to cross to Myanmar at the checkpoint where laos and malaysia is 40-50 usd 

Correct  $10 to Burma immigration for stamp, apx 100 baht each way on boat
Laos u need a visa ( $40)  + cost of same day return

Malaysia is visa free, but same day return is around 2,000 baht

 

 

1 hour ago, zzzzz said:

Correct  $10 to Burma immigration for stamp, apx 100 baht each way on boat
Laos u need a visa ( $40)  + cost of same day return

Malaysia is visa free, but same day return is around 2,000 baht

 

 

oh so if you don't do same day return Malaysia is free entry?

1 hour ago, Corry said:

As i understan you pay only 10usd to cross to Myanmar at the checkpoint where laos and malaysia is 40-50 usd 

Yes 10$ or 500BT,but  i havent needed to do it for years, last time was with the Andaman club, but they have closed.

 

9 hours ago, frank83628 said:

Yes 10$ or 500BT,but  i havent needed to do it for years, last time was with the Andaman club, but they have closed.

 

I will do it, and I hope they let me back in the same day. I don't want to stay in Myanmar for 2–3 days it feels too risky. I’ve already done two border runs this year in Thailand, but I’ve talked to many visa agencies, and all of them told me there’s no longer any limit on border runs like before.

 

7 hours ago, Corry said:

I will do it, and I hope they let me back in the same day. I don't want to stay in Myanmar for 2–3 days it feels too risky. I’ve already done two border runs this year in Thailand, but I’ve talked to many visa agencies, and all of them told me there’s no longer any limit on border runs like before.

 

one good thing about Ranong immigration at the boat pier, they wont let ya leave if they wont let ya back in.  🙂
kwathoung is perfectly safe and ur allowed to travel up to 15 kms from town for up to 2 weeks on ur border pass.
 

On 7/4/2025 at 1:58 PM, Corry said:

Yes i have a long history, but i was thinking to stay outside for 1-3 days before coming back. As i understand almost near all borders have visa service that you can pay extra to bounce back. Thanks!

Well you ain't fooling anyone at the border with the "stay out of the country a couple days" trick 😛 they know all you're trying to do is milk another free stamp 60 day entry 😉
AND
Once you get TO the border I think you'll find out that those "service providers" are few and far between. 😕 You usually bounce out/back with them (as the transport to/from the border they go to is included in the price) The reason they cost what they cost is because you can get out and back without any issue the same day no matter what your previous entry/stay history is  

Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Phuket, Chiang Mai, all have services that go to the border and back 

If you're in the south about the most "user friendly" crossing you could use would be the Ranong/Kawthaung border with Burma you get to by boat from the Ranong pier. That one you might be able to show up at and "bounce yourself" (without a service lugging you to the border and back)  

Fly to Mexico or Canada cross into the US register on the CBP mobile app get a free ticket to Thailand and a $1000 bonus job done.

 

"Illegal aliens who register for voluntary self-departure through the CBP Home Mobile App will receive cost-free travel, a $1,000 exit bonus, and forgiveness of any failure to depart fines. Illegal aliens requesting assistance will have a timely departure arranged for them."

Nong Khai , have a couple of nights in Vientiane Laos lovely people so much different to the unwelcoming Thais.

No help I'm afraid. Out of curiosity, if you leave Thailand and enter Cambodia (closed at the moment) Laos or Mayanmar and return same time for your visa run do you need a visa for the country.

2 minutes ago, LittleBear57 said:

No help I'm afraid. Out of curiosity, if you leave Thailand and enter Cambodia (closed at the moment) Laos or Mayanmar and return same time for your visa run do you need a visa for the country.

Yes.

On 7/5/2025 at 10:45 AM, zzzzz said:

one good thing about Ranong immigration at the boat pier, they wont let ya leave if they wont let ya back in.  🙂

 

Very similar to crossing into Laos at Chiang Sean.  The officers will explain what you need to reenter when you’re checking out.  If you do cross 70 baht each way for the boat and $40 US in nice bills , or 2000 baht, for visa.  And if you stay in the city there bring Chinese Yuan as that is the currency there and maybe the ATM will not work for you.

I was recently asked which border run options (visa companies) were available from Pattaya now, after the Cambodian border closed. I had no answer, but recommended to fly out instead. But I realize that can be a hazard with a couple of bounces already in their passport.

Anyone with advice on this? Do they have vans driving to Laos now? That's a long way and time sitting in van with drivers trying to set new speeding records..

15 minutes ago, thaibreaker said:

I was recently asked which border run options (visa companies) were available from Pattaya now, after the Cambodian border closed. I had no answer, but recommended to fly out instead. But I realize that can be a hazard with a couple of bounces already in their passport.

Anyone with advice on this? Do they have vans driving to Laos now? That's a long way and time sitting in van with drivers trying to set new speeding records..

I did see someone on here recently had booked a trip to Savannakhet with "Bangkok Buddy" (or maybe Buddies), I only read it, didn't research further  Hell of a return trip in a minibus.

5 hours ago, thaibreaker said:

I was recently asked which border run options (visa companies) were available from Pattaya now, after the Cambodian border closed. I had no answer, but recommended to fly out instead. But I realize that can be a hazard with a couple of bounces already in their passport.

Anyone with advice on this? Do they have vans driving to Laos now? That's a long way and time sitting in van with drivers trying to set new speeding records..

Have but it cost 8000 baht 

6 hours ago, LittleBear57 said:

No help I'm afraid. Out of curiosity, if you leave Thailand and enter Cambodia (closed at the moment) Laos or Mayanmar and return same time for your visa run do you need a visa for the country.

Myanmar no pay 10usd and can stay 3 days without.  

6 minutes ago, Corry said:

Have but it cost 8000 baht 

Seems to be a much better option to fly out then. Maybe Suvarnabhumi might be a bit more leniant with their stamps now, when the Cambodian border is closed..

6 hours ago, eastbaybob said:

Very similar to crossing into Laos at Chiang Sean.  The officers will explain what you need to reenter when you’re checking out.  If you do cross 70 baht each way for the boat and $40 US in nice bills , or 2000 baht, for visa.  And if you stay in the city there bring Chinese Yuan as that is the currency there and maybe the ATM will not work for you.

reenter? Who do you pay the 2000 baht to? Visa agency? Is it true that there is couple of visa service agency near at the boat pier at Ranong that will make the border bounce for 2000 baht? 

2 minutes ago, thaibreaker said:

Seems to be a much better option to fly out then. Maybe Suvarnabhumi might be a bit more leniant with their stamps now, when the Cambodian border is closed..

it cost around 2500 baht flight all around. visa agency service 2000-3000 baht 

I'm in Bangkok and am wondering if I could fly down to somewhere near (ish) to the Malaysian border then do a land border hop? 🤔