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Posted

As usual, I'm thinking of coming to Thailand for the period of November 2025 to March 2026.  Previously, I have either used the METV, or consecutive/extended SETV and/or 60-day Visa Exemption.  Last year, I entered on a 60-day VE stamp and then did a land border bounce to Cambodia with a visa run company out of Pattaya.  I then extended that second VE at my local immigration office.  It worked out well for staying from November to March. 

 

But the current closing of the Cambodian border changes the calculation somewhat.  Any land border bounce is going to take longer and cost more in order to go to Laos or Malaysia.   The land border bounce to Laos via a grueling 9-hour minivan trip isn't very attractive in this scenario.  But based on what I'm reading here traveling by air to a nearby country such as Vietnam and staying a few days and then re-entering Thailand for a second consecutive 60-day VE stamp is not advised and may require hiring a safe entry company.  

 

I have only ever come to Thailand during the winter and have never stayed longer than 6 months per year.  I have done this for the past 10 years or so.  And yet it seems that tourists wanting to stay any longer than 90 days (60 VE + 30 days extension) may have problems since border bounces from BKK/Pattaya to land borders must now go to Laos.   In terms of maximizing comfort and speed, one alternative solution would be to travel by air to Udon Thani or Nakhon Phanom or some other town near the Lao border and then take a border bounce minivan across the Lao border in order to obtain a second 60-day VE stamp.  But I would still have to stay in Laos for a couple of nights regardless if I understand the new rules correctly.   How risky would it be if I crossed the Laos border myself and re-enter with another 60-day VE stamp?

 

Of course, this assumes that the 60-day visa exemption will still exist early next year.  No guarantee of that.  

 

 

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Posted

 

I do broadly same from end of October to just after Songkran each-year. A good time to be in Thailand and away from northern hemisphere winters. If I was you, I would do 60 days on VE, then go to Vietnam or Cambodia for 2-4 weeks and then fly back in to Thailand either VE or TR for another 60 days.  Then extend for 30 days. You should be OK with this. Just be sure to have 20K cash, onward ticket and accomodation confirmation.

 

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Posted
2 hours ago, soi3eddie said:

 

I do broadly same from end of October to just after Songkran each-year. A good time to be in Thailand and away from northern hemisphere winters. If I was you, I would do 60 days on VE, then go to Vietnam or Cambodia for 2-4 weeks and then fly back in to Thailand either VE or TR for another 60 days.  Then extend for 30 days. You should be OK with this. Just be sure to have 20K cash, onward ticket and accomodation confirmation.

 

Thanks for the ideas.    Canadian winters are best enjoyed while still young.  I'm not anymore. 

 

It seems that the longer you stay outside of Thailand in between VE stamps, the less likely you are going to run into problems the second time around.  A direct correlation maybe.  So if I stayed 2-4 weeks in Vietnam or Cambodia, then there would be less need to hire a safe entry company for the second entry.   I'm not sure if my gf will go for that, however,  Unless I take her along to VN of KH,  Wasn't planning on it though. 

 

How will you be arranging your visas this winter?     

Posted

I used to just get a “retirement visa“ for just this purpose. A bit of paperwork each year to keep it active and bob's your uncle. You do need the extra 800k to leave in the Thai bank though. Now I've gone to a DTV which works even better.

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Posted
8 minutes ago, gargamon said:

I used to just get a “retirement visa“ for just this purpose. A bit of paperwork each year to keep it active and bob's your uncle. You do need the extra 800k to leave in the Thai bank though. Now I've gone to a DTV which works even better.

While I have 800K, I would rather not have to leave it in a Thai bank.  Especially since I don't have a Thai bank account and it seems its getting harder to get one.  

 

How did you get a DTV?  I have heard they have a high rejection rate?  

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Posted
30 minutes ago, ultramarine said:

While I have 800K, I would rather not have to leave it in a Thai bank.  Especially since I don't have a Thai bank account and it seems its getting harder to get one.  

 

How did you get a DTV?  I have heard they have a high rejection rate?  

DTV with a letter from Bumrungrad. They actually contacted the Thai embassy/consulate in Vancouver. It was approved in hours.

 

As for the 800k, that's a personal choice. For me it was worth it for over a decade to not have to be concerned with border bounces, etc. At least with the DTV that money is no longer in a Thai bank. 

 

I've had Thai bank accounts since the early 2000's so can't comment on opening one now. I'm sure with a bit of ingenuity it can be done though.

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Posted
21 minutes ago, gargamon said:

DTV with a letter from Bumrungrad. They actually contacted the Thai embassy/consulate in Vancouver. It was approved in hours.

 

As for the 800k, that's a personal choice. For me it was worth it for over a decade to not have to be concerned with border bounces, etc. At least with the DTV that money is no longer in a Thai bank. 

 

I've had Thai bank accounts since the early 2000's so can't comment on opening one now. I'm sure with a bit of ingenuity it can be done though.

I think Vancouver is more responsive than Ottawa, tbh.  Ottawa seems overworked and have missed their own deadlines more than once with me.   It's one reason why I'd prefer the VE stamp.  But how did you get Bumrungrad to write you a letter? Are you an out patient there?  

 

 

Posted
5 minutes ago, ultramarine said:

I think Vancouver is more responsive than Ottawa, tbh.  Ottawa seems overworked and have missed their own deadlines more than once with me.   It's one reason why I'd prefer the VE stamp.  But how did you get Bumrungrad to write you a letter? Are you an out patient there?  

 

 

Yes, I've used Bumrungrad for a couple of things in the last few years. Getting old is a bitch. 

Posted
4 minutes ago, gargamon said:

Yes, I've used Bumrungrad for a couple of things in the last few years. Getting old is a bitch. 

Wow.  I didn't realize they could write a letter in this situation as just an out patient as opposed to something more serious or life-changing.  

 

Alas that option isn't open to me. 

 

I suppose I am a bit of a digital nomad but don't derive enough of an income from my websites to meet the DTV criteria.   

Posted
2 hours ago, ultramarine said:

So if I stayed 2-4 weeks in Vietnam or Cambodia, then there would be less need to hire a safe entry company for the second entry. 

From your posts you appear very aware of your options. 

Cambodia borders closed has thrown spanner in the works. 

For me the visa exempt entry + extension followed by a bounce or mini holiday (Saigon) is an option. 

If just a bounce then flight to Udon Thani and couple of nights in Vientiane would be possible. 

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Posted
1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

From your posts you appear very aware of your options. 

Cambodia borders closed has thrown spanner in the works. 

For me the visa exempt entry + extension followed by a bounce or mini holiday (Saigon) is an option. 

If just a bounce then flight to Udon Thani and couple of nights in Vientiane would be possible. 

Thanks.  I'm assuming a similar flight to Nakhon Phanom and a couple of nights in Thakhek would also work.  I'm not really a fan of Vientiane.  If I opted for Saigon, how long a stay would suffice before attempting to re-enter at DMK for another VE stamp?   

Posted
5 minutes ago, ultramarine said:

If I opted for Saigon, how long a stay would suffice before attempting to re-enter at DMK for another VE stamp? 

From your posts it seems you pretty much stay approx 5-6 months per year. 

True snowbird.. Can imagine why there would be an issue for second visa exempt entry via year. 

If it were me I would spend a week in Saigon, however I'm biased as love that joint. 

Be aware that airline at departure flight to Thailand may want to see onward flight. 

Posted

Have been on a retirement visa for many years now, which is up for renewal very soon however Im not renewing it due to a change of circumstances. i will however need

another month or so here until my exit.

 

A border run to Nong khai would do the job, but can i go across and come back

the same day or is their an actual official stipulation you must stay out of country

for a night ?

 

Also i wish to do this a few days in advance of my extension expiry date and return

within that expiry date but with a 60 day VE stamp.

 

As i have a re entry permit unused will the immigration officer insist on stamping me

back in for just a few days of the remaining  extension validity which would be a

hopeless scenario or use common sense and apply the VE exempt 60 days?

 

Thanks for any advice

Posted

I believe a minimum one-night stopover outside the country won't be challenged.

 

The IO will stamp you in on the re-entry permit with whatever remains of the extension as the extension is still "alive". Better to let it expire during your two-day Vientiane stopover, and get the 60-day VE on your return entry.

Posted
16 minutes ago, sapson said:

As i have a re entry permit unused will the immigration officer insist on stamping me back in for just a few days

of the remaining  extension validity which would be a hopeless scenario or use common sense and apply the

VE exempt 60 days ..

The immigration officer can "overlook" the remaining couple of days remaining on your reentry permit and stamp you in 60 days visa exempt entry. However hit and miss. 

 

Frankly don't see the point. 

You could exit at end of your current stamp and reenter Thailand after couple of days in Vientiane. 

You mention only one more month required. 

To reenter visa exempt, proof of flight out of Thailand within the 60 days would be advisable. 

Posted
2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

The immigration officer can "overlook" the remaining couple of days remaining on your reentry permit and stamp you in 60 days visa exempt entry. 

Frankly don't see the point. 

You could exit at end of your current stamp and reenter Thailand after couple of days in Vientiane. 

You mention only one more month required. 

To reenter visa, exempt proof of flight out of Thailand within the 60 days would be advisable. 

 

The point is, having had the relaxing luxury of an visa extension renewed usually a few weeks in advance

for many years, the idea of waiting till the actual day of expiry to do a visa run is very stressful due to

health issues that unfortunately fluctuate.

 

This is also why i would wish to go over the border and come straight back if its allowed ?

 

Thanks

 

 

Posted
27 minutes ago, sapson said:

The point is, having had the relaxing luxury of an visa extension renewed usually a few weeks in advance

for many years, the idea of waiting till the actual day of expiry to do a visa run is very stressful due to

health issues that unfortunately fluctuate.

Are you currently in financial compliance with requirements for next extension? 

Seems overkill however have you considered obtaining another 12 month extension even though you only require one month. 

As you are aware extension is only 1900b. 

You could then leave anytime that suits. 

Which immigration office? 

Posted
4 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Are you currently in financial compliance with requirements for next extension? 

Seems overkill however have you considered obtaining another 12 month extension even though you only require one month. 

As you are aware extension is only 1900b. 

You could then leave anytime that suits. 

Which immigration office? 

 

Current  circumstances unfortunately dont facilitate another extension.

 

Thanks, not aware i could extend my current visa extension for 1900 baht at local konkhaen immigration.

 

What are the stipulations how long do you get? that could be an ideal solution, no travel of border dealings.

 

Thankyou

Posted
1 minute ago, sapson said:

Thanks, not aware i could extend my current visa extension for 1900 baht at local konkhaen immigration.

 

What are the stipulations how long do you get? that could be an ideal solution, no travel of border dealings.

You have misunderstood my post. 

I was referring to NEW 12 month extension. 

You would be aware of the financial requirements having obtained annual extensions in the past. 

Posted

Yes, did misunderstand thought that was too easy and yep Im aware of all the12 month visa extension

requirements.

 

So do you know ?perhaps no real definitive answer being Thailand, can i go across the border and come 

straight back to Nongkhai on the same day?

 

Or is their an official requirement you must stay out of country for a night?

 

 

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