Sorry if this question has been answered but I have have questions about what's best for my situation. 

 

US Passport: I arrived on a 60 day Visa Exempt and then applied for additional 30 day extension in Jomtien. I need another 3 weeks in Thailand and looking for the the least painful and most certain way of obtaining another 30 days. 

 

Previous Visas: 1. Non-Imm O Visa from August 2023 to November 2024. (Returned to US in August 2024, O Visa expired in Nov, and then returned to Thailand 3 months later on next visa)

                            2. 60 Visa Exempt: December 2024 (Departed in January 2025.)

 

AIR: Given the border closures in Cambodia, a quick 2-3 day flight to Vietnam seems the easiest and least painful, but I'm reading conflicting reports here about whether this is the safest route. Given my previous 2 visas, I'm worried about getting rejected upon return to Thailand.

 

Land: I'm staying in Pattaya, and from what I've read It seems the most secure method is to use a visa agent and take the 2 day bus trip to Nong Khai, cross the border and receive another 30 days upon re-entry. But 2 days on a bus is precisly the type of pain I want to avoid.

 

Air/Land: To avoid the long bus ride, is it better to fly from U-tapao to Udon Thani and hire a Visa agent in Udon Thani to facilitate my new visa?

 

Thanks for any suggestions. 

 

Quick Addition: I already have a booked return ticket to the US

8 minutes ago, Septic99 said:

Sorry if this question has been answered but I have have questions about what's best for my situation. 

 

US Passport: I arrived on a 60 day Visa Exempt and then applied for additional 30 day extension in Jomtien. I need another 3 weeks in Thailand and looking for the the least painful and most certain way of obtaining another 30 days. 

 

Previous Visas: 1. Non-Imm O Visa from August 2023 to November 2024. (Returned to US in August 2024, O Visa expired in Nov, and then returned to Thailand 3 months later on next visa)

                            2. 60 Visa Exempt: December 2024 (Departed in January 2025.)

 

AIR: Given the border closures in Cambodia, a quick 2-3 day flight to Vietnam seems the easiest and least painful, but I'm reading conflicting reports here about whether this is the safest route. Given my previous 2 visas, I'm worried about getting rejected upon return to Thailand.

 

Land: I'm staying in Pattaya, and from what I've read It seems the most secure method is to use a visa agent and take the 2 day bus trip to Nong Khai, cross the border and receive another 30 days upon re-entry. But 2 days on a bus is precisly the type of pain I want to avoid.

 

Air/Land: To avoid the long bus ride, is it better to fly from U-tapao to Udon Thani and hire a Visa agent in Udon Thani to facilitate my new visa?

 

Thanks for any suggestions. 

 

 

Yeah its much more comfortable to fly. But its gonna cost quite a bit probably, especially if you fly to udon thani and back from u tapao. On top of that are the added fees for the visa run, not really worth the hassle - considering you will have to spend time in a van in Laos too.

 

Its unfortunate about the Cambodia border situation. If you are worried and want the cheapest option I suggest talking to the visa agent and telling them you want to use their safe entry service. So just fly to Vietnam as you planned, and enter by air after you sorted out the safe entry.

7 minutes ago, Septic99 said:

Quick Addition: I already have a booked return ticket to the US

You have extensive history and also qualify for a Non O. 

Thinking the flight to Saigon is messy. 

Firstly since you are USA you would require eVisa to Vietnam. 

Not a deal breaker however takes ~5 business days $25us.

Also suggest you may require "safe entry service" 

 

Just one person's opinion... In your situation I would fly to UT. 

Then simply exit via Nong Khai (with or without agent) 

For reentry to Thailand having the onward flight is good. 

Along with cash and booked accomm would be good idea. 

May require couple of nights in Vientiane. 

 

If you use $ to pay the visa fee to get into Laos ( $ 40 ) , make sure the notes are perfect and without any marks or blemishes , otherwise they might reject them .

1 minute ago, persimmon said:

If you use $ to pay the visa fee to get into Laos ( $ 40 ) , make sure the notes are perfect and without any marks or blemishes , otherwise they might reject them .

Yes, $40 US= 1300bht.(at the mo)

Pay in bht  = 2000bht.

Any $ note refused, you pay in bht, nice little earner....

On 7/22/2025 at 9:48 AM, Septic99 said:

cross the border and receive another 30 days upon re-entry

I thought it was 60 days for US passport?

Personally, I'd fly. Back in my border run days (before I started doing 6 month tourist visas) too many land crossings caused headaches, but I never had any issues flying in, and it became my preferred method. 

 

Back then, there were cheap fares to Siem Reap and KL, so I'd usually go to one of those places for a few days.

On 7/22/2025 at 9:49 AM, Septic99 said:

Quick Addition: I already have a booked return ticket to the US

I suggest flying to KL and back on Air Asia. It was much cheaper than me driving to the border, visa cost there, meal, crazy Thai drivers and the potential of having to dirve in the rain here, this time of year,

4 hours ago, AgMech Cowboy said:

I suggest flying to KL and back on Air Asia.

 

Additionally, KL is a fun place to visit. Every time I go I stay for a week and enjoy the change of pace. 

On 7/22/2025 at 9:48 AM, Septic99 said:

Sorry if this question has been answered but I have have questions about what's best for my situation. 

 

US Passport: I arrived on a 60 day Visa Exempt and then applied for additional 30 day extension in Jomtien. I need another 3 weeks in Thailand and looking for the the least painful and most certain way of obtaining another 30 days. 

 

Previous Visas: 1. Non-Imm O Visa from August 2023 to November 2024. (Returned to US in August 2024, O Visa expired in Nov, and then returned to Thailand 3 months later on next visa)

                            2. 60 Visa Exempt: December 2024 (Departed in January 2025.)

 

AIR: Given the border closures in Cambodia, a quick 2-3 day flight to Vietnam seems the easiest and least painful, but I'm reading conflicting reports here about whether this is the safest route. Given my previous 2 visas, I'm worried about getting rejected upon return to Thailand.

 

Land: I'm staying in Pattaya, and from what I've read It seems the most secure method is to use a visa agent and take the 2 day bus trip to Nong Khai, cross the border and receive another 30 days upon re-entry. But 2 days on a bus is precisly the type of pain I want to avoid.

 

Air/Land: To avoid the long bus ride, is it better to fly from U-tapao to Udon Thani and hire a Visa agent in Udon Thani to facilitate my new visa?

 

Thanks for any suggestions. 

 

Have a couple of days in Langkawi. Overnight train to PB and taxi to the ferry, fairly straightforward. Need to stay 48 hours on the island if you want any duty free.

Immigration is on the platform at PB and little chance of a problem on re-entry.

16 hours ago, AgMech Cowboy said:

I suggest flying to KL and back on Air Asia. It was much cheaper than me driving to the border, visa cost there, meal, crazy Thai drivers and the potential of having to dirve in the rain here, this time of year,

He already did the 30-days extension of his original 60-days, so "safe entry" (4500 Baht) for his return, if he wants a no hassle return to Thailand.

 

Granted, a rejected-entry return to KL is the best option for flying in, as they will almost certainly let him back in to Malaysia - not force him to fly to his passport-country.