Just wondering if things have changed much at border runs ?

Any particular border better now ?

Thanks

Borders (land) with Cambodia are closed.

Border run option depends on location. Same day would be very problematic at for example Nong Khai.

Use a border run agent best option.

Cost will depend on circumstances.

Leaving aside the ever-changing rules/limits concerning overland visa exempt entries and with a focus on "organized" border runs from Bangkok, I'd say that the closure of the land borders to Cambodia (since last year) and Myanmar (since Covid) have made them a lot less feasible or endurable than in the past. You need to spend an insane amount of time on a van to get to a Lao border and back.

With that in mind, unless you stay nearby a border that is both open and friendly towards DIY border runs, I think nowadays you're much better off using a safe entry service and doing your border run by air.

23 minutes ago, Caldera said:

I think nowadays you're much better off using a safe entry service and doing your border run by air.

Spot on.

Especially if located eg Bangkok then flight to somewhere such as Saigon with safe entry service would be good option.

Make mini holiday of it

Fly to Laos, have a few days holiday with much nicer welcoming people and fly back.

I crossed the border at Nong Khai 6 days ago after having one visa exempt entry and was told that if I did not apply for a visa before coming back into Thailand I would be refused entry. However the immigration guy on the counter did seem to be in a very bad mood.

1 minute ago, Mike1985 said:

However the immigration guy on the counter did seem to be in a very bad mood.

Seems (from reports) there is one particular io at NK that is difficult.

Also few, reports of for reentry VE to Thailand asking for onward travel.

4 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Seems (from reports) there is one particular io at NK that is difficult.

Also few, reports of for reentry VE to Thailand asking for onward travel.

We live in NongKhai and used to cross quite often, we learned to avoid the IO's with the shortest line.

I crossed about a month ago . I walked into the departure building and went straight ahead to one of the desks. The IO looked at my pp, then pointed to one side where the is a separate small office with the finger print scanner. The female IO asked me how long I intended to stay in Laos and if I had a ticket back to my home country. Nothing about needing a visa to come back in . She was polite but stern , iykwim . I got the impression that all travellers that were neither Thai nor Laotian were being diverted to the side office for closer scrutiny .🔎 😉

9 hours ago, Mike1985 said:

I crossed the border at Nong Khai 6 days ago after having one visa exempt entry and was told that if I did not apply for a visa before coming back into Thailand I would be refused entry. However the immigration guy on the counter did seem to be in a very bad mood.

So did you get a visa, or did you go back on VE using a less surly IP?

If you're in Bangkok the company Thai Visa Service runs to the Lao border two times a week and guarantees that people get out/back on a new 60 day visa exempt entry (or they won't even take you)
www.thaivisaservice.com

As far as borders go
The only burma border open is the Ranong Pier/Kaythaung crossing in Ranong province you get to by boat.
Malaysia borders are hit/miss some people get told to stay out xxx days before they can come back, some people can pay a "processing fee" and get out/back that same day.
The Lao borders;
Nong Khai is NOT user friendly. You have any history of visa exempt entries (if they think you're milking free stamps to live here) and they'll say you can get out but you have to fly back in.
Mukdahan/Savannakhet isn't as strict but even there, people are turned back if you're doing it on your own.
Same with Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong up in Chiang Rai province hit or miss if you're doing it on your own,

On 3/23/2026 at 7:45 PM, persimmon said:

The IO looked at my pp,

Is this a new requirement ? is their privacy... or just like get it out in the queue? do they scan it like a fingerprint ?

On 3/24/2026 at 3:28 PM, Tod Daniels said:

Nong Khai is NOT user friendly. You have any history of visa exempt entries (if they think you're milking free stamps to live here) and they'll say you can get out but you have to fly back in.

they rightly don't like immigrants taking the piss by the sounds of it.

On 3/23/2026 at 9:10 AM, Toby1947 said:

Fly to Laos, have a few days holiday with much nicer welcoming people and fly back.

I have been in Laos for 3 months, i can categorically confirm, the Laotian people are not more welcoming than Thai

On 3/26/2026 at 7:05 AM, TwinTown said:

I have been in Laos for 3 months, i can categorically confirm, the Laotian people are not more welcoming than Thai

Maybe its you... just maybe.🤔

On 3/26/2026 at 8:35 AM, TwinTown said:

I have been in Laos for 3 months, i can categorically confirm, the Laotian people are not more welcoming than Thai

Agree. And everything is better and less expensive in Nong Khai than in Vientiane. Even some Laotian people agree.