I've been in Thailand since 2014, mostly on ED visas with visa exempt and tourist visas as bridges.

Has anything changed or tightened up at the border this year? Do you guys think it's worth the extra time to get the tourist visa? Or is visa exempt basically safe even with a long history?

I typically take the train, from Vientiane to Nongkhai.

Just so you know, the Nong Khai border is not the soft touch, user friendly border crossing it used to be.

You run the risk of being told you can stamp out at that border but you can't stand back in by land, meaning you have to fly or being told they'll let you out but you need to buy a visa to get back in.

With an extensive entry/stay history to Thailand your safest bet is to use a border bounce service that has the wheels greased so that their clients get out and back in the same day.

In Bangkok you can use Thai Visa Service, they go to the Lao border several times a week

Edited July 28Jul 28 by Tod Daniels

3 hours ago, Hal65 said:

Has anything changed or tightened up at the border this year? Do you guys think it's worth the extra time to get the tourist visa? Or is visa exempt basically safe even with a long history?

Your post seems a wind up.

So in 12+ years using various loops such as ED visas etc.

At some point visa exempt will be back to 30 days.

Be specific of how long you want to stay in Thailand for next visit.

There are other options especially if 50+ or even DTV

Not to be casting dispersions err aspersions nor meaning any outright respect errr I mean disrespect

You have an extensive entry/stay history using ED visas/free stamps for the last 12 years; which BTW even if you used those visas/extensions at a real thai uni to get a degree is not something I'd be tooting the drum or beating the horn about in any way shape or form..

Surprisingly (or not) you're the exact demographic they are looking for to deny entry trying to bounce out/back at a Lao border to get a new free stamp entry.
AND
keep in mind even if you went to one of the thai consulates in Lao and bought a real tourist visa you'd still probably get hassled coming back into the country because of your entry/stay history..

Remember just because you have a valid visa doesn't guarantee you get in to the country, only that IF they let you in they stamp you for the days your visa is valid for..

I would concur with Dr Jack and say if you're going to continue to stay in thailand you need to look for more viable long term visa/extension options..

Make sure you cancel the ED extension in your passport BEFORE you leave the country, just exiting and stamping out does not cancel an extension officially and having an 'open extension' (even if it ran out) in your passport can be problematic down the road..

Sincerely, best of luck with your endeavor..

12 hours ago, Hal65 said:

I've been in Thailand since 2014, mostly on ED visas with visa exempt and tourist visas as bridges.

What's your longterm plan after all those years? Do you have another ED visa lined up already? Or do you want to switch to another kind of visa/extension?

What's new is that not only the airports, but also the land borders are more likely interested in your history nowadays. So you'll need to plan this carefully.

Edited July 28Jul 28 by Caldera

On 7/28/2026 at 3:56 AM, Caldera said:

What's your longterm plan after all those years? Do you have another ED visa lined up already? Or do you want to switch to another kind of visa/extension?

What's new is that not only the airports, but also the land borders are more likely interested in your history nowadays. So you'll need to plan this carefully.

Oh damn, sounds like a big change this year. Train crossing too?

Long term plan is EDs for another 10 years and then retirement visas. I know the forum dislikes this path. Local Pattaya ED schools know that it's fine (once back in the local ecosystem... border is the one hiccup).

With ED visas you have to:

1. Cancel current visa

2. Exit and re-enter with a tourist or exempt

3. Re-apply for another year of ED

Maybe this year I'll pay for the border bounce service then.

Edited August 4Aug 4 by Hal65

1 hour ago, Hal65 said:

Long term plan is EDs for another 10 years and then retirement visas. I know the forum dislikes this path. Local Pattaya ED schools know that it's fine (once back in the local ecosystem... border is the one hiccup).

Why waste time and effort with this when the DTV exists now?

And this school told you that you can do ED for another 10 years? I find that difficult to believe, and unlikely to work.

6 hours ago, Hal65 said:

Long term plan is EDs for another 10 years and then retirement visas.

Good luck (not) with that.

There are options, eg DTV however your plan is game the system.

Trolling post removed

8 hours ago, Hal65 said:

Long term plan is EDs for another 10 years and then retirement visas. I know the forum dislikes this path. Local Pattaya ED schools know that it's fine (once back in the local ecosystem... border is the one hiccup).

Historically, that has proven true so far, but I'd take any prediction for such a long period of time with a pinch of salt.