I may have problems getting visas, so I'd rather not rely on them when it comes to planning travel.

I want to stay in Asia as long as possible, preferably Thailand and Malaysia only.

I know I can stay in Malaysia for 3 months without a visa, and Thailand for 30 days (if I enter on the thai-malaysia border).

So would it be possible to just bounce back and forth between the two, using trains, and stay long periods of time (years)?

For example, would it be possible (and easy) to stay in Malaysia for 3 months, then take a train to Thailand for 30 days,

then go back to Malaysia for another 3 months, and back and forth like this? What problems might arise if I try to do this?

Thanks

Unless you are from Malaysia or a country that has a bilateral agreement with Thailand you will only get 15 days crossing the border and those are now limited to 4 and then you have to fly out and back in order to make another border entry. If you fly in and out you get 30 days.

Why do you think that you will have a problem getting visas. Tourist visas are easy to get.

I think I remember a post once that said Malaysia frowns upon people leaving and returning on a regular basis using the 90 entry.

As said only 15 days at the border crossing when entering Thailand. Apparently a limit of 4 back to back.

Ok thanks for the info and replies. But one thing Im confused about is this Thailand-Malaysia border thing. On the Department of State website for USA, under Thailand entry requirements, it says that you get 30 days if you cross into Thailand from Malaysia. This has changed since February?

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1040.html

It changed last November.The website is wrong this line is incorrect "(except for the Thailand-Malaysia border)". Only Malaysians get 30 days. Also the line about the old 90 days in 6 months is wrong because it was eliminated last November.

See this webpage: http://www.mfa.go.th/web/2482.php?id=2490

great. Its hardly worth it at 30 days, 15 days wouldnt work. I wish they would ease up a little and be more like Malaysia when it comes to these things. Id much rather stay in Thailand. Well thanks for the info, much appreciated.

You can get a single entry tourist visa in KL or Penang without a problem. In Penang it is same day service and KL next day. A single entry would give you 90 days total by extending the 60 day entry 30 days at immigration.

In Vientiane Laos you can get a 2 entry that would give almost 6 months without getting a new visa.

If you are over 50 you can get 90 day non immigrant O visas. And an extension of stay for a year.

wow thats great, I never realized it was that easy. I was always under the impression that they dont give out visas that easily. Alright well thanks for all the info, I appreciate the response.

As said only 15 days at the border crossing when entering Thailand. Apparently a limit of 4 back to back.

does it apply to 4 consecutive land crossings?

or a total of 4 entries by land i.e. within a year?

As said only 15 days at the border crossing when entering Thailand. Apparently a limit of 4 back to back.

does it apply to 4 consecutive land crossings?

or a total of 4 entries by land i.e. within a year?

Four land crossings total and then you need to do an entry by air or a visa entry that resets the count.

They are numbering the entry stamps. There have been reports of people getting the number one.