Visa Stamp Border Runs

[IanForbes]

Every 60 days I have to get my passport stamped as an exit and entrance. In the years past I had to physically go out of the country, even though I would rather have just paid the Thai immigration department the 1000 baht instead of taking a full day bus ride up to Mae Sai and back. I always thought that was a bit ridiculous and Burma was getting my money instead of Thailand. Now I heard from a friend in Pattaya that I no longer have to go out of the country, and the immigration department will do it for me if I pay them the fee. Is that true? It would save a lot of bother.

A second question is for a friend.

If my friend does not want to physically go into Myanmar, can he just check out at the Thai border in Mae Sai and then check right back in without paying the Burma border officials the 500 baht?

[kennkate]

I have to agree It's crazy you cannot just go down to your local immigration office and pay.

That is the the way it is. And No you you cannot just walk around to the thai side and come back in You have to Leave Thailand.

That means going to Mayanmar to get a stamp in and out for 500 Baht. I have asked at the Thai side and was told "You Must Go"

[Loaded]

60 days and leave the country - what sort of visa is this?

[gotlost]

60 days and leave the country - what sort of visa is this?

Canadian tourist visa?

[Ruperts]

Calling for common sense in Thailand? Good luck. But it would defeat the object of the visa somewhat though, don't you think?

By the way, how many pages of a passport does a visa run take up?

Burmese visa + stamps = 2 pages

Thai stamps = ~1/2 page

So maybe 2/3 pages in total?

I ask because I only have three left.

[gotlost]

Calling for common sense in Thailand? Good luck. But it would defeat the object of the visa somewhat though, don't you think?

By the way, how many pages of a passport does a visa run take up?

Burmese visa + stamps = 2 pages

Thai stamps = ~1/2 page

So maybe 2/3 pages in total?

I ask because I only have three left.

Sounds like time to get a new passport.

[Jdietz]

AFAIK (at least in Mae Sot), the Burmese side only gives you two stamps (entry and exit stamp), no visa sticker. Same coming back into Thailand, for a total of 4 stamps = half a page.

[love2u]

I have to agree It's crazy you cannot just go down to your local immigration office and pay.

That is the the way it is. And No you you cannot just walk around to the thai side and come back in You have to Leave Thailand.

That means going to Mayanmar to get a stamp in and out for 500 Baht. I have asked at the Thai side and was told "You Must Go"

I dissagree

From my own experience, I have walked around from the Thai 'exit' to the 'entry' without going in to Myanmar. I have done it the lat 2 times I had to do a visa run.

I never asked about it, so technically I might be breaking the law and my visa not valid, but the officers at the border have never mentioned it.

[IanForbes]

I have to agree It's crazy you cannot just go down to your local immigration office and pay.

That is the the way it is. And No you you cannot just walk around to the thai side and come back in You have to Leave Thailand.

That means going to Mayanmar to get a stamp in and out for 500 Baht. I have asked at the Thai side and was told "You Must Go"

I dissagree

From my own experience, I have walked around from the Thai 'exit' to the 'entry' without going in to Myanmar. I have done it the lat 2 times I had to do a visa run.

I never asked about it, so technically I might be breaking the law and my visa not valid, but the officers at the border have never mentioned it.

Thanks, I believe I saw a few people do just that on my trips last year. I'll let my friend know and he can try it. If it doesn't work he can always walk across the border and get a Myanmar stamp.

My visa permit is a triple entry tourist visa. You can get a single, a double and a triple entry visa if it is done originally out of the country at your place of origin. Each entry consists of exactly 60 days and no more. You can only get a maximum of 3, which adds up to a total of 180 days. But, if you leave Thailand at any time during one of your 60 day periods then you lose the remainder of that entry. However, it is very difficult to time your exits on exactly the final day of an entry period. That is why I like a little overlap.

[db1tau]

You can get a 30 day extension at the local immigration for 1800 THB without having to travel.

So you can actually get nearly 270 days out of that triple tourist visa (minus overlap).

[highonthai]

This is a good one......

[Loaded]

You can get a 30 day extension at the local immigration for 1800 THB without having to travel.

So you can actually get nearly 270 days out of that triple tourist visa (minus overlap).

That's why I was confused and asked what sort of visa requires you to leave every 60 days. I've never had a 60-day tourist but my understanding is also that each 60 days be extended for a further 30 days in CM.

Edited January 26, 2010 by Loaded

[IanForbes]

You can get a 30 day extension at the local immigration for 1800 THB without having to travel.

So you can actually get nearly 270 days out of that triple tourist visa (minus overlap).

That's why I was confused and asked what sort of visa requires you to leave every 60 days. I've never had a 60-day tourist but my understanding is also that each 60 days be extended for a further 30 days in CM.

The way it works is a person who doesn't want to reside in Thailand full time, but does want to stay more than just a month, they can apply for a tourist visa instead of just the one month entry that any tourist gets. After using up your triple entry tourist visa you can then take 3 more consecutive trips outside the country before you have to stay away for more than 6 months. If you leave the country by air you can get another 30 days, but if you only walk outside an official border crossing then you only get a 2 week extension.

For those that qualify, a foreigner can apply for work permit, a retirement visa or a marriage visa. There are different qualifications and costs for each. Because I only stay for 5 months at a time, the triple entry tourist visa is the cheapest and easiest way for me.

[Mario2008]

Each 60 day entry on a tourist visa can indeed be extended at an immigration office for 30 days by paying 1,900 baht and submitting a application form and pass photo.

But always remember to make use of your entries before your visa expires, as any entry not used will be lost.

The 90 day rule in a 6 moth period for visa exempt entries no longer exists. There is no limit, but there are reports that immigration might take an interest in people who stay in Thailand in this way for a long time, to be sure they are not illegally working.

[Loaded]

Because I only stay for 5 months at a time, the triple entry tourist visa is the cheapest and easiest way for me.

I'm sure Mario2008 will tell me if I'm wrong but you could stay 5 months on a double tourist if you extend the first for 30 days at immigration in Chiang Mai. Then you'd only need to leave the country once (a Mae Sai visa run) during that period.

Edited January 26, 2010 by Loaded

[PoorSucker]

Because I only stay for 5 months at a time, the triple entry tourist visa is the cheapest and easiest way for me.

I'm sure Mario2008 will tell me if I'm wrong but you could stay 5 months on a double tourist if you extend the first for 30 days at immigration in Chiang Mai. Then you'd only need to leave the country once (a Mae Sai visa run) during that period.

Correct.

Ian, you only need a double entry tourist visa.

Get stamped in for 60 days, extend 30 days at immigrations.

Make one trip to Mae Sai for another 60 days. (can be extended for 30 days)

[sk1max]

I have to agree It's crazy you cannot just go down to your local immigration office and pay.

That is the the way it is. And No you you cannot just walk around to the thai side and come back in You have to Leave Thailand.

That means going to Mayanmar to get a stamp in and out for 500 Baht. I have asked at the Thai side and was told "You Must Go"

I dissagree

From my own experience, I have walked around from the Thai 'exit' to the 'entry' without going in to Myanmar. I have done it the lat 2 times I had to do a visa run.

I never asked about it, so technically I might be breaking the law and my visa not valid, but the officers at the border have never mentioned it.

You have some proof of this little exploit I suppose? There's nothing technical about breaking law, you do or you don't. If this unlikely tale is indeed true it will no doubt catch up with you.

[love2u]

I have to agree It's crazy you cannot just go down to your local immigration office and pay.

That is the the way it is. And No you you cannot just walk around to the thai side and come back in You have to Leave Thailand.

That means going to Mayanmar to get a stamp in and out for 500 Baht. I have asked at the Thai side and was told "You Must Go"

I dissagree

From my own experience, I have walked around from the Thai 'exit' to the 'entry' without going in to Myanmar. I have done it the lat 2 times I had to do a visa run.

I never asked about it, so technically I might be breaking the law and my visa not valid, but the officers at the border have never mentioned it.

You have some proof of this little exploit I suppose? There's nothing technical about breaking law, you do or you don't. If this unlikely tale is indeed true it will no doubt catch up with you.

I thought this was about helping other people with their questions. What proof do you want? A copy of my passport? Why didn't you ask for prof that the other guy was told "You must go"?

I have nothing to gain by lying, what do you gain calling me a liar? Satisfaction?

[Mario2008]

Let's not start name calling and let 's cool things down.

The problem with that is that it is not legal and could lead to problems. We don't like to advice things that can lead people in trouble.

Maybe immigration isn't paying attention there, but many people have been turned back at border check-point because they did not entered another country first before coming back to Thailand.

[sk1max]

I have to agree It's crazy you cannot just go down to your local immigration office and pay.

That is the the way it is. And No you you cannot just walk around to the thai side and come back in You have to Leave Thailand.

That means going to Mayanmar to get a stamp in and out for 500 Baht. I have asked at the Thai side and was told "You Must Go"

I dissagree

From my own experience, I have walked around from the Thai 'exit' to the 'entry' without going in to Myanmar. I have done it the lat 2 times I had to do a visa run.

I never asked about it, so technically I might be breaking the law and my visa not valid, but the officers at the border have never mentioned it.

You have some proof of this little exploit I suppose? There's nothing technical about breaking law, you do or you don't. If this unlikely tale is indeed true it will no doubt catch up with you.

I thought this was about helping other people with their questions. What proof do you want? A copy of my passport? Why didn't you ask for prof that the other guy was told "You must go"?

I have nothing to gain by lying, what do you gain calling me a liar? Satisfaction?

So, that's a 'No' then? (re. proof) People may be tempted to break the law (as you have said you did) in order to save $10 or 500bht. on the word of someone's who says he did something. Not calling you a liar, your story sounds a little unlikely, that's all.

[IanForbes]

Because I only stay for 5 months at a time, the triple entry tourist visa is the cheapest and easiest way for me.

I'm sure Mario2008 will tell me if I'm wrong but you could stay 5 months on a double tourist if you extend the first for 30 days at immigration in Chiang Mai. Then you'd only need to leave the country once (a Mae Sai visa run) during that period.

I understand that, but the normal payment for a 60 day tourist visa was officially "waved" last year, so there was no difference between the cost

of a single entry (60 day) and a triple entry (three 60 day periods). I like the option of the extra time period because it means I don't have to leave on the exact date at the end of each 60 day period to get maximum effect. Two years ago it cost $40 for each 60 day period. This past season the government waved the charges in order to increase tourism, and to prevent the border runners.

And, thank you Mario for explaining that it is illegal not to actually leave the country. I'll inform my friend of that when we leave tomorrow. He can decide what to do with the 500 baht entrance fee to Burma. Personally, I try to follow all rules of any foreign country I visit.

[db1tau]

take a $10 bill. sometimes they accept that instead of 500 THB (take both and try the $10 first). you can save some Baht.

If you don't have $, you can change $10 for about 400 THB on the thai side. I think better some thai guy earns it than the burmese government.

[vagabond48]

take a $10 bill. sometimes they accept that instead of 500 THB (take both and try the $10 first). you can save some Baht.

Just to clarify, that is $10 USD.

By the way, how many pages of a passport does a visa run take up?

I ask because I only have three left.

Sounds like time to get a new passport.

If it is a US passport, just add more pages for free.

[realthaideal]

It's looking pretty-much settled here now, as in 'don't break the law', which is good. Why would you for 500B ($10 US better) chance one day getting hassled at the immigration desk...say while about to board your flight back to your country of origin for the holidays ? Imagine being informed you overstayed 90 days at 500B/ day and you have to pay before boarding, not to mention they'll likely detain you and question you for awhile, perhaps making you miss a flight.

Pick your favorite artist, but 'I fight authority, authority always wins' comes to mind here. It's an extra five minutes to pay your Burma entrance fee, get stamped, and collect your passport. Easy.

I'm personally not thrilled with having to do the run - just did my first one in a year on Monday - but it's alright to go over, have a look at another cr@ppy border town, buy some dvd's, and some souvenir preserved fruits n such to hand out to Thai friends, which always makes for good neighborliness. Find the upisdes to the situation.

[love2u]

Let's not start name calling and let 's cool things down.

The problem with that is that it is not legal and could lead to problems. We don't like to advice things that can lead people in trouble.

Maybe immigration isn't paying attention there, but many people have been turned back at border check-point because they did not entered another country first before coming back to Thailand.

Sorry if my previous repply was over the top.

I would like to add, that I did not know it was illegal to return wihtout entering Myanmar, and that I didn't do it to save 500 bath.

On the minibus trips you have an hour from drop off til pick up and I decided to spend the time eating instead of waiting in line at Myanmar immigration twice.

On the point of the legallities of the issue, I have tried to find an official site on the web that defines that you have to enter another cuntry for your return to be valid, but haven't found one. I'm not doubting what you are saying, but if I end up getting in trouble for this I would like to have read and prepared for it as much as possible.

And sk1max if it's that important for you to get proof, I can pm you the pdf file of my passport and you can see for yourself. I just dont feel comfortable with displaying that in a puplic forum, would you?

[sk1max]

Let's not start name calling and let 's cool things down.

The problem with that is that it is not legal and could lead to problems. We don't like to advice things that can lead people in trouble.

Maybe immigration isn't paying attention there, but many people have been turned back at border check-point because they did not entered another country first before coming back to Thailand.

Sorry if my previous repply was over the top.

I would like to add, that I did not know it was illegal to return wihtout entering Myanmar, and that I didn't do it to save 500 bath.

On the minibus trips you have an hour from drop off til pick up and I decided to spend the time eating instead of waiting in line at Myanmar immigration twice.

On the point of the legallities of the issue, I have tried to find an official site on the web that defines that you have to enter another cuntry for your return to be valid, but haven't found one. I'm not doubting what you are saying, but if I end up getting in trouble for this I would like to have read and prepared for it as much as possible.

And sk1max if it's that important for you to get proof, I can pm you the pdf file of my passport and you can see for yourself. I just dont feel comfortable with displaying that in a puplic forum, would you?

Look, many of us have been here for many years. I have numerous visa runs under my belt. Some involved checking in and out of LOS with the same officers. Some much much more inconvenient, uncomfortable & expensive than the one available to us in the north. Mai Sai is hot on every detail, in my experience they do not miss a trick. Senior officers have been posted there to catch even the smallest irregularity. Myanmar officers will show you the correct dated stamps in you passport so you are sure you wil not have to return to correct any errors. Thai officers will put the stamp next to the exit THL enrty & exit to Myanmar so embarassing errors do not occur. You must realize that Mai Sai is a significant point of security for both counties, even thou you can seen people wading accross the river once the border has closed, but that's for the locals. As a forienger, it's dangerous game you are playing, people have been repatriated to their own country for less. The end.

[IanForbes]

We did our border run and paid the 500 baht. The Burma border guards refused the $10 American bill I offered.

Now, have I got a deal for you guys... Viagra for 200 baht for a box of 4 tablets.

As an added bonus I'll throw in a few dried out cigarettes.

And, you should see the beautiful Burmese rubies I bought. The salesman assured me they were real.

[Loaded]

We did our border run and paid the 500 baht. The Burma border guards refused the $10 American bill I offered.

Now, have I got a deal for you guys... Viagra for 200 baht for a box of 4 tablets.

As an added bonus I'll throw in a few dried out cigarettes.

And, you should see the beautiful Burmese rubies I bought. The salesman assured me they were real.

Now if you had brought back some samosas, I would be interested.

Edited January 27, 2010 by Loaded

[Larry]

Unless the ten dollar bill is ripped or otherwise not clear, the Burmese will generally accept it. Next time you're at the airport with a few minutes to spare, just purchase a ten dollar bill or two with no commission from one of the exchange places. This way, you are not giving the Burmese government a little present. They deserve only a one way ticket to oblivion.

[Donnyboy]

theres no way i would try to shortcut the system, esp when i want to stay in LOS in the long term

coz there could be a day when an immigration official refuses entry