Laos "visa Run"

[Monokuro]

I'm here currently on a "30 day on entry" stamp (UK passport) which is due to expire on the 12th at which point I'll go over to Taipei for 2 weeks, then come back and repeat the process.

However, my friends have invited me to go to Chang Mai for the Songkran festival there which seems like it would be pretty cool.

I've been reading threads about visa running to Laos, but this seems to be more to apply for actual tourist visas which I don't need to do.

In my case, can I simply get a bus over the border, then get straight on a bus back and get another "visa on entry" stamp (which is just valid for 15 days right?)

I can then go to the festival and back to Taipei when it's all finished.

Or is it not going to be as simple as that?

Cheers!

[lopburi3]

It is as simple at that but you will have to pay for a visa to Laos at the border.

[thaiphoon]

Don't forget to take with you a recent passport sized photo for Laos visa.

[Monokuro]

Thanks guys - that's my Songkran all sorted then

[sarahsbloke]

why not get the bus from ChiangMai to Mae Sai (650bht pickup at hotel 7:30am, return by 5pm every day)

Burma border charges entry fee of 500bht (or $10), Thai border gives 15 day entry visa free

or I believe you can buy a 30 day visa extension at any Thai immigration office for 1900bht

[lopburi3]

OP does not have a visa entry so is not allowed a 30 day extension of stay.

[block2]

Better off getting VIP night bus from Bangkok to Maesot...which is en-route to Chang mai....motorcycle taxi to the bridge 100 baht return..nip over the bridge into burma pay 500 baht, no need for photos...pic taken on computor..back over bridge..15 day entry..back on bike to bus station....bus to Chang Mai from Maesot...

I usually pick up the VIP night bus from Nakhon Sawan to Maesot and its usually full of Burmese travelling back from from Bangkok..so it's best to book up in advance or get there early...theres 3 check points on the road from Tak to Maesot and usually at the 3rd check point the bus emptys.....you usually see all the burmese later on as you are going over the bridge..all squeezed into them police vans with the cages on the back off to immigration to get deported but they'll be back the following day....you see them all swimming across the river...Maesot is a pretty cool town.

Block

[Monokuro]

Thanks for the other options I'll bear them all in mind!

[Monokuro]

Another option someone suggested, would be to get a plane to Myanmar - then a connection back to Chiang Mai, thus negating the need for a Burma visa altogether and giving me 30 more days for Thailand instead of 15...

Would that work?

[Lite Beer]

Another option someone suggested, would be to get a plane to Myanmar - then a connection back to Chiang Mai, thus negating the need for a Burma visa altogether and giving me 30 more days for Thailand instead of 15...

Would that work?

You would get 30 days but would still need a Visa to enter Burma.

[Monokuro]

Even if I stayed inside the airport and didn't pass immigration?

[jazzbo]

...if you have not officially entered another country then for Immigration purposes you have never officially left Thailand.

[Mario2008]

That only goes for land borders, not for air borders.

[Monokuro]

Ok - and I'd need to get the visa first here then right? Or can I get one on arrival at Myanmar airport?

[jazzbo]

If you arrive at an airport in Thailand and, you have not entered another country with that second country's immigration and exit stamp in your Passport, even though you were officially stamped out of Thailand when embarking on your departing flight, I think you might have some problems with Thai Immigration...

That, in addition to how you were able to check-in and obtain a boarding pass for that flight from the second country back into Thailand as you must never have left the second country's airport transit lounge.