Why do so many do a visa run, sorry if the question sounds odd but I hear lots about the buses full of people off on visa trips across the border. Why do they not just apply for a suitable visa ?

Good question. With no logical answer.

Maybe they do not qualify, maybe they do not have the cash available or sat in the bank.

In my case I am under 50, not married and have no definitive plans of how long I want to stay in Thailand. I applied for a double entry tourist visa in my home country and when that ran out and I wanted to stay longer I went for a visa run for another double entry tourist visa. It is cheaper and more convenient then flying back home to apply for another tourist visa, plus it was fun to explore Laos.

Is a tourist visa not a suitable visa? If not what is? Is there another option other then doing a visa run to get it?

Maybe some of them are under 50, not married, and aren't 'interested', to get a work permit or married, with (only for) the option 'extension of stay'?

Some others changed there travel schedule, maybe? Instead of traveling around, they stranded in LoS?

Edited January 8, 201313 yr by noob7

Some are crossing the border and returning to activate the next entry on their appropriate Visa.

An inflammatory post has been removed.

In my case I am under 50, not married and have no definitive plans of how long I want to stay in Thailand. I applied for a double entry tourist visa in my home country and when that ran out and I wanted to stay longer I went for a visa run for another double entry tourist visa. It is cheaper and more convenient then flying back home to apply for another tourist visa, plus it was fun to explore Laos.

Is a tourist visa not a suitable visa? If not what is? Is there another option other then doing a visa run to get it?

You are doing it the proper way. What the OP was referring to are those that are making back to back trips every two weeks for another 15 day entry.

Many of these are people that are working illegally and are unable to or do not want to take off from work to at the least get a tourist visa.

The others doing this are perhaps just don't want to bother making a trip to get a visa or are not aware how easy they can be to get.

There can be no financial or not enough time excuse for not getting a 2 entry tourist visa from Vientiane. If you consider the cost of making 10 border runs to Cambodia (visa and etc.) plus the full hectic day compared to the time and cost of making one visa run to Vientane for a 2 entry tourist visa which gives you almost 6 months (60 day entry +30 day extension and +60 +30 again) without needing another visa.

Then they are those that are making border runs every 90 days for visa entries which is fine.

Thanks for your reply's, very interesting. It is interesting. As the rules change over the years I am guessing they are updated on here once THaivisa have it given they are correct

Good question. With no logical answer.

Very logical if you live near burma or malaysia border

Maybe people like to do a visa run,just for the hell of it.

Everyone to there own.