Mae Sai not allowing Visa Runs as of today

[RubbaJohnny]

I leave my wife to assure that one wonderful wife is sufficient per continent at my age ,perhaps my English was a fault

GOOD NEWS FLY HOE

Visa run Laos via Chiang Khong suburb Ban Jogo near where the River Ing enters the Mekhonh and very well signposted inEnglish on superb well lit Aisa Highway dual carriageway coffe shops message parlours etc.For those who remeber sleepy C Kong the Hotels,Shopping Lamm Lotus KFC will be a shock.

Public Transport

The new CK Bus Station is almost complete half way fbut still 5km from bridge

Talking to a tuktuk driver who is obviously interested he guessearounf Mothers Day 12th August so It may just open in time for the ban !!!

Now Green Bus from C Mai or Mae sai has changed its last stop to outside its Office opposite 7/11 not Sopsom School.This is on the edge of CK maintown walking distance to Rimtaling 400m or many other digs on the riverbank

The town is linear stretchig 2km N to South along the west bank of the Nam MaeKhonhg facing the twin city Ban Huay Zai. So the new bridge 10km S is a hot dsuty detour !

From there White vans ply to the Bridge

But there are no digs adjacent apart from a lux rsort only readily accesible by boat or car beyond Ban JoGo ,I witnessed the construction and the 'well connected there would make even wwesterners who could afford a tad nervous"Enuff said lots of GH in 250750 range top end is aircon fridge sat tv wifi Teak garden

The bets bet with great info and trans border contact

Ban Rim Taling

Sophaphan (often on TV) has 3 trad gaffs while old favourites Tamila by the River Boon have trad Thai hospitality under $20 pm

If motoring the Yanok 40km near C Saen is superb

The new bridge is along walk or 5 mins drive fro ameniteis both sides

You are not allowed to walk over ,I did and its pretty but 600baht tax on bikes and cars need a car passport and Lao Insurance.Pedestrians pay I think 150 for tuuktuk which makes The Rimatling transfers superior comfort and value.

If your Thai partner has the Wheels she can cross on the old cheap ferry town centre

to Ban Huay Zia (also shown as Houe Xai ,Hay Sia and evry combo in books and Maps.

What is easier to grasp if you drive from C Mai/C Rai 4/2 hrs cross at 8am opening you can walk to HOE airport in time for Lao Aviation TURBO PLOP to Vientiane vai LPX Luang Prabang or make aholiday take the slow boats 70-7000 baht usual tourist price around 1750 on opn boat no digs or reserved seats there are lux boats with cabins occasionaly

Fly HOE to VTE the capital of LAOS where Thai visa can be applied

Costs around $112 up one way ,LA have an agent in C Mai BKK etc or try buy on the day,digs in adjacent Lao town are $6-$30 tops

If you arrive in VTE Sunday to Thurs pop your vias app in relax and fly in to Thailand

You could also fly to Savannakhet where more visa options have been well documeted here.

The new bridge 10km South of Chinag Kong is oopen for all nationalities today according to GH owner who is very well connected to VIP types so well informed to reality on ground.

So anyone can exit.

Laos visa on arriavl from free Mongols,Singapore and a few others

Most western folks pay $30-42 clean crsip unshredded US bills to the Lao folks

If this a prob while no banks sell $ theres a jeweller near the ferry and a few places who may be able to sell $$s plus arrange entire transfer from old convenient digs Thai side to where ferry and buses to China Namtha and other Bokeo towns via songthawe Viang Phuka (oh yes ) and Boten .Muang Sing (usualy transfer in Namtha old town not by Air America field in new towm)

Occasionaly direct transport negotiable to Oudom Xai,Luang Prabang

What the touts Dont tell you if you pay Bhats its always 20-500 more depending on your language negotiating skills

At last look was $30 UK France

$42 Canada

$ 35 Ireland

I have a feeling its what Lao's are charged by your country or maybe its 30 and they just cream the extra suffice to say its loose change compared to the Whole Page Sticker and the Thai exit stamps,So you'll need 3 min free pages

1 for in out thai stamps

1 for Laos visa

1 for new Thai sticker

boom voyage

There's some very nice vice in Bokeo and many pleasures forbidden even in USA

Casinos ,flex prices people its all very up to yuo,if your in a rush and expect American standard plumbing and western food its not for you.

Edited May 13, 2014 by RubbaJohnny

[Maestro]

...Would like a bit more info if a 1 year visa is avaliable?

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Multiple-entry non-immigrant visa valid for an unlimited number of entries into Thailand within one year from the issue date of the visa, arriving with which you will receive permission to stay for 90 days on each entry.

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[RubbaJohnny]

FYI

please check for updates as Lao is even less modern than LOS

http://www.laos-airlines.com/airfare_new.asp

with tax c $120 single a tad cheaper return does not run daily at present 11am 3 days a week southbound from HOE

Edited May 13, 2014 by RubbaJohnny

[John Clarke]

I would rather fly home to Australia (currently I can do15200 baht return Air Asia) get visa renewed, visit friends then return..

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[John Clarke]

Thats from Chiang Mai to Melbourne, 15200 baht return....about $505 au.

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[Tomtomtom69]

FYI

Spoke to a Thai travel owner in Ban hat Krai

The ferry for Chiang Khong is now only for

Thai ID card holders

Thai resident statelss folks hereabouts mainly Hmong Refugees

Citizens of PDR Lao

Permamnenet Resident of Thailand with all papers in order

and Ive personally seen many Chinese who seem to have the right paper to "open door"

It is possible ASEAN members with a full passport may also pass will be seein an Singapore polcemen who lives near the river and who mixes with the players.

Also awaiting update on renewal of ferry to China suspended since the shootings

Don't really understand what you mean but if you mean the ferry from Chiang Khong to Huay Xai, it's only really used by Thai and Lao traders who don't have a car. It can also be used for transporting motorcycles from Thailand across to Laos since you generally aren't allowed to drive a motorcycle across (but you would need to complete immigration formalities at the bridge). Otherwise, only Thai and Lao citizens can still use it. Those other categories of visitors can't...everyone else including most Thais and Laotians and all drivers of cars, buses and trucks now use the bridge.

[kanook]

A 30 day visa exemption by land is still possible at Mae Sai. I visited the Mae Sai checkpoint on May 13th to ask if I could do a run when my 30 days expires at the end of May. Was told if I wanted to cross the border 'now' I could. I declined and confirmed that I could still do it a the end of the month. As stated in another thread, I was told that passport holders of certain countries are abusing their visa exemption. Border staff was very friendly and answered all my questions politely.

[salim94]

Seems crazy to me.....do they have "different" visa regulations at other land border crossings? Should not matter where, the law should be consistent.

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hi there maybe l m wrong but l think the problem is , if u cross more than 3 or 4 times by visa run , u not allowed to back thailand so the problem is , in myanmar they not delivrey a visa for a forgeiner , so for that thai immigration not allowed forgeiner go there bcs they know they will back thailand

sry for my english ^^

[Paul888]

A 30 day visa exemption by land is still possible at Mae Sai. I visited the Mae Sai checkpoint on May 13th to ask if I could do a run when my 30 days expires at the end of May. Was told if I wanted to cross the border 'now' I could. I declined and confirmed that I could still do it a the end of the month. As stated in another thread, I was told that passport holders of certain countries are abusing their visa exemption. Border staff was very friendly and answered all my questions politely.

You should probably clarify how you got your current 30 day exemption as it is relevant.

I am guessing that you must have arrived by air, and so would not have had a previous land border exemption in which case I am not surprised, but if your current visa exemption stamp was attained at a land border also, I would be very surprised.

[thailover28]

A 30 day visa exemption by land is still possible at Mae Sai. I visited the Mae Sai checkpoint on May 13th to ask if I could do a run when my 30 days expires at the end of May. Was told if I wanted to cross the border 'now' I could. I declined and confirmed that I could still do it a the end of the month. As stated in another thread, I was told that passport holders of certain countries are abusing their visa exemption. Border staff was very friendly and answered all my questions politely.

kanook, yes, can you clarify whether your previous entry was by land or by air?

This is goooood news!

[kanook]

After the reports of refusal to allow border crossings in Mae Sai, I decided to verify the situation personally. Monday morning I visited the immigration office in Chiang Rai city and I received the official line that I could only cross for tourist purposes, but was told to check at the border for a definitive answer. For the past year, Mae Sai border officials have been limiting the number of crossings to 4 in succession and then you must fly out. When you fly back in you can start the process (4 crossings) all over again. I have been doing this, because frankly, it is more convenient and cheaper (Chiang Rai) than obtaining a Visa. May 13th, I drove to the border to verify, if this, or something else similar was still possible. To my surprise they told me that I was still eligible for four border crossings in succession and since I had already made one at the end of April I could still do three more. They even marked my last border stamp with a number 1 to make it clear and reassure me. The only difference now is that after the 'the 4 runs' I need to come back with a visa (tourist is fine). They also mentioned after looking at my stamp filled passport, "Oh, Canada, no problem, we have a problem with other countries".

Edited May 15, 2014 by kanook

[Paul888]

I don't know how reassuring that is Kanook.

It's one thing for them to have no problem stamping you out, but another thing entirely for them to stamp you back in.

Remember that they have no obligation whatsoever to let you back in.

If you are going to do it, make sure you research your options if turned away from the border coming back and that you have sufficient funds with you to either go somewhere else or get stamped in on a transit visa (I think they ask 20k cash for that).

[salim94]

Today l have call thaï ambassy in Paris and told me still can get 30 days visa by plan

Its a bit crazy rules not clear

Example l want go Thailand for 1 week and take my thaï GF go with her Kuala Lumpur for 5 days and back à gain thai land spend 1 week and go Cambodia by land l have 1 year visa in Cambodia and spend à gain 10 days in Cambodia and back Thailand for take my plan back to paris .

Hw should l do l can still travel like that or not

[kanook]

I don't know how reassuring that is Kanook.

It's one thing for them to have no problem stamping you out, but another thing entirely for them to stamp you back in.

Remember that they have no obligation whatsoever to let you back in.

If you are going to do it, make sure you research your options if turned away from the border coming back and that you have sufficient funds with you to either go somewhere else or get stamped in on a transit visa (I think they ask 20k cash

I was only relaying a real world situation at Mae Sai checkpoint. And if you read my initial post, Mae Sai checkpoint immigration had offered to stamp me out and back in again on May 13th.

[ubonjoe]

Today l have call thaï ambassy in Paris and told me still can get 30 days visa by plan

Its a bit crazy rules not clear

Example l want go Thailand for 1 week and take my thaï GF go with her Kuala Lumpur for 5 days and back à gain thai land spend 1 week and go Cambodia by land l have 1 year visa in Cambodia and spend à gain 10 days in Cambodia and back Thailand for take my plan back to paris .

Hw should l do l can still travel like that or not

You do not get a visa when you arrive you get a visa exempt entry. If you are from France you will also get a 30 day entry by land.

What you propose doing is what a tourist would do and will be allowed. You may need to explain to an immigration officer what you doing though.

The new rules are meant to stop those that trying to live here full time by doing visa exempt entries back to back.

[Paul888]

I don't know how reassuring that is Kanook.

It's one thing for them to have no problem stamping you out, but another thing entirely for them to stamp you back in.

Remember that they have no obligation whatsoever to let you back in.

If you are going to do it, make sure you research your options if turned away from the border coming back and that you have sufficient funds with you to either go somewhere else or get stamped in on a transit visa (I think they ask 20k cash

I was only relaying a real world situation at Mae Sai checkpoint. And if you read my initial post, Mae Sai checkpoint immigration had offered to stamp me out and back in again on May 13th.

I understand. My point was that different people stamp you out and stamp you in again and that you (or anybody else that takes your post as "everything is still ok for the moment" should at least have a contingency plan at hand in case you catch the wrong person on the wrong day when you try to come back in.

[Squeegee]

I just got a text message from someone at Aranyaprathet-Poipet border: from today more than 3 visa exempt stamps and they will only give 7 days there.

Note: 7 days as opposed to refused entry. However, this is with a border/visa run company. To try a run independently might result in a refusal same as other borders... or not... who knows?

[ukrules]

I just got a text message from someone at Aranyaprathet-Poipet border: from today more than 3 visa exempt stamps and they will only give 7 days there.

Note: 7 days as opposed to refused entry. However, this is with a border/visa run company. To try a run independently might result in a refusal same as other borders... or not... who knows?

7 days is a 'nice' version of the refusal of entry from what I understand, I believe it's meant to allow you to make plans and leave the country either permentnenly or plans to go to a different country and get a visa like a tourist visa.

This can easily be done by flying to Phnom Pehn (onernight serivce there from agent) or other places.

Or just go to Europe and get a 6 months triple entry tourist visa and wait for that to unfold / unravel over the coming months. Nothing is very clear right now.

[salim94]

I just got a text message from someone at Aranyaprathet-Poipet border: from today more than 3 visa exempt stamps and they will only give 7 days there.

Note: 7 days as opposed to refused entry. However, this is with a border/visa run company. To try a run independently might result in a refusal same as other borders... or not... who knows?

hello

you mean we will can make per year 3 visa run by land only or includ plan

and 7 days its pretty cool , bcs l will living in cambodia the end of this year , so l can go by land to penang

seriously they need make clear , ok u can make 3 VISA EXempt by land , but unlimited by plan , or both 3 visa land & plan is clear for us

http://www.thaivisaservice.com/visa-rules

if u read here , they will make new regulation again 12 august :-( <deleted>

Edited May 16, 2014 by salim94

[ubonjoe]

I just got a text message from someone at Aranyaprathet-Poipet border: from today more than 3 visa exempt stamps and they will only give 7 days there.

Note: 7 days as opposed to refused entry. However, this is with a border/visa run company. To try a run independently might result in a refusal same as other borders... or not... who knows?

hello

you mean we will can make per year 3 visa run by land only or includ plan

and 7 days its pretty cool , bcs l will living in cambodia the end of this year , so l can go by land to penang

seriously they need make clear , ok u can make 3 VISA EXempt by land , but unlimited by plan , or both 3 visa land & plan is clear for us

http://www.thaivisaservice.com/visa-rules

if u read here , they will make new regulation again 12 august :-( <deleted>

That only applies to that one border crossing. It could well be subject to change at any time.

It would not be for a year. It would be until you made a different type of entry. Getting a tourist visa would be the best option.

[KhunKevin]

Hi there, someone please clear this matter up or say it will change anytime because this is Thailand?

my triple entry tourist visa ended last month, so i went to Mae Sai for an extra 30 days, they stamped my passport with a number 1 written next to it and saying only 2 more,

So when i go this week will they turn me away?

For you information, i got married here in Chiang Mai in Feb this year and now have all the paperwork in Thai & English and a book for where i am staying. I also have my bank book which had the correct amount of money in it before my wedding.....all gone now!

So would love to hear your thoughts, i am English, if that makes any difference!

Cheers Kevin

[ubonjoe]

Hi there, someone please clear this matter up or say it will change anytime because this is Thailand?

my triple entry tourist visa ended last month, so i went to Mae Sai for an extra 30 days, they stamped my passport with a number 1 written next to it and saying only 2 more,

So when i go this week will they turn me away?

For you information, i got married here in Chiang Mai in Feb this year and now have all the paperwork in Thai & English and a book for where i am staying. I also have my bank book which had the correct amount of money in it before my wedding.....all gone now!

So would love to hear your thoughts, i am English, if that makes any difference!

Cheers Kevin

You can a apply a 60 day extension of stay to visit your wife. Your wife will need to go with you to immigration when you apply. You will need your marriage certificate, wife's house book and ID card plus copies, Cost is 1900 baht.

And?or you can make a trip to Savannakhet Laos to get a multiple entry non-o visa based upon marriage. This visa would give you 90 day entries for a year. They do not ask for financial proof,

[A12341]

So this week it is possible to get a 30-day visa exemption at Mae Sai? Can anyone confirm this??

[KhunKevin]

So this week it is possible to get a 30-day visa exemption at Mae Sai? Can anyone confirm this??

will tell you tomorrow if i dont get stuck in Burma!

[A12341]

So this week it is possible to get a 30-day visa exemption at Mae Sai? Can anyone confirm this??

will tell you tomorrow if i dont get stuck in Burma!

Thanks a lot in advance! You shouldn't get stuck in Burma, the Mae Sai officials would just not let you cross to Tachilek. Hope it goes well!

[A12341]

Any news from the border? Is no news good or bad?

[LivinLOS]

Just got back from doing a 30 day land crossing visa in Mai Sai (3rd crossing). Almost got turned away at the exit gate leaving thailand and entering myanmar. seems like there might be more leniency for the next month or so if you arrived with actual hotel guest paperwork, return plane ticket home showing a date that dose not exceed that 30 day period and 10,000 baht cash in hand (thats what the boarder officer was asking of us). after a phone call to my wife verifying my reason for being here and some other work related things, he reluctantly let us cross. while at the exit counter 2 other tourist walked up behind us in line to do the same thing and the officer told them to please step away from the counter so they would not see him process our passports. To no surprise the other 2 people behind us did not make it through and were turned back. the officer was without a doubt the main guy in charge and was trying to set an example for the other employees at the office. total time at the counter was about 30 minutes. all other tourist with proper single or multiple entry visa's were aloud to cross without any hassle.

Posted 2 days ago.. 20th.

[Tomtomtom69]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but looks as though anyone including those who have entered Thailand on a visa exempt stamp travelling to a neighbouring thai consulate to obtain a visa can exit Thailand at the land border and assuming successful application of the visa can still re-enter at the same land crossing with the new visa?

This is currently quite relevant to my current situation since I'm normally in on a non imm o, but visa expired before I entered last time from my work in Africa and entered on a visa exempt stamp, therefore planned within the next 2 weeks to make a new application

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Yes, no problems.

[Maestro]

Removed an incomprehensible post.

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[chinthai]

I have a NON-O visa (thai-wife) from Australia and must go to Mae Sai for my new 3-month stamp. I take 20.000 Baht in cash with me - it´s ok or I need

some paper more, maybe marriage certificate, yellow house book etc.?

I think with a valid NON-O visa, that I don´t have problems.

Can somebody confirm this?