I'm in Chiang Mai now, about to buy a bus ticket to Mae Sai.

Can I:

Get another 30-day stamp on re-entry?

Be back in Chiang Mai the same night?

It's my 1st ever "visa-run", and I'm an American.

Thank you for your help!

Why not apply for an extension to the 30day visa exempt entry at immigration ?

30 day extension will cost 1900Bht

If you are on a 30 day visa exempt entry now you got on arrival you can extend it at immigration for a fee of 1900 baht.

I thought I could only get an extra 15 days on my visa-exempt entry at immigration...?

You can get a 30 day extension at immigration. A new rule came into effect in August of last year that allows for a 30 day extension.

There never was a 15 day extension before only 7 days to leave the country.

Presuming you're from a G7 country and haven't had one before, yes you'll get 30 days, otherwise it's 15.

Green Bus from the Arcade Bus Station, get the VIP seats if you can. It's a day trip, leave say 7am, you're there a after 12, do the crossing, get your stamps, bite to eat (the Top North is fairly cheap and reasonable, although nothing exciting) 2pm bus back into Chiang Mai around 7:30.

It's an awfully long day though, you are better off just extending at Immigration.

It's an awfully long day though, you are better off just extending at Immigration.

Is not that is just "better", Mae Sai officer may not let him leave because he's the not taking the extension as they expect him to do.

It's an awfully long day though, you are better off just extending at Immigration.

Is not that is just "better", Mae Sai officer may not let him leave because he's the not taking the extension as they expect him to do.

Rubbish. It's his first ever border run, he won't have a problem. If he had a passport full of exit/ entry stamps, different kettle of fish.

Is not that is just "better", Mae Sai officer may not let him leave because he's the not taking the extension as they expect him to do.

Rubbish. It's his first ever border run, he won't have a problem. If he had a passport full of exit/ entry stamps, different kettle of fish.

Rubbish is your piqued answer based on ignorance. There are reports about Mae Sai not letting people leave. Keep insisting and the links will be posted to your satisfaction.

Is not that is just "better", Mae Sai officer may not let him leave because he's the not taking the extension as they expect him to do.

Rubbish. It's his first ever border run, he won't have a problem. If he had a passport full of exit/ entry stamps, different kettle of fish.

Rubbish is your piqued answer based on ignorance. There are reports about Mae Sai not letting people leave. Keep insisting and the links will be posted to your satisfaction.

Links? Evidence?

While I still believe it would be far easier and more convenient for him to just go out to Immigration out near the Airport and pay 1900 baht and get his extension, there are ZERO reports of border run virgins getting blocked on the Mae Sai/ Tachileik border.

It's his first time, there is 99.9% chance it won't be a problem. Extremely small chance? quite possibly, it's Thailand after all, but the ban is on back to backs. Worse case they let him cross, come back, then put a no more out/in stamp in his passport, and I'd doubt they'd do that for a virgin either.

Links? Evidence?

While I still believe it would be far easier and more convenient for him to just go out to Immigration out near the Airport and pay 1900 baht and get his extension, there are ZERO reports of border run virgins getting blocked on the Mae Sai/ Tachileik border.

Here's the answer from mod ubonjoe:

Mae Sai has been reported as turning people away and telling them to get the extension.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781397-30-day-extension-of-visa-exempt-stamp-in-taichilek/

A report of trouble:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803614-visa-on-arrival-walk-extension-possible-at-immigration-office/

More reports can be found by search. Please stop posting wrong information.

Links? Evidence?

While I still believe it would be far easier and more convenient for him to just go out to Immigration out near the Airport and pay 1900 baht and get his extension, there are ZERO reports of border run virgins getting blocked on the Mae Sai/ Tachileik border.

Here's the answer from mod ubonjoe:

Mae Sai has been reported as turning people away and telling them to get the extension.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/781397-30-day-extension-of-visa-exempt-stamp-in-taichilek/

A report of trouble:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/803614-visa-on-arrival-walk-extension-possible-at-immigration-office/

More reports can be found by search. Please stop posting wrong information.

Wow, one example.

Why not read other reports here as well where there has been no trouble at all.

Worse case, he is forced to attend Immigration in Mae Sai (presuming there is an office) or Chiang Rai (definitely is one.)

No one argues that Thai Immigration can at times be all over the place in terms of what rules apply one day to the next, but the likelihood of him having a problem at all is still very slim, given he's a border run virgin, or did you not read the dozens of reports about out/in stamps? Maybe I just imagined those posts as well?

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