Need to leave Thailand to start my 2nd tourist visa (have a double-entry)

[Jason1921]

I live in the lower south and got a double-entry tourist visa in Laos 90 days ago. I now need to leave Thailand and come back on my second tourist visa. I tried this one month ago in Dannok in Songkhla's Sadao district, but I was told by Thai immigration officials that I had to leave Thailand for at least a day. I didn't have time to do that so I got a 30-day extension instead in Hat Yai. Now that is about to expire. I am thinking of possibly driving to Pedang Besar, leaving my car on the Thai side, and then going to the Malaysian side, staying at a hotel nearby, and then coming back across the land border there the following day. Does anyone think this could be a problem, or is it strongly recommended that I come back into the country by air?

[Lite Beer]

There is no need to stay a day.

Go to Pedang Besar.

Enter Malaysia, turn round and come back again.

You will find motorbike taxis that will take you round the route.

[ubonjoe]

Pedang Besar will let you leave, enter Malaysia turnaround and re-enter the country.

Sadao is the only crossing that tells people they have to stay overnight.

[Jason1921]

Thanks a lot for letting me know this.

[shaurene]

If I were you I would get a cheap flight to Malaysia and come back by air.

[halloween]

Check your dates!!!!

Your visa will have a "Use Before" date which actually means "expires on" and on mine it was before the extension was up. I did the crossing to be told second visa already expired.

[Jason1921]

Halloween - Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately, it comes two days too late. I just looked at the date when the tourist visas can be last used, and it is April 25. I got a 30-day extension last month for the first visa, and never bothered even looking at when I could use the second tourist visa. (Yes, I realize I should have now.)

This means that I can't use my second tourist visa.

I've had two tourist visas this year, so this means I can't get another one in Laos or Penang, right?

[Jason1921]

Is it possible to just cross the border in Pedang Besar and come back and get a 30-day stamp, or do I have to fly out and fly back in?

[ubonjoe]

Is it possible to just cross the border in Pedang Besar and come back and get a 30-day stamp, or do I have to fly out and fly back in?

Yes but you will only get a 15 day entry unless you are from a G7 country.

[halloween]

Is it possible to just cross the border in Pedang Besar and come back and get a 30-day stamp, or do I have to fly out and fly back in?

You don't have to fly out, only fly back in to get 30 days. Air Asia have flights KL to southern Thailand (Surat, Krabi, Hat Yai, Phuket) for around AU$50. Bus or train from Pedang to KL every day.

[BritTim]

Halloween - Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately, it comes two days too late. I just looked at the date when the tourist visas can be last used, and it is April 25. I got a 30-day extension last month for the first visa, and never bothered even looking at when I could use the second tourist visa. (Yes, I realize I should have now.)

This means that I can't use my second tourist visa.

I've had two tourist visas this year, so this means I can't get another one in Laos or Penang, right?

I've had two tourist visas this year, so this means I can't get another one in Laos or Penang, right?

You would have no problem getting another double entry tourist visa in Savannakhet.

[Jason1921]

I went to Pedang Besar and came right back. Got 30 days. Some questions, but no problems.