What is the easiest and cheapest way from Chiang Mai to get a 30 day visa exemption for Australian resident? Can you get the 30 day exemptions through a land crossing or does it have to be through an airport?

Have to be national of G7 country for 30 days at land crossing. AU is not. 15 days

Edited April 11, 201610 yr by jacksam

You would have to fly out and back to get a 30 day entry. You can get a 15 day entry at the Chiang Khong crossing that can be extended for 30 days at an immigration office for a fee of 1900 bht.

If you want a 30 day visa exempt entry you will have to fly out/back.

15 days only for Australians at land borders.

It is not clear when you need to travel. An example booking through Expedia CNX<->KUL on April 20 gives

Air Asia Dep CNX 09:10 Arr KUL 13:00

Air Asia Dep KUL 14:45 Arr CNX 16:25

Cost approx 5,500 baht

You would have to fly out and back to get a 30 day entry. You can get a 15 day entry at the Chiang Khong crossing that can be extended for 30 days at an immigration office for a fee of 1900 bht.

Thanks ubonjoe. Do you know anymore details about Chiang Khong.... If I go to Chiang Rai, can I get to Chiang Khong from there, and do I need to stay in Laos for a number of days or is overnight ok?

Thanks to all for your info and reply's!

You would have to fly out and back to get a 30 day entry. You can get a 15 day entry at the Chiang Khong crossing that can be extended for 30 days at an immigration office for a fee of 1900 bht.

Thanks ubonjoe. Do you know anymore details about Chiang Khong.... If I go to Chiang Rai, can I get to Chiang Khong from there, and do I need to stay in Laos for a number of days or is overnight ok?

Not sure about the best way to get there from Chiang Mai.

All you need to do is clear Thai immigration, enter Laos and then turnaround and come back. No need for a overnight stay.

You would have to fly out and back to get a 30 day entry. You can get a 15 day entry at the Chiang Khong crossing that can be extended for 30 days at an immigration office for a fee of 1900 bht.

Thanks ubonjoe. Do you know anymore details about Chiang Khong.... If I go to Chiang Rai, can I get to Chiang Khong from there, and do I need to stay in Laos for a number of days or is overnight ok?

Not sure about the best way to get there from Chiang Mai.

All you need to do is clear Thai immigration, enter Laos and then turnaround and come back. No need for a overnight stay.

awesome. Too easy. I will work out the rest. Cheers

If you want to go overland to Chiang Khong from Chiang Mai, there is a direct minibus:

http://www.greenbusthailand.com/website/en/

If doing this to save money, ensure you have US dollars for the Laos visa.

If you want to go overland to Chiang Khong from Chiang Mai, there is a direct minibus:

http://www.greenbusthailand.com/website/en/

If doing this to save money, ensure you have US dollars for the Laos visa.

Thanks BriTim. Sounds like you have experienced this before.... Can I just cross to Loas, then come straight back in, or is it best to stay for a night? And how much would you expect to take in US dollars?

You can just cross and come right back. Not sure there are even many places to spend the night on the Laos side of the border there.

The Lao visa on arrival will cost $30 US.

You can just cross and come right back. Not sure there are even many places to spend the night on the Laos side of the border there.

The Lao visa on arrival will cost $30 US.

Great, thanks for all the info ubonjoe! I feel a little safer to know all of this now.

The border crossing is about 10 kilometers out of Chiang kong town , if you take the bus to Chiang Kong, ask them to drop you off at the border turning off road and dont worry about getting US $ for the Laos Visa , they will charge you the equivalent in Baht