Hi all.  Did a very quick and painless (nearly) visa run over Friendship Bridge #4 yesterday.  The place was nearly empty - in fact when we parked we wondered if the bridge was even open!  Cleared Thai immigration in 2 minutes, jumped the bus across to Lao.  Took 5/10 minutes to clear Lao immigration in and out.  (The longest part was waiting for the bus back across to Thailand ... 20 minutes!)

 

Cleared Thai immigration for another 30 days.  Slight question as to why I've had 3 visa exempts, but my Thai wife and kids with me seemed to help to get the 30 days.

 

Most painful part was the drive from/to our house in Chiangmai. 

 

But.  For folks wanting another crossing alternative and one that is nearly empty .... this might be one.

4 minutes ago, kurtmartens said:

Slight question as to why I've had 3 visa exempts

Over what period of time? 

1 hour ago, perthperson said:

1 hour ago, kurtmartens said:

Slight question as to why I've had 3 visa exempts

Over what period of time? 

I am also very interested in the answer to this. If it is not too much trouble, can you please indicate dates of visa exempt entries, and whether they were by land or air. If you have been allowed three visa exempt entries by land this year, that would be important news.

I thought the visa exempt entry by land was restricted to 15 days only 30 days by air

12 minutes ago, jippytum said:

I thought the visa exempt entry by land was restricted to 15 days only 30 days by air

The 15 day entry rule was rescinded when the 2 visa exempt entries in a calendar year at land border crossings rule went into effect in January.

Hi.  To answer how many.  I had 1 visa exempt when I landed in BKK and a 30 day extension.  Then another visa exempt when I left Thailand to attend a meeting in Luang Prabang, Laos from the airport here in Chiangmai; with another 30 day extension on that one.  According to the wife it was the back to back extensions that raised an eyebrow.  Of course if Chiangmai immigration would give 60 day extensions for visiting the family, then .... but that is another post.

 

2 visa exempts + 2 extensions

 

Apply for my Non O now.