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You are here: Home / Visa Stuff / The Fastest & Most Comfortable Visa Run Under 3,000 Baht [In 10 Easy Steps]

The Fastest & Most Comfortable Visa Run Under 3,000 Baht [In 10 Easy Steps]

This visa run option can be done from any airport where Nok Air has a flight into Udon Thani, which includes Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket.

I first used this method because my 90-day stay was up on my Non-Immigrant O Visa. I wanted another 90 days and needed to leave and return to get a stamp.

However, this visa run is applicable to anyone who needs to stamp in and out on any visa.

Since first writing this post things have changed slightly, so I'm updating this post for 2023 with the latest details.

Basically, the original post used the Nok Air Fly n' Ride service. But since the Covid restrictions ended the airline hasn't reinstated this service, which used to take you all the way to Vientiane.

They may reinstate the route at any time, so do check first.

If not, no worries; it's just as easy to recreate the route yourself.

There are two options for this trip, to do it in one day or stay overnight.

Get Your Visa for Laos

Just a quickie before we start, because you don't want to forget this important requirement.

The likelihood is that you will need a visa to enter Laos. I do and I'm from the UK.

To save time at the border and avoid having to fill out forms and hang about, you can get a visa before you go.

Simply go to iVisa and do your application online. You'll get a single entry tourist visa, valid for 60 days.

+ Go to the iVisa website

Fastest Thai Visa Run Under 3,000 Baht

thailand-visa-run

Under 3,000 Baht return!

Option 1: Same Day Return

Not only is the fastest visa run possible, it is also the most comfortable and one of the cheapest.

It costs less than 3,000 Baht, and you don't have to sit cooped up in a minivan with a mad driver risking your life for 10-12 hours of the day.

I'm traveling out of Don Mueang airport in Bangkok, so I'll write this post from that point of view.

Documents, Money, Tools Required:

  • Departure card (filled in).
  • 30 Baht for bus ticket across the bridge (15 Baht each way).
  • 1x photo for Laos immigration.
  • $35 for Laos immigration (you can change your money up at the airport, but best to be organized and have it beforehand). You won't need this if you have already got an eVisa.
  • Pen (for filling out forms).
  • Lunch and snacks.

Step 1:

Book a Fly n' Ride ticket to Udon Thani with Nok Air.

If they don't have the Fly n' Ride option available, book to Udon Thani instead.

If you want to do this trip in a day then the latest flight you can book is the 13.20 pm flight.

But that's pushing it. You're better off going with the 7.50 am out of Don Mueang airport.

If you go for the 6 am flight, you could even be back in Bangkok, or wherever you flew in from, before lunchtime.

Step 2:

Take a taxi to Don Mueang airport, or, if outside of Bangkok to wherever your local airport is.

It's a domestic flight, so you can check in one hour before. I always do so two hours before, regardless. No risks taken.

Just get to the airport earlier than you need to, as you never know what delay you might run into on the way there.

Step 3:

You won't need an over night bag, so you'll have no luggage to check-in. This also makes your flight cheaper.

If you were able to book the Fly n' Ride route, you'll be given a sticker at check-in that tells the staff when you land that you are transferring to Vientiane (see the image below).

Go straight to the departure lounge and take advantage of the free WIFI while you wait. Connect to “Nok Wifi” and enter your Nok Air booking ID to login.

nok air fly n ride

You'll get one of these transfer stickers when you check in at Don Mueang airport.

Step 4:

You'll land in Udon Thani at 9 am.

As you make your way to arrivals, you'll see a toilet on the right-hand side before you go down the stairs. Use this toilet to go for a wee. You'll be in the mini-van for 45 minutes and the driver won't be making a gas station stop on the way.

Step 5:

Go down the stairs and look for the Nok Air rep with the clipboard. He/she will be waiting for you by the door. Follow the staff member to the minivan.

The van they use is usually a modern one. It has seat belts and air-con vents throughout. The driver tends to drive safely because he is representing the airline.

If you were only able to book to Udon Thani because the Fly n' Ride option wasn't available, don't worry.

Simply go to the Udon Kaew Tour company desk in arrivals. You can get a mini-van ticket from there for your trip to the border, which is called Friendship Bridge. Yhe cost should be no more than 200 Baht.

Step 6:

If you haven't already done so, make sure you have filled out your departure card. This will save you time when you get to Thai immigration at the border.

Be careful not to get out of the van too early. The van usually stops at a travel agents and at a shopping mall fairly near the border. A few people depart here.

Your stop is the final stop, as pictured below:

nong khai immigration

I didn't want to get too close while taking pictures at Thai immigration because you're not allowed.

Step 7.

Jump out at the checkpoint and make your way straight to immigration.

Collect a new arrival card to fill in while you are in Laos (for your return journey).

Once through Thai immigration, buy your 15 Baht bus ticket from the nice lady.

This bus will take you across the Friendship Bridge to Laos.

Ask if it’s the correct bus before you get on!

Don’t bother sitting if you don’t have to; it’s only a few minute’s ride.

bus across friendship bridge

The buses across the bridge tend to be old and full.

Step 8:

Jump off the bus and walk straight to ‘window 1' to get your forms.

Don’t bother downloading your form from a site to fill in before your journey. I did this last time and it was refused. Gutted!

Refuse all touts offering you a taxi or to help you fill in your forms.

Sit down on the bench and fill in your forms.

Watch your bag at all times!

Go back to ‘window 1' and give in your forms, passport, photo and $35. (Never pay in Baht, you will pay more that way).

Now go and wait by ‘window 3' to get your passport back.

Step 9:

Collect your passport and walk through to show it at the immigration checkpoint.

On the other side, a member of Nok Air staff will be waiting to meet you. There's a big Nok Air sign; you can't miss it.

If you have booked a flight back to Bangkok on the same day, you will need to sign to refuse the transfer to Vientiane and let the Nok Air staff know you are going back to Thailand straight away.

If you didn't book Fly n' Ride, you can just turn around and proceed to go back to Thailand.

Step 10:

Simply turn around and go back through immigration. Buy a bus ticket for 15 Baht (or 4,000 Kip) and repeat the process in reverse.

You will now need a minivan back to Udon Thani airport. If you booked the a same day Fly n' Ride return you will most likely be too early for the van, so you'll have to jump in an independent minivan.

And if you didn't book Fly n' Ride and instead a return to Udon Thai airport, you'll need a minivan anyway.

There is always a van or two filling up with people. I jumped in one for 200 Baht last time I did this in one day.

Option 2: Stay Overnight in Vientiane

I really prefer this option because it means less traveling in one day, and I get to see the sunset over the Mekong, have dinner in Laos, and do some shopping at the night market.

Oh, and grab a foot massage, if I have time.

So, it's all the same steps as Option 1, except at ‘Step 9' you jump in the Nok Air minivan and go through to Vientiane.

If your hotel is on the way, the van will happily drop you off. If not, you will be taken to a travel agent in town named Trans-Express.

This is the official Nok Air drop off and pick-up point.

You then have to make your way to your hotel, which will be walkable if you use one of my hotel recommendations below.

Hotel Recommendation 1: IBIS Nam Phu

I’ve stayed at the Ibis Nam Phu three times. I go back because it’s reliable.

I know what I’m getting and it has been a wonderful experience every time.

It's clean, nicely decorated, good WIFI, and great customer service.

The staff all speak English (front desk) and are super-helpful.

Here’s a quick pros and cons breakdown for you:

ibis hotel vientiane

The Ibis rooms are clean and modern.

Pros:

  • Centrally located.
  • Can walk to and from the Nok Air drop-off/pick-up point.
  • Very clean (international chain hotels have standards to adhere to).
  • 15-minute problem solving policy (they solve any issue within 15 minutes).
  • Wonderful lobby for relaxing/working.
  • Close to the night market.
  • Next door to Nam Phu (music, restaurant and bar).
  • Close to everything: temples, shops, restaurants, etc.
  • Comfortable bed.
  • Flat screen TV with international news channels.
  • Work desk in room.
  • Great WIFI.
  • Good breakfast options.
  • Bar and restaurant open all day.

Cons:

  • Not that cheap at around $70 per night, but for the location and the quality you can’t go wrong – there won’t be any unwanted surprises!
  • Some rooms are smaller than others.
  • Breakfast is not usually included in the price. You can get a full breakfast for $8, or the smaller cereal, fruit, coffee breakfast for $5. Don’t sweat this, though; there are three cafĂ©s, all serving great food, within walking distance.
ibis hotel vientiane

The lobby and restaurant are open plan. There's a long desk for working and sofas to chill out. There's also a bar (not pictured).

+ Check out prices for the Ibis here

Hotel Recommendation 2: Lao Orchid

My second recommendation is the Lao Orchid Hotel.

I’ve stayed here twice and you won’t be disappointed with this choice either.

laos orchid vientiane

Pros:

  • Fantastic location, opposite a lovely temple and right next to the night market.
  • Lovely staff.
  • Wonderful lobby for chilling.
  • Great restaurant: Open-plan means you can chill there in the daytime.
  • Has parking if you want to hire a car.
  • Great breakfast buffet.
  • Bar and restaurant open all day.
  • Clean, spacious rooms.
  • Good WIFI.

Cons:

  • Can be a tad noisy, though good sleepers won't be affected. On my first visit I experienced dogs barking until 2 AM. I assume they were in the temple grounds.
  • The night market goes on until 9/10 PM, so it's a solid 11 PM before everyone has gone home to bed. It's a pretty sleepy town though, and there isn't much road noise at all after 11 PM.
  • Not cheap in comparison to “backpacker” hostels, but mid-priced compared to the Salana and the Dhavara.

+ Check out prices for the Laos Orchid here

Last Steps – Back to Thailand

Step 11:

Okay, this brings us to the last step in this Thai visa run process.

Remember, you need to meet at the Nok Air meeting point, which as I mentioned previously is currently the Trans-Express travel agents.

Arrive here a solid 15 minutes before departure time.

Go inside and sit down on the bench provided. The driver will arrive with a clip-board to check you in. He will leave sharply, so don't be late.

trans express vientiane

You'll know you're at the right place because the office looks like something out of the 1970s. They still had a Golf Tour brochure on display from 1995!

Step 12:

If you haven't done so already, fill out your Laos departure card before you leave to save time when going through immigration.

If you remembered to pick one up on the way in, fill out your Thai immigration arrival card too.

Step 13:

You will be dropped off by the minivan at immigration (border control).

Once through, you need the bus ticket to cross the bridge. This costs 4,000 Kip, so make sure you save some kip. You can pay in Baht, but having Kip saves time.

*NOTE: Don’t change up too much Kip. You can’t change it back to Baht in Thailand or anywhere else for that matter. No one wants this currency!

+ Read my Laos money guide here

Don’t sit down on the bus. Stand at the front so that you can be one of the first to get off.

Once you’ve arrived at Thai immigration, get straight into the queue; the last thing you want is a bus-load of border runners getting in front of you – this could cost you 45 mins or more.

Step 14:

On the other side, walk straight ahead until you see a bench next to a Nok Air sign.

Now, PAY ATTENTION!

DO NOT listen to the touts telling you that you have missed the Nok Air bus.

If in doubt, call the number provided on the sign. These touts are trying to trick you into taking a taxi/van with them, which will set you back in excess of 300 Baht.

The minivan will arrive. Sign your name and seat belt up for the ride.

You’ll probably have a couple of hours to kill at Udon Thani airport.

There’s a restaurant on the second floor, before you clear security to go into the waiting lounge. There’s also a coffee shop and gift shops on the first floor.

Inside the lounge is a Black Canyon Coffee shop and some snack shops. Being an airport, expect to pay premium prices for snacks.

That’s it! You’re done.

Get on the flight and return to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket or wherever you came from or are going to.

udon thani airport

Boarding the plane at 6.35 PM Udon Thani Airport

Need a Tourist / Non O Visa From the Vientiane Thai Embassy?

It may be the case that you want to go over the border and visit the Royal Thai Embassy in Vientiane.

To do that, you can apply the same steps using the information above, but bear in mind that you will most likely need to stay overnight, unless you take a very early morning flight.

You have to make an appointment to visit the Royal Thai Embassy in Vientiane to obtain a Tourist Visa or Non Immigrant Visa. You can't just turn up.

Before submitting the visa application in person at the Embassy, you will first need to schedule an online appointment.

Recently there have been reports of no available appointments for 2 weeks, so you may need to plan in advance.

The online booking platform can be found here.

If you're in a pickle and need that visa much faster, you'll need to think about another embassy; perhaps consider Vietnam (Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh).

You can usually get one done in a day there. Or try Penang, Malaysia, though get there early as they only accept 100 applicants per day.

And don't forget your visa for Laos!

More Tips for a Better Life in Thailand

Send Money to Thailand:

Use Transferwise. It is fast, cheap, and gives you the market exchange rate. Me and the majority of my readers are using it.

Get Good Health Insurance:

Start with a quick quote from Cigna. Then compare my other recommendations here.

Improve Your Thai Skills:

Learning Thai makes life here easier and more fun. I use Thaipod101. It is free to get started & easy to use.

Protect Your Online Privacy:

A VPN protects you against hackers and government snooping. I always use one. You should too. Read why here.

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Last Updated on February 6, 2023

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Comments Sort by : newest | oldest

  1. Luna says

    January 4, 2023 at 4:39 pm

    Hi all! Just wanted to add that I did my second border bounce in Nong Khai on Dec. 20th and at the Laos border they were asking for vaccination records. Last time ( this last october ) it was not required.
    I am not vaccinated so my only other option was to back track back to Thailand and get a covid test in a hospital and bring back a negative certificate. It was a total hassle as I had been stamped out of Thailand but not in Laos yet. It caused a lot of confusion when I tried to go out and back through again after going to the hospital. So make sure you bring your vaccination records or a negative covid test ( only from a hospital ).
    Reply

    Jan 04, 2023 at 4:39 pm

    • TheThailandLife says

      January 4, 2023 at 5:49 pm

      Thank you for the update Luna. That must be in light of the new infection scare stories coming out of China. BTW, did you get a 45-day stamp when you re-entered Thailand?
      Reply

      Jan 04, 2023 at 5:49 pm

      • Luna says

        January 4, 2023 at 5:58 pm

        I did! They did inquire about my long-term visa plan and I told them I'm trying to get it sorted and hopefully it will be my last border bounce.
        Reply

        Jan 04, 2023 at 5:58 pm

        • TheThailandLife says

          January 4, 2023 at 6:02 pm

          Nice one! Thank you for letting me know. Happy New Year!
          Reply

          Jan 04, 2023 at 6:02 pm

  2. Frank says

    December 31, 2022 at 4:18 pm

    Thanks a lot for the very helpful post.
    Still have one question:
    I’m at the end of my 30 days extension of the 45 days visa exemption. Planning to do the Border run in Nong Khai and back to Thailand after one overnight in Vientiane. Is it true that I can get a 45 days visa exception upon reentering Thailand in Nong Khai? This is my first visa run, German passport. I have no plan to go to the Thai Embassy in Vientiane.
    I’m asking because there is (unverified) Information that there are difficulties getting the 45 days visa exception upon reentering Thailand from Laos at Nong Khai and it might be easier to go to Cambodia instead.
    Thanks in advance for any advise on this.
    Reply

    Dec 31, 2022 at 4:18 pm

    • TheThailandLife says

      December 31, 2022 at 8:34 pm

      Hi Frank, you should have no problem getting the 45 days, as is currently the norm. However, it is always up to the discretion of the immigration officer as whether, based on the situation, he/she offers the full 45 days (usually 30 but currently 45 wit a temporary change in rule).
      Reply

      Dec 31, 2022 at 8:34 pm

  3. Richard says

    November 1, 2022 at 9:48 am

    I need some advice on this, I’m currently in China planning on arriving in Bangkok the end of November on a 60 day multiple entry Visa. I will not have a round trip ticket. Instead I plan on buying a multi-city ticket on Thai Airways, China to Thailand and 58 days later Thailand to Singapore.
    Will this satisfy both the airline and Thai Passport control and not cause me any problems trying to enter the country?
    Reply

    Nov 01, 2022 at 9:48 am

    • TheThailandLife says

      November 1, 2022 at 4:45 pm

      You'll be fine. You have a valid visa and therefore do not need proof of a return or onward flight.
      Reply

      Nov 01, 2022 at 4:45 pm

  4. Peter says

    October 21, 2022 at 10:04 am

    This gotta be the worst way for a visa run.. just book a same day return for kualalumpur for about $100 and be done with it!
    Reply

    Oct 21, 2022 at 10:04 am

    • TheThailandLife says

      October 21, 2022 at 3:01 pm

      This is best in my opinion. BKK to KL takes longer and is more expensive. It's 4 hours 20 minutes flying, plus airport waiting times and transfers.
      Reply

      Oct 21, 2022 at 3:01 pm

  5. Alice says

    October 13, 2022 at 10:13 pm

    Thank you so much for keeping this updated! I’m about to leave for Friendship Bridge #4 in a few days. Any tips? I’ll let you know what happens too.
    Reply

    Oct 13, 2022 at 10:13 pm

    • TheThailandLife says

      October 13, 2022 at 11:13 pm

      Hey Alice, only what's here really. Don't worry. It's easy!
      Reply

      Oct 13, 2022 at 11:13 pm

      • Alice says

        October 30, 2022 at 11:12 pm

        So Friendship Bridge #4, The only way out there and mostly back is to use GreenBus. We did a 1 way ticket out, and that was a mistake. Holiday weekend! Hopefully we won't need a next time, but we'll definitely book both ways. The bridge area is in some sort of restriction zone. Only authorized tuktuks, buses, vans, and taxi-trucks are allowed. No Grab is available nor authorized! You will need to buy a ticket for crossing over the bridge (฿20) and back (฿20) for the bridge bus (cannot walk!). There's almost nothing in this area. 1 or 2 snack shops, and public toilets (bring your own tissues/wipes). Remember that Lao Kip can only be used in Lao. Bring your photos, a blue ballpoint pen, and your cash for the visa on arrival. You will also need cash for the tuktuks, etc. It is a huge hike from the bridge area to any food, hotel, market, civilization, etc. in both directions; more than 2km. Take the tuktuks/taxi-trucks/bus/van. As of the middle of October, they are still checking temperatures.
        Reply

        Oct 30, 2022 at 11:12 pm

  6. Zena says

    October 10, 2022 at 12:12 pm

    Hello Peter,

    If I have gone out for a visa run can I extend the visitors visa for another month from immigration or do I need to leave the country again?
    Reply

    Oct 10, 2022 at 12:12 pm

    • TheThailandLife says

      October 10, 2022 at 4:18 pm

      Hi Zena, I'm not sure what you mean. What visa do you have now? Why did you go for a visa run? Was it to activate another 60 days on a multiple entry tourist visa or was it because your single entry tourist visa had come to an end?
      Reply

      Oct 10, 2022 at 4:18 pm

      • Zena says

        October 10, 2022 at 4:34 pm

        I am on a single entry tourist visa and it had come to an end so I had to do the visa run to have another 30 days. Now that I’ve done that, I wonder if I should leave the country and re-enter or just go to immigration and extend it
        Reply

        Oct 10, 2022 at 4:34 pm

        • TheThailandLife says

          October 10, 2022 at 4:39 pm

          Okay. So now you are on a 30-day exemption stamp. You can go to immigration and try to extend this by 30 days for 1,900 Baht. If you leave and re-enter you will be given 45 days, as that is the current rule (just started from October 1st and will last until March 2023).
          Reply

          Oct 10, 2022 at 4:39 pm

          • Zena says

            October 10, 2022 at 4:43 pm

            Oh I see, I will call the immigration service to double check. Thanks for your help!
            Reply

            Oct 10, 2022 at 4:43 pm

    • Thaijfc says

      October 10, 2022 at 4:46 pm

      Go to Imigration you can get 60 days Covid visa no test no problem just say due to Covid 1800 baht
      Reply

      Oct 10, 2022 at 4:46 pm

      • TheThailandLife says

        October 10, 2022 at 4:55 pm

        This ended at the end of August.
        Reply

        Oct 10, 2022 at 4:55 pm

  7. Michael says

    October 6, 2022 at 6:20 pm

    Can it really be true that with ivisa service online have to pay 2240 for laos goverment fee + 2690 for the visa to laos almost 5K to enter and go back to Thailand the next day? Not the 35 USD that is in this story…
    Reply

    Oct 06, 2022 at 6:20 pm

    • TheThailandLife says

      October 6, 2022 at 6:35 pm

      I don't know the exact price but of course you will pay more if using an agency to get the visa quickly. This also saves time at the border.
      Reply

      Oct 06, 2022 at 6:35 pm

  8. Tony says

    October 6, 2022 at 4:31 am

    Hi i am trying to fill out the visa for laos from udon thani.. But with this guide will i be entering from friendship bridge 1 or 2.. That got me confused and i can't continue before i know for sure.. Hope someone can answer since i have never taken this trip before.. Thanks in advance
    Reply

    Oct 06, 2022 at 4:31 am

    • TheThailandLife says

      October 6, 2022 at 5:23 pm

      The first, if you are entering from Nong Khai.
      Reply

      Oct 06, 2022 at 5:23 pm

  9. Luna says

    October 3, 2022 at 9:24 am

    Hi! This is extremely helpful, thank you. I need to go this weekend and will be leaving my baby behind with Dad so Im quite anxious to make sure I have all the required documents. I read somewhere that you should have proof of onward travel, proof of lodging as well as 20,000 baht in cash. Do you know if this is required at this border? I'm in the process of following my partners visa but need some more time. So proof of onward travel is the only thing that can be an issue. Thanks again for the great information!
    Reply

    Oct 03, 2022 at 9:24 am

    • TheThailandLife says

      October 3, 2022 at 3:50 pm

      What visa do you currently have? If you don't have a visa and you will be re-entering Thailand on an exemption stamp then you do need proof of onward travel, though I'm quite sure they won't ask for it. You could use a service like OneWayFly to get a ticket that you won't actually use. It's cheap.It's not 20,000 in cash; it's proof of funds. The only time I've heard of people being asked for this is when they suspect someone is going to be doing something illegal in the country. In this situation, as long as you can prove 20k Baht in an account you will be fine. Perhaps print off a recent bank statement and carry that with you. And have your ATM card to hand.
      Reply

      Oct 03, 2022 at 3:50 pm

      • Luna says

        October 3, 2022 at 8:58 pm

        I am on a covid extension now. But my passport is full of expired Visa ' O ' visas from previous years so hopefully they see I really am intending on getting a long term visa.
        Really appreciate all the advice, I havent done a border bounce in 10+ years and quite nervous with all the new regulations.
        Reply

        Oct 03, 2022 at 8:58 pm

        • TheThailandLife says

          October 3, 2022 at 9:04 pm

          Don't worry, it's the same old thing really. You'll be fine.
          Reply

          Oct 03, 2022 at 9:04 pm

          • Luna says

            October 6, 2022 at 10:10 am

            Do you know about how many days it takes to get the Loas Visa online? TIA
            Reply

            Oct 06, 2022 at 10:10 am

          • Luna says

            October 8, 2022 at 11:09 am

            Hi! Just wanted to say how helpful this was for me. I just completed my border bounce and it was exactly as you explained. I wasn't asked for anything getting stamped back in and it was all very smooth.
            Just leaving was a little tricky. No minivans around and taxis wanted 700 baht to the airport.
            A tuk-tuk driver ended up helping me and took me Kaew Travel Agency a few minutes away and I booked a mini bus back to the airport for 200 baht.
            I am actually sitting in the cafe next door waiting for my ride at the moment.
            Just wanted to give you a big thank you!
            Reply

            Oct 08, 2022 at 11:09 am

            • TheThailandLife says

              October 8, 2022 at 5:17 pm

              That's wonderful to hear. Thank you for reporting back. I'm glad the information was useful for you. There is always some form of transport when you turnaround and come back. I got lucky with a minivan a couple of times but I think I had to get a taxi once. As you say, they can always drop you at the travel agency and you can get one from there. Man, that travel agency has been there for so many years; they have the monopoly on boarder run travel between the airport and Nong Khai.
              Reply

              Oct 08, 2022 at 5:17 pm

    • JamesE says

      October 3, 2022 at 3:53 pm

      The ฿20K can be satisfied by cash (or equivalent) or a major credit card. I've never been asked to show anything regarding money, onward travel or lodging (except during COVID). When I entered last week I learned that they did away with the TM-6 immigration form recently. So all I had to do was show my boarding pass and passport and I was in.
      Reply

      Oct 03, 2022 at 3:53 pm

      • Luna says

        October 3, 2022 at 9:00 pm

        Great to know! Did you go through Nong Khai?
        Reply

        Oct 03, 2022 at 9:00 pm

        • JamesE says

          October 3, 2022 at 9:09 pm

          No, Suvarnabhumi.
          Reply

          Oct 03, 2022 at 9:09 pm

  10. Ray Goodwin says

    September 21, 2022 at 11:28 am

    Hi , just back in Australia. Spoke to agent while in thailand re. Long term stay(68yrs old ) She organize on 45day tourist visa. If all fails can I do border runs? If so how many. I wish to stay 12 to 18 months
    Cheers Ray.
    Reply

    Sep 21, 2022 at 11:28 am

    • TheThailandLife says

      September 21, 2022 at 5:02 pm

      The government just announced that tourists will now be given 45 days entry on arrival, so no need for an agent. A single entry tourist visa gives you 60 days.
      Reply

      Sep 21, 2022 at 5:02 pm

    • JamesE says

      September 21, 2022 at 10:09 pm

      You can do border runs but be careful as land crossing entries only allow a limited number of 30-day (45-day 10/1/22 - 03/31/23) entries per year. After that you'll be stamped in for a 15-day stay. Given that you're only planning on staying for 18 months maximum you should look into an O-A visa. It's a bit of a pain and has some financial requirements but one visa can give you nearly two years in Thailand. It could work out cheaper than multiple visa runs.
      Reply

      Sep 21, 2022 at 10:09 pm

      • Ray Goodwin says

        September 22, 2022 at 5:53 am

        Hi guys, thanks. I was wondering obout airborne visa runs.
        Will double check with agent. We were talking about organising visa within my initial 45 day stay. Not sure what type, but I think it can be renewed every 12 or 15 months. My problem with O A is existing medical issues. Can't get insurance. While my doctor is not concerned, I will allways have funds in reserve. Just wondering about options. 12 to 18months. Is a start.I think I would like to stay forever.
        Reply

        Sep 22, 2022 at 5:53 am

        • JamesE says

          September 22, 2022 at 11:11 pm

          Got it. The visa your agent is most likely talking about is the O (Retirement). You come in on a TV or visa exempt and then convert that to the O which gives you 90 days to set up all your finances at which point you can extend for a year. Check out TTL's guide here: https://www.thethailandlife.com/the-thailand-retirement-visa-guide
          Reply

          Sep 22, 2022 at 11:11 pm

          • Ray Goodwin says

            September 23, 2022 at 5:11 am

            Thank you , That sounds like the one. Just trying to line up all my ducks before renting out my home. Don't want to be left up the creek without a paddle
            Cheers Ray
            Reply

            Sep 23, 2022 at 5:11 am

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