Are border runs still a thing?

[AndyCBKK]

Just wondering if the border runs are still happening - where you get a guaranteed entry even if you have had a few visa exemptions in the previous year. Not talking about going in and out all year on a visa exemption - nothing extreme. Any recommendations? Thinking of extending my stay for a few months and have two visa exemptions already. And…of course I could apply for a visa online but would that work if I’ve had two visa exemptions already since Sept 2025? Thanks all🙏

[Leo_Bia]

From Pattaya?

I think only, Laos in a minibus is the only option, which I think is 25 hours in a minibus, a night in Vientiane, and a 25 hour minibus journey back.

Or fly somewhere.

 

[Kandinski]

Heard a couple of stories where people has been denied entry at BKK upon return from short trips to neighboring countries due to number of stamps. If possible; get the correct visa for duration of the planned stay before entering is the safest.

[AndyCBKK]

I guess the Cambodian trips are off. Here’s the thing - got in touch with a ‘reputable’ agent who promised a no-issue VIP re-entry service. They asked for 7K payment. I told them my visa history and they said “no problem”. Fast forward to today and they said they checked the 'database’ and I need a long-term visa.

Started to upsell an ED visa and then a retirement visa (65k). Told me they can’t offer a VIP service. This agency has a huge Facebook group. And this means multiple shills and ‘supporters’.

So…here I am having been told previously that I can get a VIP service that guarantees entry…now being told I need a long term stay visa. I find the whole situation kind of funny tbh. And this might be of interest to others on the forum. 

[Leo_Bia]

7 minutes ago, AndyCBKK said:

I guess the Cambodian trips are off.

Not by air.

[Rocketboy]

Since the conflict my Lao GF up until a few months ago had to make that visa run to Lao (She no longer needs to). Her daughter just did it last week.

 

The minibus leaves Pattaya 1700 arrives at Nong Khai Border Checkpoint 0530-0600... 12-13 hours she said.  They don't spend the night in Vientiane come back on the same day! 

Edited March 7 by Rocketboy

[Leo_Bia]

2 hours ago, Rocketboy said:

Since the conflict my Lao GF up until a few months ago had to make that visa run to Lao (She no longer needs to). Her daughter just did it last week.

 

The minibus leaves Pattaya 1700 arrives at Nong Khai Border Checkpoint 0530-0600... 12-13 hours she said.  They don't spend the night in Vientiane come back on the same day! 

Thanks, so the 25 hours I was quoted, was total journey time.

Makes sense 🙄

[momo5]

15 hours ago, AndyCBKK said:

I guess the Cambodian trips are off. Here’s the thing - got in touch with a ‘reputable’ agent who promised a no-issue VIP re-entry service. They asked for 7K payment. I told them my visa history and they said “no problem”. Fast forward to today and they said they checked the 'database’ and I need a long-term visa.

Started to upsell an ED visa and then a retirement visa (65k). Told me they can’t offer a VIP service. This agency has a huge Facebook group. And this means multiple shills and ‘supporters’.

So…here I am having been told previously that I can get a VIP service that guarantees entry…now being told I need a long term stay visa. I find the whole situation kind of funny tbh. And this might be of interest to others on the forum. 

Only Thai citizens are guaranteed entry at the border … all others are at the whim of the immigration official processing  entry at the border.  Even a valid visa does not guarantee entry, though it does allow one permission to enter under the prescribed conditions. 

The services you speak of depend upon their relationship with their contacts at immigration which can also change on a whim, so while there maybe a high level of confidence it will all work, there is still no guarantee of entry.  

The best solution is to just apply for a visa you qualify for that meets your needs.  If you want to stay long term, get a long term visa as you’ve been told.  

[momo5]

15 hours ago, AndyCBKK said:

Just wondering if the border runs are still happening - where you get a guaranteed entry even if you have had a few visa exemptions in the previous year. Not talking about going in and out all year on a visa exemption - nothing extreme. Any recommendations? Thinking of extending my stay for a few months and have two visa exemptions already. And…of course I could apply for a visa online but would that work if I’ve had two visa exemptions already since Sept 2025? Thanks all🙏

I don’t see why it wouldn’t be okay  … unless you’ve overstayed your allowed time, particularly for more than a day or two.  In fact, some have reported that this is precisely what immigration has been telling them to do before coming back after repeated visa exemp entries

However, the nuances of the entries matter … I had over a down visa exempt entries in 2025, three of which were from neighboring countries within a couple of weeks … but my entires never exceeded 10 days, with most being 3-5 days … so I’m doubtful there are hard-n-fast RULES one can point to in order understand precisely what will trigger a problem.

[Max5151]

They are definitely looking a lot closer at your arrival history than in the past. A lot closer !

Once you already used 2 recent Visa on Arrivals and stayed the entire allotted time, they really want you to apply for a Tourist Visa. Although a Tourist Visa does not 100% guarantee entry, it would be highly unusual not to be granted entry once they have issues you a proper Tourist Visa. 

Any further entries after this visit you really want to look at obtaining a longer term visa. The longer you intend to use short term stay visas, the higher the risk is that you will have an issue. Not worth the stress. Life is too short. 

[penboy]

21 minutes ago, Max5151 said:

They are definitely looking a lot closer at your arrival history than in the past. A lot closer !

Once you already used 2 recent Visa on Arrivals and stayed the entire allotted time, they really want you to apply for a Tourist Visa. Although a Tourist Visa does not 100% guarantee entry, it would be highly unusual not to be granted entry once they have issues you a proper Tourist Visa. 

Any further entries after this visit you really want to look at obtaining a longer term visa. The longer you intend to use short term stay visas, the higher the risk is that you will have an issue. Not worth the stress. Life is too short. 

Visa Exempt!!!!

[simon6666]

As others have intimated, the rule appears as:

Those eligible for visa-free entry who require more than two entries in a calendar year (Jan 1 - Dec 31st) must, for each, obtain a visa.

As we're all aware, enforcement can vary. This can include the IO misinterpreting or ignoring the RULES.

My roughest stamp-ins have all been with female IOs who showed great interest in my passport stamps.

(if you read this as "All female IOs do this", you've misread the sentence)

My smoothest stamp-ins have been with those officials who look bored and process each visitor with the minimum effort possible.

I take this into account when choosing a lane.

 

Bottom-line: If you have 2+ entries already in a calendar year and want relative peace of mind, get a visa.

[Leo_Bia]

56 minutes ago, simon6666 said:

As others have intimated, the rule appears as:

There is no RULES.

[Tangia]

When I search about the two entries (limit) rule, I see many websites reporting it as fact, and then many websites reporting that it is misinformation. 

Anyone actually have an official source?

[Jarrod2518]

On 07/03/2026 at 14:00, Leo_Bia said:

There is no RULES.

Interesting - is that a Rule??

[simon6666]

24 minutes ago, Tangia said:

When I search about the two entries (limit) rule, I see many websites reporting it as fact, and then many websites reporting that it is misinformation. 

Anyone actually have an official source?

There's this - https://oslo.thaiembassy.org/en/page/visa-exemption - but, in my experience, and I'm sure a lot of others have encountered same, especially in Thailand, the information coming from two different "official sources" can often appear to directly contradict.

The most consistent throughline has been that two land/sea (not air) border entries are now considered the limit.

Of course, on enforcement, YMMV.

[Leo_Bia]

29 minutes ago, Tangia said:

When I search about the two entries (limit) rule, I see many websites reporting it as fact, and then many websites reporting that it is misinformation. 

Anyone actually have an official source?

https://www.pattayamail.com/news/thailand-debunks-rumors-of-two-time-only-visa-free-entry-rule-for-foreigners-532796

[momo5]

1 hour ago, Tangia said:

When I search about the two entries (limit) rule, I see many websites reporting it as fact, and then many websites reporting that it is misinformation. 

Anyone actually have an official source?

Thai Immigration 

[Max5151]

Every entry into the Kingdom it is up to the discretion of the immigration officer processing you.

However if you are staying in Thailand for more than 6 months per year on tourist visas etc. The risk of having a problem goes up every time you enter Thailand. Surely you will get to a point where the risk gets too high to be comfortable

[momo5]

1 hour ago, Leo_Bia said:

https://www.pattayamail.com/news/thailand-debunks-rumors-of-two-time-only-visa-free-entry-rule-for-foreigners-532796

That article sums it up quite well.  People keep going on and on about a rule regarding number of entries when there isn’t a rule.  And there is very likely NOT to be a rule issued as it would limit the discretion of enforcement. 

There IS a rule that visa exempt can only be used for purposes of tourism. When your number of entries, regardless of the number, indicate that you may not be a tourist then you’re likely to be denied entry or told to get a visa next time … on the basis of misuse of the visa exempt scheme not because you’ve exceeded some sort of counter. 

I had 12+ entries in 2025 and the only time I had a query was regarding my TDAC when she saw two recent ones in the system because those entries were within a week of each other.  None of my entries in 2025 exceeded 10 days; average was 4 days. 

[Xfreak0000]

Rule is maximum 2 times border entry, but in real if you have a lot of entry history they have the right to reject and actually they reject many people's entry even it is 1st time for 2026 due to the past year's history.

If you had many visa runs I strong recommend that you fly out and fly in and when you fly in use Visa agent. 

[momo5]

5 hours ago, Xfreak0000 said:

Rule is maximum 2 times border entry, but in real if you have a lot of entry history they have the right to reject and actually they reject many people's entry even it is 1st time for 2026 due to the past year's history.

If you had many visa runs I strong recommend that you fly out and fly in and when you fly in use Visa agent. 

And official source for said rule?

[Xfreak0000]

On 22/03/2026 at 10:17, momo5 said:

And official source for said rule?

I heard that from immigration office manager directly when I got caught for no reason.