I read that only 14day visas are given for land boarder crossings. I arrived in Thailand with a 30 day visa exemption which is soon to expire. If I cross at MAi Sai, would I be given a 30 day visa? Also, can you cross and return on the same day? Many thanks

Is it necessary to cross into Myanmar or can you just go directly from exiting the Thai border to entering the Thai border?

Hey guys, I'm down in Phuket and never did a border run in the north despite previously living in CM for 2-years. This article is perfect and super helpful since I'll need less than 30-days before heading back to NY/ XMas. Good luck & Safe travels.

Just done this run, and it's exactly like you said. Thanks for the info

hey I'm currently in Vietnam and bound to travel to Chang Mai and entering on a 30 day visa, my question is do I need an onward ticket from Thailand or is it okay to just say that I will be crossing a land border ? I plan to stay for a month or two so I'd like to do a run to the border like you did but not sure of my next destination after Thailand yet. Joe

Thanks so much for this post. We are doing the visa run next week and I’ve been a bit worried about it as this is Thailand! We came in on our 2 month visa so we are due the 30 day extension. Instead of spending a fortune and wasting a day in the Chiang Mai immigration office this seems perfect! My only question is I have a friend who was told by someone you can only do the Mae Sai crossing if you have a multiple entry visa? Ours was just the single entry 2 month visa. I know this can be extended no probs at immigration but is the visa run still ok for this type of visa? Thanks very much!

Hello! Everything that you share is amazing guys! Thanks for your generosity! So! According to the last comment, if my country is not on the list, if I need a visa run I’ve to go to the embassy? I’m looking for this now, I already extend my and now I have to go out, but! My country is supposed not to have visa on arrival here in Thailand. Any suggestions!? Please! :)

Successfully did this border run yesterday, thank you so much for the detailed instructions! There were about eight or so other people doing the same thing. One person did have an initial issue with one of the Myanmar officers not wanting to accept his $10 bill. They first asked him to change it and then pointed out a "defect" on the bill. Persistence is key (and I'd recommend only taking very clean, new looking US dollar bills). My other advice would be to keep your explanation to the Myanmar officers very simple when they ask what you are doing and how long you'll be visiting for. We took the 8am bus from Chiang Mai to Mae Sai. Got through into Myanmar by 1.30pm. Spent an hour or so wandering around, could have easily made it back to Chiang Mai the same day but decided to say in Chiang Rai for the night. Without the night in CR, the whole trip would have cost us less than $70CAD (2 people).

Hey just wanted to comment to let anyone reading we did this visa run yesterday October 24th 2019 as there’s not much info we could find anywhere else, super easy and exactly as described. We took the 8am bus from Chiang Rai bus terminal 1 to Mae Sai for 40baht per person. We were directed straight to Songthaew and had no issues at Thai border despite signs saying ‘No more visa runs’ Stupidly I lost our departure cards when we first arrived in Thailand and just received a bit of talking to from border ladies thye just made us pay 100baht per person for the inconvenience, they even gave me change for my 500baht bill that I was worried they would take the whole thing because I didn’t have exact change. When going into Myanmar I was told it was 500baht each but I gave the border guy a super crisp $20USD bill for the both of us and he didn’t bat an eyelid, Myanmar border staff were probably the friendliest immigration officers I’ve ever dealt with. Once again 15baht Per person in songhaew back to Mae Sai bus station and we managed to get right back on the bus in Mae Sai arriving in Chiang Rai 1.15pm perfect time to get some beers from 7-eleven before 2pm cut off time lol. Total cost for 2 people including all transport, $10USD each at Myanmar border and our $100baht fine for not having departure card = 1024baht. Would be 804baht if you have your departure card. Way cheaper than 1900baht per person for visa extension. Just wanted to share an update as we were a bit apprehensive at first but it was actually quite a fun day and the Myanmar market is crazy cheap if you want any sunglasses or clothing etc. Happy travels!