Visa Extensions & Border Runs

For visa-free entry and Tourist Visa holders, you can extend once for 30 days at immigration. After that, you would need to leave Thailand (border run) or apply for a different visa type. Retirement and education visas can be renewed annually and every 90 days respectively as long as requirements are met.

Yes, border runs are legal. However, Thai immigration has become stricter with frequent border runners. If you do more than 2-3 border runs within a year, you may be questioned about your intentions or denied entry. Officers have discretion to deny entry to anyone they suspect of using tourist entries to live in Thailand long-term.

Overstaying is fined at 500 THB per day, up to a maximum of 20,000 THB. If you voluntarily leave and pay the fine at the airport, you may face a short-term ban. If caught by police during an overstay, the consequences are more severe: detention, deportation, and a ban from re-entering Thailand for 1-10 years depending on the duration of overstay.

As of 2026, Thailand is rolling out online extension services for some visa types, but availability is limited. The 90-day reporting (TM.47) for long-stay visa holders can be done online. For the standard 30-day tourist extension, you still need to visit an immigration office in person in most cases.

The cheapest option is a minivan to the Cambodia border at Aranyaprathet/Poipet. Companies run day-trip services from Bangkok for around 1,500-2,500 THB including transport. You cross into Cambodia (may need a Cambodia e-visa or visa on arrival, ~$30 USD) and immediately re-enter Thailand. Total cost is approximately 2,500-4,000 THB. Alternatively, a budget flight to Kuala Lumpur or Vientiane can cost as little as 2,000-3,000 THB one-way.