TB Immigration Infobrief No. 048/24: Travelling to Thailand's border countries (Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and Myanmar)
Reporter: RonnyLatYa
On request a brief overview of what you need to take into account if you want to enter one of Thailand's neighboring countries. I deliberately keep it limited and more information about the details can be found in the attached link of the country. The most important thing is that since this year some countries have introduced an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization).
Thailand will also introduce this ETA. From 1 December as a test period. It is not yet clear whether this will apply to everyone during this test period, or whether certain countries will be used as a test. Ultimately, the intention is to introduce this from the middle of next year and for everyone who enters Thailand on a Visa exemption. Whether this is the case and how this will be done will have to be clarified later.
Apparently there are also more reports that returning to Thailand on the same day is not always allowed. Especially when this happens without a Visa, i.e. on a Visa exemption. Although this seems to be something that the IO on duty decides at that moment.
Using a Visa office for a border run can also provide some more security in that regard, as they usually have their contacts at the border.
What the consequences will be of border runs in particular if the ETA is introduced in Thailand, will also have to become clear later.
Laos
- Currently no ETA applies.
- A Tourist E-Visa can be applied for via this website. https://laoevisa.gov.la/index
- Please note that it cannot be earlier than 5 days before arrival. The visa will then be considered an ETA, but you can say that about any eVisa.
- The possibility of obtaining a Visa On Arrival (VoA) upon arrival at a land border/airport also still exists.
Cambodia
- ETA mandatory since July 1, 2024. Can be done via this website. https://www.arrival.gov.kh/
- Must be requested at least 7 days before arrival. Given the price of 36 dollars, it seems that a VoA is included, which you can obtain at the airport or border post upon arrival.
- E-Visas can also be applied for at this https://www.evisa.gov.kh/
- It is not clear whether VoA can still be requested at the border post/airport, but it is possible as long as you still have a valid ETA, which is normally valid for 3 months.
Malaysia
- ETA required. Called Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC).
- Can be requested via this website https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main
- Since Malaysia allows a 90-day Visa Exemption, a visa is not required
Myanmar
- No ETA.
- E-Visas can be applied for via this website.
- Border posts to enter the country are mostly still closed. Maybe a border run is possible at some border posts, but you will have to check locally.
- Only Kawthaung International Land Border Checkpoint appears to be open, as well as Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw International Airports.
- Although traveling may not be advisable at the moment, that can all change in the short term
- In any case, inform yourself properly about the safety risks if you plan to do this.
Recent experiences with the ETA of Malaysia and especially Cambodia are welcome.
Note: “Reactions are very welcome on the subject, but limit yourself here to the subject of this “TB Immigration Infobrief. If you have other questions, if you would like to see a topic covered, or if you have information for the readers, you can always send it to the editors. Only use www.thailandblog.nl/contact/ for this. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation”.
About this blogger
-
66 years old and lives in Kanchanaburi/LatYa. Married in 2004 to his current Thai wife.
A career in the Belgian Navy as a Radio Operator-Coder and Electronic Warfare. The last 3 years in the Belgian-Dutch Operational School in Den Helder as a communication education technician and Mentor. Since 2011 on (early) retirement.
Hobbies are mainly watching football and cycling, fishing, gardening, but can also enjoy just doing nothing.
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Nice, now there's a face to Ronny's name.
Still a young man, so hopefully many more happy years ahead of him with his wife.
And it would be nice to continue to encounter his valuable information on this blog for a long time to come.
Without a doubt, this article is an excellent response to my request for this, made last weekend via the contact form. I am very grateful to Ronny and the entire editorial team for placing this country overview. Really very clear! Many thanks
I would like to ask one additional question:
I now know what to do if I want to visit a neighboring country. But what rules apply to Thai people, like my girlfriend? Can they just enter a neighboring country with a Thai ID, or do they have to have a passport and go through the same procedure as us?
Paco, that is indeed a good question, because it can be very different.
For example, as a Dutch citizen I get 90 days visa exempt for Malaysia, but my Thai girlfriend only 30 days.
Vietnam is the other way around, she can go there without a visa and I need to apply for a visa in advance.
In short, do your research carefully if you are going on a trip with your Thai partner.
Is different for each country and depends on the bilateral agreements with that country.
You can normally find those answers on the embassy websites.
You can also look it up yourself
On this link you can see whether or not a visa is required for a Thai for a certain country.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_Thai_citizens
Thais can also get a border pass to go to a neighboring country. Also Electronic now.
But the duration of stay is limited and depends on the country. Also the freedom of movement in that neighboring country is usually limited to the province..
In addition, you must live on the border of that country to obtain that border pass
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_Thai_citizens
Whether Thais need an ETA depends.
Laos and Myanmar do not have ETAs so no problem.
For Cambodia it says
“All travelers (Tourists, Expats and Cambodians) are required to submit the Cambodia e-Arrival Card within 7 days before their arrival via a mobile app or at https://arrival.gov.kh/. "
For Malaysia
All foreign citizens traveling to Malaysia must complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC), except:
i) Citizens of Singapore;
ii) Diplomatic and Official Passport holders;
iii) Malaysian Permanent Residents and Long Term Pass holders;
iv) General Certificate of Identity (GCI) Brunei Darussalam holders;
v) Brunei Malaysia Frequent Traveler Facility holders;
vi) Thailand Border Pass holders; and
vii) Indonesia Cross-Border Travel Document (PLB) holders.
https://kualalumpurwithkids.com/malaysia-digital-arrival-card-mdac/
Hopefully this is something you can use
Ronny, you are very clear and exceptionally helpful. Many thanks. Always willing to reciprocate (?).
I see that I posted the wrong link at e-border pass for Thai
“Currently, Thai citizens can easily apply for an electronic border pass (E-Border Pass) to travel to four neighboring countries consisting of Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia through their mobile phones or computers. ”
https://www.thailand.go.th/visit-thailand-detail/001_01_209
I applied for an MDAC via the Malaysia website in early September. The system works perfectly and had a digital MDAC in 5 minutes. Upon arrival in KL, it was not asked.
They will also see from your passport number in their system whether or not it was requested I suppose. In itself it is not so strange that you did not have to show anything yourself.
The only place you normally have to show it is at the airport check-in counter, at Malaysian immigration it is simply registered with your passport.
Regarding Thailand and the ETA
Originally it was planned to start a test period in December
However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday that the launch date was yet to be determined as coordination with relevant agencies was still ongoing.
https://e.vnexpress.net/news/travel/thailand-postpones-launch-of-electronic-travel-requirement-for-visa-exempt-tourists-4796839.html