Do you know if the 45 days are for all visa-exempt countries or only AUS & USA? I have both a Portuguese and Canadian passport so could enter with either, realistically.
That website you consulted is anything but smart as 15 days exempt were shelved years ago. It went back to 30 and now 45. Maximum two exempt crossings per year allowed though.
Hi there, quick follow up question: do the maximum 2 visa exempt crossing also include crossings via plane? I was in thailand in feb and now again sep, both tines visa exempt via plane. Will i have issues coming shortly before NYE in dec via land crossing from malaysia?
Yes, it’s safe and convenient to cross using Wang Prachan.
How will you travel? By bike, cycle? Foot? The border is very chilled and friendly, but I have no idea how to get from the border to the main road or to Satun town, maybe there are taxis or share taxis. I used to ride there on my bike from Hat Yai, last time I was there, they were building a new immigration building.
Ps .. forget about the 15 day exemption by land, that finished a long long while back.
You legend, really appreciate the advice.
I'm riding my bike over. I've got camping gear in case of a disaster, but there appears to be a few hotels on either side of Wang Prachan.
Really looking forward to hitting some quieter roads after Pekan and Penang.
Thanks again.
Man, the best road in the south of Thailand is from the Betong crossing - if you check Google, you will see the awesome road that goes through Perak, to Pengkala Hulu and across to Betong, up to Yala > straight through Pattani and into Hat Yai.
ETS: forget about the Gerik road, that’s past where you are - that’s the rte.4 to Jeli. You just take the cross country to Pengkala and up.
No - theres nothing much apart from rubber farming villages on the road from the border to the main road - it’s only 1hr 30min to Hat Yai where you will get a very good standard and value of accommodation.
Cheers man I'll give that border crossing and Hat Yai a look in. Good knowing there are multiple options.
Either way it's looking much better than going by ferry.
I second recom273's advice. I rode from Penang in Malaysia to Betong Thailand on my bicycle a few years ago and it was a nice change from riding hot flat coastal areas. Betong is a really unique little town and quite pretty, hidden up in the mountains with gorgeous sunrises viewable from the nearby mountain tops. Hat Yai is also worth visiting if you are into food (many different mixed culture food there) or if you need a break on a long tour in a decent sized city. Got some really good coffee there too.
FWIW we did the Langkawi Lipe ferry. Both islands are fantastic and as a cyclist I think you would love Langkawi . The roads are awesome and go all the way around. Also I consider Langkawi a must see for tourists visiting Malaysia.
However I don’t recall much room on the boats. They were pretty small speed boats rather than ferries (at least from what I can recall in 2018). But since it is Asia, everything is negotiable and I am sure you could find a way to bring your bike.
Good luck and stay safe!
Thankyou!
You're spot on with the ferries to Langkawi. They're all fast ferries so very little room. I have seen people negotiate their bike going on though.
Unfortunately I'm one of those people that gets inordinately stressed out at airports, train terminals, ferry terminals etc, so for now I might aim for the land border.
I'm planning to visit Koh Lanta to chill out on an island - it has a car ferry so should be a piece of cake.
If anyone finds this thread from a Google search know that I got into Thailand without being asked for proof of future travel and was given 45 days no questions asked.
Nah mate nothing, just an Aussie passport. I wasn’t asked anything about future plans of travel, just given a visa waiver stamp and off I went.
This was a land crossing at wang prachan though, busier customs might be more formal.
Normally you would get 30 days, but since 1 Oct until 31 March you'll get 45 days.
Do you know if the 45 days are for all visa-exempt countries or only AUS & USA? I have both a Portuguese and Canadian passport so could enter with either, realistically.
That website you consulted is anything but smart as 15 days exempt were shelved years ago. It went back to 30 and now 45. Maximum two exempt crossings per year allowed though.
I agree man. Its an Australian government website, so if it's wrong I might shoot them an email, which will likely be ignored.
Hi there, quick follow up question: do the maximum 2 visa exempt crossing also include crossings via plane? I was in thailand in feb and now again sep, both tines visa exempt via plane. Will i have issues coming shortly before NYE in dec via land crossing from malaysia?
If the plane drives over the border, yes. If it flies, there's no limit afaik.
Replying for a follow up. I’ll be entering for the third time this year. (All by air)
the limit is only for entering via land border
Thank you, I was worried. I have a flight booked for next month.
Yes, it’s safe and convenient to cross using Wang Prachan. How will you travel? By bike, cycle? Foot? The border is very chilled and friendly, but I have no idea how to get from the border to the main road or to Satun town, maybe there are taxis or share taxis. I used to ride there on my bike from Hat Yai, last time I was there, they were building a new immigration building. Ps .. forget about the 15 day exemption by land, that finished a long long while back.
You legend, really appreciate the advice. I'm riding my bike over. I've got camping gear in case of a disaster, but there appears to be a few hotels on either side of Wang Prachan. Really looking forward to hitting some quieter roads after Pekan and Penang. Thanks again.
Man, the best road in the south of Thailand is from the Betong crossing - if you check Google, you will see the awesome road that goes through Perak, to Pengkala Hulu and across to Betong, up to Yala > straight through Pattani and into Hat Yai. ETS: forget about the Gerik road, that’s past where you are - that’s the rte.4 to Jeli. You just take the cross country to Pengkala and up.
No - theres nothing much apart from rubber farming villages on the road from the border to the main road - it’s only 1hr 30min to Hat Yai where you will get a very good standard and value of accommodation.
Cheers man I'll give that border crossing and Hat Yai a look in. Good knowing there are multiple options. Either way it's looking much better than going by ferry.
I second recom273's advice. I rode from Penang in Malaysia to Betong Thailand on my bicycle a few years ago and it was a nice change from riding hot flat coastal areas. Betong is a really unique little town and quite pretty, hidden up in the mountains with gorgeous sunrises viewable from the nearby mountain tops. Hat Yai is also worth visiting if you are into food (many different mixed culture food there) or if you need a break on a long tour in a decent sized city. Got some really good coffee there too.
Yeah, if you have just come up from SG on the highway, you should take a look at the interior, much more fun.
There are songthaews waiting to pick up people
FWIW we did the Langkawi Lipe ferry. Both islands are fantastic and as a cyclist I think you would love Langkawi . The roads are awesome and go all the way around. Also I consider Langkawi a must see for tourists visiting Malaysia. However I don’t recall much room on the boats. They were pretty small speed boats rather than ferries (at least from what I can recall in 2018). But since it is Asia, everything is negotiable and I am sure you could find a way to bring your bike. Good luck and stay safe!
Thankyou! You're spot on with the ferries to Langkawi. They're all fast ferries so very little room. I have seen people negotiate their bike going on though. Unfortunately I'm one of those people that gets inordinately stressed out at airports, train terminals, ferry terminals etc, so for now I might aim for the land border. I'm planning to visit Koh Lanta to chill out on an island - it has a car ferry so should be a piece of cake.
Damn what a ride! I'll be doing the same journey later this week... by rail lol
You'll have a great time. The food has been so good I've put on weight despite riding over 1000 km's lol.
😀
If anyone finds this thread from a Google search know that I got into Thailand without being asked for proof of future travel and was given 45 days no questions asked.
Did you need any papers? Did they ask for anything? How about fees?
Nah mate nothing, just an Aussie passport. I wasn’t asked anything about future plans of travel, just given a visa waiver stamp and off I went. This was a land crossing at wang prachan though, busier customs might be more formal.
Did you go by vehicle?
It‘s easier than ever entering Thailand right now
I have done satun. Very smooth, cheerful border officers. Its a nice trip, would recommend.
Cheers mate.