Overland travel

Thailand border crossings: how to reach Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and Myanmar overland

Crossing a land border from Thailand is straightforward if you know which checkpoint to use and what paperwork to carry. This guide covers the main crossings, visas on the other side, the scams to expect and the limits of border runs.

By Kylian DevUpdated September 25, 2026

Main crossings in one table
Scams at Poipet explained
Honest take on visa runs

Short answer

The most used land crossings are Nong Khai to Vientiane (Laos), Chiang Khong to Huay Xai (Laos), Aranyaprathet to Poipet (Cambodia), Hat Lek to Koh Kong (Cambodia) and Padang Besar or Sadao to Malaysia. You need a passport valid for at least six months, the arrival formalities of the country you enter, and often an e-visa for Laos or Cambodia. Land entries into Thailand for visa-exempt tourists may be limited and rules change often, so check official sources before you travel. Most Myanmar land borders are not advisable for tourists at present.

General rules for crossing Thailand's land borders

Passport valid for at least six months from your entry date, with blank pages
The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) applies to land arrivals as well as flights: complete it online before re-entering Thailand
Proof of onward travel or accommodation is sometimes requested by immigration or airlines
Some officers may ask for evidence of funds; carry a bank card and some cash
Checkpoints have opening hours and close in the evening: you cannot cross at night

Thailand has at times limited the number of visa-exempt entries by land per calendar year, and the rules on visa exemption length and land entries have changed several times recently. Treat every figure you read online, including here, as something to confirm with the Thai immigration bureau or a Thai embassy before you travel.

The main border crossings at a glance

Border	From → to	How	Notes
Laos	Nong Khai → Vientiane	Bus over the Friendship Bridge, or short train to Thanaleng / Khamsavath	Easiest crossing into Laos, Udon Thani airport nearby
Laos	Chiang Khong → Huay Xai	Shuttle bus over the 4th Friendship Bridge	Start of the slow boat to Luang Prabang
Cambodia	Aranyaprathet → Poipet	Bus or train from Bangkok, then walk across	Route to Siem Reap, notorious for scams
Cambodia	Hat Lek → Koh Kong	Minivan from Trat	Handy after Koh Chang, quieter than Poipet
Malaysia	Padang Besar → Padang Besar	Train from Hat Yai	Immigration for both countries at the station
Malaysia	Sadao → Bukit Kayu Hitam	Bus or minivan by road	Main road link towards Penang and Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia	Koh Lipe / Satun → Langkawi	Ferry	Seasonal on Koh Lipe, check schedules
Myanmar	Mae Sot → Myawaddy and others	Not recommended	Security situation, check official advice

Status can vary: a crossing listed here may be closed or restricted when you travel. Always confirm with recent official information or the transport operator.

Thailand to Laos border crossings

Nong Khai – Vientiane

Chiang Khong – Huay Xai

Slow boat

In the north, the 4th Friendship Bridge links Chiang Khong to Huay Xai. It is the crossing to use for the two-day slow boat down the Mekong to Luang Prabang, easily reached from Chiang Rai.

Laos offers an official e-visa and a visa on arrival at the main international checkpoints, and some nationalities are visa exempt for short stays. Eligibility, fees and which checkpoints accept the e-visa change, so check the official Lao government sources. For a visa on arrival, bring passport photos and cash, ideally US dollars in clean notes.

Thailand to Cambodia border crossings

Aranyaprathet to Poipet is the direct route from Bangkok to Siem Reap and Angkor. It is quick in theory, but it is also the most notorious border in the region for scams. Hat Lek to Koh Kong, reached by minivan from Trat, is calmer and practical if you are coming from Koh Chang or heading to the Cambodian coast.

Cambodia has an official e-visa, which avoids most of the hassle at the border, and also issues visas on arrival at main checkpoints, payable in US dollars. Check that your chosen crossing accepts the e-visa before you buy it.

Crossing the border from Thailand to Malaysia

The simplest way is the train from Hat Yai to Padang Besar, where Thai and Malaysian immigration are handled in the same station, and from there onward trains run towards Butterworth (Penang) and Kuala Lumpur. By road, Sadao to Bukit Kayu Hitam is the main crossing for buses and minivans from Hat Yai.

In the dry season, ferries link Koh Lipe and Satun with Langkawi. Koh Lipe has its own seasonal immigration point, so check that services and formalities are running for your dates.

Several governments advise against non-essential travel to parts of Thailand's deep south (Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and parts of Songkhla) because of a long-running insurgency. Check how your travel advice treats Hat Yai and the border area, as it can affect your insurance.

Can you cross from Thailand into Myanmar?

Since the 2021 coup and the conflict that followed, most land borders between Thailand and Myanmar are not advisable for tourists. Some crossings such as Mae Sot, Mae Sai and Ranong have been closed, restricted or open only for local day trips at various times, and the areas behind them can be unsafe.

Do not plan an overland trip into Myanmar without reading your government's current travel advice
Do not rely on old blog posts describing easy day trips across the border
Do not assume your travel insurance covers areas where official advice is against travel

Border scams and how to avoid them

Buy your e-visa in advance on the official government website only
Ignore anyone who approaches you saying you must get a visa, health certificate or ticket here
Know the official fee before you arrive and pay it at the counter
Do not change money at the border unless you have to; ATMs are available in towns
Book onward transport from the official bus stations or with a reputable operator

Visa runs from Thailand: do they still work?

A visa run, or border run, means leaving Thailand and coming back to get a new period of stay. Immigration officers look closely at travellers with many back-to-back entries and can refuse entry if they think you are living or working in Thailand as a tourist.

Inside Thailand, many visitors can also apply to extend their stay at a local immigration office for a fee, which is often simpler than a border run. Conditions depend on your entry type.

Practical tips for a smooth border crossing

1Arrive early in the morning to avoid queues and give yourself margin before closing time
2Carry US dollars in clean, recent notes for a Cambodian or Lao visa on arrival if you do not have an e-visa
3Keep two or three passport photos in your bag
4Have printouts or screenshots of e-visas, TDAC, MDAC and onward bookings
5Keep some Thai baht for the return trip and small local currency for transport on the other side
6Check public holidays, when borders get very busy
7Make sure your passport is stamped correctly on both sides before walking away

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FAQ

Your questions

How do I cross from Thailand to Laos?

The easiest way is from Nong Khai over the Friendship Bridge to Vientiane, by bus or by the short train to Thanaleng / Khamsavath. In the north, Chiang Khong to Huay Xai is the crossing for the slow boat to Luang Prabang. Check Lao e-visa or visa on arrival conditions before you go.

Is the Poipet border crossing safe?

It is generally safe but well known for scams: fake visa offices, inflated fees and pushy touts. Buy an official e-visa in advance, go straight to the official buildings and ignore anyone who offers help. Check the current status of Thai-Cambodian checkpoints before travelling.

How do I get from Thailand to Malaysia by land?

Take the train from Hat Yai to Padang Besar, where both immigration controls are in the station, or a bus through Sadao and Bukit Kayu Hitam. In season you can also take a ferry from Koh Lipe or Satun to Langkawi. Complete the MDAC before arriving in Malaysia.

Do I need the TDAC when entering Thailand by land?

Yes, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card applies to arrivals by land and sea as well as by air. Complete it online before you reach the Thai checkpoint.

Can I do a visa run from Thailand?

It is possible, but repeated border runs are scrutinised, land entries may be limited and entry can be refused. It is not a long-term solution. For longer stays, look at the right visa, such as the DTV, and check official sources.

Can tourists cross from Thailand into Myanmar?

Most land crossings are not advisable for tourists at present because of the security situation in Myanmar, and some have been closed or restricted. Read your government's current travel advice before considering it.

Can I pay the Cambodian visa on arrival in baht?

Fees are set in US dollars, and paying in baht often means a poor rate or an extra charge. Bring clean US dollar notes or, better, buy the official e-visa in advance if your crossing accepts it.