Guide needs to be with you
 

Doomi et al:

Prepping for a Thai land crossing in late 2017 and just received this from a Thai registered/legit agency doing transits for motorbikes:

"Thai guide has to accompany you by law," meaning from border to border.

Dr. G
Chief, World Adventure Affairs Desk, CITY BIKE Magazine
Participant: Great Around The World Adventure Rally www.rtwmotorcycleadventurerally.blogspot.com

yes, nobody denies that fact :)
but it's just silly and nobody (not even the police, I' came across several police checkpoints) knows that you should be accompanied by a guide.

so there's really no point to do and pay for it as long as they let you in the country without.

btw, I guess I found another open border crossing: from Malaysia to Betong in Thailand.
as it is in the mountains, there are tons of Malaysian bikers coming into Thailand. they just waved them through as they don't need any paperwork, just their ID. I was exiting Thailand and they also just waved me through. I had to walk back to the Thai customs to get my stamp in the carnet!

Edit: successfull border crossing from Malaysia into Thailand in Betong confirmed!

would it be any better if the bike was registered in an ASEAN country, (the Philippines), and one rider was a Filipino while the other a dreaded American?

Vehicles from Laos, Malaysia and Singapore are except the new rules in Thailand as they have bilateral agreements with Thailand. Other countries - Im afraid not...

Bugger
 

Sad news as Thailand is or was great to visit and travel in. I was there 2010 to 2011. About the Carnet yes I know Thailand is not a member but if you have it use it at one point I let mine expire as they were not a member, trying to save money. Bad news as I tried to cross at Mae Sot and they asked for my Carnet because mine was expired they sent me back down south to cross again at Kota Baru. I spent over 12 months travelling Thailand it was awesome and great camping often wild, great people, great trails and National parks ... What a pity.

Malay/Thai border
 

Hi All.
Has anyone got any recent info about crossing from Malaysia to Thailand without the permit/guide?
Thanks,

Geoff

I have read several reports lately and it seems that most travellers indeed comess through the malay-thai border without the permit/guide law that was introduced in 2016. They got a 30 days TIP as was the norm before this new nonsense permit/guide rules.

Check out this facebook group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/1024579897597702

not sure about the main border crossing, but the one in the mountains at Betong is still good!
https://goo.gl/maps/7ryWDAibZ292

Have you used it yourself Doomi, or do you know someone that's used it recently?

Geoff

People crossing into Thailand
 

Hi, just a little bit of info about people crossing into Thailand, we have at this moment in time 3 lots of people either heading for or just leaving Plodd Stop in Thailand (overlandersthailand.com), one on a motorbike and two coming from different directions in vans/motorhomes and none of them have guides or permits they all have Temporary Import Documents from the Thai border control, a must is insurance before arriving at the border, which I helped them with, so it can and is being done. If anybody would like more info or (free help) with Thai insurance just email me on daveandles@hotmail.co.uk Dave

Hi dave.
Was this from Malaysia, Cambodia or somewhere else? If Malaysia, which border did they use?
Thanks,
Geoff

Successful Thai Border Crossing
 

The people 1 motorbike came across from Malaysia 1 overlander vehicle came across from Laos and the other came in from Cambodia and they left at the same border 30 days later, they all had insurance before they crossed in fact the people that came in from Laos had to wait with the customs until I emailed a scanned copy to them. I hope this helps others and I am prepared to get and pay for the insurance for Overlanders providing they pay me back what I pay when they are in Thailand

Another vehicle safely in
 

Hi, I have just had word that another vehicle crossed a border in to Thailand yesterday without a permit and was issued with a temporary import document at the border and is on its way to Plodd Stop Great News For Overlanders. Overlanders - Stellplatz stop over and tour Pattaya, Thailand

Some negative news too unfortunately - the Wang Pracahan/Wang Kelian border between Thailand and Malaysia is no longer letting foreign vehicles through without permits and guides. They have now a poster on their wall telling so. So thats one border down....

Its the westernmost border between those countries, Perlis state of Malaysia and Satun state of Thailand. Earlier several travellers cane through there without permits and guides...

Yeah that was me that failed there. I got a few PMs from people afterward who said they made it across other borders, but I didn't try it myself.

It apparently takes a minimum of 15 days to arrange for a guide (most ask for a month), and it can apparently take several border attempts to get through and they can apparently close at any time, so if you're really determined to avoid a guide give yourself plenty of time...

FYI when I exited they stamped CANCELLED on my entry stamp. and Malaysia had to fill out a new page of the carnet. Not sure if that will affect future attempts to go through as it does start to look a bit suspicious!

Sorry about this. Its such a shame that Thailand started this PITA mandatory permit and guide thing - but hopes were they would let it go as it seemed moreand more borders didnt enforce this new bs laws. But now it seems its the opposite, more and more borders seem to enforce this law.

Anyhow - did you try other borders? Dont post details btw, there are eyes and ears out there that observes this....

Need to let the people on Facebook know, as well.
IMO the law is the law.
Yes was nice for some people to slip in?
But it was only time before all the loopholes were closed.

No I didn't, but someone PM'd me that they also tried Wang Prachun and got caught shortly in, failed at a 2nd border and succeeded at the third.. so maybe you can keep trying

More vehicles in to Thailand
 

Hi we have just had some more good news at Plodd Stop today, a motorbike crossed one border using his Carnt and another vehicle crossed a different border and was issued with a TVI document so all is not lost it looks like it depends who is on duty at the time, for details of the borders just pm me Dave Overlanders - Stellplatz stop over and tour Pattaya, Thailand

I did it!
 

I'm delighted to say that I got across the border on Saturday evening. They went for the carnet rather than the TIP. No mention f the permit.
PM me for details of where.

Geoff

I'm following the blog of an Estonian couple going RTW right now (ilmaring.ee - in Estonian), and they got in from Laos, at Thakhek. They don't say exactly what happened, just that they were riding south heading toward Cambodia, worried about all the permits and guides and stuff, decided to try the nearby border on a whim, and got across no problem. They've since gone on to Malaysia and Indonesia, no problems.

Vehicles entering Thailand
 

Hi Great news we have got another 3 different lots of motorbikes on the way to Plodd Stop all came in from MALAYSIA this time seperatly and none of them had a guide or permit, just Thai goverment insurance and a carnet, so in the past few weeks we have had people come in from Laos,Cambodia and Malaysia in vehicles of all shapes and sizes but nobody from Myanmar. So if anybody needs any help or advice about entering Thailand let me know, I offer this help free from one overlander to another.

Good Man Dave

What part of Thailand are you based in?

So to me, the important factor seems to be you need a Carnet.

Our Place N12*56.585 E100*56.101
 

Hi Nuff Said, Plodd Stop is about 1 hour south east from Bangkok International Airport and 10/15 minutes from Pattaya, good place to visit some of the nicer Thai Islands from, like Koh Samet, Koh Chang and Koh Si Chang. Coordinates N12*56.585 E100*56.101.
It really seems like the time you arrive at the border is very very important and that you have as much documentation all ready in place before arriving. Not all have used there Carnet in-fact only about half have, the others have just showed the Customs officer there Vehicle Reg Document,Thai insurance and a copy of an old Thai SIMPLIFIED CUSTOMS DECLARATION FORM (For motor car and motor cycle temporarily import or export) (as it says on the form),I have sent them a copy of this SCDF when I get the insurance policy for there bike,Motorhome or car, I get the insurance here in town and then scan and send them a copy to show the Customs officer. Just one more thing the Thai Government Insurance is very cheap and I would not like to have to claim off it, however, the Customs and the Police are very happy to accept it and I am sure if anybody wanted to up grade the insurance then this could be done if they visited the same office. I hope this gives overlanders more confidence in attempting to enter Thailand, I would always help with borders and timing etc.

Hi Dave

Thanks for the reply.
Sent you a PM.

Motorbike ride from India to Vietnam
 

we group of Riders Planning to ride our Motorbike from India to Vietnam via Myanmar. we would like to know the visa and permit process. Please help

For visas I suggest you contact the emabssies or consulates of the countries you plan to travel through.
For permits there are several companies that offers this both for Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Just search this site or google.

The First Vehicle to cross from Myanmar in to Thailand
 

Well it has just happened we have just got the first vehicle in to Thailand from the Myanmar/Thai border without a guide and without a permit, they are now heading towards Plodd Stop. I think this it Overlander History and it is great news.

Great news but not history
 

It is great to hear. They are ,maybe, dropping this ridiculous concept of insisting on an escort hopefully now they are waking up to the income generated by long term travellers in their country. Now for Myanmar to do the same, or do they have something to hide?
It is hardly history though I travelled through Thailand for nearly a year and a half no questions and no escort well before this crapp came about but hey great news I have passed it along to others coming that way.

Its great that someone came through the Mae Sot border without having the permits and guide nonsense that Thailand has halfheartedly practised since 2016 but I wouldnt bet that this will be a permanent thing tho...

Hi Snakeboy I understand exactly what you mean, but I think I have enough paper work from there crossing to help others cross, fingers crossed

Hope your right...:thumbup1:

Motorbike in from Malaysia
 

Hi, News from this last week we have had a Toyota Landcruiser cross from Malaysia, a Camper-van cross from Myanmar both last Sunday, a 4x4 crossed from Malaysia on Thursday and a BMW motorbike crossed last night (Sunday) all on there way to Plodd Stop all crossed without permits or guides. I think that we now have enough paperwork and understanding of the Thai border regulations at Plodd Stop to help most overlanders to cross most of the Thai borders. I would really like to help someone else to cross from Myanmar if only to see our system work there again, so if there is anybody wanting free assistance just let me know, I would use a slightly different approach to the border at Mae Sot to the other borders but I am pretty convinced that it would work. Dave

More vehicles arrive without permit or guides
 

So in the last 2 weeks we have helped 3 vehicles successfully cross into Thailand legally, 1 from Cambodia and the others from Malaysia and all are going to or have visited Plodd Stop with no guide or permit. 1 motorbikes, 1 Landcruser and a 10.5 ton camper/truck.

I'd like to thank Dave from Plodd Stop for his help and advice getting me into Thailand. I'm travelling from KL to London and if it wasn't for a chance encounter with Mark Westlake who I met at the WA HUMM in Collie earlier this year, I might still be in Malaysia. Mark directed me to Les and his advice got me in the country and saved the adventure. I hope I can ride back to visit his place.
The HU community is awesome!

Even though, it seems you can get away without a guide, I also want to thank Miles and Bpuk at Thai Motorcycle Adventures for a great trip and helping me deal with Thai immigration and the missing TM2 form which Betong immigration should have given me.

Imre

Hi Imres,

So glad I could help you to enter Thailand without a guide and permit, but the best part of all you entered LEGALLY. We at Plodd Stop have helped lots and lots of Overlanders cross in to Thailand Legaly and there are more and more people asking for our help almost every day, we do this as Overlanders helping other Overlanders and there is no charge for our help.
You mention Mark he is staying at Plodd Stop at the moment a little rest for him before he gets in his way.
Anyway it was nice to help another Overlander and hope to meet up for a beer at our place soon. David Goodchild

More people entering Thailand without Permits
 

So I have just had some more good news that another Motorbike that I have assisted with documentation has crossed into Thailand legally and without permit or a guide in the last few hours . In the next 14 days or so I will hopefully be assisting several different lots of vehicles of all shapes and sizes through the Myanmar/Thai border this is going to be the real test of the documentation I use. I have supplied documentation to people entering Thailand at most Thai borders with 100% success , but this is the border that will realy help Overlanders from India coming in to Thailand. So fingers crossed.
If anybody need help just contact me I do not charge anything for my help, I am one Overlander helping other Overlanders.

Myanmar/Thai border.
 

Well despite us at Plodd Stop getting a camper-van in through this border Legally only weeks ago without a permit or a guide we have failed to get our first motorbike rider in, This rider has been amazingly patent he as been back and forth to the border without any success trying all the things we have learnt for the other borders that we have managed to get people through, spending several days there. Finally we have a price to cross, it is expensive and fluid, I mean the price changes by the day (that is corruption for you) Eg first price $500 from border to Cambodian border then the next day this changes to $1000. I do believe that the guy offering this service would be true to his word and he would transport you to the given destination, but it is to expensive, so we have one more plan but we can not implement this for a few days yet. I am very disappointed that we have not been able to help this biker in to Thailand yet, as we at Plodd Stop have helped very many people in to Thailand LEGALLY without a guide or permit from all the other countries surrounding Thailand and are still helping them now. We have had 100% success getting people in from Cambodia,Laos and Malaysia, in fact we have the border officers at one border coming in from Malaysia that are now offering our Overlanders food and water free at the border. so we are going to have to try even harder to get the Myanmar/Thai border opened to Overlanders. We do not charge any money for our help we just do it because my wife and I are overlanders and we don't like seeing Overlanders being ripped off by the Thai agents. If there is anybody needing help just contact me. Dave

Some more new border facts from Laos borders
 

Ok so I have good news from the Laos borders, in the last week we at Plodd Stop have had 2 people cross at Vientiane with the documents and Insurance I sent them and just today I have had a guy on a motorbike cross at Paksi, he said that with the papers and Insurance I sent him he had no problems, in fact the customs officer gave him a bottle of water and some bananas.
Unfortunately we are not able to get anybody in at the Myanmar/Thai border at the moment but we have not given up hope yet. We are still pretty confident at getting people in from Malaysia and Cambodia and I am in contact with a member of the Cambodian government about the problems at the only Laos/Cambodian border as at the moment they are asking for a permit from Phnom Penh which is ridicules to expect people to leave there vehicle at the border then travel to the capital to get the permit then have to return to the border to collect there vehicle.If there is anybody that needs help then just contact me and I will try to help. I do not charge anything for my help, I am a Overlander and I am happy to help other overlanders enter Thailand LEGALLY without Permit or Guide where possible.

Crossing Thailand
 

Hi Daveandles
We would like to cross Thailand early next year in our U.K. registered Campervan. Please can you tell us if we are likely to be able to do this? And how we get the forms you mentioned in an earlier post please. Please can you reply to this post or by personal message whichever is easier?
Many thanks
Suede

Crossing Thailand
 

Sorry I should have said we would like to cross from Malaysia to Myanmar via Thailand.
Suede

More crossing into Thailand
 

At Plodd Stop. This week we have had 2 motorbikes and a Landcruiser in from Laos and a Camper in from Malaysia, a good week for all

Suede I am sure I can help, I do not charge for my help it is free, but there are no guarantees, we at Plodd Stop have got a really good record (100%) for getting vehicles in from Malaysia my email address is daveandles@hotmail.co.uk

Two Motorbikes in this week
 

Hi, The Sunday just gone (11th November) we at Plodd Stop helped two bikes in one entered Thailand Legally without a guide or a permit from Cambodia and the other entered Thailand Legally again without a guide or a permit from Malaysia. We do not charge anything for our help we are just Overlanders helping other Overlanders.

Myanmar/Thai border well 11 different lots
 

News from the Myanmar/Thai border, about 11 different lots of people arrived together with Javier in Thailand, most with documents supplied free of charge by us at Plodd Stop and none with a guide or permit, this must be the biggest single lot of people at anyone time arriving in Thailand in one day since the new regulations came in. Congratulations Javier you did a great job, your Myanmar agent Osugamyanmartravels.com must be very proud of your achievement.

This looks very hopeful, Thank you for what you are doing for us wandering souls. I will keep up with this thread as I will be coming up from Malaysia in April.
Bob:scooter:

Wow - did they come through the Mae Sot border from Myanmar and didnt need a permit and guides to get into Thailand?

If so that must be a huge step in the right direction...

Border Chaos
 

Hi Snakeboy, Well by the sounds of it it was total chaos, the border officer did not know what to do with all these falangs all arriving at once, the officers took all the documents off everybody (some in Spanish,French,German and English) then just stamped the carnet and issues TM2's and Simplified Import Doc then told them all to get going. Also in the last 3 days we have helped 3 more lots of people in from Laos at 3 different borders. The paperwork works

Hi Bob, Just let me know about a week before you want to cross and I will help you. Dave

Free flow of vehicles crossings in to Thailand
 

Hi, Well a new year and it is seems like it is getting easier to enter Thailand by the day, we at Plodd Stop are getting on average 7 people contact us for assistance to cross Thai's borders every day and with the documents I send them I can not remember the last vehicle that did not get in legally, also it is much easier to extend your Temporary Import Document (supplied by customs when you enter Thailand) for another 30 days once you are in Thailand. This is great news for Overlanders. If anybody needs any help just contact me, I do not charge anything for my help, I am a overlander just helping other overland travelers.

Thailad Regulations
 

Really informative and appreciation

Today we arrived at the border, they showed us the attached papers and said we cannot reenter Thailand without these documents. Is it the documents Dave is arranging for everybody?

No that seem to be the permits that by law from 2016 are mandatory to have to enter Thailand. I dont think David Goodchild can provide thise permits.

It is strange since almost all bordercrossings into Thailand dont seem to enforce these mandatory guide and permit rules anymore. May I ask which bordercrossing this was? Whats your nationality and what plates does your vehicle have?

Did you try to enter at the same border you did before?

David Goodchild; Plodd Stop
 

Hi All.
A message for any of you are waiting to hear back from David Goodchild about insurance for Thailand, especially if you have already sent him details through.
He has had computer glitches yesterday and today. Please can you re-send any requests or details, just to make sure he has them. This is only if you are waiting to hear back.
I am currently at Plodd Stop so can pass messages on.
Normal service should be resumed later today.

Geoff

It was the border before Poipet. It was really chaotic and nobody had a clue. Bikes are german. We took another border now, because they started repeating, that we won't be able to re-enter Thailand anymore without contacting a thai travel agency to get these documents.

Avoid the Poipet border as the plaque! Both ways actually. Its well known for being corrupted, chaotic and badly organised.

So have you now entered Thailand through another border?

Free wanderings?
 

Snakeboy:


Sent you a PM - might be these two German plated bikes in pic. They seemed to be without a guide in Chiang Mai last week, which would be cool if they were able to enter without permit/guides.


Agree with you: Avoid Poipet...last time I crossed there it was an adventure in Thai Baht or US dollars.


Regards,
Dr. G
Chief of the World Adventure Affairs Desk, CITY BIKE magazine, researching adventurous affairs around the globe
Adventure Strategy Columnist, MOTORCYCLE CONSUMER NEWS magazine
Sole sexual survivor: www.greataroundtheworldmotorcycleadventurerally.co m

Yes, these are our bikes. We managed to enter via Banpuggard border close to Pailin. The custom officers were very friendly on both sides. The cambodian visa was expensive though - 1500 bahts each and no chance to lower the price. It was the official visa office next to the immigration office. Better to get the e-visa in advance.

Hi ,

I'm riding from Munich to central asia to Russia to Mongolia to xx . (my Russia visa is rejected, will retry russian visa in almaty ) and also planning (in meantime) to aircargo my motorcycle from bishkek/almaty (mid july) to Thailand via Uzbekistan airline, (cheapest option available).

I don't have an option to try on different borders :-). possiblity to land in Bangkok or Pukhet. Can someone recommend to way forward , and also if someone have recommendation for tourist agencies.


Cheers
Ajay

Contact David Goodchild. He will help you. He has helped so many in the similar predicament.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

When you start in Munich, it seems that you live in Germany.

No way to apply for a Russian visa in Almaty ( maybe you get a Transit visa, but I would not bet on that )

You need to apply for a visa in your country of residence!!!!

Did you apply with a visa company or did you want to save money and applied by yourself?

Hi I apply through there standard tourist agents VFS service , because there were no interview date available for 2.5 months applying directly to consulate, these agent were very unprofessional, they didnt accept my reasons (a cover letter and my route) to apply for double visa. (but I think might be the possible reason for denial )

I will apply in almaty/bishkek for transit visa (if possible multiple entry transit visa) . I heard sometime if one get lucky can get a 8 days (multi entry) transit visa (kazak--Russia -mongolia--Russia- Latvia). which makes possible to ride from ulaanbator to Estonia , (taking ~60 hours trans-siberian train from Irkutsk to moscow ).

Other options is air cargo to Thailand. Being an Indian citizen cannot use the (china)kashgar route to Nepal, which passes through the china controlled Kashmir.

Hi again , yea I live in Munich , my Plan is to start this saturday (08.06.2019), but currently struggling ´with summer flu, might delay it for 2..3 days

I didn't ablecto manage any tourist agency , which helps me in getting through custom and border in thailand for temporary importation. Do any one uses it and would be happy, if one share it with me

Thailand
 

I have recently ridden my UK bike from Malaysia through Thailand. I did have a carnet which WAS required, and I didn’t need a guide which IS NOT required.
A guide is required for Myanmar which has to be arranged in advance and was a nightmare.

we really need cdp for Thailand? i'm french
thanks

Thailand in non cdp country. I don’t understand why riders are using cdp to enter Thailand. They are creating a trend that will cost a problem with overlanders without cdp. They will be making it hard for other to travel around Asia.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

https://overlandingassociation.org/carnet-de-passage/

Here is the information about CDP countries regardless of where are you from. Thailand has relaxed the guide rules as well. Contact David Goodchild. And the benefits of other rider don’t wave cdp in front of Thailand entry port.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hi Myrkskog,

Are you sure , you don't need Thai agency tour. If you cross border Thailand. Can you share with me.bier

tks

The rule and laws about mandatory guides and permits are still valid in Thailand. But mostly they are not enforced. I think the only border that enforces these requirements is the Mae Sot - Mywaddy bordercrossing between Myanmar and Thailand. On other bordercrossings permit and guide rules are mostly not enforced.
But dont make the mistake that just because somebody else did cross any border sucsessfully xyz years ago you will be able to do so too.

Contact David Goodchild on Facebook as he most certainly is the most knowledgeable person about the enforcement of the permit and guide laws on the different bordercrossings into Thailand.

The latest overland crossers from India through Myanmar and into Thailand using the Tachilek-Mae Sai border did NOT get into Thailnd without permits and guides. They came all not prepared for this so they only solution was to truck the bikes on the back of a pickuptruck through a little bit of thai territory and then cross into Laos. And then they could re-enter Thailand from Laos without permits and guides. They had to pay 400 USD each for this service...

So conclusion is that also this border now have started to enforce the mandatory permit and guide law.

More updates in the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1024...702/?ref=share

Also the next group of travellers going through Myanmar from India to Thailand was denied entry to Thailand at the Tachilek-Mae Sai bordercrossing because they didnt arrange any guides and permits. They also had to transport their bikes through Thailand and into Laos on the back of a pick-up truck. They mentioned they had to pay 200 USD pr bike for this service. And then from Laos they were readily able to enter Thailand again without permits and guides....:scooter:

Some more not so good news about the situation entering Thailand:

The bordercrossing between Laos and Thailand Huay Xai to Chiang Khong has now started to enforce the mandatory permits and guide rules for foreign vehicles entering Thailand. As of a couple of months ago overlanders coming through Myanmar entering Thailand through the Tachilek-Mae Sai bordercrossing were no longer allowed to enter Thailand without guides and permits. They then found a solution as to truck their bikes from Mae Sai to the closest Thailand-Laos bordercrossing which is Chiang Khong-Huay Xai. Then they just turned around and entered Thailand again at the same border and were then granted a 30 day TIP as of the old system. Unfortunately thats seem to not be possible anymore as some overlanders who tried to do the same were turned down and denied entry to Thailand at Chiang Khong without permit and guides.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1024...702/?ref=share

Betong
 

Hi All.

I wanted to share my recent experience here in case it can help others. I am a solo rider, American currently riding RTW. I crossed from Malaysia to Thailand on Jan 18, at the Betong border.

I do have a Carnet, because I need it for my route, but it is not required in Thailand. I had spoken with David Goodchild prior to my crossing and purchased a very basic insurance with his help (as this is required, however in the end no one asked me for it), as well as had the copies of some forms needed. At the border you can also get these forms, so no problem. He also recommended this border to me.

I crossed on a Saturday morning, so quiet, no traffic at all. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming, no mention of a guide or anything. The customs officers were shaking my hands and welcoming me.
I was stamped in and given 30 days and no cost for visa. I was pleasantly surprised because I expected only 15 days due to entering overland and I expected to pay for visa.

At the border they never asked me for the insurance. Also, I have been waived through all police checkpoints, never stopped. Anyway, I do not mind getting it just in case.

So, that was my experience. Good luck to all!

Betong Border Malaysia to Thailand
 

Hi All.

I wanted to share my recent experience here in case it can help others. I am a solo rider, American, currently riding RTW. I crossed from Malaysia to Thailand on Jan 18, at the Betong border.

I do have a Carnet, because I need it for my route, but it is not required in Thailand. I had spoken with David Goodchild prior to my crossing and purchased a very basic insurance with his help (as this is required, however in the end no one asked me for it), as well as had the copies of some forms needed. At the border you can also get these forms, so no problem. He also recommended this border to me.

I crossed on a Saturday morning; it was so quiet, no traffic at all. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming, no mention of a guide or anything. The customs officers were shaking my hands and welcoming me.
I was stamped in and given 30 days and no cost for visa. I was pleasantly surprised because I expected only 15 days due to entering overland and I expected to pay for visa.

At the border they never asked me for the insurance. Also, I have been waived through all police checkpoints, never stopped. Anyway, I do not mind getting it just in case.

So, that was my experience. Good luck to all!

As a citizen of Usa you were given a 30 day visa excemption, which is free. The 15 days visa excemption was changed back in 2016 and for a US passportholder it was always 30 days.

You can extend you visa excemption at any Immigration office in Thailand with another 30 days for a cost of 1900 baht. Almost all of Thailands 76 provinces has an immigration office btw.

Anyhow - thanks for sharing your experiences, appriciated!:thumbup1:

Yes, I knew about possibility to extend. Thanks for clarifying the above. You know I researched it a ton, even on US state dept and Thailand consulate website and it is not clear at all. So I was pleasantly surprised by what I got!