Do I need to get a new Thai visa before leaving, or can I just leave and come back?

If you have a TM.8 notification of departure, you can leave and return visa-exempt within 30 days. Without it, you'll need to get a tourist visa ($200) or buy a visa on arrival (more expensive and time-consuming). The TM.8 is free and takes 30 minutes at any immigration office—do it before you leave.

Is the visa run actually legal?

Yes. Thailand allows foreigners to leave and re-enter to reset their tourist entries. Immigration officers expect this. You're not breaking any law—you're simply using Thailand's legal entry rules. However, if you do this more than 4 times in a calendar year, immigration may ask questions or request proof of onward travel.

Can I take my luggage with me, or do I need to store it?

Take your luggage with you. Most guesthouses and hotels in Bangkok will store bags for $1-3 per day if you don't want to carry them, but there's no need. Your luggage goes on the bus to the border and into Cambodia with you.

What if I don't have a passport photo for Cambodia's visa on arrival?

The border has a photo booth, and they'll take one for $2. It's not ideal, but it works. Bring a photo anyway if you can—they're cheap and useful.

Which crossing is fastest?

Aranyaprathet-Poipet is fastest from Bangkok (direct bus, 4-5 hours total). Koh Kong-Hat Lek is least crowded but involves more connections. Poipet can get congested during peak times (9am-12pm)—go early morning or late afternoon if possible.

Do I need to book accommodation in Cambodia in advance?

Not usually. Mid-range hotels in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh have availability most days. During December-January peak season, book the day before. Budget hotels near border towns (Poipet, Koh Kong) also have walkup availability.

Can I do a visa run to Laos instead of Cambodia?

Yes. Laos is an alternative with similar costs. Nong Khai (Thailand-Laos border) is about 12 hours from Bangkok. The process is the same—get a TM.8, cross to Laos (tourist visa on arrival, $42), stay 1-2 nights, return. Choose Cambodia if you want island/beach time; Laos if you prefer mountains or faster border crossings.

How to Do a Visa Run Between Thailand and Cambodia

A visa run between Thailand and Cambodia typically takes 3-5 days and costs $150-300. You'll cross the border by bus or car, stay overnight in Cambodia (usually Siem Reap or Phnom Penh), get your Thai re-entry permit stamped, then return. Border crossings at Poipet, Koh Kong, or Aranyaprathet are most common.

Pick your crossing point. Choose between three main crossings: Aranyaprathet-Poipet (most popular, close to Bangkok), Koh Kong-Hat Lek (easiest, least crowded), or Chachoengsao-Cham Yeam. Aranyaprathet is fastest if you're coming from central Thailand. Koh Kong is best if you want to avoid crowds and spend time on islands. Check current conditions—some crossings occasionally close for maintenance.
Get your TM.8 form in Thailand before leaving. This step is optional but highly recommended. Visit any Thai immigration office 1-2 days before you leave and request a TM.8 form (Notification of Departure). Fill it out, get it stamped, and keep it. This lets you re-enter Thailand without a visa for 30 days. If you skip this, you'll need to get a tourist visa or use a visa on arrival, which costs more.
Book your transport to the border. For Aranyaprathet: Take a bus from Bangkok's Mo Chit or Ekamai station (4-5 hours, $8-12). Buses run throughout the day. For Koh Kong: Take a bus from Bangkok to Trat (5-6 hours, $10-14), then a minivan or shared taxi to Hat Lek (1.5 hours, $3-5). Book the day before or morning of travel. You don't need to book far in advance unless it's peak season.
Cross into Cambodia at the border. Arrive at the border with your passport, departure card (TM.6, given when you entered Thailand), and the TM.8 form if you got one. Pay the border crossing fee (usually included in bus fare, or $1-2 if driving yourself). Get your passport stamped out of Thailand. Then go to the Cambodian immigration window—you can get a tourist visa on arrival for $30-35 (30 days) or $50 for e-visa. Have a passport photo ready or pay $2 for one at the border.
Spend 1-2 nights in Cambodia. The visa run is technically complete once you enter Cambodia, but most people stay 1-2 nights to make the trip worthwhile. Stay in Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, or a border town. Budget $30-60 per night for a decent mid-range hotel. Siem Reap is most convenient for the Poipet crossing. This stay breaks up travel time and lets you see something of Cambodia.
Return to Thailand. Take the same route back to the border. You'll be crossing on your TM.8 form (if you got one) or on visa-exempt status, depending on your situation. At the border, show your passport and departure card. Get stamped back into Thailand. You'll get a new 30-day tourist stamp (or 60 days if using a visa) and another departure card.
Return to your accommodation in Thailand. Take transport back to wherever you were staying in Thailand. You now have another 30-60 days on your Thai entry. If you stayed in Bangkok before, buses from the border take 4-5 hours. Plan to arrive back by evening if you want to minimize time away.

Do I need to get a new Thai visa before leaving, or can I just leave and come back?: If you have a TM.8 notification of departure, you can leave and return visa-exempt within 30 days. Without it, you'll need to get a tourist visa ($200) or buy a visa on arrival (more expensive and time-consuming). The TM.8 is free and takes 30 minutes at any immigration office—do it before you leave.
Is the visa run actually legal?: Yes. Thailand allows foreigners to leave and re-enter to reset their tourist entries. Immigration officers expect this. You're not breaking any law—you're simply using Thailand's legal entry rules. However, if you do this more than 4 times in a calendar year, immigration may ask questions or request proof of onward travel.
Can I take my luggage with me, or do I need to store it?: Take your luggage with you. Most guesthouses and hotels in Bangkok will store bags for $1-3 per day if you don't want to carry them, but there's no need. Your luggage goes on the bus to the border and into Cambodia with you.
What if I don't have a passport photo for Cambodia's visa on arrival?: The border has a photo booth, and they'll take one for $2. It's not ideal, but it works. Bring a photo anyway if you can—they're cheap and useful.
Which crossing is fastest?: Aranyaprathet-Poipet is fastest from Bangkok (direct bus, 4-5 hours total). Koh Kong-Hat Lek is least crowded but involves more connections. Poipet can get congested during peak times (9am-12pm)—go early morning or late afternoon if possible.
Do I need to book accommodation in Cambodia in advance?: Not usually. Mid-range hotels in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh have availability most days. During December-January peak season, book the day before. Budget hotels near border towns (Poipet, Koh Kong) also have walkup availability.
Can I do a visa run to Laos instead of Cambodia?: Yes. Laos is an alternative with similar costs. Nong Khai (Thailand-Laos border) is about 12 hours from Bangkok. The process is the same—get a TM.8, cross to Laos (tourist visa on arrival, $42), stay 1-2 nights, return. Choose Cambodia if you want island/beach time; Laos if you prefer mountains or faster border crossings.