Temporary Suspension of Visa Stamp Issuance in Cambodia - What Happened?
Thailand immigration at Cambodian land borders temporarily stopped issuing fresh 15-day and 30-day visa-exemption stamps to "border runners" - foreigners who exited and re-entered repeatedly for new stay days without a proper long-stay visa.
That policy shift targeted abuse of land crossings at Poipet, Aranyaprathet, and other checkpoints. As of June 2026, the situation has escalated further: all Thailand - Cambodia land borders remain closed to routine tourist traffic amid an ongoing bilateral dispute. Do not plan visa renewals via Cambodian border runs today.
Verify for your passport and embassy posting.
Verify for your passport and embassy posting.
Verify for your passport and embassy posting.
Verify for your passport and embassy posting.
Overview
Visa overview: tvc.co.th/visas
At Thai Visa Centre in Bangkok, we handle cases like this every week. Confirm current requirements on thaievisa.go.th and tdac.immigration.go.th within two weeks of travel or application.
Short answer: Thailand immigration at Cambodian land borders temporarily stopped issuing fresh 15-day and 30-day visa-exemption stamps to "border runners" - foreigners who exited and re-entered repeatedly for new stay days without a proper long-stay visa.
The short answer
| Question | Answer (June 2026) |
|---|---|
| Can I border-run through Cambodia? | No - land crossings closed; stamp suspension still relevant if borders reopen |
| Were 15/30-day stamps stopped at Cambodian borders? | Yes - historically for repeat border runners |
| Current alternative for visa renewal | Thai embassy (Laos, Malaysia, home country) or in-country extension |
| Can I fly Thailand ↔ Cambodia? | Yes - air routes operate; standard visa rules apply |
| When will land borders reopen? | No confirmed date - monitor official announcements |
Current border status (June 2026)
| Route | Status |
|---|---|
| Land borders (Poipet, Koh Kong, etc.) | Closed for normal tourist crossings |
| Flights BKK ↔ Phnom Penh / Siem Reap | Operating |
| Thai visa runs via Cambodia land | Not viable |
| Emergency / diplomatic crossings | Restricted - not for visa tourism |
What to do instead of a Cambodian border run
| Your situation | Better option |
|---|---|
| Retirement / marriage visa extension due | In-country extension at immigration - or embassy income affidavit route |
| Tourist days running out | Apply tourist visa at Thai embassy (Vientiane, Penang, KL, or home country) |
| Need new Non-O / O-A | Embassy application - allow 2 - 4 weeks processing |
| Short Cambodia trip | Fly - e-visa or visa on arrival at Cambodian airports |
| Overstay already occurred | Do not border-run - seek professional advice immediately |
What the original suspension covered
Before wider border closures, Thai immigration at Cambodian checkpoints tightened enforcement:
The measure aimed at border runners, not every tourist making a genuine short visit to Cambodia.
Who was most affected
Legitimate travellers with valid visas and genuine cross-border trips were less affected - but current land closures supersede all stamp policies until borders reopen.
Need a legal path to extend your stay?
We handle in-country extensions, embassy routing, and long-stay visa conversions - not border runs.
*Border policies change with little notice. Verify crossing status with official sources immediately before any travel plan.*
Step-by-step process
Follow these named steps when planning your timeline. Adjust for your nationality and embassy posting.
The short answer
Visa overview: tvc.co.th/visas
What the original suspension covered
Before wider border closures, Thai immigration at Cambodian checkpoints tightened enforcement:
Current border status (June 2026)
Since mid-2025, Thailand and Cambodia have closed land border crossings to routine passenger traffic amid a border dispute. Practical impact:
What to do instead of a Cambodian border run
Retirement extensions: tvc.co.th/visas/thailand-retirement-visa TDAC on every re-entry: tdac.immigration.go.th
Who was most affected
Legitimate travellers with valid visas and genuine cross-border trips were less affected - but current land closures supersede all stamp policies until borders reopen.
Need a legal path to extend your stay?
We handle in-country extensions, embassy routing, and long-stay visa conversions - not border runs.
Common mistakes
- Assuming Cambodia land borders will reopen on rumoured dates
- Overstaying hoping a border run will "reset" the clock
- Using visa agents who promise land-border stamps in 2026
- Confusing Cambodian visa rules with Thai entry stamps
- Forgetting TDAC and TM30 after legitimate air re-entry
- Skipping re-entry permit (TM8) before leaving on single-entry long-stay visas - see /faq/do-i-need-a-re-entry-permit
Related questions
Q:Can I still get a 30-day stamp anywhere?
A:Visa-exemption rules still exist at airports and open land borders - but Cambodia land crossings are closed for routine use in June 2026.
Q:Is Poipet open for visa runs?
A:No - not for standard tourist border crossings as of June 2026.
Q:Will the stamp suspension end when borders reopen?
A:Likely continued scrutiny on repeat entries - plan proper visa extensions rather than border-run culture.
Q:Can I apply for a Thai visa in Phnom Penh?
A:The Royal Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh may accept applications - confirm current hours and whether fly-in is required given border status.
Q:Do immigration rules in this FAQ apply to every nationality?
A:Many principles are universal, but embassy document requirements and visa exemption lists vary by passport. Confirm your nationality on thaievisa.go.th before acting.
Q:When was this FAQ last reviewed?
A:June 2026. Fees, financial thresholds, and embassy procedures change without notice. Verify within two weeks of travel or application.
Official references
Official sources verified June 2026. Immigration practice varies by province. Confirm your passport and entry method before you travel or extend.