Thailand Border Crossings & Routes for Traveling Overland

Thailand has borders with neighbouring Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Malaysia with over twenty international overland border crossings making it possible to travel to Thailand overland. Discover everything you need to know about traveling to Thailand overland – main Thailand border crossings, map, international bus and train routes.

Arrival to Thailand by Land

Foreign tourists arriving via Thailand land border crossings can enter the country on Visa Exemption, Visa on Arrival or with a visa obtained in advance from one of Thai embassies and consulates worldwide. Thailand entry requirements depend on your passport, planned duration of your stay and the purpose of your visit.

For more information on Thailand visa options, explore our guide to Thailand Visa.

Thailand Land Border Crossings

Thailand has over twenty international land border crossings making it possible to arrive into the country overland from Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Malaysia.

Thailand Land Border Crossings

Thailand Border Crossings from Laos

The most popular overland border crossings from Laos are Vientiane / Nong Khai (coming from Vientiane) and Huay Xai / Chiang Khong (coming from Luang Prabang).

Savannakhet / Mukdahan crossing is also widely used by travellers coming from the south of Laos.

All international overland border crossings suitable for all foreign passport holders (including the ones in need of Visa on Arrival) from Laos are as follows:

Ton Pheung / Chiang Saen (Chiang Rai)
Huay Xai / Chiang Khong (Chiang Rai)
Muang Ngeun / Huay Kon (Nan)
Nam Hueng / Tha Li (Loei)
Vientiane / Nong Khai (Nong Khai)
Paksan / Bueng Kan (Bueng Kan)
Tha Khaek / Nakhon Phanom (Nakhon Phanom)
Savannakhet / Mukdahan (Mukdahan)
Vang Tao / Chong Mek (Ubon Ratchathani)

We've previously used one of the land border crossings to travel to Laos so you can discover detailed guide about the land border crossing from Thailand to Laos via Nong Khai to Vientiane Border Crossing.

Huay Xai / Chiang Khong border crossing is used to cross the border to Laos when you are making a popular 2-day trip on Slow Boat from Chiang Rai to Luang Prabang.

There are several international bus and train routes that let you enter Thailand by land transport from Laos without the need to transfer:

Bus from Vientiane to Bangkok

Train from Vientiane to Bangkok

Bus from Pakse to Bangkok

Bus from Pakse to Ubon Ratchathani

Bus from Savannakhet to Mukdahan

Thailand Border Crossings from Myanmar

Crossing overland from Myanmar is not that popular because traveling by land to the border can be really problematic on Myanmar side.

But if you feel adventurous enough, can try using these international border crossings:

Tachilek / Mae Sai (Chiang Rai)
Myawaddy / Mae Sot (Tak)
Htee Kee / Phu Nam Ron (Kanchanaburi)

Thailand Border Crossings from Cambodia

The most popular overland border crossing from Cambodia is Poipet / Aranyaprathet as it’s the most convenient for the ones coming to Thailand after visiting the world famous Angkor temples near Siem Reap.

There are few other options to cross the border if you are coming from the northern or the southern part of Cambodia:

Anlong Veng / Chong Sa Ngam (Sisaket)
Poipet / Aranyaprathet (Sakaeo)
Phsar Prum / Ban Pakard (Chanthaburi)
Koh Kong / Had Lek (Trat)

There are several international bus routes that let you enter Thailand by land transport from Cambodia without the need to transfer:

Bus from Siem Reap to Bangkok

Bus from Phnom Penh to Bangkok

Thailand Border Crossings from Malaysia

The most popular overland border crossings from Malaysia are the Padang Besar (used for crossing on the train too) and Bukit Kayu Hitam / Sadao crossings.

All international overland border crossings suitable for all foreign passport holders arriving from Malaysia are as follows: