audaciousnomad

Thanks. Did not know that. Well, that's 1900thb for 30 days or 1900thb for 60 days. It's already painful for holders if rubles. It's twice expensive(painful) if you have to pay every 30 days. If I were Russian, I would hope they don't end covid extension.

Thanks. I applied and got the consideration stamp and must return on 30-May. Regarding the program possibly ending, there is one other thing that may tilt the balance towards the program continuing: The Ukraine conflict. The few thousand Russian and Ukrainian tourist still stuck here were accommodated under the same order as the Covid extension program, instead of creating a separate "Ukraine Conflict extension" just for their unique situation. So...if that covid program order is ended, they will have effectively also created a problem for the Russians/Ukrainians who might need to continue being here to weather the storm so to speak. This is of course, conjecture. But they cannot screw the covid stayers without also screwing the Russians/Ukrainians in the process.

We'll find out soon enough. It's just a week away.

Bangkok Chinatown? Whereabouts?

If you have not done the 30 day extension yet, then the covid extension is a moot point. They would first issue you the standard 30-day extension before anything else.

I successfully buy from facebook, but ONLY when the seller allows me to meet up to verify the item. If they refuse to meet, it's goodbye from me.

I feel like they will extend the state of emergency to retain the ability to make sudden policy changes if some new unexpected covid variant pops up. What that will mean in regard to the covid extension program is anyone's guess. So yes, anything can happen.

You are guessing this? Or you have some inside contact that hinted at this?

If your present stamp is indeed Visa Exempt, you should have no problems other than some curt comments depending on which person you get. As I said, I've been here since 2020, and my last entry point was a Myanmar visa run from the border with Kanchanaburi in 2020 for which I have a visa exempt stamp. Ever since then, only covid stamps. If I have had no issues, I doubt you will. Just keep it simple, don't explain anything about your future plans(marriage, etc.). Get the covid stamp done as simply as possible(like you're a simple tourist). Once you have that in your passport...do a SEPARATE visit to square away your Non-O.

No problems. And I have been here since 2020.

I unfortunately had to go to Lak Si twice. I went on Friday, and naively believed I would be fine turning up at 10AM like I always did at MTT. No dice. Handed out all the queue numbers already. Shocking to me. So I had to return on Monday, and this time I came at 730 to make sure.

Requirements for Entry into the Laos by Air, Land, and Water From 09 May 2022 All international borders are open for foreign travelers. Visa exemptions, visas-on-arrival, and E-visas are in place. Private and public transport vehicles are allowed to enter and exit Laos. Foreigners entering Laos who contract COVID-19 shall be responsible for their own treatment costs --Fully Vaccinated Travelers-- Certificate of Vaccination --Unvaccinated or Partially Vaccinated Travelers-- Certificate of Vaccination is not required ATK test result issued within 48 hours before departure to the Lao PDR, except for children under 12 years old Other Major Changes: The following processes and documents are not required: RT-PCR Test before departure ATK test on arrival for fully vaccinated travelers Proof of COVID-19 insurance Lao Green Pass registration Quarantine Per the Notice from the Prime Minister’s Office 627/PMO, dated 07/05/2022 Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism

Just did my 10th one on Monday. CE forever !!!

It's not required, but if you don't make an appointment, then you should plan to arrive early (before they open) to ensure you get into the queue. It gets really busy(in Bangkok) and they have a limited number of queue cards per day and once they are gone, you will be turned away and will need to come back the next day.

Fifteen. It was to expire on 24-May(same day as the program).

No indication, and I didn't ask. There were a few times in the past when they would say "This is the last time." But lately, I have not been told this. The last 2 covid extensions I did proceeded in a routine fashion. Hoping for the program to continue, but if not, I'm not disappointed. As someone who has been here since when the pandemic broke out and turned the world upside-down, I feel that Thailand has been very gracious (with some attitude of course) to me, and I'm grateful and prepared to move on when that day comes. I could do Malaysia or SG for 90 days, Cambodia, Vietnam, or Philippines for 30.

If you've done one before, it's all the same. I was in and out in 30 mins once I got a queue #. I was #15. U.S. passport Visa Exempt Took MRT to Bang Sue. Walked upstairs (follow the big red signs marked (3) for the SRT train). Token is 26 Baht. I entered at the North end, near the Foodland supermarket, but the entrance is nearer to where the Bangkok Bank is, slightly to the left of the Foodland. I showed up early'ish at 8AM. Note, the mall is still closed at this time, so most of the lights will be dimmed when you enter. Don't take the lift to the 3rd floor as the doors will be locked there. Find the escalator and walk up. T They opened the desk at 8:20'ish to start pre-checking docs. Must be some new trainees, because I had copies of all stamps, but she put those aside and only kept the most recent stamp together with the application docs. But, when I got to the actual document receiving desk where you pay your 1900baht, they asked for the rest of the pages, so I had to dig them back out of my bag. As I said....easy peasy. No request for flight ticket. Only a slight whisper of "you here long time...2020..." as she thumbed through my pages. "Mask off please for photo. Pay me 1900baht. Thanks, wait outside." Good luck to all...but if you haven't done anything funny with your passport or visa since you entered, you shouldn't need luck. It will be smooth sailing with just a little bit of curtness. Oh...one more thing. It's back to Under Consideration again, which means more wasted page space. I have to come back on 30-May to get the 60-day stamp.

Are you sure? For some, maybe getting sucked in properly is what pushed them to fully embrace the other side.

Yup, that is the standard operating procedure.

Anyone who has been there: Is Counter K at IT Square Lak Si only helping people with appointments? The reason I ask, is when it was at MTT, it was strictly by appt. Then later the appt was optional. Wondering if I can just show up at Lak Si without appt., or will I be turned away?

Great! Thanks for the update. Did you need to make an appointment? How long did it take you to get in and then out of there?

Let us know how it goes on Thursday! (Wed the office is closed)

Three border checkpoints in Nong Khai were reopened on Sunday, more than two years after they were sealed in March 2020 to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The main checkpoint is the First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge in Nong Khai’s Muang district, which connects with the Laos capital Vientiane and serves as the channel for Laotians to enter Nong Khai. The other two checkpoints are at Nong Khai Pier and Nong Khai Train Station. Nong Khai governor Monsit Pisanthanawat said that all three checkpoints will now be open from 5am until 9pm every day. Travellers from Laos entering Nong Khai must present a vaccine certificate showing at least two doses and pass temperature screening. Read more.... https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015141

Does anyone know where the photocopy/printing/passport-photo facility is at the new location in Lak Si (IT Square) ?

Thanks. Did they say it must be exactly 2 weeks prior ? Or would 3 weeks be okay?