kanook

Don't waste time if you don't have 400k.

I was there in January and got multiple entry non O for 5000 thb.

Trip from Korat and back, hotel, E20 for my car roughly 850km, food and other expenses with 1500 thb Laos visa, only 9000 thb with 5000 thb Thai visa.

It is 2 days trip is little hard for all that but it can be done.

If you want, you can stay 2-3 days there and look around.

Hope this helps

Dino, I am planning this trip in May. Did you leave your car on the Thai side or did you drive it across the border? I would greatly appreciate any other insights or tips you may have.

Thank you, Kanook.

It is not local, but I spent last week in Doi Mae Salong and the air quality was quite good. I think a combination of elevation and almost no burning (that I could see) in the areas within Santikhiri town may have helped. Left Mae Salong Nov 9 at 4pm and by the time we got down to Mae Chan the haze was very bad, even worse in Chiang Rai city. We also passed 2 seemingly out of control fires along the highway from CR to CM last night. This will be my first year in CM during burning season - previous 2 years I lived in muang Chiang Rai, but I spent most of the month somewhere else and the way things are shaping up here in CM today I think I will leave sometime this week or weekend.

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Chiang Saen does not appear to be an international crossing. There is no Lao visa on arrival available meaning you cannot enter Laos which is required to do a crossing to get a new entry.

Crossings with Lao VOA's are shown here: http://www.laos-guide-999.com/Laos-border.html

This border crossing guide is out-of-date and inaccurate. First of all, the existence of the Xiengkok river crossing, second on the list of crossings between China and Laos is disputed. I don't think there has ever been such a crossing and therefore only the main Mohan-Boten crossing and since December 2013, the second but seldom used Phongsali (Ban Lanteuy) to Jiangcheng (Pu'er, Yunnan, China) crossings are in fact international crossings.

The first ever Laos-Myanmar crossing may open as early as May, after the 1st Lao-Myanmar friendship bridge is completed near Tachilek in March. I read it was located near Xiengkok, but on the Myanmar side it's actually still in Tachilek district, probably not far from the Golden Triangle.

Laos-Vietnam have at least 8 if not 9 international crossings now - the latest being La Lay (the villages on both sides share the same name) in Laos' Salavan province and Vietnam's Quang Tri province. A friend of mine crossed there back in November. Also, there is a new crossing in Hua Phan province I think.

So we are not sure foreigners can get a stamp for visa run or not ?

Thank you Ubonjoe for your link, I see these border crossing that I didn't know:

Bungkan - Pakxan (Nong Khai prov to Bolikhamxai prov.), No VA

Nakon Phanom - Thakhaek (Nakon Phanom prov to Khammouane prov.)

Do you have any information ? Someone crossed there lately ? Do they have duty free shops ?

Thank you again.

Nakorn Phanom to Tha Khaek is the site of the 3rd friendship bridge. I crossed from Thailand to Laos there around 9.15pm one night back in late November by car. I was the last person to arrive for the day, after a Thai truck went in the other direction before me. I don't recall seeing duty free shops, though since it was late and dark, I guess I wasn't really looking. They may exist there, but I'm not sure. Bridge opening times are 6am to 10pm daily. Last crossings should be made before 9.45pm though but if you don't have your own transport, I wouldn't recommend trying to cross later than 7 or 8pm. Also, it's said that the VOA office on the Lao side may close at 6pm, but since I don't need a visa for Laos I'm not sure as this wasn't relevant for me. However, crossing back into Thailand after 6pm wouldn't be an issue except if you are relying on public transport.

Beung Kan to Paksan I went to last March. I didn't end up crossing as the opening times were erratic and I was trying to bring my Thai motorcycle across, the status of which was uncertain, so I gave up as it was the weekend and I didn't have time to wait until Monday to go across by boat. Definitely no duty free on either side here though, we're talking about a very small local crossing (though it is designated as an international crossing). VOA is reportedly not available on the Lao side, but some reports indicate it now is...not sure who's right though.

The official opening times are 8.30am-4.30pm Monday to Friday and on Saturday morning there is a boat as well. Immigration and customs are likely to operate somewhat outside of these hours if you charter a boat though, although don't expect anything to happen after around 6pm on any given day or in the afternoons on weekends.

Great information Tomtomtom69.

Chiang Saen does not appear to be an international crossing. There is no Lao visa on arrival available meaning you cannot enter Laos which is required to do a crossing to get a new entry.

Crossings with Lao VOA's are shown here: http://www.laos-guide-999.com/Laos-border.html

I was under the impression that it IS now an international crossing to encourage Thai and Chinese (and other international) gamblers to the King Roman's Casino, a monstrous casino complex on the banks of the Mekong on the Lao side. I could be wrong but numerous other forums have indicated this crossing as being open to all since a year or two now, but only for passengers and not for vehicles.

That would be great if it was an international crossing now. I remember being told at the checkpoint it wasn't, 2 - 2 1/2 yrs ago.

Not will take too long to see the White Temple asking for an entry fee for "farangs"...and a big one. Better solution for the owner, a nice guy, very active in the Chiang Rai community.

In other country he will be accused of discrimination..and in big trouble.

Don't know if there is an entry charge, but non Thais have to pay a guide to show them round.

I was told entry is free, but if a guide is required and then only for non-Thais then that's kind of a round about way of dual pricing, isn't it? What about if you arrive with some Thai friends in tow? Shouldn't a guide then not be required?

Also how about if you are fluent in Thai like me, I wouldn't need an English speaking guide anyway (assuming that there even are any English speaking guides around)?

Entry is free and you don't need to hire a guide to show you around. I lived in Chiang Rai for 2 years before moving to CM 8 months ago. I still go back every month and have visited Wat Rong Khun more times than I care to remember while giving friends and family the CR tour.

Thailand has a Pollution Control Department, who knew?

It's a lottery.

IMO most won't change something like headsets, they will just think you did something to them and are trying it on.

Great way to describe refunds/exchanges (lottery) in Thailand. I hope the OP is successful, but it has definitely changed the way I shop, especially big ticket items. I don't know about others but I definitely ask many more questions and take a lot more of the sales staff time than I would back home. Many times I don't buy the product if there is any doubt about quality, performance, compatibility or availability of replacement parts. After sales service for the most part is not very good here and many times I am left scratching my head and thinking "this store would be busier, and increase their profit, if they took care of the customer."

If he is the killer, the man is a psychopath and should be apprehended as soon as possible before he commits any more murders.

Because he will.

"IF" being the operative word here Greeky. You finished with "Because he will". - Do you know this bloke?

There is little info as to why he is on the run, whether or not he is indeed guilty, or as to whether or not he is being set up for ulterior motives.

"IF" he is the killer then he isn't necessarily psychopathic. There could be many underlying problems. "IF" he is not the killer, and is being set up, which none of us know, what would your alternative correspondence be? Are you of the break the plates dancing brigade, before the bills are paid?

Kosta, most psychopaths aren't murderers. Psychopathy is a very interesting subject and it's worthwhile to take the time to read about it. In fact I know a Greek guy living here in Thailand that I am sure has dissocial personality disorder and is quite possibly a psychopath.

I don't love how people often repeat "tuktuks are cheap" when they are the single most expensive form of transport per km in the whole of Thailand !

How much should a 1km trip in a tuk cost? How about a 2km trip and 3km? Same question for 2 wheel motorbike taxi, if they exist. If you happen to know the Thai price and the ferang price, please quote both.

You are correct, tuk tuks are expensive. If my gf, who is a local, waved down a tuk tuk in a central area, even she would pay a relatively high price. Why? because this is a touristic city and they are trying to make money. If you are here long term you will begin to realize metro Chiang Mai is spread out and covers a large area. I don't want to get into a debate with regular posters here, but every single one of my gf's friends or relatives, literally hundreds of people have their own transportation and most drive a vehicle. If you can, get a scooter at minimum.

I agree with you and loathe having to breathe black toxic smoke spewing from the hundreds of songthaews zipping around town. Even more surprising is the sheer number of expat apologists (how can anyone defend toxic pollution). The solution is quite simple, force songthaews to burn clean fuel or better yet, replace them with metered taxis. As for public transit, why not start with a clean fuel public bus system. Did you know that Chiang Mai had a public bus system that was decommissioned a few years ago? Before residing here I lived in BK as well as Chiang Rai for 1 1/2 years. Although much smaller, Chiang Rai has several taxi companies that use the meter and are prefered by the locals, with many former songthaew and tuk tuk drivers now driving taxis in Chiang Rai.

JT, I can only speak for myself here as to why feel the need to take sides.

I live in this country, got married in this country, build my house in this country and I'm happy and content living here.

Now, for the past 8 years being here I witnessed, unrest, killings social disorder.

About 6 months ago a coup took place and everything changed.

No more killings no more fighting.

That is the reason that I'm taking sides and feel more secure and happy under the rule of this government, because it affects my life.

You'd have to be from communist Greece to be blind to the long game here.

I think it's failrly clear Costas has no clue about democracy.

Given the fact that Greece was the birthplace of it, his rants are truly bizarre.

I am Greek as well, and not surprised by his comments, even though I vehemently disagree with them.

Easy answer...to stop the karaoke bars doing this? Just don't use them!

Unknowing, naive tourists coming from Malaysia/China/Korea? Most of them holiday through Travel agents and tour companies who know EXACTLY what goes on in those places, so they should be warned before they arrive! They also stay in hotels, where receptionists and concierge will happily tell them not to go there!

The tour guide took them to the Karaoke, and received a healthy commission. Not sure if I am allowed to mention the name, but just avoid every Chang Klan karaoke especially if you are a tourist.

You may have trouble at Mae Sai. I lived in Chiang Rai for 1 1/2 yrs and know the border crossing well, friendly with some of the immigration staff at the border as well. I am now on a triple entry tourist visa from my home country. Two weeks ago I activated my 2nd entry by crossing over and back and thought it was a good idea to see what my options were when I used my final entry plus extension. I was told I wouldn't be able to exit and re enter on a visa exempt. Another resident of CM from a G7 nation was denied exit while I was at the border chatting with immigration. He was trying to cross over to Tachilek and back into Thailand on a visa exempt after his double entry tourist visa had expired. He was told to get a 7 day extension. That said the border staff is very friendly and in the past (before Aug 2014) flexible, at least with me, so they may allow you to cross, but don't be surprised if they don't. Mae Sai has gone from one of the most flexible crossings to apparently, zero tolerance recently.

Thank you for that info Kanook, I would be doing the same as you - I've used the 3rd entry of my triple entry tourist visa and extended it by 30 days. Maybe I'll be better to apply for the 7 day extension, it's a long way to go if it's for nothing. If it is denied and they give me 7 days to leave the country and put something horrible in my passport, I can always get my spouse non-o visa using my Australian passport, or maybe just get a tourist visa in Melbourne as we're going to Vietnam in April and England in May. I'd rather keep it on my UK passport for all sorts of complicated reasons, but I'm luckier than most people as I have an alternative I can utilise.

As Huggybearman mentioned, getting a little black mark in my passport may be insignificant now, but it might come back to haunt me at some later stage, which is why I was favouring doing a border run. I wish I was in Bangkok instead of Chiang Mai - return tickets to Singapore and KL are really cheap. I suppose that would be my last option, but I would be loath to waste 10,000 baht or so just to turn around and come back.

No problem, Konini, Your posts on the Chiang Mai forum are always pleasant, wanted to let you know what Immgration told me.

http://www.taxichiangmai.com/en/index.asp

Thanks. Can you call them for sightseeing only? Would need the service to go into town on the weekends, or for shopping if it rains.

Anyone having experiences with them ??

You can use them to go anywhere you want. When it rains they usually want more money, charged me 300฿ for a trip from Central Festival to the business park; a 1.5km trip.

Thank you everybody for your help and opinions. I don't want to risk having the extension denied at immigration as that will probably leave some kind of red stamp in my passport, so we've decided to hire a car and have a day out to Mae Sai. It's actually quite a pleasant drive, and we've got almost 4 weeks to decide when we want to go.

I hadn't even considered what UbonJoe said in the first reply - that I may be caught out before I get to the airport, after which I would be deported. Definitely not worth the risk

You may have trouble at Mae Sai. I lived in Chiang Rai for 1 1/2 yrs and know the border crossing well, friendly with some of the immigration staff at the border as well. I am now on a triple entry tourist visa from my home country. Two weeks ago I activated my 2nd entry by crossing over and back and thought it was a good idea to see what my options were when I used my final entry plus extension. I was told I wouldn't be able to exit and re enter on a visa exempt. Another resident of CM from a G7 nation was denied exit while I was at the border chatting with immigration. He was trying to cross over to Tachilek and back into Thailand on a visa exempt after his double entry tourist visa had expired. He was told to get a 7 day extension. That said the border staff is very friendly and in the past (before Aug 2014) flexible, at least with me, so they may allow you to cross, but don't be surprised if they don't. Mae Sai has gone from one of the most flexible crossings to apparently, zero tolerance recently.

I started a thread a week ago noting the demise of a group of metered taxi drivers with a central dispatch number that lasted less than 1 month. I will not dwell on what I consider a real problem here in CM - no metered taxi service, because many expats I have met don't seem to think it's a problem. I have only lived here for 8 months so I don't have a problem deferring to long term residents. In saying that it does seem a very expensive proposition compared to my previous residences (Chiang Rai and BK) especially early morning taxi rides to the airport or during a heavy rain storm. In August I had to pay 300฿ for a 1.5 km ride from Central festival to my Condo in the business park after a late night movie. Needless to say, I drive everywhere now.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787955-does-anyone-know-what-happened-to-the-new-metered-taxi-company/

I think it only fair to raise the point that 500 Baht is not a great deal of money, especially if you are from a country such as the UK (as I am) where that ammount of cash would not get to to the next junction.

I stopover in Bangkok very often and have never been overcharged for the taxi to my regular hotel. Instead I feel bad about that fact that the driver has waited in line for hours at the airport, only to get me who is going 5 minutes down the road for a fair of Baht 90. I always pay Baht 200 to resolve my concience.

I don't mind going off-meter, as long as you agree to the fee beforehand and the driver sticks to it.

The cost of living is not the same as the UK, here 500 Baht IS a great deal of money almost 2 full days work on minimum wages. Would you pay 2 days wages for a single taxi ride back home?

Excellent point firestar. Tourists like drink75 are the reason that many locals have to stop several taxis in the tourist rich areas of BKK before finding one that will use the meter. If you actually feel bad for locals with low incomes, stop overpaying.

Are you travelling to KL just for the single entry (60 day) tourist visa? If that is the case and on a tight budget, there are much better options to extend your stay in Thailand

The Thai mafia has shut their business model down perhaps and "convinced" them to apply a flat fee?

That's probably what happened. One of the principals of this taxi company told my gf when she started using them in early Dec that a few 'good' taxi drivers decided to join together and form a metered service.

I was actually going to start a thread in praise of the new metered taxi company in CM. Unfortunately it didn't last very long. My last trip was from my home in Pa Tan to the Airport at 4am on Dec 13 (120 ฿ on the meter including 1 stop to pick up a friend in Chang Phuak + 50฿ early morning surcharge). My gf who runs the office of an international NGO and regularly needs to book transportation used the metered taxi service several times in early Dec until we left for the south on Dec 13. When we returned the phone number to the company goes unanswered and when a colleague called one of the drivers to book, he now requested a flat fee.

At least it is possible to find a taxi that will use the meter in BK. In Chiang Mai it is impossible to get them to use the meter. Locals and expats that don't drive mainly use black smoke spewing songthaews for reasonably priced transport, adding to the already lovely air quality here.

If you are in touch with a embassy or official Thai consulate they are giving you info for a non-oa long stay visa which is often called a retirement visa which gives you a one year entry.

If you are in touch with a honorary Thai consulate they would be doing a multiple entry non-o visa valid for one year that would only give 90 day entries.

I was surprised to find out from a friend who is arriving in two weeks that he could not receive a multiple entry non o visa (based on retirement) at the honorary Thai consulate in Edmonton Canada. Do you have knowledge that this is correct or is it possible he misunderstood?