charliebadenhop

1. Do NOT go on Mondays, and as far as I know, Fridays are also bad.

Just before opening today (Tues.) there were a half dozen people on line.

One guy was back from yesterday when he said there was at least 200 people.

2. No multiple-entry allowed

I tried to "discuss" this with them and a lady in charge came over and said "You can only get multiple entry from your home country."

So I only got single entry.

3. Bank book

I was told that I needed a photocopy of EVERY page in my bank book.

There is a tiny shop just next to the embassy that makes copies.

Again, I said that this is not what it says on their site, but he wouldn't budge.

The embassy person who waited on me was far from friendly, and he checked and checked and checked my documents at least a half dozen times.

4. This time they required a photocopy of the LAO visa that you get when you enter the country.

You can get this photocopied at the shop next to the Embassy for 5B.

Your copy should be showing the date when you came in.

The price for the Lao visa varies depending on what country you come from.

On average $30-35. And you might need to also pay a $1 late fee, if you arrive something like after 4PM.

5. I was asked for proof of residence in Thailand.

I told him that this is not stated on their website.

This frightened me because it could have been a deal breaker.

The desk person stared at me for about 10 seconds, made a face, and continued on.

My thought- IF it was a requirement I don't think he would have let me bypass it.

6. They do NOT accept the form that you can download from the internet.

This of course might change at any time, but the form they have at the Embassy is slightly different.

You can buy a form for B100 outside the Embassy and the person will even fill it in for you, or you can wait and get one once you are inside.

7. Getting back to Udon Thani airport (IF that is where you are going)

I am still here in Vientiane so I cannot yet swear to this, but

The fastest way (within reason) is to take an express bus that goes to the Friendship Bridge for B20, then take the bridge bus over the bridge for an additional B20, and then the van service to the airport will be either B150 or B200. My Thai friend here says it is B150.

Allow for two hours from Vientiane to the airport in Udon.

So you need to calculate and it depends on how many people were ahead of you on the first day.

I was #3 in line and you go back at 1:30 the next day. The very latest I should get out is 2PM. There is a 3PM bus to the bridge, and the bus station is not far away.

One IMPORTANT point is that you can NOT buy the bus ticket a day ahead of time. I am told you can buy it something like 2.5 hours ahead of time, so I will go to the bus station PRIOR to going to pick up my visa, and then go back for the bus after I get it.

Right now, I am told that 3PM is the earliest bus I can get in the afternoon. Two hours all the way back to the airport, and perhaps a bit sooner, puts me there at 5PM. The flight out is 6;10PM. It should be no problem

Last time here I was about #100 in line, and I got out of the Embassy in just short of an hour, so unless there are really a lot of people ahead of you you should be able to fly back the same day, IF you plan carefully like I am explaining here.

I have met a very friendly Thai guy here that I am staying with via Airbnb. He has made the whole process much easier and he is about a 20 minute walk from the embassy. Ask if you would like his contact details. He speaks pretty good English and has rooms above his restaurant. A very, very friendly guy.

Thanks so much for this info.

Any idea what time dinner starts on Friday?

Is alcohol sold?

How about shop hours on other days?

Sorry for so many questions but this really interests me.

Don,

Regarding Jan....

From the Den Ha area traveling out towards the elephant camp, how long is the drive?

And is his shop fairly obvious to see? A sign in English?

What are Friday nights like? How many people?

I am interested to try!

Yes, The Brasserie only closed in mid May.

The farewell party was on either May15 or 16, don't recall.

I really wanted to hear Tuk this time around, but I could not track him down.

He is one of the best guitarists in the world.

Anyone know where he is playing these days?

The Brasserie closed the middle of May this year.

I need my fix!!

As always,

Thanks Joe!!

Hi Folks,

Leaving for Laos today and just wanting to be certain I am not forgetting anything.

Is this all I will need to get a Non-O in Vientiane?

presentation of my Thai bank book, recently updated, and copy of bank book name page and last entry page; showing the requisite 800k baht or more in funds on deposit. An application form (which I get at the Embassy); (3) 4cm X 6cm photos, fee of US$80?, and copy of passport face page.

Anything else?

Also, is this all I will need to bring with me for my Non-O?

presentation of my Thai bank book, recently updated, and copy of bank book name page and last entry page; showing the requisite 800k baht or more in funds on deposit. An application form (which I get at the Embassy); (3) 4cm X 6cm photos, fee of US$80?, and copy of passport face page.

Anything else?

I have a note from a long time ago where someone said that Tuesdays and Thursdays were bad days to go to the Thai Embassy in Vientiane. Any truth to that?

Thanks Joe!

As always!

Anyone been to Vientiane lately?

What I remember is- Make your application one day, and then no choice but to come back the next day, and I think I had to go back no earlier than about noon or so.

Anyone have specifics?

Also I am thinking it took about two hours from Vientiane to get back to Udon Thani.

Yes?

Ok, thanks. B400 a kilo should be doable.

That is about B50 per "quarter pounder" without a bun, etc.

:-)

So is there also a Thai Embassy in Hanoi?

And if so, does it have a good rep?

Is Hanoi interesting to visit?

cb

For some reason flights to Penang for the dates I am wanting are pretty expensive.

Is Ho Chi Minh also a fine place to go for getting a non-O?

Ahh, beef in the frozen section of Makro! That I will be willing to try.

Any idea of how the prices relate to Tops?

I think Tops beef is quite fine, and I don't have the background to point out "small points" as to what is best.

Double knucklehead here...

As confusion reigns...

If he is on an ED visa, then he likely cannot switch to a Non-O without leaving the country, no?

The way things were stated was unclear to me.

And still, can someone please explain this?

go to penang with a current million baht in the bank you can get a 1 year multiple non o without ever setting foot in the consulate.

How to accomplish this without setting foot in the consulate?

Ok, wow, thanks....

So seems like Cambodia is NOT a good idea for a Non-O.

Thanks so much.

And... just for my own clarity... this less than great situation in Cambodia is totally about the people working in the Thai Embassy there, yes? Nothing to do with "Cambodia"?

How do I get a 1 year multiple entry without even entering the consulate?

If in PP if it was well ventilated and or air conditioned and the two hour wait does not mean a lot of other hassles, I could always bring my laptop.

Or is PP a pain in general?

Ok, thanks!

Is there good quality minced hamburger meat in Makro?

Their meat section always smells bad to me, so I have never really looked.

And is it definitely cheaper than say a place like Tops, or Big C?

Joe, thanks as always.

I am going to go to Cambodia in a week or two to get a Non-O and I was just going to show my bank book with B1 mil, and a letter from my bank saying the money has come from overseas. Will that be good enough or do I need to put the money into a fixed deposit account?

The SanFran placed mentioned is in a lot outside yes?

Had a wonderful burger there a few weeks ago, but not sure if they are still there.

I had one horrible service experience at Hungry Wolf, but their food is pretty good.

Wow, I am guessing that Belgium beer on tap must be really expensive no?

What is the name of the place near Doi Chang?

This is double knucklehead speaking!!

Doesn't the Non-OA require seasoning, while the Non-O does not?

Or am I completely off here, as I often am?!