sjbrownderby

In my original enquiry, I asked specifically if I had to go to the visa office before proceeding to the immigration desk. I was told that I did not need to go to that office but that I should go straight to the immigration booth. In fact I did need to go to the visa office and so the information WAS incorrect and, as I found out later, based on old information from pre-Covid times.

Okay...........now I get it. He shouldn't be called out for giving incorrect information because he is a respected poster. I apologise deeply for trampling on your beliefs.

I didn't make a big deal of it. The big deal is being made by those who support the idea that giving out factually incorrect information is acceptable. I am merely responding, as I believe I have a right to do. Even you admit a mistake was made, so why don't you just leave it at that?

You are missing the point here buddy. I already said it wasn't a big deal to me. No matter the direct consequences, or lack thereof, the information given was not correct.

I didn't measure it and I would not speculate in case it later turns out that I gave inaccurate information.

Good for you. If you have been a member for a long time then you will understand how the forum operates and you should agree that someone who gives out inaccurate information deserves to know about it. Although his response was in answer to my query, others can see and may accept that information as correct, as I did. When pressed on the matter I find out that his info was based on old info, and it was presented to me in response to my original enquiry as if it were current and accurate.

You are very welcome. I had a copy of the expired passport and DL just incase, but neither was requested.

Yes, seriously. The information he gave was incorrect whichever way you look at it. Clearly, he is not infallible.

The official list shows the requirement for both and does not list either as an alternative for the other. The reality was that I was not asked for a copy of my wife's passport when I submitted the documents in support of the application for a visa.

The two things are separate issues. I could find no information on the procedure for e-visa entry into Lao at Savannakhet and so I asked. Now, ubonjoe has admitted that his response was based on old information but it was given as if it were up to date. Perhaps I should have made it clear that I was looking for up to date information in my original question but I would have thought it would be obvious in the way the original request for information was phrased. Yes, things can change at the drop of a hat but I don't think that the requirement for the QR code label in my passport was done 'at the whim of officials'. This requirement is obviously less whimsical and more procedural in nature.

Now you have a recent report on which to base any further responses. Perhaps you should have made it clear that your information was not up-to-date. Just to be clear, I could find no information regarding e-visa entry into Lao in this forum and that is why I asked. The only real response was from you. As per your information I by-passed the visa office but was quickly turned around and sent back there by a Lao IO who examined my e-visa approval print-out and passport. I saw that too and was ready with a vaccine passport. My original question in this forum was asked on behalf of a friend. In any case I was not asked to provide evidence of vaccination or negative test for entry into Lao.

A signed copy of the wife's passport is on the official list of required documents but it was not requested when I submitted my application two days ago.

In the past few weeks i asked several questions regarding entry into Lao and obtaining a non-O marriage visa in post-Covid times. Well, I just got back from Savannakhet and everything went well but here are some observations and hopefully useful information. 1. E-visa entry into Lao: I had specifically asked about the procedure specifically for entry into Lao at Savannakhet in a thread started on September 26. Ubonjoe replied with information that turned out to be incorrect. I did ask if I needed to go to the office where visas are issued but was told to go straight to the 'departure' (later corrected to arrival) desk. That is not, in fact, the case. You do have to go to the office where the visas are issued and present your passport and e-visa printout. They stick a small label in your passport with a QR code on it. The label is headed "Entry Permission" This part of the procedure takes only a few minutes, but only after this can you go to the immigration booth for entry into Lao. Sorry ubonjoe but you gave me incorrect info. No big deal but the hit to your reputation is greater than my small inconvenience. 2. Covid entry requirements. Although I was prepared with a vaccine passport (3 vaccinations in total) it was not requested and neither was negative ATK test so maybe entry restrictions have been relaxed but don't count on it. 3. The list of required documents for my visa (Non-O based on marriage to a Thai national) includes a signed copy of the data page of your spouse's passport. I did not know of this requirement until I read it recently on the list published on the website of the Thai Consulate General in Savannakhet. In my four visa applications prior to Covid it was not asked for. I was concerned because my wife's passport expired in 2016 and my last visa application there was 2019. It was too late for her to get a new passport so I had her sign a copy of the expired passport and at the same time asked a question in this forum. Someone else had a similar problem and made enquiries with the Embassy in Vientiane who advised him to take a copy of his wife's driving licence. I also took a copy of my wife's DL. When I handed over the documents I purposely left out the passport and driving licence intending to see if the asked for either. They did not, and I did not volunteer either document. I was at the window for less than one minute with all the necessary documents ready. I paid the money and took the receipt. 4. The consulate was busy, mainly due to the two holidays this week. There was really only one day this week when visas could be applied for and picked up on the following day and that was yesterday, Tuesday. One guy I was talking to in the line waiting to get my passport back arrived in Savannakhet on Sunday, from Bangkok, only to find out the consulate was closed on Monday. I will plan things a little better next time to avoid the crowd. So, I will use the e-visa method of entry again as it does save a lot of time and I will plan my trip with a little more care next time to avoid the crowds The consulate deals with applications and handing back passports with speedy efficiency and I have no complaints about that. Hold-ups happen at the border, particularly on re-entry to Thailand. Those hundreds of people all picked up their passports at the same time and all got to the border at around the same time. It took 45 minutes to get through immigration and back into Thailand.

Thanks. I will take a copy of her DL also, just in case........

Thanks. I will take a signed copy of my wife's expired passport anyway, even though it may not actually be required.

Thanks Joe. The passport is on the list as a requirement so I had to ask.

In a few days time I will go to Savannakhet to obtain a multi-entry Non O visa based on marriage. I looked at the list of documents required and see that a copy of my wife's passport is on the list. The last time I was in Savannakhet I did not provide a copy of my wife's passport. That was in December 2019. Problem is that her passport expired in 2016 and I am sure that I did not provide a copy of her expired passport then. I have all of the other documents and required copies and can provide a copy of the expired passport. Is the passport copy a strict requirement now?

I did a border bounce there on Sept 24. Nothing has really changed since pre-Covid days. It is a very popular crossing for people from the Thai side, the casinos on the Cambodian side being the main attraction. There is car parking on the left around 500 metres from the border. From there you can take a motor-bike taxi, costing 20Baht, to the border. Once you have passed through immigration on the Thai side you bear slightly right to a small group of buildings that include an office for issuance of visas and, next to it, the office that will deal with your entry to Cambodia. Once you have completed the application forms (2 forms exactly the same) for the visa, then you hand over the fee and one passport sized photo. The fee is 1500 Baht, the same as before Covid. Once the visa is issued and stuck into your passport, then you move along to the immigration window. You will be asked for 300 Baht if you do not intend to stay overnight. I was not asked to show any proof of Covid vaccinations, nor did I offer to show my vaccine passport. Once you have entered Cambodia you cross the road and visit the office where you will be 'stamped out' of Cambodia. Re-entry to Thailand will involve filling in of an arrival card (Form TM6), part of which will be attached to your passport and the date of expiry of your visa exempt entry will be stamped on the card together with the expiry date of the visa exempt entry. Your passport will also be stamped the same. My visa exempt entry was 30 days but I understand it is now, since 1 Oct, 45 days.

Isn't it a little odd that they did not report the matter to the police until three days later when they received the second demand for money? By the time the BIB knew about it the gang had made themselves scarce.

I will soon be travelling to Savannakhet (visa renewal) and I have the vaccine passport issued by the Thai Ministry of Public Heallth. A friend will be travelling with me and he has been fully vaccinated and has details electronically held and accessible through the Mor Prom app. We intend to travel in two weeks by which time there will be no requirement to show proof of vaccination on return to Thailand. Does anyone know if his Mor Prom is acceptable currently as proof of full vaccination? Or, will he also need a vaccine passport?

From Korat the nearest border crossing will be Chong Chom in Surin province. On Saturday I did a border bounce and got a 30 day admission stamp. I could not wait until Oct 1st to get the 45 days, but that is okay with me. The process of entering and leaving Cambodia is as before Covid. I went to do a re-entry on the day the border closed in March 2020. Anyway the process is simple and once you get the 45 days you can get an extension at immigration in Korat.

I have a vaccine passport but I will be travelling with a friend who will return from the UK this week. He was vaccinated, twice, in Thailand and has electronic proof on his phone. I think this is on the Mor Prom app but is that acceptable as proof or would he need a vaccine passport? Both are issued by the same entity in Thailand.

After a, nearly, three year break due to Covid I will be going back to Savannakhet for a non-O (marriage) visa. This time I applied for an e-visa to enter Lao and approval arrived today. I have 60 days to use it but I have never done this before. I usually fill in the paperwork at the border and wait for the visa office to return my passport. My question is: Do I now by-pass the visa office and go straight to the immigration booth for entering Lao? .................or...............Do I still have to go to the visa office and have a paper visa attached to my passport as before? I have printed out the eVisa Approval Letter and it shows my photo (and other details as submitted with the application) and a QR code for immigration to scan.

Why didn't you get off the bus at the Thai Consulate, instead of travelling past it to the bus station? You could have saved yourself 50 Baht there.........not to mention the haggling process. Saving small amounts of money is obviously very important to you.

Thanks for the information. That is exactly what I wanted to know.