CelticTam

I have Beer Lao Damh most nights -reminds me of bitter in England, or heavy in Scotland. A bottle in  a bar costs 10,000 Kip (about 34 Baht). It's Thursday so another beer night. Oh, yes I agree the best beer I have had in Southeast Asia over the previous 30 years.

23 hours ago, Barney13 said:

Hi UbonJoe, thanks for the reply. I have used this visa method with success until now. Do you think one week is sufficient time to accrue 400k, I don't. Do I wait for the border to open before 26th Sept, what do you suggest now?

The general view here in Laos is that the border will not open until next year. Recent events, i.e. the recording of the 20th Covid19 case (an import - South Korean working for one of the hydro companies) and the capture of 20 Chinese who crossed the border illegally, combined with the recent outbreak in Vietnam, will give the Lao authorities more cause for thought and hence the likely continued closure of the border. I think it is very much a case of "wait and see," but as stated maybe plan for the worse.

Unlikely that the borders will open until next month at the earliest. Most schools are back on the 18th May, many establishments are still be closed, colleges not open until 2nd June, Thai Airways  will start flights to Vientiane in July. As far as I am aware, inter-province travel is still restricted. At present no public bus services in Vientiane.

Laos has an offfical ban on the sale of alcohol!!!

9 hours ago, sjbrownderby said:

Another expert!..........but surely he doesn't need a mouthpiece.

 

Currently there is an official ban on the sale of alcohol here in Laos!!!!!

Every Songkran (Pi Mai Lao), I head home to Hua Hin from Vientiane  - it goes on for about  5 or days or so and is just chaos. Most people I know  (Lao included) head out of Vientiane and travel to 'quieter spots' and often take the opportunity to return to their families.

As Ubonjoe says, catch the minibus service from the airport (220 Baht) to to the Friendship Bridge.

You should arrive around 4.45. Exit at Thai immigration - finger print control in operation. Pass through and catch the bus over the bridge every 15 minutes or so, at 20 Baht. Apply for visa application and Lao Arrival/Departure form when you arrive in Laos. You need 1 x Photo and $35 + $1 overtime, or 1,500 Baht - obtain the forms and return at Window 1. You wait 10 minutes and receive your passport at Window 3 - check visa and stamp and proceed to exit gate and avoid the Lao immigration booths as you have already cleared Lao immigration.

Proceed to exit point where you will be required to present your passport - 30 seconds later and you are on your way. There are a number of options to travel from the Friendship Bridge to Vieng Chan.  Option 1. Catch a taxi: usually 300 Baht or negotiate and try and share with others - this option is best if you don't know the geography and depends where you want to stay overnight; option 2. Catch the number 14 bus, based on the right as you exit, to the central Bus station next to Talat Sao = 8,000 Kip or 25 Baht or $1. You can walk to most central hotels/guest houses in 15 minutes. Option 3. You can also catch a sontaew to Talat Sao for 8,000 Kip, though they will try to charge you more. Try to book your room prior to arrival.

Remember, you apply for your visa at the Thai Consulate not the Thai Embassy. Also, make sure you have all your docs including the page containing your exit stamp from Thailand/ entry stamp to Laos. Experience indicates that many people arrive early and queue up to submit their application - I recommend you aim to arrive around 11.00 a.m as the crowds should be gone.

Last but not least, I assume you have received confirmation of your appointment.

If you are in a hurry to get back to Thailand after you receive your passport and visa on the afternoon on day 2, try and share a mini bus taxi to the border. Alternatively, if you have time, catch the international bus from Vieng Chan to Udon and catch a tuk tuk to the airport (100 Baht).

Best of luck

13 hours ago, Gweiloman said:

But you said yourself that racism is when one group gets an advantage ...Genuinely, I’m confused 

 

Vietnam and Thailand are members of ASEAN and have signed up to cross-border arrangements, as have members of the EU - do you think a Thai can enter EU for 16 days visa exempt?

Don't forget to have a copy of your passport page with the exit stamp from Thailand and entry stamp to Laos.

In 2014, I was refused a same day re-entry at Sadao - I was using a visa exempt 30 day entry. However, a guy also hoping to do likewise was similarly refused and he had a Non-O visa. I have no experience of attempting a same day re-entry with a visa.

21 hours ago, Dick Z said:

Actually I never mention I am married (which I am, to a Thai wife). A lot less papers and you get the same retirement visa.

Do not forget you will require a copy of your passport page stamped with your exit stamp from Thailand and entry  stamp to Laos.

Don't forget a copy of:

1. Your main passport page.

2. A copy of the passport page with your exit stamp from Thailand and entry stamp into Laos.

Remember not to apply on a Monday or Thursday as you will be caught up with the hoards on the visa package run. 

VOA forms are distributed on board on inward flights. On Friday (23rd August) I completed my VOA form and attached photo. I got to the application desk 1 guy ahead of me - I handed in my application and passport , paid my $35 and I had my visa within 2 minutes. 

3 hours ago, sateuk said:

Do you reccomend a hotel as im going soon thanks

Avalon Residence is reasonable and located 2 minutes from the bus station - e mail or book online. There are plenty of hotels in the vicinity - I suggest you google Agoda/Booking.com to get a feel for the hotel, price and location. Not much in the way of nightlife in that area other than the big food court  nearby: take a right of Avalon walk about 100 yards take a left and about 150 yards along the food court is on the left. All Lao, but no problems and you might find yourself being invitedd into a bit of a drinking session which was just fine by me. Also, to the right of the bus station (as you face the bus station) is a large convenience store so you can stock up and they sell the ready food packs you can ask to have warmed up.

22 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

No appointment is needed.

It is only busy on Mondays and Thursdays when the visa run vans are there.

I obtained a Non-O visa based on marriage to a Thai in July - absolutely no problems. Do not apply on a Monday or a thursday due to the visa run packages. No request for bank details. Documents required:

1. Visa application form duly completed and 5,000 Baht.

2. 2 x Passport photos.

3.A. A valid passport.

3.B. A copy of your main passport page which you should sign.

4. Original marriage certificate which they will return immediately on application.

5. Copy of marriage certificate - I and my wife countersign on the back of the copy.

6. Copy of the wife's house book which she signs in Thai.

7. Copy of the wife's Thai ID which she signs in Thai.

In addition, I always include a copy of the wife's passport page which she signs in Thai.

No request for proof of funds.

 I turned up 10 minutes before the gate closed thus missing the early morning rush. Next afternoon I turned up approx 2.30 p.m. no one else around.

Staff were friendly and cooperative.

There is a copy shop across from the consulate just in case.

Also, the consulate is within walking distance of the town with several hotels. On receiving your passport with visa, you can walk back to the bus station to catch the bus to travel back to Mukdahan, if required.

Best of luck. 

I have been required to produce my WP a couple of times when entering Laos, probably twice in 10 years. I know from experience that Thai immigration at Sadao are stricter than at other immigration points.

As others have posted, you have not supplied sufficient information for others to assess. As regards the staff attitude, when I visited recently, it was a Thursday and really busy, they organized well and everyone was seen to in an orderly fashion. Next day, I collected my passport after the rush had gone and the guy on the counter was very friendly - I should state that I omitted to submit a relevant document and the omission was overlooked and my visa granted.

As you are married to a Thai, it seems to me that the easiest option is  to obtain a single entry Non-O visa based on marriage Allows you 90 day stay.

The train connection from Nong Khai to Thanaleng (Laos) runs about twice a day. Thanaleng is in the middle of nowhere and usually only a tuk service which departs when full. Far better you alight at Nong Khai and catch a tuk tuk (30 Baht) to Friendship Bridge 1 and cross over and then decided on the relevant transport option into Vientiane - Green bus, tuk, taxi.

A few years back (december 2017), I was detained at Suvarnabhumpi airport, arriving from Vientiane. I did not have a visa and I anticipated obtaining a 30 visa exempt stamp. However, I had travelled into Thailand from Laos about three times previously in as many months.

Immigration were not going to give me the entry stamp. I was taken to a separate desk and I was informed that I was to be sent back to Vientiane - I explained I was planning on visiting my Thai wife. There then ensued a long discussion between the IO and my wife - my wife told me that there is an old rule whereby you can be denied entry if you enter Thailand on three occasions you enter without a visa within a rolling period of 180 days. Eventually, the IO said I would be allowed entry, but if I planned on visiting Thailand in the near future I would require a visa. Let us know how you fare.

I just remembered, there is an M Point on Donpalang Road which you can walk to in about 10 minutes from the VV hotel - come out the hotel and go right and walk along about 0.5 km taking the bend and you will be at  just facing Anousoune English Center, then take a right up to Donpalang, go straight ahead and you are at Donpalang  and the M point is nearby.

Right across the road from Vang Vien hotel there is a convenience shop. Regarding late night food, you will be hard put to find anywhere open after 10 o'clock. I know the area well and I lived in Phounsouane for  a year or so. There a number of eateries very close by, including the big pizza house which is on the on the corner of the road which takes you to the consulate. Apart from downtown, I think you would have to go to the various food shops on Thadeua Road at Si Muang.  There is an M Point on Nongbone Road on the way to Talat Sao (i.e. heading into town) and you could walk there in just over 15 minutes. Hope this helps.

As others have stated, just apply for a visa on arrival at Wattay airport or at the relevant Friendship Bridge, as even with a valid visa you still have to queue to gain your entry stamp.

Of course, you can catch a mini bus (every half hour) from Udon Thani bus station to Nong Khai at the Friendship Bridge near to Thai immigration. Then when you cross over to Laos on the bus 15 or 20 baht). After you have obtained your visa (remember the photo and pay by $)  you come through Lao immigration, you can catch the green bus which is parked up over on the right. The bus leaves every 20 minutes or so and is 8,000 Kip = 30 Baht. It drops you off at the bus station at Talat Sao same as the international bus from Udon Thani.