Caldera

They're probably your best bet. I haven't heard of any agents specifically providing "safe entry" services at that border, probably because it just isn't busy enough with "border runners" who are the ones who need such a service the most. As the Thai consulate in Savannakhet will transition to issuing eVisas from January on, I don't know if (or in which form) classic visa runs to Laos will still be available next year. That might give some agents new ideas.

Well "abuse" can be many things, broadly speaking it's foreigners staying in Thailand and doing things that aren't in line with their visa or extension. Historical examples: Language school Non-Ed visa holders who didn't study. Volunteers on Non-O visas who didn't do volunteer work. Once that became widespread, a crackdown followed. If too many DTV holders are caught working illegally in Thailand, taking or selling drugs or engaging in other illegal activities, the same can be expected to happen.

Do you have any reason to believe that you won't be able to enter smoothly there on your own? You could ask one of the visa run companies that offer trips to Savannakhet if they can assist.

That was a high-ranking MFA official. What immigration makes of the DTV is anyone's guess, but it's their boss (the Minister of the Interior) who counter-signed the then-PM's cabinet resolution to create the DTV. I'd imagine a lot will depend on the level of abuse, as abuse always leads to crackdowns. That might lead to some immigration checkpoints becoming overzealous at some point, same as we've seen with other visas before.

Just to amuse myself with your dumb replies, of course.

Trump's religion might well be America, but his God is Donald Trump.

Well the good news is that we'll all see about that. Very soon.

Not sure what the purpose of this topic is. You need to stop blaming Trump and start blaming his voters for what's about to happen, it's not like he's made any effort to conceal his plans - and they voted him in again anyway. Democracy is failing not because of the bad things that Trump will do, but because enough people voted for him anyway, for a variety of reasons (not least the painful process of swapping out Joe Biden last-minute).

Jeez give it a break, now even restaurant critics feel compelled to find antisemitism where there's none in all likelihood.

The Democrats urgently need to learn from this debacle and replace their aloof leadership. Sadly they haven't learned anything from trying to force Hillary down our throat in 2016. I'm sure the outgoing VP can get a job or write her memoirs. I don't see any future in politics for her. After having been VP, anything other than president would be a downgrade, and she failed to secure that job. So this is the end of the line.

Say bye bye to the floods. Say hello to the burning season with its toxic air pollution. Tourism?

Looks like a well-oiled machine. Thanks for your report.

I haven't received the email yet. I've had an account with Kasikorn Bank since 15+ years. They might send them out in batches. Extremely poor form, as others have said. Sending such an email during a weekend and expecting a return of sensitive documents by email. Mind-boggling.

I know that; I'd guess most Lao people who apply for a Thai visa don't apply for a tourist visa.

Hopefully you are right! That would be an insane hassle for Lao people from far-away provinces: Come to Vientiane to pay, hang around for up to 15 days until the eVisa is granted (or go back home to wait), then travel to Thailand.

If it materializes as per the announcement, it will be a lot slower. Walk-in currently means a 2-night wait until you can pick up the visa. Let's see what it will actually be like once rolled out.

The reason is simply that ALL Thai embassies and consulates are moving to the eVisa system, a process that has been in progress since quite a few years already. After other nearby Thai embassies (Hanoi, Phnom Penh) and consulates (Ho Chi Minh City) switched over to eVisa, the writing for the ones in Laos was on the wall. You don't pay cash, you pay online when you apply. You are supposed to be located in the country where your application is being processed throughout the duration of the application process. The multi-entry Non-O visa has been on its way out and isn't available via the eVisa system anywhere. So yes, they're clearly trying to push people who live in Thailand long-term towards getting 1-year extensions from immigration within Thailand.

Thanks a lot for your very interesting updates from Myanmar, Simon! I hope you'll keep them coming. What you've been doing there for education for many years (just looking at your poster and app) has been amazing work. I hope you'll have the energy, good health and motivation to keep it up for many more years, and I wish you all the best.

That silly "joke" will cost him dearly.

Yes, if you transfer planes at Don Mueang coming from Siem Reap, you will need to clear immigration at Don Mueang Airport. Not recommended if you've spent a lot of time in Thailand visa exempt or on tourist visas.

It's a very common dish, nothing special, definitely worth trying for someone who spends time in Thailand.

That won't be nearly enough to solve the planet's over population crisis.

Yes. It's definitely one of the friendliest border crossings. Too out of the way to be overrun with border bouncers, which makes it pleasantly relaxed.

Spoken like the habitual pyromaniac he is... he just cannot help himself and has to start a new fire as soon as the previous one has been extinguished.

Yes, that's a relaxed and friendly border crossing. From Siem Reap, it's easy to get there by taxi (shared taxi if you want to save money, private taxi otherwise). Once you've crossed into Thailand, you can again take a taxi - or a van - to Surin.