Wongkitlo

Bank letter was issued 18th April

I had both. The bank offered a 3 month or 6 month statement. I had only put the money in at the start of the month so I chose a 3 month one. We asked the bank for a letter for immigration and they knew what it was about. It said I had x amount in the bank on x date.

Money deposited between the 4th and 8th April only. My wife transferred from her account so could only do 80,000 b a day.

Yes. I was a little nervous but he did seem happy to see me.

Just back in Mukdahan with my new multi entry non o visa. Went to consulate Tuesday morning around 9.30 am and queued inside till 11 am. The print shop across the road and closest to the bus station helped me organize my documents and she was very helpful. I had filled out my form and written 12 month Multi entry 5000 b on top. At the desk he did ask where my wife was and I replied she was back in Thailand looking after her sick older sister. I had a bank letter showing a balance of over 400,000 baht which I had deposited 2 weeks before and there was no mention of seasoning. I also had my passport copies, photos, copy of Lao visa and a signed copy of my wifes ID card, Tabien bahn, and our wedding certificate. I also had a Kor Ror 2 from September and I worried slightly that it was out of date, but he didn't mention it. He did not want my bank book or my original wedding certificate. I kind of had the feeling he was happy to receive the 5000 baht for the Multi entry as he had seemed a bit harsh with the people before me, but very kind and friendly with me. Might be encouraging for others considering the trip. I did think that Savannakhet had changed a little since I was there last year. There seemed less foreigners around. I used to go to expat owned Dolly's pizza but it was closed-not sure if just for a holiday. The tuk tuk drivers seemed more hungry for money, the hotels seemed more expensive. I stayed at Xaythonn Hotel which was 11 usd. In the past I stayed at Avalon but it was full. The owner of Xaythonn was very friendly and helpful and would drive people to and from consulate and the border for 100 baht. She took me to the consulate today and, after a 5 minute wait to pick up my passport, she dropped me at the border and then I took the bus back to Thailand. I have posted that last time I was in Savannakhet I was offered an agent assisted visa with no Financials. I asked the girl at the print shop and she said you could get them out the back behind the consulate but they were expensive and to ask the tuk tuk drivers. They were non commital. I wanted to follow it up further but it was in the middle of a heatwave so after waiting at the embassy I just had to go home.

I am not sure about direct service but the bus station is very close to the airport and the taxis are all metered. I went across town for 46 baht. Felt guilty that it was so cheap so gave him a tip. Buses to Mukdahan leave regularly

You can buy an IP TV box which has foxtel sports along with lots of other OZ channels. I can pm a contact for somebody who can help you.

In the past they did not require any money in a Thai bank which was convenient if you did not want to keep 400,000 baht in a Thai bank. It is hard to ascertain but their requirements are still a bit easier than in Thailand. Usually you must have the money in the bank for a period of time but Savannakhet does not seem to enforce this as far as anyone can tell. Also instead of dealing with Thai Immigration- family visits, photos of home, map of home etc- you can just exit and re-enter, suitable if you do not live in Thailand permanently. I think a kor ror 22 is similar but issued if you have married abroad.

Where do you find that it must be in a Thai bank for 2 months. I have seen no report of this.

They introduced financial requirements in October. The agent was,across from the consulate.

I have posted this before but nobody seemed to believe me. An agent in Savannakhet offered me an agent assisted non-o Multi entry with no financial proofs required. I do not understand why people think there would be no visa agents operating in Laos. I did not take it at the time but am thinking of returning to do so.

It would probably be safest to do all three. There is another thread running where he said he had the letter. When are you going? It would be good to know how people are going with Savannakhet visas.

@Liquorice I am glad he is not posting further. This is such a flawed reasoning and assumptions if any of it makes the slightest sense.

If you are so untroubled by finances why don't you get a visa at one of the surrounding embassies. If you have 400,000 b in a Thai bank account for 6 months you can go to Ho chi Minh, Vientiane, KL and any of the surrounding countries. Why bother poor Savannakhet with your complaints.

Mai bpen rai

Why cause trouble. If Savannakhet consulate are easy going and allow visas with lax regulations why attract attention. If you notify MFA maybe next thing is they will inspect Savannakhet and their regulations will tighten.

I am sorry for so many posts but I did not know how to comment on my screenshots of my private message with the other poster. With all respect, I find it hard to believe that you think there are no agents in Savannakhet and as they are usually located close to immigration (in this case across the road) I do not understand that you think it is implausible. Before I left Laos, after I was over the frustration of being refused I did get the tuktuk to take me back to the shop as I thought it was a useful contact but it was closed in the afternoon I left a note under the door but no reply. I did send to Dolly's pizza shop(well known farung shop in Savannakhet) but no reply. If I was sure I could get an agent visa there for such a bargain price I would go straight there on my next visit.

Unfortunately I was one of the first to be refused for no Financials in October. My last non-o had not expired yet but for my own reasons and suspecting with the new government a change was coming I went early and was refused. I actually commented on one of the first reports that they had changed policy if you check the feeds. As I was leaving in a very bad mood one of the tuk tuk drivers grabbed me and said I can get you a visa. He took me to the shop across the road and she grabbed my passport and started writing details. She said 12000 b for a non o. I already had another entry so I left, wrote off my travel costs and had another 3 months, a border run then 2 months visiting my wife. If you do not believe me you can easily check my former posts or maybe assume that Savannakhet immigration are so correct that they will not lower themselves to agent assisted visas. Considering the cost of living in Laos comparing it to a 22,000 baht first time agent assisted retirement visa in Pattaya it does not sound so 'could, woulda' I am surprised I am the only one who commented. There are 3 shops across the road and it was the closest to the bus station etc

It is probably easier to get to BKK from the Eastern Seabord- Koh Chang, Koh Kood, Pattaya than to Sattahip. There are plenty of operators going there. Then you have the choice of bus, plane or boat to Samui. I would choose the boat. I have had customers who took Seahorse from Sattahip and they enjoyed it but getting to Sattahip can be difficult. Bangkok sounds good. I could send customers there.

I went to Savannakhet last year and was offered a 12,000b agent assisted 1 year non-o married to a Thai visa with no financials required by the shop across the road from the consulate. I am not sure if that included the visa fee. I did not take it as I had other options but am surprised that nobody has taken it up and reported back. Considering a retirement visa in Pattaya is far more expensive to set up.

I found it is not so easy to send to Thai bank accounts by Revolut. From what I understand needs a,swift code while with Wise you select the bank from a list, put in the account number and send.

Sorry. You lost me with 'Your post was split up and only one part addressed rather than the context of the whole post' whatever the context of that is?

I don't really think it was a complaint. I was just highlighting the crazy rules they are following at Laem Ngop. Personally I find it an invasion of my privacy and there is another office a bit further along towards Cambodia which I would use if I needed again. I thought the point of having a forum is to exchange information, even if you want to go through the posts and pass judgements on the importance of what others write. I think it is a good warning to others that if they use the Laem Ngop office they will need to do this and would be better off going to Klong Yai.