Hi everybody,
I flew from Germany with Thai Airways without any Visa to BKK Suvanabhumi Airport, with a returnflight 5 1/2 month in advanced, same as I did before for every winter on NonO Visa.
(Before new regulations I fit with the NonO requirements, but now on the new rules my income is little bit lower, than requested now.)
At the Airport i got ผ.60-ม.17 Visa exemption without any questions.
Later i went to ChiangMai Immigration and got a 30day extension on Top.
I plan to get next 60day Visa exemption on Lao Landborder, but i read and remember something scary like : „Only 15 days entry-stamp, if one had „no Visa before“ in the passport“. ( A visa exemption is „no visa“ in my guess, so, not sure … Just means, not need one. )
So, normally I would take a ChiangDao - ChiangKhong BigBike-Trip about 280km one direction, but i choose to ride the 750km (one direction) ChiangDao - NongKhai BigBike-Trip in two days.
Just in case, I really do need a „real“ Tourist Visa from Vientiane, than I’m already there.
( one can do online, but have to pay cash in Vientiane Embassy, to start the process ! )
I went to the Thai embassy in Vientiane, (very empty by the way), and asked them „if I need to make a Tourist Visa here, or not“ .
The younger IO not sure, asked back the older IO and than they told me „you get Visa at border“.
So I relaxed two days in Vientiane and than leaved LaoPDR, and just got a new ผ.60-ม.17 Visa Exemption stamp at the Thai Border, without any questions.
( I carried 20.000 TBht cash and some copy’s just as preparations. )
I will do again a Visa Extension on top for the last visa-uncovered 10 days, I need until my return flight to Germany, on Monday.
This is 60days Visa Exemptions + Visa Extensions 2 time, for a winter in Asia for nearly 6month.
As a Fazit :
Expenses o n a NonO multiple entry is 175€, + 50 Dollar for Lao Visa 600km drivin one time, and one or two nights guesthouse.
Expenses on a Tourist Visa multiple entry is also 175€, but 2 times Lao-Visa with 100 Dollar expenses and 2 times 600km-Trips and guesthouses expenses for that.
Expenses on a 60day Visa Exemption is free 2 times, but Visa Extension is 1900TBht (50€) 2 times, + 50 Dollar for Lao Visa + driving 1500km one time.
It need more time, more guesthouse, and is more adventures on the Road-Trip …
regards,
Frank