eastbaybob

The place is completely sketchy, it’s a Chinese city where the only law is the criminal enterprise that runs the place. It’s the one place in Laos where I can imagine being kidnapped and forced to work in a scam center in Myanmar or somewhere. I had five days left on my visa and if I had to spend a night in Laos I would have gone over to Chiang Khong.

I have a Multi Entry Non Immigrant O visa and just used the Chiang Saen crossing to get another 90 days. First I was told by Thai Immigration that I had to spend the night in Laos but then he saw my visa. With the visa I didn’t have to spend time in Laos, just got stamped in, stamped out and back to Thailand for another 90 days. As I was leaving I saw some guy without a visa and he told me they were going to require him to spend the night there so he didn’t go. Boat to Laos is 70 baht each way. The boats need to have 3 or 4 people before they leave and it might take a while now as fewer people are doing their runs here, and if you’re waiting for a boat and another boat drops off passengers but you’re the only one waiting for a boat they will leave empty. Lao visa is $40 US or 2000 baht, and they want crisp bills and they will reject old looking USD. Lastly, Thai immigration is really good up there.

Just got back from submitting my application. I wasn’t aware of the change until I got here and fortunately it did not cause a mad scramble of people not wanting to make an appointment. I showed up at 8:45 this morning and was last in line. I was still last in line when I made it to the counter 40 minutes later. I was receipt #30. Savanakhet for a few days is an OK place. Yesterday when I got to town there was still a line at 12:30 going out to the sidewalk.

Go to the exit in Chiang Saen. It’s right up near the Golden Triangle. It’s 100 baht for the boat over and 70 baht to get back. The Lao visa is $40 US or they quoted me 2000 baht. Also bring 1 photo. When you return to Thailand they might want to see 10,000 baht, they have a little print out of what you need to show when you return. Also there is a taxi stand right next to the immigration office and they advertise rides to Chiang Rai.

When I crossed there a couple weeks ago I was just pulled in the back room and they processed me there, as I was the only person of European descent there and the place was jammed packed.

From where we live to the border is about 48 km, that took about 3 hours incline a rest break. No problem taking a bike across but it was a bit confusing as I didn’t know the process but it quickly got sorted out. The tough part was just riding around in Burma as they drive on the right but even though I’m American I’m just used to that and the crappy roads didn’t help.

I crossed the border last month at Mae Sai, I live in Chiang Rai so I just rode my bicycle there and then cycled into Tachiliek and just rode around for an hour before going back to Thailand. The place is a complete mess aside from the golf course, which looked really nice, I just couldn’t imagine spending any time there.

Personally, for me, the two good reasons to have the visa is to never deal with Thai immigration and I do not have to keep 400,000 in the bank, which at this point I no longer have. For me I live near Mae Sai and they just put a stamp in the passport rather than a visa. if you have the 400,000 in the bank your life will be much simpler just to go to immigration and get the yearly extension.

I applied for my visa today. Got to the consulate at 9:30 because prepandemic that’s what I used to do. The line was out to the street. It is a Monday and I should have known better. The line is super slow, made it to the window at around noon. I got receipt 205, which I think I was probably the 205th person this morning. My wife didn’t come but I did have a copy of her passport, and they kept it. My only advise is don’t go on a Monday and be prepared for the sun.

My last experience prior to the pandemic entering at Padang Basar was not good. I had a valid multiple entry Non Immigrant O visa but the female immigration officer there just absolutely hates people entering Thailand. It’s bazar and I have never encountered such a horrible person in all my time in Thailand. Thus, go anywhere but there.

My case is 100% the exact same as the OP, but mine will be a new build, does this effect the transfer payment or anything?

Although OP already sent off his passport for renewal, just to let anyone else that may read this, this is not the case. I got a full year in Nonthaburi even though my passport will expire well before that.