I have just returned from a successful visit to Savannakhet to obtain my ME O visa based on marriage. With the great advise and detailed information from Ubonjoe and MaeJoeMTB,  the process was painless. Thanks very much to you both and the other members who helped me. 

 

I thought I might share my experience with the members as it maybe especially useful for members from Chiang Mai.

 

My journey started with a flight from CM (7.15am CNX) to Khon Kaen (2,810 baht return- Airasia) and then a minibus journey (240 baht) from Khon Kaen bus station to Mukdahan bus station . Caught the international Loas bus from Mukdahan to Savannakhet (45 baht each way). 1 x picture and US$35 (or 1,500 baht) needed for Laos visa.

 

Arrived at the Avalon hotel ( 6 GBP  per night - 2 nights through Agoda) in Suvannakhet at 15.00. Probably would stay at the Aura next time, but I cannot complain about the cost of the Avalon. Food was poor though. . 

 

The next day the Thai consulate in Savannakhet opened at 09.00. Submitted all my documents ( Marriage cert copy, (took the original as well, but was not needed - but good to take, just in case) Wife's house book and ID copied, signed and dated. Front page of my passport and 2 pictures (35 mm x 45 mm pictures) and of course the 5,000 baht fee. Out by 09.20. 

 

The next day, arrived at the Thai consulate at 13.30 ( Opens at 14.00) and collected my ME O visa. Out by 14.10. 

Caught a tuktuk (100 baht) to the border. Crossed Laos and Thai border by 15.10. Caught a taxi to Mukdahan bus station and caught a minibus at 16.00 to Khon Kaen (240 Baht). Arrived in Khon Kaen at 20.10. Stayed in the Garden Room hotel ( near the Khon Kaen airport - 550 Baht booked through Agoda).

 

The next day caught a taxi using Grab (75 baht) to the airport for the 13.15 from Khon Airport to CM. Arrived in CM at 14.10. 

 

Once again, thanks everyone and especially to Ubonjoe and MaeJo MTB for their help in making the process painless. 

 

I have also attached the documents that ubonjoe kindly supplied. Saved so much time. 

 

(A word of warning to those who may be travelling to Suvannakhet for a tourist visa. They refused 3 people who did not have either the outbound flight or the funds.)

Laovisaonarrivalform.pdf

Savannakhet2501-01-31.PDF

 

  I'm glad that you received your visa without problems. It might be useful to have the original marriage certificate with you ( as you did) because I had to show mine last May. 

 

 

1 hour ago, Daz1966 said:

Crossed Laos and Thai border by 15.10.

Were  there some issues while crossing border on the Thai side?

Edited February 9, 20188 yr by Dmitry2222

1 hour ago, Daz1966 said:

and then a minibus journey (240 baht) from Khon Kaen bus station

 

Ring road bus station?

Or central bus station? (rumours of it being gone)

16 hours ago, Dmitry2222 said:

Were  there some issues while crossing border on the Thai side?

None at all. Smooth sailing.

16 hours ago, MaeJoMTB said:

 

Ring road bus station?

Or central bus station? (rumours of it being gone)

I think it must be the Ring road station. The old station closed about 18 months ago and moved to a location outside of the city. 

17 hours ago, jenny2017 said:

 

  I'm glad that you received your visa without problems. It might be useful to have the original marriage certificate with you ( as you did) because I had to show mine last May. 

 

 

Agreed. Always take originals of documents as they are often asked for. 

A few days ago I came back with the friend from Mukdahan. He made next NON-O visa at the Savannakhet. I just drove him to the border and waited in the Mukdahan. There were not issues at the embassy and at border. Queue was about 20 peoples to put documents. List of required papers is the same as described above.

Edited February 15, 20188 yr by Dmitry2222

Allow my ignorance....Why not do it at the local immigration?

Is the above procedure a way to circumvent the 400k requirement ?

8 minutes ago, JOC said:

Allow my ignorance....Why not do it at the local immigration?

Is the above procedure a way to circumvent the 400k requirement ?

There is no savings requirement for a Thai married VISA in Suvannakhet (apart from the 5KBht VISA fee).

Hardly any paperwork, no home visits, no interviews, no TM30 silliness, no consideration period, no re-entry permits, no bribes or waiting lists ..........

 

The question from me is why would anyone use local immigration?

 

Edited February 15, 20188 yr by MaeJoMTB

45 minutes ago, Dmitry2222 said:

A few days ago I came back with the friend from Mukdahan. He made next NON-O visa at the Savannakhet. I just drove him to the border and waited in the Mukdahan. There were not issues at the embassy and at border. Queue was about 20 peoples to put documents. List of required papers is the same as described above.

You stayed in a hotel at Mukdahan then..?

12 minutes ago, transam said:

You stayed in a hotel at Mukdahan then..?

Yes, i was like a driver for my friend and wait 2 nights in the hotel at the Mukdahan.

31 minutes ago, JOC said:

Why not do it at the local immigration?

Is the above procedure a way to circumvent the 400k requirement ?

As far as I know, he is not poor. Probably, MaeJoMTB is the near the true, because extension required many paperwork. However it is his choice, i just helped with the car.

1 hour ago, MaeJoMTB said:

There is no savings requirement for a Thai married VISA in Suvannakhet (apart from the 5KBht VISA fee).

Hardly any paperwork, no home visits, no interviews, no TM30 silliness, no consideration period, no re-entry permits, no bribes or waiting lists ..........

 

The question from me is why would anyone use local immigration?

 

3 days on the road....Total cost 12.000+.....Doesn't exactly sound easier to me....

But each to his own...

7 minutes ago, JOC said:

The question from me is why would anyone use local immigration?

Because they don't like having to leave the country every 90 days and then a trip to a embassy or consulate for a new visa.

I am on my 10th extension of stay based upon marriage and have not found it not that difficult to do. Much better than planning my life around border and visa runs.

3 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Because they don't like having to leave the country every 90 days and then a trip to a embassy or consulate for a new visa.

I am on my 10th extension of stay based upon marriage and have not found it not that difficult to do. Much better than planning my life around border and visa runs.

you dont use cm immigration though

3 minutes ago, MaeJoMTB said:

you dont use cm immigration though

I am rather sure my wife and I could learn how to deal with them.