Hi,

I'm planning a trip to Laos next week to apply for a new tourist visa. I was thinking about taking my Thai girlfriend along. I know I need a visa for Laos (I'm American), but does my Thai girlfriend need one?

I heard elsewhere that Thais didn't need one.

Thanks for any information.

Hi,

I'm planning a trip to Laos next week to apply for a new tourist visa. I was thinking about taking my Thai girlfriend along. I know I need a visa for Laos (I'm American), but does my Thai girlfriend need one?

I heard elsewhere that Thais didn't need one.

Thanks for any information.

No, she doesn't need a visa, she can get a Border Pass at the bus/van station in Nong Khai before the bridge for about baht 150, her Thai ID card, two photos and perhaps a 30 minute wait.  This restricts her to three days in Laos, I think it is, and the Vientiane area.

If you/she want to stay longer or travel upcountry, she can use her Thai passport and get a Lao visa for FREE at Lao Immigration across the bridge.

You can get the Visa on Arrival on the Lao side, no need to get a visa in Bangkok.

Mac

Hi,

I'm planning a trip to Laos next week to apply for a new tourist visa. I was thinking about taking my Thai girlfriend along. I know I need a visa for Laos (I'm American), but does my Thai girlfriend need one?

I heard elsewhere that Thais didn't need one.

Thanks for any information.

No, she doesn't need a visa, she can get a Border Pass at the bus/van station in Nong Khai before the bridge for about baht 150, her Thai ID card, two photos and perhaps a 30 minute wait.  This restricts her to three days in Laos, I think it is, and the Vientiane area.

If you/she want to stay longer or travel upcountry, she can use her Thai passport and get a Lao visa for FREE at Lao Immigration across the bridge.

You can get the Visa on Arrival on the Lao side, no need to get a visa in Bangkok.

Mac

Thanks for the information. She has a passport so it looks like we'll just get the VOA at the bridge.