Ok so it looks like vientiane is shafted so this Savanaket visa option.

 

1. Same requirements as Vientiane for non O as a parent to a Thai child?

 

2. Best options for getting there. Im in khon Kaen. but also options  from bkk and chiang mai?

 

3. Useful tips from experienced heads who have done this visa run?

 

4. Local life?

 

5. Ease of process?

 

 

 

 

I would not completed discount Vientiane. It just require planning your trip earlier. No more wait until the last few to plan your trip.

1. Yes

2. There are buses and vans that go from Khon Kaen to Mukdahan and then you take the bus from there to Savannakhet.

Lots of topics about Savannakhet on the forum.

From Bangkok buses are an option or using a fly/ride service to Mukdahan (Nok Air or Air Asia). Chiang Mai is little more complicated and depends upon how much you want to pay. For example CM to Mukdahan via Don Mueang and then the service to Mukdahan.

3/4 I cannot help since I have only gone from here in Ubon and that was years ago.

5. Easy Apply by 11am and pickup the next afternoon.

 

I am in KK and did the run there 4 months ago. I drove, left my car to Muk and took the bus across. Next time I will take the car across, easy driving in Savannakhet.

 

As for #4, It's a sleepy little town with a Casino. That's about it.

Edited March 19, 20197 yr by Jeffrey346

1 hour ago, Jeffrey346 said:

I am in KK and did the run there 4 months ago. I drove, left my car to Muk and took the bus across. Next time I will take the car across, easy driving in Savannakhet.

 

As for #4, It's a sleepy little town with a Casino. That's about it.

I am planning to do a border run there next month.. what is required to take the car in and out? It would only be for a few days.. Do you think it is easy enough to be worth it?.. Thanks..

You need a passport for your car, how you obtain it I can’t help.

Take enough passport photographs to cover your Lao visa and extension at the consulate/embassy. Thai baht 1,500 for Savannaket and whatever it now costs for the Thai bit.

Plenty of hotels to choose from, I don’t use the bus these day’s as it’s unreliable and use a private car company.

Up to you but never had a problem when I go.

Local life is next to non-existent both sides of the river. In Mukdahan, there are some restaurants along the riverside (try "The Good Muk" Cafe, not exactly on the riverside), nothing fancy, and there is a night market. Hardly any bars, certainly no girls. Eerily silent after 10:30 pm or so.

In Savannakhet there are some restaurants, and maybe a hotel bar. In truth, this is the 3rd largest city in Laos at 120k people, mostly an industrial sleeping town. Some backpackers, all other do their visa run and off they go. If you find yourself off the main street or the street along the river, you lost your way. Try the French restaurant, forgot the name.

 

Getting your visa-on-arrival for Lao *DO* bring 25 USD in really crisp new notes, or they get rejected, and they make you pay the fee in THB to the amount of some 35 USD. You can pay THB or USD everywhere.

15 hours ago, Laza 45 said:

I am planning to do a border run there next month.. what is required to take the car in and out? It would only be for a few days.. Do you think it is easy enough to be worth it?.. Thanks..

You need to get a permit from the same office you pay your yearly car tax in order to take the car across the boarder. To do so you must be the owner of the car. 

10 hours ago, Saradoc1972 said:

Getting your visa-on-arrival for Lao *DO* bring 25 USD in really crisp new notes, or they get rejected, and they make you pay the fee in THB to the amount of some 35 USD. You can pay THB or USD everywhere.

OP should be aware that the VOA cost varies by nationality - could be more than $25 (or free) - but correct on the "crisp notes" factor, and the rip-off exchange rate they use if you pay in Baht.