Best land crossing into Thailand from Laos right now

[BananaBandit]

Is the Vangtao-Chong Mek crossing into Thailand an “easy one”?  Are chances slim that I'd be asked to show cash ?

 

I entered Thailand through Savannakhet-Mukdahan crossing before and, though the officer seemed to read my passport with considerable interest, I was not asked any questions or asked to show cash...But I recently read that, these days, the Mukdahan crossing often interrogates people and asks to see cash. 

 

I've gone through NongKhai a few times. The officer there had no interest in my passport, and I was not asked for anything. That seems like a congenial crossing, but as I'm in Pakse (southern Laos) right now, I'd rather not have to go all the way up to Vientiane. 

 

How is the Thakhek-Nakhon Phanom border crossing into Thailand ? 

 

Indeed, I have more than 20,000 THB to my name. But the process of obtaining the immigration “show money” in Laos seems a bit worrisome. I've been unable to successfully withdraw even 1.5 million kip from Lao ATM. I can only get 1 million kip per withdrawal. This means that I'd have to use Lao ATMs a minimum of six times in order to have enough cash to show at the border. I'm a bit scared that six Lao ATM transactions in a short span of time could trigger some kind of alert/suspension from my debit card bank.  

 

Edited July 29, 2019 by BananaBandit

[ubonjoe]

The Chong Mek crossing is friendly which is similar to the majority of crossings from Laos.

What visa do you have for entry or are you entering visa exempt?

[DrJack54]

OP, you sound pretty familiar with Loas  border crossings. Haven't stated how your entering. Meaning visa. If visa exempt you should have cash (just in case). You don't have the required cash then your giving them an excuse. Not that they need one. Depends on your history of time spent in thailand

[Caldera]

As you're in Pakse, it's pretty much a no-brainer: cross there! Very friendly, not very busy border checkpoint.

[BananaBandit]

11 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

The Chong Mek crossing is friendly which is similar to the majority of crossings from Laos.

What visa do you have for entry or are you entering visa exempt?

Oh...my apologies.. I should have mentioned... Yes, I am seeking to enter Thailand on my second visa-exempt this year. 

 

[BananaBandit]

11 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

OP, you sound pretty familiar with Loas  border crossings. Haven't stated how your entering. Meaning visa. If visa exempt you should have cash (just in case). You don't have the required cash then your giving them an excuse. Not that they need one. Depends on your history of time spent in thailand

 

Do you know:  Could a quick succession of Lao ATM withdrawals trigger some kind of automatic suspension of my ATM card ?  

 

Or am I overthinking this detail ?
 

[Traubert]

18 minutes ago, BananaBandit said:

 

Do you know:  Could a quick succession of Lao ATM withdrawals trigger some kind of automatic suspension of my ATM card ?  

 

Or am I overthinking this detail ?
 

No, it happens. Why not go in the bank and arrange a bigger single withdrawal? I expect there'd be a fee but it might save you a lot of trouble.

[DrJack54]

16 minutes ago, BananaBandit said:

 

Do you know:  Could a quick succession of Lao ATM withdrawals trigger some kind of automatic suspension of my ATM card ?  

 

Or am I overthinking this detail ?
 

Look, that all depends on your bank home country. I have few accounts in different banks AU. One time I had a refuse. Apparently they needed notification of o/s travel. Especially to certain countries. 

Personally I would try and get as much as possible till rejected at ATM. Hope you have more than one card. 

You still haven't detailed history los, except to mention second VE entry

[DrJack54]

3 minutes ago, Traubert said:

No, it happens. Why not go in the bank and arrange a bigger single withdrawal? I expect there'd be a fee but it might save you a lot of trouble.

I have tried that in Vietnam. Does not work. For general info...Vietnam ATM have smallish withdrawal ATM limits. Won't work in Loas.

[yuiop]

Walk into banks with your card(s) and passport and ask for 20k baht or 700 usd. It depends on yor daily card limit if you'll get them or not as it's considered as a cash advance. For example in Europe many cards have a 250 eur limit per day as cash advance but a much higher limit if I want to buy something in a shop.

Hope you've got more than 1 card and with your name on it.

Good luck

[Traubert]

23 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

I have tried that in Vietnam. Does not work. For general info...Vietnam ATM have smallish withdrawal ATM limits. Won't work in Loas.

I meant across the counter, not ATM.

[DrJack54]

11 minutes ago, Traubert said:

I meant across the counter, not ATM.

I won't address other above posts. It does not work!

Across the counter to who. A bank with foreign card. You making this stuff up? 

[BritTim]

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

I won't address other above posts. It does not work!

Across the counter to who. A bank with foreign card. You making this stuff up? 

With credit and sometimes debit cards, a cash advance over the counter at the bank is usually possible. An ATM card without the ability to also function as a credit/debit card will not work for this.

[DrJack54]

6 hours ago, BritTim said:

With credit and sometimes debit cards, a cash advance over the counter at the bank is usually possible. An ATM card without the ability to also function as a credit/debit card will not work for this.

Which bank in Loas or Vietnam allowed this. Give example. I have tried with and I have several debit and credit cards. Heck last week I had my Westpac cards refused at several ATM,s Saigon. Ended up exchanging baht for dong at gold exchange. I realize your not talking about ATM but in past have had no luck with walk in banks.

[recom273]

If my memory serves me right there is a Ktb atm outside Immigration. It’s the kind of border you can just wander in and out without any questions, however I’m sure you won’t be troubled, i have only used the vehicle entries and exits and the guys are really helpful. 

 

i know exactly what you mean about Muk crossing, last time I came back with a ME-O, again through the vehicle lane, after 10 days of riding in Laos, they were “we know why you came 2000km .. because you got no money to show for a marriage extension” 

[AgMech Cowboy]

On 7/29/2019 at 10:30 AM, BananaBandit said:

I've been unable to successfully withdraw even 1.5 million kip from Lao ATM. I can only get 1 million kip per withdrawal.

I don't know your area, but I was able to get Thai baht at the casino ATM in Savannakhet 4 years ago.

[BananaBandit]

11 hours ago, recom273 said:

If my memory serves me right there is a Ktb atm outside Immigration.

 

So, you're saying there is an ATM before the Thai border crossing where I can withdraw some sizable amount of money (like 10,000 THB or 20,000 THB at a time) ??

[BritTim]

15 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

Which bank in Loas or Vietnam allowed this. Give example. I have tried with and I have several debit and credit cards. Heck last week I had my Westpac cards refused at several ATM,s Saigon. Ended up exchanging baht for dong at gold exchange. I realize your not talking about ATM but in past have had no luck with walk in banks.

For Vietnam:

Quote

Credit Cards  

Visa Card, Master Card and American Express are widely accepted in larger hotels, restaurants and stores in big cities. Expect a 3% commission on most transactions. You can also request for cash advancement at Vietcombank, Citibank and other foreign banks in Hanoi and Hochiminh City at similar charge. 

Source: https://www.vietnamonline.com/planning/bringing-money-to-vietnam.html

 

For Laos:

Quote

There are very few ATM facilities in Laos that accept international credit cards, including the capital Vientiane. Banks offering these services include the BCEL, JDB and Lao-Viet Banks. Several banks offer over-the-counter credit card cash advance services during bank opening hours. Travellers should note that there are no ATM facilities that accept international debit cards in Laos. Those facilities are widely available in Thailand.

Source: https://laos.embassy.gov.au/vtan/AEV0001001.html

 

Notes:

This is not recommended except in an emergency. The banks much prefer you using their ATMs which involves much less paperwork. Getting your cash this way is expensive. However, if you need money in a hurry (during normal banking hours, and especially if you want US dollars) it may be your best option.

[recom273]

9 hours ago, BananaBandit said:

 

So, you're saying there is an ATM before the Thai border crossing where I can withdraw some sizable amount of money (like 10,000 THB or 20,000 THB at a time) ??

Here is a shot of the complex - the vehicle booths are to the left, the immigration desks are inside and a little more forward in the building, if you had any doubts you could just walk out of the side door where the first silver van is - you can see the KTB exchange / ATM - get your money and go back, or just tell them you are going to the ATM. It’s not a strict border, you can walk in and out of Thailand without anyone stopping you, I have walked in and out of that door to the photocopy machine in the building many times, no one bats and eyelid.

 

tbh, I think you are over-thinking this, I forget now, have you a visa or are you requesting an exemption? Because I have never had a request for financials at any of the Laos crossings. 

 

If you are really worried, why not go to a bank and get 20,000 thb from the bank or exchange in Pakse, tourists bring THB in and locals use THB to save or purchase big items, it’s not like it doesn’t exist. 

[BananaBandit]

33 minutes ago, recom273 said:

 

tbh, I think you are over-thinking this

 

 

Yeah, you might be right ????

 

But thank you for the picture and description. 
 

( am seeking my 2nd visa-exempt )

 

 

[laochef]

On 7/29/2019 at 10:04 PM, BananaBandit said:

Oh...my apologies.. I should have mentioned... Yes, I am seeking to enter Thailand on my second visa-exempt this year. 

 

Thailand allows 2 Visa exempt Land crossings PER YEAR.