My Thai GF and I am doing a tour to Chiang Rai and to the Golden Triangle.  There is an optional tour to " Mekong River boat trip to the market on Don Sao Island, Laos" which I am not particularly interested in but the GF might.  There is a small fee in Laos but what I am interested in knowing is if anyone knows if there is Thai immigration involvement upon return.  Since I am not really interested in this optional trip, the hassle of having to do another TM30 is not something I look forward to. 

If immigration is involved you would also need a re-entry permit prior to leaving, depending on your visa status.

1 minute ago, CharlieH said:

If immigration is involved you would also need a re-entry permit depending on your visa ? 

I have an O-A which has multiple entries.

I believe entry into Thailand necessitates a TM30.

3 minutes ago, timendres said:

I believe entry into Thailand necessitates a TM30.

It does but I was thinking that this is a tourist boarder crossing where many thousands of people, most of whom are on SETV, cross for an hour and come back, and just maybe there was no Thai immigration there.

That tour does not involve stamping in and out of Thailand, although the island is technically on the Lao side of the river.

I did the tour 1-2 years ago. The 30 baht is a fee for the Lao side where you'll be given a stamped piece of paper as a proof of entry/payment. You won't clear Thai immigration leaving or coming back. Therefore, no stamps in your passport, need for a TM30 or anything like that. This also doesn't change your 90-day report date. 

 

P.S. If you're headed to Don Sao, its a duty-free island with decent deals on Beerlao and Whiskey (JW Red).

Basic tourist trap but no immigration involved. The long tail boat up to the casino in Myanmar and back down to the shopping area in Laos is fun if the Mekong is not in too full a flow.

 

Depending on which company you use your passports may be held until you return but no stamps involved. Shop around, prices vary dramatically.

Edited August 20, 20196 yr by Thailand

No immigration involvement whatsoever...picked up a liter of surprisingly smooth Lao whiskey on the cheap...I think I paid 200b.

Best attraction in that neck of the woods is the Hall of Opium in Chiang Saen.