I think it is established that airports tend to be the hardest. I have read that the train station between Nong Khai and Vientiane has a lot less passengers (though you may need to use Loca to call a taxi at the Vientiane (Thanalaeng) Station). 

 

For anyone who's taken a train would you say the immigration officers seem any more relaxed compared to the vehicle border crossings or is it all the same? I've been in the country a while (5.5 years) though entries and exists are only about 1 of each per year.

We didn't have negative reports about the Nong Khai crossing here, so it's quite safe to assume that the IOs at this crossing (same as at most other land crossings) still follow the official rules and you will have no problems. Doesn't matter if you enter by train or walk.

Edited November 3, 20196 yr by jackdd

These days, there is only one rail crossing (to Nong Khai). I believe it is relaxed, but the regular Friendship Bridge crossing is problem free, so there is no advantage from an immigration viewpoint in crossing using the train.

 

There are no longer any through trains at the Padang Besar crossing from Malaysia (except probably the Orient Express service for those who are rich). The immigration counters in the station no longer seem to be open, at least as a general rule. When you arrive at Padang Besar railway station on the Malaysian side, you need to walk to the road crossing to clear immigration.

 

The train service between Thailand and Cambodia via Aranyaprathet ended long ago. The railway line to Sungai Kolok terminates short of the border.

Are IOs at the train stations easier than vehicle crossings?

Why should Immigration Officers want to be at the train stations?

6 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

Why should Immigration Officers want to be at the train stations?

They would be there if the train station was at a border crossing to stamp people out of and into the country.

1 minute ago, ubonjoe said:

They would be there if the train station was at a border crossing to stamp people out of and into the country.

Thanks, I have never been at any train stations at a border crossing.

22 hours ago, possum1931 said:

Are IOs at the train stations easier than vehicle crossings?

Why should Immigration Officers want to be at the train stations?

Here,s why