Nong Khai / Vientiane Bridge - open or not?

[smartecosse]

Seen quite a bit of talk about it opening on the 1st May.....but not sure if it actually has or not.

 

Also can't find anywhere what the procedure would be going from Thailand to Lao.

 

Wondering if it would revert to the visa on arrival at the bridge or if there would be hoops to be jumped through before arrival?

 

Anyone any ideas?

 

Arriving on the 6th at BKk and trying to work out which side of the river to book accommodation ????

 

Thanks

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, smartecosse said:

Arriving on the 6th at BKk and trying to work out which side of the river to book accommodation

So if arriving May 6 do you obtain 30 day visa exempt entry?

Of course that can be extended by 30 days.

Why not kick the border crossing can down the road when border crossing will become more simple. 

[ubonjoe]

Why are you asking about crossing the bridge after arriving in Bangkok. Is Laos your intended destination?

If your are fully vaccinated you can enter Thailand now with any quarantine being needed now.

The bridge from Nong Khai to Vientiane has been open for some time now but you must enter as part of tour group.

[smartecosse]

We are arriving in BKK as it was a last minute trip and flights to Vientiane were 4k plus no guarantees of them issuing us a visa.

 

Going via BKK and then to Udon 3k cheaper....we've got the Thai Pass and if we can't get over the bridge then the family can come over and holiday in Thailand for a few weeks with us.

 

I'd rather be in Laos though hence trying to find some actual information rather than guess work.

 

Thanks

[KhaoNiaw]

43 minutes ago, smartecosse said:

We are arriving in BKK as it was a last minute trip and flights to Vientiane were 4k plus no guarantees of them issuing us a visa.

 

Going via BKK and then to Udon 3k cheaper....we've got the Thai Pass and if we can't get over the bridge then the family can come over and holiday in Thailand for a few weeks with us.

 

I'd rather be in Laos though hence trying to find some actual information rather than guess work.

 

Thanks

Laos should be making an announcement about more relaxed entry conditions this week but not sure if it will start immediately or later in the month. As Joe says, at the moment as a tourist you have to book through a tour agency. But there will probably be new information about Laos by the time you arrive. If you use Facebook, the Laos in the Time of Covid group will have the latest official announcements from the Laos government. 

[smartecosse]

I've joined that FB group, thanks for letting me know about it

[FARANG KIWI]

This may assist anyone wishing to cross a border via a land check point...

 

https://thethaiger.com/news/national/31-land-border-checkpoints-in-17-provinces-to-reopen-on-may-1

[Burma Bill]

1 hour ago, FARANG KIWI said:

This may assist anyone wishing to cross a border via a land check point...

 

https://thethaiger.com/news/national/31-land-border-checkpoints-in-17-provinces-to-reopen-on-may-1

For reference 02/05/2022:

 

"Cambodia and Thailand reopened its Poipet- Aranyaprathet (land) border crossing to travelers yesterday after a two-year closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic.......all travelers crossing into Thailand, and vice versa, must have travel documents and be fully vaccinated"

https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501067323/poipet-reopen-crossing-to-travellers/

[treetops]

These are the land border entry points currently going by TP:

 

[BritTim]

3 hours ago, treetops said:

These are the land border entry points currently going by TP:

 

Bear in mind that some of these border crossings are not open for use by foreigners, only locals.

[ubonjoe]

12 minutes ago, BritTim said:

Bear in mind that some of these border crossings are not open for use by foreigners, only locals.

The list for Thai and Non Thais appear to be the same on the Thailand Pass site.

But it could be that Non Thai are really only for those from the country the crossing is from for some crossings.

[audaciousnomad]

 

Three border checkpoints in Nong Khai were reopened on Sunday, more than two years after they were sealed in March 2020 to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The main checkpoint is the First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge in Nong Khai’s Muang district, which connects with the Laos capital Vientiane and serves as the channel for Laotians to enter Nong Khai. The other two checkpoints are at Nong Khai Pier and Nong Khai Train Station.

Nong Khai governor Monsit Pisanthanawat said that all three checkpoints will now be open from 5am until 9pm every day. Travellers from Laos entering Nong Khai must present a vaccine certificate showing at least two doses and pass temperature screening.

Read more....   https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015141