Hi everyone,

 

I went to Savannakhet for a visa trip 2 weeks ago and I think some poeple would appreciate a report so here it is ???? 

 

14.12.2022

 

I parked car at 6:45 am near the border (Parking was just 150 THB per day)

Before entering Thai immigration I bought a ticket for the border bus. The bus runs every 1 hour.

After buying the bus ticket I went straight to Thai immigration and left Thailand within 2 minutes. I had to fill out departure form though (they had extra ones) which I didnt have because they cancelled it?

Then I went straight to the bus at 7 am.

 

After arriving on the Laos side I went to Visa on Arrival window. Paid 40 USD (+200 THB "fee" which I dont know what was for ???? ). I got the visa within 5 min (I prefilled the visa form the day before) and then went straight trough the immigration. A tuk tuk driver offered me a ride to Thai embassy for 100 THB so I took it. I arrived the embassy around 8 am. There were only 2 people waiting in line but all the previous reports said that it can get crazy so I decided to wait as well . Slowly people started coming but I would say there were not more than 20 people on that day applying for visa.

 

9 am the embassy opened and here is the list of thing they wanted:

 

Filled out visa application

2 passport photos

Passport 

Signed copy of my passport

Signed copy of wife´s passport

Signed copy of wife´s ID card

Signed copy of wife´s Tabien Baan

Signed copy of Marriage certificate. They wanted to see the original as well.

Signed copy of Laos visa

5000 THB for multiple entry

 

Within few minutes I was out they told me to pick up the visa the next day at 2pm. After that it was time to relax and explore the city ????

 

15.12.2022

 

I stayed in Macchiato Resort right opposite the Thai embassy so when I went out at 9am and I saw that the line was much more longer than on the day I applied. So I can confirm that sometimes it can get crazy. I picked up the visa at 2 pm and then took a tuk tuk to the border for 300 THB (they ask you for more money on the way back because lot of people wanna go straight to Thailand). Everything went well and I was back in Thailand around 3 pm.

 

Tips:

If you need to print or copy something, right across the embassy is a small shop that can do it for you. They made a copy of my Laos visa there for 10 THB.

I would highly recommend to stay in Macchiato resort opposite the Thai embassy, everything was nice, breakfast decent. Book with them straight on LINE messenger. Its much cheaper than on Booking.com

There is a new night market near river (In Google maps - Savannakhet new night market) and it had few bars. Lot of locals, few foreigners and the vibe was amazing. 

 

 

 

Excellent report. Ta. 

Thanks for that as I will be going there in less than three weeks.

1 hour ago, megapix said:

Signed copy of wife´s passport

I never got asked for this on 13/12.

There is nothing to do online?

 

All still 100% paperwork like in 2016? And lines waitings?

 

I thought Thailand had launched a website to get your Thai visas online from any Embassy in the world.

 

But it looks like nothing changed?

 

I'm confused.

 

Thanks to anyone who can help clarifying.

 

I have stopped visa runs in 2017.
Left Thailand in 2018.

 

I will come back in 2023 and would love a bit of general updates ????

 

- French Passport Holder -

- Married to a Thai Citizen -

 

THANK YOU VERY MUCH

9 hours ago, alexlm said:

I thought Thailand had launched a website to get your Thai visas online from any Embassy in the world.

They have, but still being rolled out, probably some time yet before the neighbouring countried will be included. Even when they do residency will come into play.

 

Bangkok, 7 December, 2022 – Thailand is now offering e-Visa online application service at Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates-General in 38 cities in 23 countries worldwide.

https://www.tatnews.org/2022/12/thailand-e-visa-online-application-service-now-available-in-38-cities-worldwide/#:~:text=Bangkok%2C 7 December%2C 2022 –,cities in 23 countries worldwide.

On 12/26/2022 at 3:56 PM, alexlm said:

There is nothing to do online?

 

All still 100% paperwork like in 2016? And lines waitings?

 

I thought Thailand had launched a website to get your Thai visas online from any Embassy in the world.

 

But it looks like nothing changed?

 

I'm confused.

 

Thanks to anyone who can help clarifying.

 

I have stopped visa runs in 2017.
Left Thailand in 2018.

 

I will come back in 2023 and would love a bit of general updates ????

 

- French Passport Holder -

- Married to a Thai Citizen -

 

THANK YOU VERY MUCH

If you wan't to do a 1 year ME Non O based on marraige, Savanakhet is the easiest, nothing to do online.

On 1/4/2023 at 5:00 AM, PJ71 said:

If you wan't to do a 1 year ME Non O based on marraige, Savanakhet is the easiest, nothing to do online.

Still no need to show the 400K financial proofs in Savanakhet?

Or has it changed to 800K now for non-o (marriage)?

Getting confused with following all the new Thai paperwork regulations from France without actually experimenting In Real Life.

Especially because for 3 years, the covid news smoke may have covered/pushed/made me miss some small but important details.

I heard that for a while we get 45 days instead of 30 with a visa exemption stamp?

No long white TMsomething card to fill out before landing with the exit half stamped in your passport during your stay?

Any other major changes since 2016?

If you know... thank you

Take Care 

Happy New Year.

On 12/27/2022 at 2:10 AM, sandyf said:

They have, but still being rolled out, probably some time yet before the neighbouring countried will be included. Even when they do residency will come into play.

 

Bangkok, 7 December, 2022 – Thailand is now offering e-Visa online application service at Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates-General in 38 cities in 23 countries worldwide.

https://www.tatnews.org/2022/12/thailand-e-visa-online-application-service-now-available-in-38-cities-worldwide/#:~:text=Bangkok%2C 7 December%2C 2022 –,cities in 23 countries worldwide.

When I saw the news a while back.

But it was like 6-8 months ago so I may have misunderstood something.

But to test the website (whatever that was I was on). That was impressively nice from what you usually can expect from the Thai GV.

It really seemed like everything was switched to online.

In the list I found Laos Embassy, selected "Tourist Visa".

It showed all the requirements to upload.

Something like that.
I surely missed or misunderstood something...

42 minutes ago, alexlm said:

Still no need to show the 400K financial proofs in Savanakhet?

Or has it changed to 800K now for non-o (marriage)?

Getting confused with following all the new Thai paperwork regulations from France without actually experimenting In Real Life.

Especially because for 3 years, the covid news smoke may have covered/pushed/made me miss some small but important details.

I heard that for a while we get 45 days instead of 30 with a visa exemption stamp?

No long white TMsomething card to fill out before landing with the exit half stamped in your passport during your stay?

Any other major changes since 2016?

If you know... thank you

Take Care 

Happy New Year.

I was there mid December, no need for financials.

I just got the Non Imm (O) Marriage Visa for One year on 11 January 2023. 

 

This is the expenses and procedures;

  Bus from Bangkok to Mukdahan - 653 baht

  Bus from Mukdahan to Savannakhet - 50 baht

  Entry Laos Tourist Tax at Immigration - 100 baht

  Hotel for 1 night - 630 baht

  Bus from Savannakhet - Mukdahan - 95 baht

  Exit Laos Tourist Tax at Immigration - 100 baht

  Bus from Mukdahan to Bangkok - 653 baht

 

Documents required by the Thai Consulate;

  Make sure you carry a pen with you

  Application Form to fill-up

  Two Passport photos

  Give your Passport to do Visa

  Copy of your Passport

  Copy of your Laos Visa

  Copy of your Thai Spouse ID

  Copy of your Thai Spouse Passport

  Copy of your Thai Spouse Tabian Baan

  Copy of the Marriage Certificate

  Show the original Marriage Certificate

 

Application for visa start at 9am - 11am

Collection visa start at 2pm - 4pm (Next day).

Make sure you check whether got public holiday in Laos and Thailand. 

 

Prepare 5,000 baht for one year multiple entry. I'm exempted from the visa fee due to both countries got agreement. 

 

Remember that you are require to exit from Thailand every 90 days. If land border crossings, you need to stay another country for 1 night, make sure you check whether you need visa to enter the neighbour country. If you are flying out, you can return the same day. 

 

Many foreigners didn't follow the procedures, end up they got tourist visa for 2 months and single entry visa. 

Awesome report! Thanks so much!!!

Does anyone know the the price for a taxi service from Nakhon Phanom Airport to the Mukdahan border crossing? And when coming back is it easy to find a taxi from Mukdahan back to Nakhon Phanom Airport? Price the same? Thanks for any info!

6 hours ago, rhino533 said:

Does anyone know the the price for a taxi service from Nakhon Phanom Airport to the Mukdahan border crossing? And when coming back is it easy to find a taxi from Mukdahan back to Nakhon Phanom Airport? Price the same? Thanks for any info!

If planning to go to Savannakhet by air (domestic flight within Thailand) and not wanting to use the Fly-Ride services of Nok Air or Thai Air Asia, I would suggest flying to Ubon. Nakhon Phanom airport is closer, but is a small airport, and you might not easily find a taxi.

 

If you are hoping to take the early morning Nok Air flight to Nakhon Phanom, rushing to get to the Savannakhet consulate before the 11:00 am deadline for applications, you might be lucky and just make it. However, your chances would not be great. Have a backup plan in case you need to stay the extra night. Going on a Thursday might mean staying in Savannakhet until Monday if you fail to meet the (firm) 11:00 am .deadline.

 

I found a two-year-old post on Trip Advisor that had this potentially useful snippet of information:

Quote

Nakhon Phanom taxi company: 0809037222 or 02056179797

anyone know if you can also do 3 month based on marriage to extend in Bangkok at savannakhet and any additional requirements from the multiple entry> The website is clear as mud

On 1/12/2023 at 7:16 AM, macgver said:

I just got the Non Imm (O) Marriage Visa for One year on 11 January 2023. 

 

This is the expenses and procedures;

  Bus from Bangkok to Mukdahan - 653 baht

  Bus from Mukdahan to Savannakhet - 50 baht

  Entry Laos Tourist Tax at Immigration - 100 baht

  Hotel for 1 night - 630 baht

  Bus from Savannakhet - Mukdahan - 95 baht

  Exit Laos Tourist Tax at Immigration - 100 baht

  Bus from Mukdahan to Bangkok - 653 baht

 

Documents required by the Thai Consulate;

  Make sure you carry a pen with you

  Application Form to fill-up

  Two Passport photos

  Give your Passport to do Visa

  Copy of your Passport

  Copy of your Laos Visa

  Copy of your Thai Spouse ID

  Copy of your Thai Spouse Passport

  Copy of your Thai Spouse Tabian Baan

  Copy of the Marriage Certificate

  Show the original Marriage Certificate

 

Application for visa start at 9am - 11am

Collection visa start at 2pm - 4pm (Next day).

Make sure you check whether got public holiday in Laos and Thailand. 

 

Prepare 5,000 baht for one year multiple entry. I'm exempted from the visa fee due to both countries got agreement. 

 

Remember that you are require to exit from Thailand every 90 days. If land border crossings, you need to stay another country for 1 night, make sure you check whether you need visa to enter the neighbour country. If you are flying out, you can return the same day. 

 

Many foreigners didn't follow the procedures, end up they got tourist visa for 2 months and single entry visa. 

Copy of Laos visa, is that new....?

On 1/14/2023 at 1:15 AM, rhino533 said:

Does anyone know the the price for a taxi service from Nakhon Phanom Airport to the Mukdahan border crossing? And when coming back is it easy to find a taxi from Mukdahan back to Nakhon Phanom Airport? Price the same? Thanks for any info!

Taxi from airport to Mukdahan should be about 1100-1200 baht IIRC. I took a taxi about 2/3 of the way just a few weeks ago and it was around 700 baht. On the meter.

16 minutes ago, transam said:

Copy of Laos visa, is that new....?

No.

 

They want to check you've entered the country legally i guess.

18 minutes ago, PJ71 said:

No.

 

They want to check you've entered the country legally i guess.

I have been to that consulate about 10 times and never been asked for a copy of Loas entry visa. Bit of a dilemma if you can't get a copy done nearby, plus, a glance in the passport, which they do, will show the full page entry visa.........

1 hour ago, transam said:

I have been to that consulate about 10 times and never been asked for a copy of Loas entry visa. Bit of a dilemma if you can't get a copy done nearby, plus, a glance in the passport, which they do, will show the full page entry visa.........

I've always turned one in.

 

I've never been asked for a copy of wifes passport in numerous visits.

43 minutes ago, PJ71 said:

I've always turned one in.

 

I've never been asked for a copy of wifes passport in numerous visits.

Most Thai's haven't got a passport, they enter Laos on a waiver, procured by their I.D. card. Anyhooo, the wife does not have to attend at the Savv-Consulate with you.

1 minute ago, transam said:

Most Thai's haven't got a passport, they enter Laos on a waiver, procured by their I.D. card. Anyhooo, the wife does not have to attend at the Savv-Consulate with you.

My wife came with me to Loas, she got her passport stamped at the border, i think it's just the people crossing daily to trade that get the waiver.

 

I'm aware the wife is not required to attend consulate.

1 minute ago, PJ71 said:

My wife came with me to Loas, she got her passport stamped at the border, i think it's just the people crossing daily to trade that get the waiver.

 

I'm aware the wife is not required to attend consulate.

If a Thai has a PP they can use it, if not they pay, I think, 40bht for the waiver/entry paper, that's what Mrs.T does...

At Mukdahan there is a small building before the bus ticket office to get this waiver paper. printed off.  

On 1/12/2023 at 7:16 AM, macgver said:

If land border crossings, you need to stay another country for 1 night

This is not true for most land borders.

 

Some Cambodian border crossings use it as an excuse to get a bribe (on khmer side) and recently a Malaysian border crossing started to try it on sometimes (on thai side). It is not a genuine requirement and you will normally have zero problems returning same day (or even same hour). 

17 hours ago, araiwaja said:

This is not true for most land borders.

 

Some Cambodian border crossings use it as an excuse to get a bribe (on khmer side) and recently a Malaysian border crossing started to try it on sometimes (on thai side). It is not a genuine requirement and you will normally have zero problems returning same day (or even same hour). 

Correct, no probs at Ubon, Chong Mek, in and out....

23 hours ago, transam said:

If a Thai has a PP they can use it, if not they pay, I think, 40bht for the waiver/entry paper, that's what Mrs.T does...

At Mukdahan there is a small building before the bus ticket office to get this waiver paper. printed off.  

Exactly.

 

That is what my Wife did on the first trip to ZVK. (She had her passport with her (just in case). No problems and no issues.

 

That is also what the Thais use when they go to the Cambodian Casino's on the border

 

There is AFAIK only one issue what that "entry permit" (or whatever it's called) they are only allowed to stay in the province where it's issued. So if they enter at ZVK they can't go to Vientiane for example.

1 hour ago, MJCM said:

There is AFAIK only one issue what that "entry permit" (or whatever it's called) they are only allowed to stay in the province where it's issued. So if they enter at ZVK they can't go to Vientiane for example.

It is called a "border pass" which accurately reflects its permission to cross and stay in the vicinity of the border crossing. Apart from limits on how far you can stray, you must also return through the same crossing. I believe you are also limited to a three-day stay in Laos.

On 1/17/2023 at 2:31 PM, transam said:

Copy of Laos visa, is that new....?

Yes, it is new. Better to get it photocopy before you submit your application. Otherwise, you need to run out to get it copy and you miss your Queue.

On 1/17/2023 at 8:30 PM, araiwaja said:

This is not true for most land borders.

 

Some Cambodian border crossings use it as an excuse to get a bribe (on khmer side) and recently a Malaysian border crossing started to try it on sometimes (on thai side). It is not a genuine requirement and you will normally have zero problems returning same day (or even same hour). 

Yes, you are require to stay one night at another country, unless you aren't using the agency service. 

On 1/17/2023 at 4:21 PM, PJ71 said:

I've always turned one in.

 

I've never been asked for a copy of wifes passport in numerous visits.

New rule, in the case.the General Consulate will ask for it. Otherwise, you will waste your time, and money.