Border Bounce

[pantsonfire]

3 hours ago, Highlandman said:

 

In your case, I'd head by taxi to the morning market bus station and get on a direct Vientiane - Udon Thani bus. They depart around 8 times daily so provided your flight arrives during the day it probably won't be a long wait. This bus will take you seamlessly all the way to Udon Thani bus station. A separate bus service also goes just to Nong Khai, with roughly 8-10 departures daily.

 

Walking across the bridge is prohibited. It's not necessary anyway when the same bus will take you across the border. It will wait for you. Thailand bound buses will take all foreign passengers regardless of their visa situation. Some of the short haul Lao bound buses only take travelers from visa free countries, those holding an e-visa or standard visa sticker as they don't want to hang around waiting for travelers applying for visas on arrival.

 

What are the alternatives to a bus?

[Highlandman]

22 minutes ago, pantsonfire said:

 

What are the alternatives to a bus?

 

It's a relatively short journey so I would probably go with the bus but an alternative is a transfer by car via AVIS Laos. They used to charge US$115 (payable in Kip, Baht or other currencies as well) but probably more expensive now. 

 

Another option is the train, which will soon start from the new Khamsavath station, but that's not until April. In the meantime you have a twice daily cross border train service with dedicated immigration beginning from Thanaleng Station. You'd then need to switch to a different, Bangkok bound train (the connecting time is minimal) and get off at Udon Thani.

 

Once the new Vientiane-Bangkok service starts, the same train from Vientiane will bring you to Udon Thani with immigration procedures apparently taking place just once (presumably this means both Thai and Lao immigration will be performed side by side at the same location, similar to how its done at some Lao-Vietnamese and Cambodian-Vietnamese border crossings). This will be a first for any border crossing in Thailand. Up until now its always been checking out of Thailand then traveling a short distance to the neighboring country to check in there.

 

The final option is a taxi to the border, catch a bus across the bridge and then a van from the Thai side to Udon Thani.

Edited February 5 by Highlandman

[TimLMT]

On 2/4/2024 at 7:29 PM, pantsonfire said:

Any advice on how can do the border run to nong khai and then to udon?

 

I can take a flight to Laos, but how can i get to nong khai border?  Then after that how can i get to udon thani area after crossing nong khai?  

 

At nong khai do i just walk across or need a vehicle?  Any help be appreciated

 

is there a reason why you are flying to Loas instead of udon thani?

[Phillip9]

On 2/5/2024 at 9:13 PM, pantsonfire said:

What are the alternatives to a bus?

That bus is definitely your best option for getting from Vientiane to Udon Thani.  It's very cheap and comfortable.  All other public transportation options involve transfers and much more hassle.

[Robert Paulson]

Just as a side note I think it’s ridiculous the validity dates start when you are approved. It should start when you enter. It makes it so people overseas should wisely put it off to the last second to do and people who are planning ahead what they just lose a month or two off their validity. But I know it’s more of a money maker for them so never going to change

[TimLMT]

On 2/2/2024 at 9:31 AM, brianthainess said:

Was he also from the US?  as Canadians  pay more. I know Cambodia Charges 300b for no overnight stay do Laos charge the same?

i didn't ask, sorry...

[TimLMT]

On 2/3/2024 at 11:11 AM, Highlandman said:

 

Can that form be done on arrival as you're entering Malaysia?

yes, from the immigration line in Malaysia

[TimLMT]

On 2/3/2024 at 2:57 PM, BritTim said:

A word of warning if planning the KL run. There is no issue with a same day return as far as the Malaysian authorities are concerned, BUT

EVEN WITH A MULTIPLE ENTRY TOURIST VISA, immigration at Phuket airport MIGHT deny you entry if you are a long stay tourist doing a same day visa run. It depends on your immigration history and luck.

 

And this is exactly what happened to me yesterday.  She asked me how long i intended to stay in thailand this time and i told her that i was not sure.  She then asked me for my return flight confirmation to the USA and i told her that i provided that information when i originally applied for my ME visa but did not know that it was required on a subsequent entry.  She also asked me where i was staying and many other things that is required on the original application.  I told her that was required and all is on file with my original application.  Then i kindly reminded her that my evisa grants me the right to enter the country as many times as needed.  I smiled at her and said that she needed to handle this however she wanted to and that i would take it up with the immigration office downtown phuket if were not given the 60 days that was expected.  I was very kind and understanding...

 

... she gave me 60 days