Savannakhet Tourist Visa Trip

[cali4995]

The first newsworthy item worth mentioning is that the Royal Thai Consulate

in Savannakhet appears to have moved to a new address. They are now

located on vastly more spacious accomodation right near the river. It wasn't

nearly the crowded circus I remember from the last time.

As a Yank crossing over the bridge I paid 1,500 THB for the Lao on-arrival visa.

No 200 THB express fee on this day. 35$ is preferable at current exchange rates

if you can get your hands on some American dollars. Also they are asking 40

baht to get your entry stamp into Laos and then again another 40 for your exit.

On Monday morning I expected a mob but there were only about 8-9 farangs and

another 40-50 Vietnamese and Laotians. I'm not sure what happened to all the

group tours. Maybe the customer base is dropping-off.

As far as the number of consecutive tourist visas allowed I'm still a little confused.

I was getting my second but the fellow in front of me got his 3rd. I overheard the

consular official say "tee-sahm, tee-sahm" as indicating 3rd time but they gave it

to him anyway. So again, some blurry rules and various interpretations.

The current visa fee schedule posted seems to remain at 1,000 baht for tourist

visa and 2,000 baht for Non-Immigrant. Also, on the door it stated applications

accepted from 09:00-11:00, and passport pick-up 14:00-14:30 the following

day for farangs. I believe Lao nationals can get theirs the same afternoon.

Lastly, businesses in Savannakhet are changing 100 THB to 28,000 LAK. Well,

for whoever it helps there it is. Some more basic information.

Edited July 25, 2007 by cali4995

[Thanyaburi Mac]

The first newsworthy item worth mentioning is that the Royal Thai Consulate

in Savannakhet appears to have moved to a new address. They are now

located on vastly more spacious accomodation right near the river. It wasn't

nearly the crowded circus I remember from the last time.

As a Yank crossing over the bridge I paid 1,500 THB for the Lao on-arrival visa.

No 200 THB express fee on this day. 35$ is preferable at current exchange rates

if you can get your hands on some American dollars. Also they are asking 40

baht to get your entry stamp into Laos and then again another 40 for your exit.

On Monday morning I expected a mob but there were only about 8-9 farangs and

another 40-50 Vietnamese and Laotians. I'm not sure what happened to all the

group tours. Maybe the customer base is dropping-off.

As far as the number of consecutive tourist visas allowed I'm still a little confused.

I was getting my second but the fellow in front of me got his 3rd. I overheard the

consular official say "tee-sahm, tee-sahm" as indicating 3rd time but they gave it

to him anyway. So again, some blurry rules and various interpretations.

The current visa fee schedule posted seems to remain at 1,000 baht for tourist

visa and 2,000 baht for Non-Immigrant. Also, on the door it stated applications

accepted from 09:00-11:00, and passport pick-up 14:00-14:30 the following

day for farangs. I believe Lao nationals can get theirs the same afternoon.

Lastly, businesses in Savannakhet are changing 100 THB to 28,000 LAK. Well,

for whoever it helps there it is. Some more basic information.

baht 100 to 28,000 KIP?

Mac

[Badbanker]

Cool news!

Finally it is turning into a more reasonable deal for all concerned. I am sure the embassy officials are unbelievably relieved that they now have a good facility to do their work!

Well done DOFA

BB

[cali4995]

Mac, I guess LAK is the official currency symbol for Laos.

As in Lao+Kip = LAK Kind of pronounced like giep though.

Yes BB, they have a sweet arrangement now. Right on the

bank of the Mekong. Palacial looking, pastel green with

fancy teak wooding everywhere, they're not hurting.

[Badbanker]

Is it down south towards the postoffice area or back north towards the Mekong Hotel area?

Shame you didn't take some pictures to share with us all!

BB

Mac, I guess LAK is the official currency symbol for Laos.

As in Lao+Kip = LAK Kind of pronounced like giep though.

Yes BB, they have a sweet arrangement now. Right on the

bank of the Mekong. Palacial looking, pastel green with

fancy teak wooding everywhere, they're not hurting.