Quick report. UK passport currently visa exempt. Needed another 30 days so got the small boat from Chiang Saen over to the Kings Roman Casino complex  (Immigration is actually in Sop Ruak, the one in Chiang Saen is for locals only I think) Laos entry was VoA, not sure if evisa is accepted. $40 and photo needed.

Turned around without leaving the building and back to Thailand. I was the only farang so no queues, no more than 30 mins from leaving Thailand to being stamped back in and most of that was filling in forms.

I did get a few polite questions on the Thai side as I have a pretty extensive travel history and a nearly full passport but stamped in no dramas. I did have to fill out a new TM6 which was a surprise. No biggie, just to add to the information pile.

For anyone living in the north with Mae Sai being shut and needing a quick in out for me it was easier all round than the bridge at Chiang Khong.

Was charged 70B each way on the boat and as a proper fatty getting in and out without capsizing was interesting. There are quite a few steps from immigration to the river on both sides so consider that if you are not that mobile.

A TM6 was always required for a Landborder crossing.

TM6 is not required at 8 land borders (up to 15 Oct 2024) and Chieng Saen was supposed to be one of them. The TAT news release does have a caveat mentioned though, so maybe that doesn't include your boat trip?

 

"Chieng Saen Immigration Checkpoint, Chiang Rai (Only on the permitted overland transportation route from the border to the checkpoint)"

 

https://www.tatnews.org/2024/04/thailand-suspends-filing-of-tm6-immigration-form-for-land-and-sea-arrivals/

 

3 minutes ago, UWEB said:

A TM6 was always required for a Landborder crossing.

Nope. I entered via Nong Khai last month. No TM6

2 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

TM6 is not required at 8 land borders (up to 15 Oct 2024) and Chieng Saen was supposed to be one of them. The TAT news release does have a caveat mentioned though, so maybe that doesn't include your boat trip?

 

"Chieng Saen Immigration Checkpoint, Chiang Rai (Only on the permitted overland transportation route from the border to the checkpoint)"

 

https://www.tatnews.org/2024/04/thailand-suspends-filing-of-tm6-immigration-form-for-land-and-sea-arrivals/

 

Thanks for that. Not a big deal obviously just thought I would provide the info. for others

7 hours ago, Pattaya57 said:

TM6 is not required at 8 land borders (up to 15 Oct 2024) and Chieng Saen was supposed to be one of them. The TAT news release does have a caveat mentioned though, so maybe that doesn't include your boat trip?

 

"Chieng Saen Immigration Checkpoint, Chiang Rai (Only on the permitted overland transportation route from the border to the checkpoint)"

 

https://www.tatnews.org/2024/04/thailand-suspends-filing-of-tm6-immigration-form-for-land-and-sea-arrivals/

 

Overland crossing from Chiang Saen? Didn't know it existed