Lao borders (some at least) now requiring overnight stay?

[Jack1988]

8 minutes ago, Pattaya57 said:

So then people who've never been in Thailand before can't enter as they don't have a TM30?  Makes no sense as TM30 is expired anyway as soon as you leave Thailand when only on a visa exempt

I'm talking about to making a border run from thailand to laos, to get a new exempt stamp, that means that people have already been in thailand. What it doesn't make sense? Thai immigration ask to see tm30 or proof of accommodation when you return to the country. A friend of mine was asked to show a tm30 and onward flight out of thailand within 60 days

Edited October 25 by Jack1988

[Caldera]

2 hours ago, Pattaya57 said:

So then people who've never been to Thailand before can't enter as they can't possibly have a TM30? 

 

Makes no sense as TM30 is expired anyway as soon as you leave Thailand when only on a visa exempt (TM30 only remains valid when you have multi entry visa or re-entry permit)

 

 

I'm pretty sure they'd accept a hotel booking from someone who isn't there for a border run / has never been to Thailand before.

 

The TM30 just gives them the complete address in a clean and uniform way. Of course a new TM30 notification will need to be submitted upon re-entry.

[benlovesnuk]

I have been to chiang khlong border multiple times this year.

 

I was told by the bus ticket person the day after this change, that this was the case.

 

Ready to fight with immigration, i waited on the laos side to be greeted by pleasant smiles and, oh you have wife visa, then no problem...paid my money no documents and got the new mini buses.

 

Went back and got in after 2 hours.

 

Went again, parked up, and went to immigration. This time the officer stated, "when you cum back..?"

I said today.

He said, "no no no, stay 2 days...."

 

I said, "no, it will be today...."

 

He didnt like that, and i didnt care. 

Once more i was told by the bus ticket lady....

 

Went over to the laos side, do you remember me?

 

From a smile to a stamp. Quick beer, to bus.

 

Back at thai side immigration, and let in.

 

From what i understand its for tourists, not for visa holders, at least non o visas.

 

The last time was early octocber.

[DrJack54]

10 minutes ago, benlovesnuk said:

From what i understand its for tourists, not for visa holders, at least non o visas.

I see it little different. 

For folk with any multi entry visa such as METV (tourist visa) or eg non O multi entry etc you should be able to exit and reenter "turnaround" 

For visa exempt perhaps without border run agent might be an issue

 

[benlovesnuk]

19 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

I see it little different. 

For folk with any multi entry visa such as METV (tourist visa) or eg non O multi entry etc you should be able to exit and reenter "turnaround" 

For visa exempt perhaps without border run agent might be an issue

 

See it however you like, your semi-free in this country to do as you please. im just telling you what i observed, based on my situation, which isnt someone who happens to hold a METV.

 

As i stated, i had a ME non o and the thai immigration officer stated confidently, i had to stay 2 days in Laos, after looking at my passport on exiting. Of course he was wrong, because its only his job, after all.... the Laos side, where the communist flag was flown, far more kind and dignified.

As I dont have a METV and didnt mention it, its not really that you see it different to me because i didnt stipulate that wasnt the case, indeed, i actually infer it likely is.

I just stated it seems to be focused on tourists most likely without a visa. In fact i generously leave my wording open ended to cover such a troublsome addled eyesight, which seems to cover your irrelevent pedanticism.

"From what i understand its for tourists, not for visa holders, at least non o visas."

 

 

[Caldera]

17 minutes ago, benlovesnuk said:

the Laos side, where the communist flag was flown, far more kind and dignified.

 

And yet, despite all your praise for them, you aren't even willing to spend 1-2 nights in their beautiful country every 90 days or so.

 

And you are not the only one, that's why Thai IOs don't need to make any effort to welcome (back) foreigners lol.

[benlovesnuk]

On 11/9/2024 at 1:08 PM, Caldera said:

 

And yet, despite all your praise for them, you aren't even willing to spend 1-2 nights in their beautiful country every 90 days or so.

 

And you are not the only one, that's why Thai IOs don't need to make any effort to welcome (back) foreigners lol.

 

Ive spent many days in Laos, i have no issue staying in Laos it wasnt ideal at the time, of just being told that day it had changed yesterday, on the first trip...

 

So i didnt have any clothing etc for a 2 day stay...otherwise i very much like laos people and their country. Id happily go to laos for 2 nights every days then deal with the scraping of the barrell immigration officers, who talk diwn to my wife and me for simply trying to live as a family...which they must hate, because...we are legally doing it...right.

 

I wasnt expecting a welcome, and the issue was on the way out, not in...the guy who booked me in after Laos, was the same guy i had previous, and he was quite decent, profressional and in need of praise.

 

 

[bubba]

I was in Chiang Saen week before last and asked an Immigration Officer at the office there about this. She told me the requirement was now a one night stay on the Lao side if returning on a 60 day visa waiver entry.

 

That said, it could be different this week.