Told not to go back to Thailand from NK border

[stephen tracy]

On 5 Feb I crossed into Laos from Nong Kai and I am in Vientiane now. When I was getting stamped out on the Thai side, the IO told me to go and see his colleague in a little office, and the IO in the office was nice enough and stamped me out but asked how long I was gonna stay in Laos, and I said 2 or 3 days, and he he nodded and then said, if I go back to Thailand, not do so from the border but fly in instead. I wish I had asked him how many days I should stay out but I didn't think at the time. Now, I'm not sure whether to go back tomorrow or hang on here a while to make it look like a real tourist stay or what.

[stephen tracy]

The IO actually specifically told me to fly in via Suvarnibum but he probably just meant any airport ... I assume, at least 

[DrJack54]

2 minutes ago, stephen tracy said:

The IO actually specifically told me to fly in via Suvarnibum but he probably just meant any airport ... I assume, at least 

Ignore that rubbish.

I just answered your same question in other thread.

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1350870-how-many-border-runs/#findComment-19568091

[Rob Browder]

15 minutes ago, stephen tracy said:

On 5 Feb I crossed into Laos from Nong Kai and I am in Vientiane now. When I was getting stamped out on the Thai side, the IO told me to go and see his colleague in a little office, and the IO in the office was nice enough and stamped me out but asked how long I was gonna stay in Laos, and I said 2 or 3 days, and he he nodded and then said, if I go back to Thailand, not do so from the border but fly in instead. I wish I had asked him how many days I should stay out but I didn't think at the time. Now, I'm not sure whether to go back tomorrow or hang on here a while to make it look like a real tourist stay or what.

Options:
1) First, just try returning at that border-crossing, after staying out 3 days.  Yours would be the 1st report of a denial in this situation.  If they deny you, walk back and cancel your exit from Laos.  Don't argue, as it was reported they give you an official-denial if you make a fuss.
2) Try returning via another land entry point to Thailand from Laos, instead of NK.  There is a bus from Vientiane to Savannahket, for example.
3) Pay immigration's agent for "guaranteed safe entry" and return by air.  I would not try to return via air without that, given they are making a problem, and you go to immigration-detention at the airport if denied-entry there - is a higher stakes gamble than simply "walk back to the other country," if denied-entry at a land border. 

 

Airport Agent options:
https://aseannow.com/topic/1345519-safe-entry-services-bkk-airport/

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1336926-setv-metv-still-around-now-that-visa-exempts-are-now-60-days/?do=findComment&comment=19217493

It is possible that folks were happy to just stay out 2 nights and come back. I would have LOVED that option when I was under-50 and not married to a Thai (yet).  if they are upping the stakes, that may be to encourage an agent-van service for "same day return" appearing at this crossing soon.

[Briggsy]

Great advice above.

 

I would add that Paksan (Pakxan) is a shorter bus ride than Savannakhet.

[DrJack54]

The OP will enter via Nong Khai tomorrow. 

@stephen tracy please update your upcoming experience.

Will be very helpful. 

[stephen tracy]

I've decided to wait one more day before attempting going back. I am still undecided. Does anyone know how long it generally takes for them to cancel the Laos exit visa in the event that I am denied entry at NK? Is it a lengthy process of waiting around?

[DrJack54]

12 minutes ago, stephen tracy said:

Does anyone know how long it generally takes for them to cancel the Laos exit visa in the event that I am denied entry at NK? Is it a lengthy process of waiting around?

The OP @Tod Daniels in this attached thread outlines the process.

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1330417-ive-been-denied-entry-to-thailand-now-what/ 

 

You will be fine. Chill. 

[Caldera]

1 hour ago, stephen tracy said:

I've decided to wait one more day before attempting going back. I am still undecided. Does anyone know how long it generally takes for them to cancel the Laos exit visa in the event that I am denied entry at NK? Is it a lengthy process of waiting around?

 

It would be fair to say that Lao immigration there is a lot more familiar with the process now that rejections at Nong Khai happen more frequently.

 

You could consider traveling to another border town in Laos and crossing there. For example, if you travel to Savannakhet and cross back into Thailand at Mukdahan, your trip won't look like a border bounce, but like a touristy excursion to Laos.

[thai006]

If you get denial just back to laos side and go to the office at the departure side and said I need canceled  my stamp they know and they do it very fast 

[Toby1947]

Don't worry you won't be denied entry to Thailand at Nong Khai. If asked any questions tell them you've been to Vang Vieng in Laos, and intend spending your first night back in Thailand in Nong Khai. Did it yesterday no problems 😁 

[stephen tracy]

Hello all, just got through the border and now in NK. Phew! The IO asked where I was going in Thailand and how long I would stay but he didn't ask to see any proof of anything or funds. So, I spent 3 days in Laos fretting because of the IO's warning on the way into Laos. While I dont think this experience necessarily offers any clarity, it does illustrate that whatever an IO tells you may not be acted upon by a different one. In fact, the guy who warned me was there but I went in a different queue and just hoped he didn't spot me. 

[DrJack54]

13 minutes ago, stephen tracy said:

In fact, the guy who warned me was there but I went in a different queue and just hoped he didn't spot me. 

Good news! 

See told you you would be in Thailand today. 🤣

 

[stephen tracy]

46 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Good news! 

See told you you would be in Thailand today. 🤣

 

Thanks Jack!

[DrJack54]

1 hour ago, stephen tracy said:

Hello all, just got through the border and now in NK. Phew!

So that's 3 consecutive 60 exempt at NK border. You may have set modern times record. 

 

Time to at very least use another crossing if another is required.

 

Think you mentioned based in Bangkok. 

Good agent minivan runs from Bangkok and even moreso from Pattaya to Cambodia 

[stephen tracy]

40 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

So that's 3 consecutive 60 exempt at NK border. You may have set modern times record. 

 

Time to at very least use another crossing if another is required.

 

Think you mentioned based in Bangkok. 

Good agent minivan runs from Bangkok and even moreso from Pattaya to Cambodia 

Cheers Jack, I'm actually off to Baghdad in a month so I'm good. Probably wont see civilization again until later this year, by which time, hopefully all will be well again. Also, thanks to all who contributed here! I owe you all a drink.