Increase Lao Entry Fee On The Horizon?

[hgma]

"because the entry fee in Laos is lower than other countrys" the Consular department of the Lao PDR(31-10-07) is considering an increase of entry fee from 35 to 45 Us dollar.

source: vientianetimes.com

[tropo]

"because the entry fee in Laos is lower than other countrys" the Consular department of the Lao PDR(31-10-07) is considering an increase of entry fee from 35 to 45 Us dollar.

source: vientianetimes.com

What a load of nonsense.

Most other countries in the region are free. Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brunei (free for many nationalities), Australia, New Zealand, Japan...all free...and probably many more.

Cambodia is only $20, and Burma is 500 baht (?).

Even Vietnam is cheaper, so where are the more expensive countries? What is there to do in Laos other than applying for visas?

We all know this is to cash in on the profitable visa run business. Maybe it will work to our advantage and give them incentive to continue to issue visas.

[technocracy]

"because the entry fee in Laos is lower than other countrys" the Consular department of the Lao PDR(31-10-07) is considering an increase of entry fee from 35 to 45 Us dollar.

source: vientianetimes.com

What a load of nonsense.

Most other countries in the region are free. Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brunei (free for many nationalities), Australia, New Zealand, Japan...all free...and probably many more.

Cambodia is only $20, and Burma is 500 baht (?).

Even Vietnam is cheaper, so where are the more expensive countries? What is there to do in Laos other than applying for visas?

We all know this is to cash in on the profitable visa run business. Maybe it will work to our advantage and give them incentive to continue to issue visas.

Erm Vietnam is not cheaper (between $50-$80) and neither is China ($50-$100).

The article should probably read "because the entry fee in Laos is lower than our good friends Vietnam or China" . . . . .

But hey most people who are coming to visit for a full holiday $45 isn't exactly breaking the bank. Lets remember that Laos is classified as an underdeveloped nation so if they can make a some extra cash from the visas than why not. Vietnam certainly doesn't have a problem with tourism numbers with it expensive and restrictive visa . . . it's only people who just want a cheap run over the border who'll complain. Canadians have been paying $42 for some time (although I don't know why!).

[tropo]

Erm Vietnam is not cheaper (between $50-$80) and neither is China ($50-$100).

The article should probably read "because the entry fee in Laos is lower than our good friends Vietnam or China" . . . . .

Vietnam certainly doesn't have a problem with tourism numbers with it expensive and restrictive visa

Read this extract from the Vientiane Times:

"He said a large increase in fees would have an impact on the Lao tourism industry and would place Laos at a disadvantage; he explained that neighbouring countries such as Cambodia and Vietnam now charged lower fees for visas on arrival, which was why tourism was growing so rapidly there."

Perhaps you're confusing visa agent service fees with the actual cost of the visa stamp for 30 day's tourism in Vietnam which is $25 (if you do it yourself).

I didn't mention China, but Hong Kong. No visa is required there for Australians, NZ, US or EU citizens or Japanese.

[Stephen Cleary]

"because the entry fee in Laos is lower than other countrys" the Consular department of the Lao PDR(31-10-07) is considering an increase of entry fee from 35 to 45 Us dollar.

source: vientianetimes.com

What a load of nonsense.

Most other countries in the region are free. Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brunei (free for many nationalities), Australia, New Zealand, Japan...all free...and probably many more.

Cambodia is only $20, and Burma is 500 baht (?).

Even Vietnam is cheaper, so where are the more expensive countries? What is there to do in Laos other than applying for visas?

We all know this is to cash in on the profitable visa run business. Maybe it will work to our advantage and give them incentive to continue to issue visas.

Erm Vietnam is not cheaper (between $50-$80) and neither is China ($50-$100).

The article should probably read "because the entry fee in Laos is lower than our good friends Vietnam or China" . . . . .

But hey most people who are coming to visit for a full holiday $45 isn't exactly breaking the bank. Lets remember that Laos is classified as an underdeveloped nation so if they can make a some extra cash from the visas than why not. Vietnam certainly doesn't have a problem with tourism numbers with it expensive and restrictive visa . . . it's only people who just want a cheap run over the border who'll complain. Canadians have been paying $42 for some time (although I don't know why!).

Where exactly does all this cash go, into the state budget or into the pockets of corrupt government officials? Even if Laos put their visa fee up to $450 none of that money would go to the people or to developing the country.

Yeah, visas for China and India may be a bit more expensive but then you can really have a 'full holiday' in countries which offer so much. As for Laos, it doesn't exactly offer much, besides Luang Prabang, cheap beer and smelly hippies in Vang Viang!

Why pay $45 dollars to go to a country with so few places to visit!?

[tartempion]

Yeah sure good ideas they have

I live 120kms from Vientiane and if hopping to Laos would be free I would visit them every month. (buying a bottle of Pastis)

Went there for a few days two months ago, visa cost was 1300 baht if I remember correctly and as long I will need to pay someting I will not revisit them again.

How stupid can they be

[tropo]

Why pay $45 dollars to go to a country with so few places to visit!?

Because it's one of the final tourist visa frontiers. If that changes, they'll be shooting themselves in the foot by increasing the fee to $45.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who doesn't visit Vietnam because of the hassle of getting a visa (and cost [and time] if you use an agent).

Paying $45 to visit a country which restricts personal rights and freedom is too much. Even the current $35 is way too much.

[007]

We all know this is to cash in on the profitable visa run business. Maybe it will work to our advantage and give them incentive to continue to issue visas.

What does the Laos government's desire to cash in on visa runs by foreigners from Thailand have to do with the Thailand diplomatic missions visa policy? Or do you mean visas for entering Laos??

[tropo]

We all know this is to cash in on the profitable visa run business. Maybe it will work to our advantage and give them incentive to continue to issue visas.

What does the Laos government's desire to cash in on visa runs by foreigners from Thailand have to do with the Thailand diplomatic missions visa policy? Or do you mean visas for entering Laos??

There seem to be unique policies being enforced at different consulates in neighbouring countries. Try to get a tourist visa in Manila, Phnom Penh, Singapore or anywhere besides Malaysia and Laos...it's a different matter entirely.

They're all Thailand's diplomatic missions right? So why do they vary so much in their visa issuing policies?

Thousands of visa runners from Thailand travelling to Laos every week inject quite a lot of money into the Laotian economy, starting with the Laos visa that most visitors much pay for and then accommodation, transport, food, shopping etc.

This leads me to believe there is some influence on the Embassy by the local community. I could be wrong. It's only a theory.

That the proposed increase in the Laos visa fee from $35 to $45 is to take advantage of the steady flow of visa runners going their everyday is more than a theory. It would seem the sensible thing to do, but if the Laos Embassy becomes "unfriendly" with respect to visa issue it could backfire.

[asiaworld]

Yeah sure good ideas they have

I live 120kms from Vientiane and if hopping to Laos would be free I would visit them every month. (buying a bottle of Pastis)

Went there for a few days two months ago, visa cost was 1300 baht if I remember correctly and as long I will need to pay someting I will not revisit them again.

How stupid can they be

Same here , make it easier, & i'll be driving there few times a year.. Some lack of logic they have ( or thai logic they have )

Now if next they'll go for Lao Elite Card , that'll be fun, maybe for a million kip, i'll be the first in line ..

Until than , plenty more nicer places around ..

[Pattaya46]

Why pay $45 dollars to go to a country with so few places to visit!?

US$ 45 today are hardly US$ 35 from 2 years ago.

It's only a increase to compensate for the weakness of the US dollar.

In bahts entry fee will stay the same as 2 years ago.

[midas]

Where exactly does all this cash go, into the state budget or into the pockets of corrupt government officials? Even if Laos put their visa fee up to $450 none of that money would go to the people or to developing the country.

Yeah, visas for China and India may be a bit more expensive but then you can really have a 'full holiday' in countries which offer so much. As for Laos, it doesn't exactly offer much, besides Luang Prabang, cheap beer and smelly hippies in Vang Viang!

Why pay $45 dollars to go to a country with so few places to visit!?

absolutely ' spot on ' Stephen !! Yes it will probably help to pay for all the

army of secret police that follow foreigners around everywhere

these people are corrupt to the core and under the circumstances

I wish that my own country's government ( Australia )

will reduce its aid payments because obviously with increased these fees

they wont need to rely so much on handouts

[tropo]

Why pay $45 dollars to go to a country with so few places to visit!?

US$ 45 today are hardly US$ 35 from 2 years ago.

It's only a increase to compensate for the weakness of the US dollar.

In bahts entry fee will stay the same as 2 years ago.

So you'd be quite happy to pay an extra 30% for everything then?

[Pattaya46]

So you'd be quite happy to pay an extra 30% for everything then?

More ? 30% ??

January 2006 : 35 US$ / 1.20 = 29.2 €

January 2008 : 45 US$ / 1.50 = 30.0 €

Yes... More.... 2.4% in 2 years...

Ah but.... maybe you are an American ?

[tropo]

So you'd be quite happy to pay an extra 30% for everything then?

More ? 30% ??

January 2006 : 35 US$ / 1.20 = 29.2 €

January 2008 : 45 US$ / 1.50 = 30.0 €

Yes... More.... 2.4% in 2 years...

Ah but.... maybe you are an American ?

It's not relevant to this argument what dollars are worth in euros and you should count yourself lucky that your currency has strengthened so much against the dollar over the last 2 years. My money is tied up in US dollars, so the increase is 30%.

What is more important is how many Lao Kip $35 buys compared to $45.

I believe that most visa runners pay for their Lao visa in Thai baht, so a Thai baht comparison is also worthwhile.

[hgma]

Lets keep politrix out of this.

Laos is the land of unspoiled nature(lets keep it that way)

take a look at this

hgma

"because the entry fee in Laos is lower than other countrys" the Consular department of the Lao PDR(31-10-07) is considering an increase of entry fee from 35 to 45 Us dollar.

source: vientianetimes.com

[tropo]

Lets keep politrix out of this.

Laos is the land of unspoiled nature(lets keep it that way)

take a look at this

hgma

A waterfall and a muddy road? Is that the best Laos has to offer?

[torrenova]

I have wanted to go to Vientianne at least but when looking at cheap flights, you have to factor in the ridiculous visa costs and though it is nothing for a holiday, it has to be considered. When you are only talking about a 1 or 2 day stay, it raises the cost significantly.

One of the reasons I don't go to Vietnam as often is the visa situation.

[tropo]

I have wanted to go to Vientianne at least but when looking at cheap flights, you have to factor in the ridiculous visa costs and though it is nothing for a holiday, it has to be considered. When you are only talking about a 1 or 2 day stay, it raises the cost significantly.

One of the reasons I don't go to Vietnam as often is the visa situation.

Why do people go to Vietnam?

[technocracy]

I've never read such a load of self righteous crap as I've read on this thread . . all over $10.

I don't supposed it has crossed any of your minds that the Laos government actually want people who are coming holiday to Laos to actually stay for a week or two at least?

Let consider the evidence:

They change the visa on arrival from 14 days to 30 days.

They have a campaign called 'stay another day' - promoting Laos for longer holidays.

They are allowing hotels to be build without lots of redtape and also allowing them to be tax free.

There is regular tradefairs promoting Eco-Tourism

Currently expanding the airport to except widebody aircrafts

Sorry but why should they really care if you one day tourist visa runners don't like the increase? They want people come and stay for 2 weeks or however long and have money in there pockets spend, you know just the kind of tourist Thailand wants instead of the 'permanent' tourists. People who are coming for there yearly holiday won't give a toss about $35 or $45, Canadians have been paying $42 dollars for a long time anyway!

Well Laos has the border with Thailand and from reading on here it's the one place where the Thai Consulate will actually gives out tourist visas . .. . so what you gonna do?

All as for the comment about being a country that "restricts personal rights and freedom" well funny ain't it - that when all you lot in Thailand were pissing and moaning about not being able use YouTube and all over kinds of Internet censorship I was sitting here in Laos with full access to any sites. My personal rights are perfectly intact I've never experienced any problems of any forms - be it opening a company, getting married, building a house etc etc. Sure people cannot protest again the government . . but that's the same for Juntaland isn't it?

For most of you moaning bunch to closest you probably have come to a holiday in Laos is a tuk-tuk ride to Thai Consulate and maybe one night in Vientiane.

[midas]

All as for the comment about being a country that "restricts personal rights and freedom" well funny ain't it - that when all you lot in Thailand were pissing and moaning about not being able use YouTube and all over kinds of Internet censorship I was sitting here in Laos with full access to any sites. My personal rights are perfectly intact I've never experienced any problems of any forms - be it opening a company, getting married, building a house etc etc. Sure people cannot protest again the government . . but that's the same for Juntaland isn't it?

For most of you moaning bunch to closest you probably have come to a holiday in Laos is a tuk-tuk ride to Thai Consulate and maybe one night in Vientiane.

technocracy for sure Thailand also lacks some of the rights we take for granted

in places like Australia, UK etc but you have to be joking if you say you can make

an outright comparison between the situation in Laos and that in Thailand

The litmus test only comes if you inadvertently cross the line by breaking the law

perhaps innocently or unintentionally by being unaware of something- it's what they do with you afterwards

in Laos and your human rights during the period in which you try to defend yourself

and your innocence in Laos compared to the process

in Thailand because of the nature of the people behind the process/ government -chalk and cheese

if you don't know this you are blissfully unaware on the conditions in which you are really living !

anyway keep taking the pills!

[abdulrahman]

All as for the comment about being a country that "restricts personal rights and freedom" well funny ain't it - that when all you lot in Thailand were pissing and moaning about not being able use YouTube and all over kinds of Internet censorship I was sitting here in Laos with full access to any sites. My personal rights are perfectly intact I've never experienced any problems of any forms - be it opening a company, getting married, building a house etc etc. Sure people cannot protest again the government . . but that's the same for Juntaland isn't it?

For most of you moaning bunch to closest you probably have come to a holiday in Laos is a tuk-tuk ride to Thai Consulate and maybe one night in Vientiane.

technocracy for sure Thailand also lacks some of the rights we take for granted

in places like Australia, UK etc but you have to be joking if you say you can make

an outright comparison between the situation in Laos and that in Thailand

The litmus test only comes if you inadvertently cross the line by breaking the law

perhaps innocently or unintentionally by being unaware of something- it's what they do with you afterwards

in Laos and your human rights during the period in which you try to defend yourself

and your innocence in Laos compared to the process

in Thailand because of the nature of the people behind the process/ government -chalk and cheese

if you don't know this you are blissfully unaware on the conditions in which you are really living !

anyway keep taking the pills!

Juntaland!

:D

Technocracy may have exagerate,but Lao is not too bad,Thailand not so good either!

[technocracy]

All as for the comment about being a country that "restricts personal rights and freedom" well funny ain't it - that when all you lot in Thailand were pissing and moaning about not being able use YouTube and all over kinds of Internet censorship I was sitting here in Laos with full access to any sites. My personal rights are perfectly intact I've never experienced any problems of any forms - be it opening a company, getting married, building a house etc etc. Sure people cannot protest again the government . . but that's the same for Juntaland isn't it?

For most of you moaning bunch to closest you probably have come to a holiday in Laos is a tuk-tuk ride to Thai Consulate and maybe one night in Vientiane.

technocracy for sure Thailand also lacks some of the rights we take for granted

in places like Australia, UK etc but you have to be joking if you say you can make

an outright comparison between the situation in Laos and that in Thailand

The litmus test only comes if you inadvertently cross the line by breaking the law

perhaps innocently or unintentionally by being unaware of something- it's what they do with you afterwards

in Laos and your human rights during the period in which you try to defend yourself

and your innocence in Laos compared to the process

in Thailand because of the nature of the people behind the process/ government -chalk and cheese

if you don't know this you are blissfully unaware on the conditions in which you are really living !

anyway keep taking the pills!

I am fully aware of human rights issues both in Laos and Thailand. So all the people on here who complain about the Farang can never win (in Thailand) are just a figment of my imagination also? Take a look at the prisoners abroad and how many are in Thailand . . .

I have no intention to be on the wrong side of the law - at no point in my life have I. I know many police and army officials here and do everything by the book, they help me all they can also to reduce any hassle (paperwork etc). I am register at my village office as a resident in the village and I have a full work permit and I also pay taxes.

My personal rights are intact for my everyday life, I come and go and live within the laws of the land I accept the laws here, I don't do anything any different than I did when I lived in the UK.

No pills required thanks - just experience.

Edit: As abdulrahman say Lao is nowhere near as bad as people like to make out for normal law abiding citizens. Just the big scary word communism scares people - just like Kennedy and Nixon. . ..

[lopburi3]

It does not seem anyone is interested in returning - or even discussions Thai visas - so this thread is moved to a more appropriate forum.

[abdulrahman]

It does not seem anyone is interested in returning - or even discussions Thai visas - so this thread is moved to a more appropriate forum.

Which one please?

Southeastasia forum,we're chatting about Lao:where else?

[asiaworld]

Ouch technocracy , kudos for defence:) i know u like it in there, but try to be more objective. Don't compare mouse with the tiger ! i'm based in Juntaland(like i,or not), because i can make good living here . Now Lao doesn't have 20% of the infrastructure of Thailand, and not going to in our lifetime ! I make money here & there, i can fly out in the morning to S'pore/KL/HK etc. & be back home by midnight ! i fill up my passport in a year ! Now, when i feel like relaxing i like to take a crosscountry drive, which usually ends up with visiting neighbors ..Well i'm resident in Cambo, because it's easy & now it's the most open & democratic country of ASEAN, i can do, what i like & even get Cambo ctizenship, as soon as i'm willing .. i can go to Myanmar 3 times for the price of Lao visa , & will not lose 5 pages of my passport ..

And for a short visit, Myanmar offers more beauty & exotic, than Lao does (screw the propaganda) ..

So what do you honestly think, how tourist friendly does it gets ?!?

PS: & i No need any border runs also !! pure exploration & sightseeing (also i often bring my friends from europe with me, who feel same way, & wouldn't touch Lao with bargepole,after first visit)

i honestly wish they develop for their own good, being post communist, they should be more shrewed than thais already

[tropo]

I've never read such a load of self righteous crap as I've read on this thread . . all over $10.

Yada, yada, yada....

For most of you moaning bunch to closest you probably have come to a holiday in Laos is a tuk-tuk ride to Thai Consulate and maybe one night in Vientiane.

I understand your sentiments as we all now know you live in Laos.

If you re-read my posts carefully you'll discover that I wasn't complaining, but merely taking to task the news articles excuse for putting up the rate ie. many other countries are charging more.

You're definitely right on the last count. A tuk-tuk ride to the Thai Embassy is probably all I'm ever going to experience in Laos.

Instead of whinging about us whinging, why don't you make some attempt to promote Laos and give us a reason to spend more than one night there.

In Cambodia I went to visit Angkor Wat....

In Laos.....???

[hgma]

BINGO!!!!!!

I've never read such a load of self righteous crap as I've read on this thread . . all over $10.

I don't supposed it has crossed any of your minds that the Laos government actually want people who are coming holiday to Laos to actually stay for a week or two at least?

Let consider the evidence:

They change the visa on arrival from 14 days to 30 days.

They have a campaign called 'stay another day' - promoting Laos for longer holidays.

They are allowing hotels to be build without lots of redtape and also allowing them to be tax free.

There is regular tradefairs promoting Eco-Tourism

Currently expanding the airport to except widebody aircrafts

Sorry but why should they really care if you one day tourist visa runners don't like the increase? They want people come and stay for 2 weeks or however long and have money in there pockets spend, you know just the kind of tourist Thailand wants instead of the 'permanent' tourists. People who are coming for there yearly holiday won't give a toss about $35 or $45, Canadians have been paying $42 dollars for a long time anyway!

Well Laos has the border with Thailand and from reading on here it's the one place where the Thai Consulate will actually gives out tourist visas . .. . so what you gonna do?

All as for the comment about being a country that "restricts personal rights and freedom" well funny ain't it - that when all you lot in Thailand were pissing and moaning about not being able use YouTube and all over kinds of Internet censorship I was sitting here in Laos with full access to any sites. My personal rights are perfectly intact I've never experienced any problems of any forms - be it opening a company, getting married, building a house etc etc. Sure people cannot protest again the government . . but that's the same for Juntaland isn't it?

For most of you moaning bunch to closest you probably have come to a holiday in Laos is a tuk-tuk ride to Thai Consulate and maybe one night in Vientiane.

[torrenova]

I've never read such a load of self righteous crap as I've read on this thread . . all over $10.

I don't supposed it has crossed any of your minds that the Laos government actually want people who are coming holiday to Laos to actually stay for a week or two at least?

Let consider the evidence:

They change the visa on arrival from 14 days to 30 days.

They have a campaign called 'stay another day' - promoting Laos for longer holidays.

They are allowing hotels to be build without lots of redtape and also allowing them to be tax free.

There is regular tradefairs promoting Eco-Tourism

Currently expanding the airport to except widebody aircrafts

Sorry but why should they really care if you one day tourist visa runners don't like the increase? They want people come and stay for 2 weeks or however long and have money in there pockets spend, you know just the kind of tourist Thailand wants instead of the 'permanent' tourists. People who are coming for there yearly holiday won't give a toss about $35 or $45, Canadians have been paying $42 dollars for a long time anyway!

Well Laos has the border with Thailand and from reading on here it's the one place where the Thai Consulate will actually gives out tourist visas . .. . so what you gonna do?

All as for the comment about being a country that "restricts personal rights and freedom" well funny ain't it - that when all you lot in Thailand were pissing and moaning about not being able use YouTube and all over kinds of Internet censorship I was sitting here in Laos with full access to any sites. My personal rights are perfectly intact I've never experienced any problems of any forms - be it opening a company, getting married, building a house etc etc. Sure people cannot protest again the government . . but that's the same for Juntaland isn't it?

For most of you moaning bunch to closest you probably have come to a holiday in Laos is a tuk-tuk ride to Thai Consulate and maybe one night in Vientiane.

I don't need 30 days to visit Laos and I don't think anyone does but 30 days should be a minimum standard anywhere. I live in Thailand and like another poster commented, if they didn't want visa fees, then we would likely go and go more often. You're not going to go over for the night and chuck them $45 for the priviledge of, wait for it, the priviledge of actually spending some money in their country !

As to the the other poster asking why I go to Vietnam, well I go to have a look around, laze on the beaches get some things made and eat their delightful food. Oh yes, i also enjoy the combatitive arguments with the Vietnam Airlines booking office in Saigon.

[technocracy]

I understand your sentiments as we all now know you live in Laos.

If you re-read my posts carefully you'll discover that I wasn't complaining, but merely taking to task the news articles excuse for putting up the rate ie. many other countries are charging more.

You're definitely right on the last count. A tuk-tuk ride to the Thai Embassy is probably all I'm ever going to experience in Laos.

Instead of whinging about us whinging, why don't you make some attempt to promote Laos and give us a reason to spend more than one night there.

In Cambodia I went to visit Angkor Wat....

In Laos.....???

The comments weren't particularly aimed at you self more the Stephen Cleary and midas of the world.

You enjoyed Angkor Wat?? I thought it was bloody awful - tarmac roads take me everywhere to go and see another pile of stones or just trying to walk around the temples avoiding the Japanese elbows.. ..

Laos well the direct comparison would be Luang Prabang - a whole UNESCO village, or you can visit the Plain of Jars, on the temple thing Wat Phou in Champassak. Or howabout the Gibbon Experience in Bokeo, Northern Laos - sleep in Tree Houses in preserve rain forest and explore via zip line, Kayaking on the Nam Song river, the Bolaven Plateau in the south . . amongst plenty of other things. hel_l even go to Vang Vieng and join in with the hippies and do the tubing which is very good fun!

If you are really interested visit: http://www.ecotourismlaos.com/index.htm

However if you just want to go everywhere via smooth tarmac whilst sitting in airconditioned comfort or require a beach you are in the wrong place. But if you don't (and I hate beaches!) then there is plenty to do.

Anything else?

Asiaworld it much the same in Laos - we have direct flights to Vietnam, China, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur). Not mentioning the internal flights. The infrastructure is what you make it - what is the 80% we are missing - I know hospitals but this isn't 80%. I will be objective as I can be but why aren't other people?