Increase Lao Entry Fee On The Horizon?

[asiaworld]

Well technocracy, i think you SHOULD be made moderator straight away absolute lack of tolerance of different opinion/critisism seems to be there .. What i meant was also list of few places in 2 hour flight range, that don't require any visas.. But c'mon don't compare number of flights from Vientiane, with those from Bkk !! embassies,offices,shopping general size of economy to name a few ..

hgma; don't know if you ever been to thailand, but give me 35$, & i'll drive you to more beautiful waterfalls & nature parks 3 hour drive from Bkk, so you can replace your pics with nicer ones..

Not my complaint, but significant for the region! had 2-3 friends of mine complaning profusely, about the hassles of getting close to the local lasses .. don't think any man would like to endure 30 days in the country which criminalises sexual encounters with locals

[technocracy]

Well technocracy, i think you SHOULD be made moderator straight away absolute lack of tolerance of different opinion/critisism seems to be there .. What i meant was also list of few places in 2 hour flight range, that don't require any visas.. But c'mon don't compare number of flights from Vientiane, with those from Bkk !! embassies,offices,shopping general size of economy to name a few ..

hgma; don't know if you ever been to thailand, but give me 35$, & i'll drive you to more beautiful waterfalls & nature parks 3 hour drive from Bkk, so you can replace your pics with nicer ones..

Not my complaint, but significant for the region! had 2-3 friends of mine complaning profusely, about the hassles of getting close to the local lasses .. don't think any man would like to endure 30 days in the country which criminalises sexual encounters with locals

The lack of tolerance is slight but what rather grinds is the fact that people spend one day visiting the Thai Consulate - whinge about having to stand outside, which as much as the Thai Consulate will try and blame Lao the reason people stand outside is absolutely nothing to do with Lao. No other Embassy or Consulate in Vientiane makes people stand outside!

Then after this visit of seeing bugger all people then feel they are sufficiently knowledgeable to sum up that Lao isn't worth visiting! I don't whinge at all about Thailand since I don't live there - I know the place quite well however just no my cup of tea, I don't like many things but I don't purposely go about talking the place down to score brownie points.

As for flights - I wasn't making any comparison to Thailand about how many flights there is since this would obviously be stupid. What I was saying is I can quite easily take flights much in the same way as you, also little'ole Wattay airport in Vientiane is small but perfectly formed - arrive 45 minutes before flight walk through to boarding and off you go! Also I am with a 10 minutes drive of any Embassy here in Vientiane - so visas are easy.

As for the girlie scene well if that why people don't want return - I am actually glad! The law maybe extreme but at least here will never turn into a Pattaya, Phuket or Bangkok, which I have to say I am very happy about. I can walk down any street in Vientiane and never have cries of 'hey hansum man' etc. Although I know this business is in many places it's just not obvious or in your face.

The comparison of Lao to Thailand is chalk and cheese - the one thing that the government for all there failures are trying to get a grip on is Eco-tourism and preserving Lao culture something Thailand sold down the river a long time ago - you know the Long Neck tribe forcing more and more rings on there neck just for tourist etc. Thailand has well and truly sold it's soul to consumerism McPuke, KFCrap, Pizza Hut etc etc are everywhere it basically western in all but geographic location!

Laos on the other hand is somewhere where that when people visit they feel like they are actually in SE Asia and it's genuine not just a show for tourists.

Out of curiousity in Cambodia once you've visited Angkor Wat, then depressed yourself at Tuol Sleng 21 and the Killing Fields (this is by no mean a sleight on this places as they are places anyone should visit but like Anne Franks house in Amsterdam they are depressing) for non-sex tourists what is there to actually do on a holiday?

Oh did you know there is the Dansavanh Resort appox 60km outside of Vientiane that has a 24hr Casino and 18 hole golf course? Guess why many Thais visit Lao!

[block2]

Well technocracy, i think you SHOULD be made moderator straight away absolute lack of tolerance of different opinion/critisism seems to be there .. What i meant was also list of few places in 2 hour flight range, that don't require any visas.. But c'mon don't compare number of flights from Vientiane, with those from Bkk !! embassies,offices,shopping general size of economy to name a few ..

hgma; don't know if you ever been to thailand, but give me 35$, & i'll drive you to more beautiful waterfalls & nature parks 3 hour drive from Bkk, so you can replace your pics with nicer ones..

Not my complaint, but significant for the region! had 2-3 friends of mine complaning profusely, about the hassles of getting close to the local lasses .. don't think any man would like to endure 30 days in the country which criminalises sexual encounters with locals

The lack of tolerance is slight but what rather grinds is the fact that people spend one day visiting the Thai Consulate - whinge about having to stand outside, which as much as the Thai Consulate will try and blame Lao the reason people stand outside is absolutely nothing to do with Lao. No other Embassy or Consulate in Vientiane makes people stand outside!

Then after this visit of seeing bugger all people then feel they are sufficiently knowledgeable to sum up that Lao isn't worth visiting! I don't whinge at all about Thailand since I don't live there - I know the place quite well however just no my cup of tea, I don't like many things but I don't purposely go about talking the place down to score brownie points.

As for flights - I wasn't making any comparison to Thailand about how many flights there is since this would obviously be stupid. What I was saying is I can quite easily take flights much in the same way as you, also little'ole Wattay airport in Vientiane is small but perfectly formed - arrive 45 minutes before flight walk through to boarding and off you go! Also I am with a 10 minutes drive of any Embassy here in Vientiane - so visas are easy.

As for the girlie scene well if that why people don't want return - I am actually glad! The law maybe extreme but at least here will never turn into a Pattaya, Phuket or Bangkok, which I have to say I am very happy about. I can walk down any street in Vientiane and never have cries of 'hey hansum man' etc. Although I know this business is in many places it's just not obvious or in your face.

The comparison of Lao to Thailand is chalk and cheese - the one thing that the government for all there failures are trying to get a grip on is Eco-tourism and preserving Lao culture something Thailand sold down the river a long time ago - you know the Long Neck tribe forcing more and more rings on there neck just for tourist etc. Thailand has well and truly sold it's soul to consumerism McPuke, KFCrap, Pizza Hut etc etc are everywhere it basically western in all but geographic location!

Laos on the other hand is somewhere where that when people visit they feel like they are actually in SE Asia and it's genuine not just a show for tourists.

Out of curiousity in Cambodia once you've visited Angkor Wat, then depressed yourself at Tuol Sleng 21 and the Killing Fields (this is by no mean a sleight on this places as they are places anyone should visit but like Anne Franks house in Amsterdam they are depressing) for non-sex tourists what is there to actually do on a holiday?

Oh did you know there is the Dansavanh Resort appox 60km outside of Vientiane that has a 24hr Casino and 18 hole golf course? Guess why many Thais visit Lao!

Hi Techno

......ignore asiaworld and all the other posters slating Laos, I have been to Vientiane, on 3 occassions now, I find the place to be much better than Thailand...excellent food...better/cheaper beer....the laos people want to speak english and most do...hotels are cheap...and regarding the girls....much better than thai girls...I lmoa at Asiaworlds claim that 2/3 of his mates got knocke back off the local girls....they must be 3 ugly fuc_kers....lol...like you say techno...you just have to look in the right places.....I have met a beautiful Laos girl who i speak to all the time...and meet up with everytime I visit Laos....if I am at all honest I will be moving to Vientiane in the near future. As I'm sick of the way Thailand is treating us Farang.

Techno I'm also from UK so next time i'm in Vientiane which will be December 20th - 25th maybe we could meet up an have a beer Loas or 2 togeather. Thankyou for posting the link to http://www.ecotourismlaos.com site....found it very interesting.

R & R

Block

[asiaworld]

well ignore at your own peril . Now since thaivisa is so upright in forbidding to promote illegal activities , and as we see our dear friend block is a fine example of the expatriate, who's going to Lao, in naive assumption, that what's perfectly legal in most other countries, should be good there also. But as we all should know, ignorance of the law, doesn't excempt you from punishment, if caught ! So technocracy, i think, u better prepare for fast wedding, before block's dreams may crash .. Now nowhere in my post i was implying that Lao is bad per se !! All i was saying is big countries like Thailand can actually afford being choosy.. Whether Lao is just shooting it's own foot, by keeping things complicated(which as we all know, if any country, actually wants visitors,they let them come visafree)

Honestly wish luck to block, just i like to keep myself in line with the law of the land ! You see, i do fancy a lot of iranian & arab girls, but it doesn't mean that i'll be packing for R&R tour of Tehran & Saudi any time soon, nor would advise it to anyone, except my enemy

[block2]

well ignore at your own peril . Now since thaivisa is so upright in forbidding to promote illegal activities , and as we see our dear friend block is a fine example of the expatriate, who's going to Lao, in naive assumption, that what's perfectly legal in most other countries, should be good there also. But as we all should know, ignorance of the law, doesn't excempt you from punishment, if caught ! So technocracy, i think, u better prepare for fast wedding, before block's dreams may crash .. Now nowhere in my post i was implying that Lao is bad per se !! All i was saying is big countries like Thailand can actually afford being choosy.. Whether Lao is just shooting it's own foot, by keeping things complicated(which as we all know, if any country, actually wants visitors,they let them come visafree)

Honestly wish luck to block, just i like to keep myself in line with the law of the land ! You see, i do fancy a lot of iranian & arab girls, but it doesn't mean that i'll be packing for R&R tour of Tehran & Saudi any time soon, nor would advise it to anyone, except my enemy

Hi Asiaworld,

In no way am I trying to promote illegal activities...if anyone is it his you an your comment on your 2/3 friends ( is that all you have ) having difficulty with the laos girls. Like i said in my original post they must me 2/3 ugly fcukers.

Can you please explain " naive assumption "????

I know the laws in Laos....I never said I have had sex with the lady that I have met...just you putting 2 an 2 together an coming up with 7.

The girl I have met...her father is a high ranking police officer....so I would suggest you repost your thread an give me an apology, or better still pass on your words of wisdom to your 2/3 friends.

R&R

Block2

[asiaworld]

Well if anyone here needs to offer an appology , it is sertainly you block2. Because every post you put here cointains serious insults ! At the very beginning of this subforum, i've posted this question, and technocracy wrote the excelent reply post on the topic. i am sure with your police friends, you'll be fine thou . As i didn't know you were so well versed with Lao law, i was warning you, and it was helpful intention !

[luumak]

The one-off backpacker will pay three thousand baht. They have come all this way and to them its small money for holiday, part of the expense.

Where Lao is way off is that they should allow five-ten days gratis on the border (not enough to travel, just enough for a holiday). This would be a huge boom for border regions from long-stay westerners on visa runs, buying some alcohol and relaxing on the mekhong.

From my experience they have always been the most expensive in the region next to Vietnam and China (both of which in many countries require agents to apply for the visa).

I will cross Lao off my list if they raise the price, the visa is already too expensive. Its a poor, backward, landlocked nation that has nothing to offer save for lovely hill tribes and a bit of nature (which the Lao govt has done a great job of destroying). It is no longer cheap (and man was it cheap in the mid 90s)

And that stupid expedite fee if not traveling all the way out to Thai Cult Center before 11am is not pressing enough. Better just to go to Khon Kaen.

Edited November 10, 2007 by luumak

[technocracy]

Ah calm down everyone!

Block - just a word on the parents being police and all that don't be lured into thinking just because her father is a high ranking police official he'll protect you from anything. It's more in his interest that his daughter isn't seen emerging from hotels or where ever with a falang on her arm. As you can bet the neighbours gossip chain will be in full flow when they see you! Be aware that even though the villages might seem so friendly and welcoming they'll be on you like a whippet if they think you are doing something you shouldn't.

An example - in my wifes village we are good friends of not only the village chief but also the police officials (one of them is a general). However when we were engaged and preparing all the paperwork for the marriage one of the locals decided upon her to go and complain to the village chief that we were sleeping together in the family house. The village chief just told her go away - even though we were actually sleeping together and he understood this. This situation is what proves whether these high ranking guys are your friends or not . . as they could easily shop you in and take a few police to the house and fine you upwards of $500. Money their pocket - this isn't just rumour of scare mongering either I've met/know people who've been fined. As long as you are discreet then ingeneral you won't have any problems - however p*ss of a neighbour or someone then problems start to arise.

As would be said 'take everyone with a pinch of salt' that is until you know them well enough to trust.

But anyway I'd be up for a beer or several when you come over - it'll all be dependant on how busy we are as we are currently setting up a company and we are working pretty much all day and night only stopping to sleep! That's why I've not replied sooner . . . also the wife will be about 8 months pregnant at that time!

[technocracy]

The one-off backpacker will pay three thousand baht. They have come all this way and to them its small money for holiday, part of the expense.

Where Lao is way off is that they should allow five-ten days gratis on the border (not enough to travel, just enough for a holiday). This would be a huge boom for border regions from long-stay westerners on visa runs, buying some alcohol and relaxing on the mekhong.

From my experience they have always been the most expensive in the region next to Vietnam and China (both of which in many countries require agents to apply for the visa).

I will cross Lao off my list if they raise the price, the visa is already too expensive. Its a poor, backward, landlocked nation that has nothing to offer save for lovely hill tribes and a bit of nature (which the Lao govt has done a great job of destroying). It is no longer cheap (and man was it cheap in the mid 90s)

And that stupid expedite fee if not traveling all the way out to Thai Cult Center before 11am is not pressing enough. Better just to go to Khon Kaen.

3000baht?!? Jeeper where do you get your money changed!! $45 = 1500baht.

No longer cheap eh.

I can assure you it's significantly cheaper here than any of the neighbouring countries - hence why I see hoardes of Thai tourists around Morning market spending plenty of money.

As for you lot on visa runs - you want your visa - if you don't get to the Lao Thai consulate where are you going to go? Pay 1500+ baht for flight to somewhere else? Makes perfect sense to me!

[andrewryan108]

Does anyone know why Canadians pay more(42$)?

Does anyone know whether Canadians pay $42 or some other amount if getting a visa on arrivalat the airport in Vientiene?

thanks

[technocracy]

Does anyone know why Canadians pay more(42$)?

Does anyone know whether Canadians pay $42 or some other amount if getting a visa on arrivalat the airport in Vientiene?

thanks

No idea! I have often wandered about this! Although if you look at the price list of Lao visas the cheaper ones are reserved for countries who have help Laos more . . . so maybe Canada has pissed them off at some point, but then again on this factor Amercians should be paying about $1000 . . . .

It is $42 regardless whether you arrive at the airport or land border.

I might ask one of the family friends who works in Immigration why it's $42 . . .