Just returned from Nong Khai after doing the exit/entry.

I have a double entry 60 day Tourist Visa and it was time to exit and re-enter the LOS.

I decided to go to Nong Khai as I am in the North of Thailand. I stayed at a cheap and chearful place called "Mut Mee" guest house. A simple and very basic but pleasant place at 500baht. They give US dollars at a great rate which is advisable for the Laos Visa.

TIP : If you dont have US dollars they will charge you 2000 baht !

I got $40 from the guest house for 1500 baht.

Took a Tuktuk to the bridge for 30 baht per person.

Went through immigration and then took 15 baht bus to Laos.

On arrival at Laos side for visa on arrival and collected form to fill in.

TIP: Make sure you have One passport type photo !

Hand in the form, passport and your pic together with $35 for UK (price varies from country to country).

Window closes and 10 minutes later another window opens and your pasport has the visa.

Go through immigration, walk to the end of the building turn left go back through immigration, walk to the end get your 15 baht bus return ticket.

At Thai immigration fill in your entry/exit card, go through and job done.

All very easy and very painless and took about an hour in all.

TIP: If you are going with your Thai wife etc and they dont have a passport they can get the relevant forms and pass paperwork from a booth just before the Thai exit immigration post for 120 baht all they need for this is their ID card. They can then pretty much just walk straight through.

Hope this helps anyone about to do the same run.

TIP: If you are going with your Thai wife etc [...] all they need for this is their ID card.

As far as I know this is only true for Thai people living near the border (within a few kilometers) otherwise they will need a passport (but no visa), too. Can someone fill in on this?

That was the case several decades ago but have seen recent reports that it is not limited to immediate area anymore. Perhaps someone with a central or southern spouse can confirm? But they do need to obtain a border pass from immigration office I believe.

That was the case several decades ago but have seen recent reports that it is not limited to immediate area anymore. Perhaps someone with a central or southern spouse can confirm? But they do need to obtain a border pass from immigration office I believe.

Not limited, need border pass. Good for 3 day 2 night visit

edit. Now I think little more. My gf got this A4 size paper and with that she could stay 3 day 2 night. But I am not sure but think I saw some thais have actually some kind of book. Maybe that is real border pass and is given only for nearby residents. Correct me please.

TIP: If you are going with your Thai wife etc [...] all they need for this is their ID card.

As far as I know this is only true for Thai people living near the border (within a few kilometers) otherwise they will need a passport (but no visa), too. Can someone fill in on this?

My wife is from South of Phetchabun and thats 4+ hours drive from Nong Khai and hardly a few kilometers so cant see how that can be correct.

That was the case several decades ago but have seen recent reports that it is not limited to immediate area anymore. Perhaps someone with a central or southern spouse can confirm? But they do need to obtain a border pass from immigration office I believe.

Not limited, need border pass. Good for 3 day 2 night visit

edit. Now I think little more. My gf got this A4 size paper and with that she could stay 3 day 2 night. But I am not sure but think I saw some thais have actually some kind of book. Maybe that is real border pass and is given only for nearby residents. Correct me please.

The border pass my wife got was an A4 sheet also.

Next time, ask your wife to take her passport, she will get 30 days free visa exempt stamp, no visa needed for Thai citizens.

"TIP : If you dont have US dollars they will charge you 2000 baht ! "

I have crossed there many times, and always paid 1500 baht for a 35 USD Lao tourist visa. Of course that's still too high, but I usually don't have USD on me. If you forget the photo, they sometimes will charge you an additional 50 baht or 1 USD, sometimes they don't charge.

I crossed over in my car last week. Paid 1500 baht for visa on arrival.

I crossed over in my car last week. Paid 1500 baht for visa on arrival.

Two weeks ago,35$ OR 1500 Baht.The car=200 baht,driver10 baht,passengers(if any) 50 baht each.

About the border pass,many Thais do it on the border,120 baht for 2 nights,form filled and photo.

I have seen only Lao people with a light blue booklet valid as border pass for many entries.