Has anyone heard that the Lao government won't be issuing any visas, including visas on arrival, the first week on November due to an ASEAN meeting (or something similar)?

Have a look at this translated document form the LAOS Govt..........

Lao People's Democratic Republic

Peace Independence Democracy Unity Prosperity

Prime Minister Office No 689/LNTA

Lao National Tourism Authority Vientiane 18 Oct 2004

Official Decree

ATTN : All boards of Tourist companies in Laos PDR

Ref. Provisional Deferring issue visa to Foreign Tourism

- According to the meeting of National Committee dated on 05/Oct/2004 to be prepared for the 10th of Asean Summit what should be hosted by Lao Government

- According to the Prime Minister Office decree #1700/PMD, dated on 08th Oct 2004 for provisional deferring to issue visa to foreigners who are going to visit / discover Vientiane capital city, during the date of 22 November – 01 December 2004 please be informed all accommodations in Vientiane would be not offered or supplied. So that LNTA would like to inform all tourist associations, travel agencies for well understanding of this matter. For touring should not be to Vientiane. Please kindly keep going ahead as usually.

Minister of Prime

Minister office

President of Lao

National Tourism Authority

Somphong Mongkholvilay.

Thanks, Ned, that clears things up .... sort of

There is also the reported warning reported last week that a step up in anti government activities was expected so there might be more than a hotel shortage involved .