No tourist visas in Lao capital in last week of Nov

Published on November 01, 2004

Laos will not issue visas to tourists entering the country at Vientiane between November 22 and December 1, in order to free up accommodations for the Asean summit meeting, a Lao official said yesterday.

“We need to reserve accommodations for the Asean delegates and journalists who will be in the capital for the summit,” said Souvanna Phouyavong, counsellor at the Lao Embassy in Bangkok.

Visitors to destinations outside of Vientiane will still be welcome during that time, because the summit meeting will be held only in the capital, he said.

Leaders and officials of the 10-member organisation, together with partners China, Japan, South Korea and India, will gather for the meeting from November 24-30. Heads of member states will meet on November 29-30.

The US State Department said last week it has information of possible terrorist attacks planned against the Asean summit.

However, the Lao Foreign Ministry said such security concerns were unfounded.

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation

Thanks for info Mr Win, as the Thai Embassy told me last time i applied for tourist visa in Vientienne that they wouldnt give me another as i have 4 in my passport already i wasn't going anyway but nice to have this sort of information.

So just put your destination as outside of Vientiane....?

totster