Thai tourists informed of Laos' suspension of visa during ASEAN summit

BANGKOK, Nov 11 (TNA) - The Democratic People's Republic of Laos will not approve visa to foreign tourists and visitors, including those from Thailand, during the forthcoming summit of leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced this morning that the Laotian government had informed foreign embassies in Vientiane, including the Thai Embassy, that the temporary suspension of visa for foreign tourists and visitors was for the security reason to avoid any undesirable incidents during the next ASEAN summit, to be held in Vientiane on 29-30 November.

The visa suspension will begin on 22 November and will end on 3 December.

Local travel agents are, therefore, suggested to suspend any tour programmes to Laos during the period, according to the Ministry of Foreign's statement. (TNA)--E002

Is this true?

Is this true?

if it is then it sucks big time, they feel they have to close a whole country so they can have a few beers and run up expence accounts on bar girls in "safety". The parnoia is reaching momentus levels, makes people trigger happy, see Tak Bai

It is true. Just hope you're not in Isaan and you don't have a visa run planned for these dates or you're looking at a trek to Cambodia.

if it is then it sucks big time, they feel they have to close a whole country so they can have a few beers and run up expence accounts on bar girls in "safety". The parnoia is reaching momentus levels, makes people trigger happy, see Tak Bai

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There is plenty of rebel/insurgent activity in Laos, the border closing is so that YOU or other clueless tourists won't be in the firing line during this event, which is seen as aprovocation and/or oppotunity by militant opposition groups.