Thailand And Laos To Abolish Visa Requirements

[george]

Thailand and Laos to abolish visa requirements

LAOS: -- Thailand and Laos will abolish visa requirements for their citizens crossing the Thai-Laos border from 2 December, the Thai ambassador to Laos, Mr. Rathakit Manathat, revealed today.

Mr. Rathakit said that after 2 December, Thai and Lao citizens in possession of a passport would no longer need visas to travel across the border.

This morning Mr. Rathakit also acted as the Thai government representative to donate equipment to Laos in preparation for the next Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, to be hosted by Laos later this month.

The equipment, which will be used in the summit news centre, consists of 50 computers, five network printers, one colour printer, 200 radios and other audiovisual equipment.

Thailand's National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (NECTEC), MCOT Public Company Limited and CAT Telecoms will also sent officials to install and control the equipment during the meeting.

--TNA 2004-11-19

[samran]

who hoooooo!

[dr_Pat_Pong]

who hoooooo!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Away you go Samran. Your life is changed forever

[jimy_bkk]

Can someone please confirm for me that this means no need for my TGF to get a visa now for a 3-4 day trip we plan to make up to Vientiane in Feb. I want to confirm that this new policy is actually in effect. Also, the statement refers to "crossing the Thai-Laos border". Just want to make sure this applies if you fly BKK-Vientiane, as opposed to crossing the border over land (i.e. the Freedom Bridge).

As I read it there is no visa requirement now - not even a "visa on arrival" type situation, correct?

Thanks for any info on this issue.

Jimy

[samran]

I'm not sure there is anyone to confirm this. Why don't you be the Thai visa guinea pig for this one and then come back to report?

If it is not in effect, then there still will be visa on arrival facilities at all the major entry points. You will be able to purchase a visa for her there for approax $US20 or if you have the time, you can organise a border pass for her which will let her travel into Vientiene prefecture for 3 days. From memory border passes aren't as expensive as the visa, but as I said, restrict travel only to Vientiene.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

I'm not sure there is anyone to confirm this. Why don't you be the Thai visa guinea pig for this one and then come back to report?

If it is not in effect, then there still will be visa on arrival facilities at all the major entry points. You will be able to purchase a visa for her there for approax $US20 or if you have the time, you can organise a border pass for her which will let her travel into Vientiene prefecture for 3 days. From memory border passes aren't as expensive as the visa, but as I said, restrict travel only to Vientiene.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Since December 2004 Thai's and Laotian's don't need a visa to enter each others country for 30 days as tourists.

[samran]

I'm not sure there is anyone to confirm this. Why don't you be the Thai visa guinea pig for this one and then come back to report?

If it is not in effect, then there still will be visa on arrival facilities at all the major entry points. You will be able to purchase a visa for her there for approax $US20 or if you have the time, you can organise a border pass for her which will let her travel into Vientiene prefecture for 3 days. From memory border passes aren't as expensive as the visa, but as I said, restrict travel only to Vientiene.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Since December 2004 Thai's and Laotian's don't need a visa to enter each others country for 30 days as tourists.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Both the Thai AND Lao governments implementing something on time? I hope it is the case, but then again, stranger things have been known to happen!!!

Edited January 7, 2005 by samran

[dr_Pat_Pong]

I'm not sure there is anyone to confirm this. Why don't you be the Thai visa guinea pig for this one and then come back to report?

If it is not in effect, then there still will be visa on arrival facilities at all the major entry points. You will be able to purchase a visa for her there for approax $US20 or if you have the time, you can organise a border pass for her which will let her travel into Vientiene prefecture for 3 days. From memory border passes aren't as expensive as the visa, but as I said, restrict travel only to Vientiene.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Since December 2004 Thai's and Laotian's don't need a visa to enter each others country for 30 days as tourists.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Both the Thai AND Lao governments implementing something on time? I hope it is the case, but then again, stranger things have been known to happen!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Trust me Dr Samran. It has been signed off at both ends and is immediately in place.