After 30 Days, I Go Laos, Then Only 15 Days?

[Khonkaenvisitor]

Hello, I am new to this website and have some questions that I hope someone can help me.

I came into Thailand from USA as a tourist with no visa, just filled out that little white paper when I arrived to BKK airport. Now, i will stay beyond 30 days. I am a US citizen. So as I understand it, I can leave Thailand at the 30th day, then re-enter as a tourist and the new 15 day time clock starts, right? I will go to to the Laos border. What do I have to bring? I read the Thai Embassy website and got confused. Do I have to submit 2 photos of myself and show a bank statement that I have 10,000 baht? Do I have to show my e-ticket printout to show I have a flight out of Thailand? Once I cross into Laos and turn around to enter Thailand, how do I have to wait? A few hours? 1-2 days? What are "visa runners" ? What do they do and how much do they cost?

Thanks in advance for your help!!!

[lopburi3]

1. You are not normally asked for money or ticket - you will get a 15 day visa exempt stamp.

2. You will need photos for Lao visa and money to pay for it.

3. You can return immediately.

4. If you might want to stay longer than 15 days visit Vientiane for a tourist visa (free until June 4) which will permit a 60 day stay.

[PhilHarries]

By "visarunners" I assume you mean visa run companies. These outfits run buses/minibuses to border crossing points and do some or all the arrangements for you save actually having to cross the border and come back. These outfits operate from popular farang places like Bangkok and Pattaya but I assume from your nick you are in Khon Kaen and I'm afraid I can't help you with possible names there.

<edit : a few years ago there used to be outfits where you paid the cash, signed the forms and handed over your passport. You then went about your normal business and collected your passport the next day complete with new entry stamp and another 30 days (then) permitted stay. These were illegal operations as you never physically left the country. They were uncovered when a certain ex PM declared "there are no terrorists in Thailand" only for a MR Himbali (sp?) to pop up a few days later on one of these dodgy deal. His supposed "visa run" was not even made by his passport and the fictitious exit/entry never happened as some of these outfits had forged rubber stamps in the back room of their offices. Just be aware that you physically have to leave the Kingdom and re-enter otherwise it is highly illegal>

[loong]

If you are in Khon Kaen, it may be worth your while getting your Lao visa in advance at the Lao consulate there. It will save you the hassle of queing to get your Lao visa at the border when you enter Lao.

Once you have entered Lao, if you only want the 15 day stamp, you can simply turn left at the place you will be jumped on by taxi drivers, left again, visit duty free shops opposite if you wish and then leave Lao straight away and back into Thailand.

[Lite Beer]

Or as Lopburi said head on to the Thai Consulate in Vientienne and get a Tourist Visa. Even a double entry if you wish for free.

There is a bus that goes from the Aircon Bus station in Khon Kaen to Vientienne. It goes twice a day. You will need the Laos Visa befor getting on the bus. I think the fare is about 180 Baht one way.

[Khonkaenvisitor]

1. You are not normally asked for money or ticket - you will get a 15 day visa exempt stamp.

2. You will need photos for Lao visa and money to pay for it.

3. You can return immediately.

4. If you might want to stay longer than 15 days visit Vientiane for a tourist visa (free until June 4) which will permit a 60 day stay.

Thanks for your reply. For #2: I have to get a visa to enter Laos? I thought there was some sort of "grey area" at the border where i just entered laos and turned around and go back into Thailand. If I do #4 as you suggested, does that mean I have to carry 2 photos with me, bank statements, and proof or a return air ticket out of Thailand before they approve my tourist visa? And how far is the Thai Embassy in Vientiane and how long does it take to get the visa done? Do i have to rent a room and stay overnight in Vientiane? Thanks!

[Khonkaenvisitor]

If you are in Khon Kaen, it may be worth your while getting your Lao visa in advance at the Lao consulate there. It will save you the hassle of queing to get your Lao visa at the border when you enter Lao.

Once you have entered Lao, if you only want the 15 day stamp, you can simply turn left at the place you will be jumped on by taxi drivers, left again, visit duty free shops opposite if you wish and then leave Lao straight away and back into Thailand.

So are you saying I must get a visa into Laos even if i enter Laos to turn around and return back into Thailand? So they make $30 from me for about 2 min. walk from me?

[Khonkaenvisitor]

Or as Lopburi said head on to the Thai Consulate in Vientienne and get a Tourist Visa. Even a double entry if you wish for free.

There is a bus that goes from the Aircon Bus station in Khon Kaen to Vientienne. It goes twice a day. You will need the Laos Visa befor getting on the bus. I think the fare is about 180 Baht one way.

How far in is the Thai Consulate from the Thai/LAo border?

[loong]

If you are in Khon Kaen, it may be worth your while getting your Lao visa in advance at the Lao consulate there. It will save you the hassle of queing to get your Lao visa at the border when you enter Lao.

Once you have entered Lao, if you only want the 15 day stamp, you can simply turn left at the place you will be jumped on by taxi drivers, left again, visit duty free shops opposite if you wish and then leave Lao straight away and back into Thailand.

So are you saying I must get a visa into Laos even if i enter Laos to turn around and return back into Thailand? So they make $30 from me for about 2 min. walk from me?

I can't remember how much the Lao visa is now, usually cheaper if you pay $US than Baht.

Yes, you have to pay for the Lao Visa even if you only stay for 2 minutes.

May be one day the Thai Government will realise that their system pours a lot of money into their neighbours' pockets. Your Lao visa fee plus any duty free that you buy is money that could have been spent in Thailand.

[lopburi3]

1. Vientiane is under 10km from bridge crossing and transportation is easily available.

2. You submit in moring and pick up next afternoon for visa (workdays only). So one night stay required if workdays.

3. Yes you will need extra photos. You should always have available. Embassy will not be checking for ticket or money for normal travelers.

[Lite Beer]

If you are thinking of going next week they are only open on Friday. So forget it.