Lao Visa Run - Bkk To Vt (tourist Visa).

[mrpositive]

Just returned from a visit to Lao for my Thai Tourist Visa.

Thought I would post the details for anyone who is interested.

Transport.

Flew BKK to Udon Thani.

Bus from Udon Airport to Thai Loa Border - Nong Khai

Bus & Taxi to Thai Embassy in Lao.

Same coming back.

Easy Peasy.

Plane Flights BKK - Udon Thani.

Nok Air - Asia: About 1550 one way BKK - Udon Thani (about 1 hour)

Dep BKK: about 0720. Buy ticket from airport before 0500 if possible. (DM or Suv)

Dep UT: about 1830. Buy ticket at airport before 1630 is possible.

On arrival in Udon Thani, buy a ticket from the counter at UT airport for the minivan to Nong Khai (Lao Border - Friendship Bridge) 150 baht.

Show your completed departure card in your passport at Thai side customs.

Pay 15 baht for the bus ride over Friendship Bridge to Lao.

Lao Side.

Have your pen, about 1450 baht (depending on exchange rate) and 2 photos ready.

Collect a blank form from the counter. Fill it out and return it with money, photos and passport.

Collect your passport in around 20 mins. Check your new stamp for dates permitted in the county.

Ignore the first few people offering bus and taxi rides.

Find some less excited older guy and tell him 150 baht to either the Thai Embassy, if you wish to get business done first (which must be before 12 noon), or to a Hotel if you wish to do drop your bags, do your thing, and get your visa another day.

A little bit of Thai language, and gentle, firm, humble and respectful behaviour will go a long way.

From the Royal Thai Embassy (Laos) website.

Visa Application:

Processing Time: 2 working days

Application Acceptance: 08.30-12.00 hours (Monday-Friday, except Thai/Lao holidays)

Visa Pick-up: 13.00-16.30 hours (Monday-Friday, except Thai/Lao holidays)

Visa Types & Fees :

Transit: 800 Baht per entry

Tourist: 1,000 Baht per entry

Non-Immigrant: 2,000 Baht per entry

Non-Immigrant(1 year): 5,000 Baht (Multiple Entry)

Non-Immigrant (3 years): 10,000 Baht (Multiple Entry)

In other words, for your Tourist Visa, submit your Passport with your completed forms, money if applicable, and 2 photos between 0830 - 1200 weekdays.

You will see 2 buildings once you are inside the gate. Go to the building on the right, get your form from the stand next to the window and get a ticket number.

Sit at a desk outside. Stick your photos to your form with the glue provided on the table.

Wait for your number, then at the counter submit money if applicable, form, photocopied passport and photos.

Maybe they'll ask a couple of basic questions or correct your form for you.

The staff are kind, friendly and helpful - so offer your best manners. It will help.

They will then ask you to go to the other building. There you will get a receipt to collect your passport the following day. Keep it safe. You'll need it.

Other Information.

When you get to the Embassy, or even before, you will be approached by locals, often carrying umbrellas, for a couple of Passport related services.

Blank Visa form. 50 baht

Visa form filled out and passport photocopied. 100 baht.

Complete Service. About 3000 baht. You hand them your Passport and photos, sign the form, and they do the rest. Collect next day.

Express Service (Same day if Possible - sometimes the required Embassy Official is unavailable). About 3 - 5000 baht.

Don't make demands, just ask, bargain a little if you can, and gently and quietly refuse if you don't wish to do business.

The person you are dealing with may only get around 5% of the sum as commission. There's a so-called 'Company' involved and prices are fairly strictly set.

Buyer Beware!

I paid 100 baht for the completed paperwork, and walked it through myself. The Tourist Visa was free at the time of writing this.

I ticked a box on my form for Tourist Visa x 2.

It effectively gives you 2 Tourist Visas with a potential of 6 months validity.

It works like this.

First entry - gives you 2 months.

Then, extend for 1 month at BKK Immigration.

At end of the 3rd month, do a usual Bus type trip to your border of choice.

Your re-entry stamp at Cambo, Lao or wherever will give you another 2 months (not 2 weeks).

After 2 months extend again at BKK Immigration - 1 months.

Total: 6 months.

Embassy to Hotel.

Taxi or Song Tao to somewhere near the river - maybe a 100 baht. Some people pay 800 so be careful.

Prices range for about 600 - 800 per night for an ok room near the river with cable tv, air-con and en-suite bathroom. Possibly breakfast too.

N.B: Some hotels lock the front door around midnight. There is usually a security guy or worker sleeping inside not far away - if you knock loudly enough.

Beware the Tuk-Tuk drivers. Some are persistent and will hassle you for 300 or more to take you around. Generally you shouldn't need to go anywhere around the city that costs more than 150-200 baht. Period.

Shop keepers and locals are kind and very friendly. Mafia controlled Beggars and Chinese Viagra salesmen less so.

I gave one boy half of my 'boutique' sandwich rather than cash. I later saw his minder give a cigarette to a maybe 4 year old colleague. All money passed though him along the chain, as I sat at the cafe taking swigs of poverty with french style bread, fancy meats, cheeses, pickles, vegies, sauces and spices to paint my coffee breath. Kind of dulls the taste and the heart just a tad for me.

Not as easy as it sounds.

Next day.

Tuk-Tuk back to the Embassy around 12.00, to join the long waiting line.

Go straight to the big building on your left with your receipt. Wait in line with hot, tired people some of whom are frustrated. Put your 'blinkers' on with a smile.

Passport in hand, get a taxi (beat up old car) to the border. I paid 100 baht. These guys can be pushy. Some ask for 800 baht.

Again, find some friendly older guy who looks like he needs the money, and with your back to the others, offer him 100 baht with a firm smile.

Fill out your departure card at the Lao Border, and get waved through. No charge.

Beware the Mafia Drivers. Usually they ask for 800 - 1000 baht to drive you to the airport in Udon Thani. Same deal when you get over to the other side of the Friendship Bridge in Thailand.

I took the standard Bus over the Friendship Bridge (Brought to you by AUSAID), for this time 20 baht.

Got a form at the Thai Border, Flash a smile and your passport at the counter, walk through.

Suss out the drivers on the Thai side.

I took a Tuk-Tuk to the 'Bus Office' (minivan) in Nong Khai for 100 baht.

Got the minivan for the 60km run to UT airport for 150 baht (Time:1510)

At UT International Airport I bought my plane ticket and checked in at the same time, around 4pm.

Both Nok Air and AirAsia offered flights departing around 1830 for around 1550 baht.

AsiaAsia arrives in Subanana Booom Airport.

Nok lands at the old Airport Dong Meung. I chose the latter being closer to my home, saving on taxis.

Further Notes:

For the Smokers.

The smoking room at Udon Thai Airport is perhaps the nicest I have encountered anywhere in the world.

This is simply because its windows overlooking the runway (which on this occasion offered me a vista of a young ground staffer test flying a paper plane on the tarmac directly to my front - I had to do a double-take), allowed the sheets of 'fumery' to billow from the smokers' retreat.

Usually when entering an airport smoking room, you don't need to light-up, as there is more than enough poisonous deoxygenated air to keep your lungs busy.

For Those who feel that after a few beers... next item on the menu - Local Talent.

It is illegal for Locals to have relationships with foreigners.

You may find in small pubs or clubs usually closing around 12 - 1am that;

1. The men seem a little stiffer and more protective than their Thai cousins.

2. Girls who do approach you or accept your charm, are without exception interested in payment.

3. You may even be offered 'Ganja'.

There's nothing wrong with going for a bit of a boogie and listening to some music with a modicum of fluid amber, and casually share a smile or clink of a glass.

My suggestion is to smile and clink with the guys at least as much as with the girls. You will feel a lot more welcome.

Language.

Hello - Sabaidee

Thanks - Kawp Jai.

Any Thai language will help.

Footnote: The parting word presented to me by a Lao Customs official at the border after he gave directions was, "Go."

Next time, I would like to go visit the country properly, and as a guest, humbly observe and enjoy the rich Culture and History of the good people of the Lao PDR.

Please feel free to ask questions or correct facts.

Hope this might help some good travelers.

Chok Dee Krup.

[hansnl]

Also very much possible:

Bangkok-Nong Khai by train, first class around 1200 baht, second class round 700 baht (sleepers), second class seating airco also available,

Depart Bangkok in the evening, arrive Nong Khai in the morning.

From there take Skylab to the border, around 60 baht, haggle, or offer a price.

Is cheaper to do, much more comfortable, less changing, more ....ehhhh.........relaxed maybe?

Across the bridge, all the same as your story.

Also possible, aircon bus from Bangkok (mo Chit) to Nong Khai, then skylab.

Total about 500 baht.

There is a bus, I presume originating in Korat, stopping in Khon Kaen and Udon Thani, directly to Vientiane.

I did not find out, yet, the particulars, it is the state bus company for certain..

However, see it every day driving in Khon Kaen, from and to the bus station.

Edited July 17, 2009 by hansnl

[mrpositive]

Also very much possible:

Bangkok-Nong Khai by train, first class around 1200 baht, second class round 700 baht (sleepers), second class seating airco also available,

Depart Bangkok in the evening, arrive Nong Khai in the morning.

From there take Skylab to the border, around 60 baht, haggle, or offer a price.

Is cheaper to do, much more comfortable, less changing, more ....ehhhh.........relaxed maybe?

Across the bridge, all the same as your story.

Also possible, aircon bus from Bangkok (mo Chit) to Nong Khai, then skylab.

Total about 500 baht.

There is a bus, I presume originating in Korat, stopping in Khon Kaen and Udon Thani, directly to Vientiane.

I did not find out, yet, the particulars, it is the state bus company for certain..

However, see it every day driving in Khon Kaen, from and to the bus station.

Good info. Cheers!

[jumparound]

Great Post

Just 1 thing

Are TR'S free?

Can i take my dog?

[watcharacters]

your report was extensive and information laden.

many thanks to you for that.

it is appreciated a lot by me for sure.

[DowntownAl]

Well written and quite complete. I just got back from my Vientiane trip and everything except a few prices are about the same. Loa tourist visas vary in price now depending on where you are from. I am Canadian, they charged me 1,800 baht (we have an idiot of a PM who is ticking everyone off these days), an American I travelled with paid 1,500 baht, a Czech paid 1,300 baht, a Polish girl paid $30 US (Poland has a visa agreement with Lao, for some reason?). The bus from Loa to Thai side is 50 baht now. Everything else seems pretty status quo to OP info. Good post.

BTW - I travelled by mini-bus from Chiang Mai. Return trip was 1,800 baht some agents charge a little more some a little less. They take you through immigration (Thai and Lao) efficiently and then to the Thai consul service building in Vientiane and drop you there, you have to make your own way back to Nong Khai for the return trip. The ride takes about 10 hours each way. As an aside, there is a new(ish) Lao bus company located downtown next to the Riverside Hotel, that has a one way mini-bus to Chiang Mai for 900 baht and a VIP bus to CM for 1,300 baht. I stayed at the Douang Deuane hotel just up the street. Very nice hotel 800 baht all in: including breakfast taxes etc. Nice balcony overlooking the city too.

Edited February 22, 2012 by DowntownAl

[swisstouristpattaya]

And for Swiss people, its 15 days for Free!i never paid to enter lao....

Edited February 23, 2012 by lopburi3
remove troll flame

[heatwaving]

Very informative post. Thanks! May I ask how many Thailand visas and visa exemptions you had in your passport prior to this trip? It sounds like you got a double-entry visa on this run, and I'm heading to either Vientiane of Savannakhet for a double-entry soon. I'd rather go to Vientiane.

[jinjinswing]

Cant fly into either of the 2 Lao cities?

[lopburi3]

Sure but it is a needless expensise in the case of Vientiane as Udon is only an hour away and a domestic flight with much more service at lower price.

[Romfordboy]

I have the same question as heatwaving, how many TVs have you got in your passport? I want to apply for a new TV in Laos but I've had 3 back to back, so it might be a wasted trip.

[heatwaving]

Thank you for your very helpful post.

Regarding your line: "I paid 100 baht for the completed paperwork, and walked it through myself. The Tourist Visa was free at the time of writing this."

What is the advantage of having someone outside fill out your paperwork? Is it a bit confusing to do yourself? And what do you mean by saying the Tourist Visa was free?

And on a different topic, do you think that using a tout (is that what they are called?) increases the chances you can get a double-entry tourist visa in Vientiane? Anyone have thoughts on that?

[ALFREDO]

-DowntownAI-

If you pay in Dollars its cheaper the Lao Visa, say 35.- Dollar for most European countrys.

-heatwaving-

As far as I know Tourist Visas are not free in the moment.