Getting A Tourist Visa In Vientiane

[GuyL]

Hi, gals and guys!

First post here, so, I also want to say hello to you all! This board looks awesome and probably contains all the information that I need, so, sorry in advance if my questions are already answered elsewhere (if it is the case, could you please include in your replies a few links to the relevant posts and topics, it will be much appreciated and thank you all in advance!).

Ok, I would like to get a tourist visa at the Thai Embassy in Vientiane (Laos) next month (around mid-october 2009). If I am not mistaken, one will still be able to get a free 60-day tourist visa for Thailand then. Any information about this process will be much appreciated, especially if there is one or several official recent forms available for downloading and that I can fill in advance, for instance.

I will stay not too far away from Nong Khai at this time prior to my visa trip.

I think that I will try to go in Vientiane via the Friendship Bridge in the afternoon riding a small motorbike (125cc), stay one night in a hotel near the Thai Embassy (by the way, any recommendations for my accommodation in Vientiane, preferably for lesser than US$ 50 per night?), and request my tourist visa early in the morning and hopefully, get it in the early afternoon, then, go back in Thailand. Is it a realistic idea? Do I have to pay something for coming in Laos on a motorbike? Is it safe? Anybody done that before?

Thank you in advance for your advices, information and comments and please, accept my apologies in advance for my numerous mistakes in English as it is not my native language.

Cheers,

Guy L.

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

they won't let you bring a motorbike over Friendship bridge FROM Thailand. You can however take one of the crossings up near Chiang Rai (provided you own the bike and can document it) and LEAVE Laos over Friendship bridge with a Thai registered motorbike.

[GuyL]

they won't let you bring a motorbike over Friendship bridge FROM Thailand. You can however take one of the crossings up near Chiang Rai (provided you own the bike and can document it) and LEAVE Laos over Friendship bridge with a Thai registered motorbike.

Thank you for your answer. Well, I will be far away from Chiang Rai then and the Thai registered motorbike is not mine (but I will have the motorbike green book with me).

Not possible to cross the border (legally of course!) near Nong Khai with the said motorbike, for instance on a boat?

[lopburi3]

No. And it is not something to play games with as there is a serious problem with smuggling of vehicles out of Thailand.

You will also not obtain a visa in one day. There is a dedicated Vientiane visa thread of over 40 pages so if you start at the end and work back a bit it should provide a good amount of information. There are secure parking areas for vehicles in the area of the bridge.

[GuyL]

No. And it is not something to play games with as there is a serious problem with smuggling of vehicles out of Thailand.

You will also not obtain a visa in one day. There is a dedicated Vientiane visa thread of over 40 pages so if you start at the end and work back a bit it should provide a good amount of information. There are secure parking areas for vehicles in the area of the bridge.

Thank you, Lopburi3. I just found the other thread and a recent form from the Thai Embassy in Vientiane, and yes, they are saying that applications take not less than one working day to process!

Ok. So, there's no possibility to go to Vientiane with a rented or a friend's motorbike registered in Thailand. I guess that I have to use one of the local samlohr for instance. What is the current rate in bahts (or kips or US$) to go to center Vientiane from the Friendship Bridge? Any hotel recommendation in Vientiane, preferably not far away from the Consular Section of the Thai Embassy?

Again, thanks in advance for your help!

[lopburi3]

I have not been in Vientiane since 1975 so others will have to answer those questions - but am sure you will find them asked and answered in that thread.

[aazA]

Just come back from Vientiane today, U need to supply fully filled in applcation form and copy of passport photo page. Apply before 11 am pick visa up next day after 1pm, get there early consulate opens at 8.30 am. and two passport photos touts ouside the consulate will do everthing for u for about 150 baht.

[Ricci]

Just come back from Vientiane today, U need to supply fully filled in applcation form and copy of passport photo page. Apply before 11 am pick visa up next day after 1pm, get there early consulate opens at 8.30 am. and two passport photos touts ouside the consulate will do everthing for u for about 150 baht.

Please tell us how many TVs have been already issued in your PP.

Did you get a 2 entry TV?

[aazA]

Just come back from Vientiane today, U need to supply fully filled in applcation form and copy of passport photo page. Apply before 11 am pick visa up next day after 1pm, get there early consulate opens at 8.30 am. and two passport photos touts ouside the consulate will do everthing for u for about 150 baht.

Please tell us how many TVs have been already issued in your PP.

Did you get a 2 entry TV?

This is my 2nd double entry TV.

Yes double entry TV .

[tropo]

Just come back from Vientiane today, U need to supply fully filled in applcation form and copy of passport photo page. Apply before 11 am pick visa up next day after 1pm, get there early consulate opens at 8.30 am. and two passport photos touts ouside the consulate will do everthing for u for about 150 baht.

Please tell us how many TVs have been already issued in your PP.

Did you get a 2 entry TV?

Ricci would have applied on Thursday and picked up his visa yesterday (Friday), before this new crackdown was in force. There won't be any "victims" until Monday morning.

[thaibear1]

Hi, gals and guys!

First post here, so, I also want to say hello to you all! This board looks awesome and probably contains all the information that I need, so, sorry in advance if my questions are already answered elsewhere (if it is the case, could you please include in your replies a few links to the relevant posts and topics, it will be much appreciated and thank you all in advance!).

Ok, I would like to get a tourist visa at the Thai Embassy in Vientiane (Laos) next month (around mid-october 2009). If I am not mistaken, one will still be able to get a free 60-day tourist visa for Thailand then. Any information about this process will be much appreciated, especially if there is one or several official recent forms available for downloading and that I can fill in advance, for instance.

I will stay not too far away from Nong Khai at this time prior to my visa trip.

I think that I will try to go in Vientiane via the Friendship Bridge in the afternoon riding a small motorbike (125cc), stay one night in a hotel near the Thai Embassy (by the way, any recommendations for my accommodation in Vientiane, preferably for lesser than US$ 50 per night?), and request my tourist visa early in the morning and hopefully, get it in the early afternoon, then, go back in Thailand. Is it a realistic idea? Do I have to pay something for coming in Laos on a motorbike? Is it safe? Anybody done that before?

Thank you in advance for your advices, information and comments and please, accept my apologies in advance for my numerous mistakes in English as it is not my native language.

Cheers,

Guy L.

first at all I propose you a very nice hotel (I was few times) http://www.aroonresidencehotel.com/ (take care have a hotel with similar name) standard room 28 $ per 2 pax incl bf. Very nice near new hotel (most other in VT are nit very clean). Also the Hotel ist not far located from Victory Monument and between Thai Embassy. In the past they had also transport service fm Thai/Lao border.

Pass with a vehicule is not easy and dangerous if you havent the needed documents. Anyway you need be ownder of vehicule (or owner must travel with you. For car is needed the Blue Book and the ITP (International Transport Permit) from Department of Land Transport.

[JungleBiker]

Anyway you need be owner of vehicle (or owner must travel with you).

That's not really correct. I have driven over the bridge many times without the vehicle's owner but I did have an official document that showed the vehicle owner had given me permission to take the vehicle into Laos.

Also remember that you should get Lao vehicle insurance - there are two shops that sell insurance at the bridge just after you pass through Lao customs on your right hand side. The people at the bridge don't seem to care if you have insurance or not, but the police in Vientiane will be happy to stop you and ask you to pay a fine (an official fine at the police station or an unofficial fine on the spot - your choice).

From Nong Khai I suggest taking the international bus which goes from the bus station in Nong Khai to the bus station near the morning market (Talad Sao) in Vientiane. I think there are about 5 - 6 buses a day and costs about 60 - 80 baht (sorry I can't remember the exact price now). But if taking this international bus you should have a Lao visa because the bus will not wait for you to process your visa on arrival. Otherwise you can take a tuk tuk or public bus from the Lao side of the bridge into town. The latter being much cheaper and arguably more comfortable. There are also old taxis, mini-buses, etc around.

[GuyL]

Thank you all for your replies and useful information. I'm gonna make it easier and one friend will drive me in his car to the friendship bridge and I will call him back when I'm back after my visa trip in Laos.