Hi all,

If I cross the river to Laos at Chiang Khong, do I need a re-entry permit so that my non-immigrant O visa doesn't get cancelled?

Or is it similar to Mae Sai where you can use a photo copy of your passport if you are just going for the day, and then pick your passport up when you come back?

Also can you avoid the Laos visa if you are just going for the day?

If I need to pay for a re-entry permit (1000 baht) plus a Laos visa (about $40USD from memory) then it is kind of expensive to just go for a day trip with some of my local friends.

I've already been to Huay Xai before in Feb last year, but was on a tourist visa and travelled through Laos so wasn't worried about visa issues or having to pay for a Laos visa then.

Thanks,

Rich

It is my understanding that you will need a re-entry permit before crossing or otherwise your present visa will be replaced with a tourist visa upon your coming back. And then you have to go through all the BS to get it changed back over....definitely not worth it, unless you need excuses to travel either out of the country or at least down to BKK, to the immigration folks.

I made the mistake of not putting in my visa # on the double white card when I came back across the river at Mae Sai last time, and ended up with a 15 day tourist visa trumping my Non O "B". Took it back and they changed it at the crossing, but it was my mistake. If they don't see that visa #, then they treat it like so many of the regular tourist visas and do not check for re-entry permits or any thing else. Definitely make a side trip back to Mae Sai and get a re-entry permit before you go into Laos.

I was told that taking the long tail boats to the middle of the river up at the Golden Triangle and then that little excursion over to the Laos side, you were only going to an island and therefore did not even need your passport. At least that is what we did on our first trip to LOS back before when it was just jungle over there. Now with the new casino, I don't know how all that works. ett

You have to apply for a re-entry permit if you do not want your O-Visa to be cancelled. If you cross without a re-entry permit, your O - Visa will be cancelled and when you return you will get a 15-day tourist visa.

That sounds about right to me.

Thanks for the info.

Sounds like too much hassle and cost for just a day trip.

Cheers,

Rich

as an alternative to a one-time re-entry visa, you can ask for a multi-entry visa which should be good for as many exits and returns as you want, for a year (or perhaps it's only good for the remainder of your type O visa time frame). I believe it costs Bt.3,900, and can be obtained at the Mae Sai Imm office (1 mile before the bridge on the west side {left} of the Hwy).

If you need, you can get a re-entry permit at the immigration office in Chiang Khong. The office was closed for about a year. Has reopened, but only for re-entry permits and 90 day reporting.

Sorry, no day trip to Laos. ... At least, legally anyway.