Chiang Rai- Luang Prbang Via Huay Xai

[Mekong Bob]

Can I secure a Lao tourist visa (30-day) during a short stay in Chiang Rai?

My trip to Laos (via Nong Khai - Vientiane) is scheduled in February, and I would like to have visa in my passport before I arrive at Friendship Bridge.

I asked around the usual suspects a couple of years back and they all said the same thing... get it at the border.

It's no big deal, download your forms and have them filled in if you like, sometimes they accept them and make sure you have your photos ready.

Are there tour agents in Chiang Khong who provide same-day Lao visa service with Lao Immigration in Houayxay?

I assume that a Lao visa issued by Houayxay Immigration can be used a month later at Nong Khai to enter Laos(?)

Thanks.

[sceadugenga]

I can't see them sending passports out of the country, it would more than likely have to be done at the Lao embassy in Bangkok.

When I lived in Vientiane I used to go to Khon Kaen to renew my visa, there was a Lao consulate there.

Lao tourist visas are single entry as far as I know.

Edited January 27, 2012 by sceadugenga

[AjarnP]

This is a note on my experience of getting a Visa On Arrival on the Laos side in Huay Xai. If the passenger (long tail boat) is taken, the boat actually arrives at the Jetty, the Imiigration office is at the top of the steps on the right.

"Immigration was fairly simple, I requested a Visa on Arrival at the desk arranged for that purpose and had to pay thirty six US dollars for the privilege, thirty-five for the visa and one dollar extra as it was a Sunday and this is required for the officers’ overtime. My wife was travelling on her passport, (although she could just as easily have used her Thai ID Card) and had a similarly easy path through the officialdom."

Hope this helps.

[sceadugenga]

But it's automatically null and void the minute you step back into Thailand isn't it?

The Lao exit stamp cancells it.

I think Mekong Bob wants to have visa in his passport, ready to be validated by a Lao entry stamp, when he gets to the border.

I've personally noted a complete lack of enthusiasm by local travel agents when it come to getting one for you.

They all say the same thing.....

"Get it at the border".

[Benl]

The trip was very good for the Thai part, but unfortunately I have to report that it was bad in Laos.

There were only 4 people, on a new bus from Chiang Rai. The bus tool us to the Thai border, we were accompanied by somebody from the bus company, who delivered us at the Lao travel agency. They took our tickets and rolf us to wait.

At 17:30 we walked to the edge of the town. There a very old bus was waiting for us, 25 persons, no airco, no reclining seats and no service. This was supposed to be our VIP bus, but was no no where near. There were not enough seats for everybody, but the bus company wanted everybody in. We al complained, and asked to sprake to a manager or somebody with responsibility, but that was not possible. They told us that there would be no other bus, and also unsure if there would be a bus tomorrow.

Finally a group of people stayed not havinhg any seats, and the bus left. We dekt like we had no choice, so we stayed in the bus. Tje bus was very noisy, dirty, cold and we could only straight. There was 1 stop of 15 minutes, and a very short toilet stop. The total trip took more then 12 hours. With all the sist coming in through the open room of the driver, all our clothes and personal belongins got very dirty and many people were coughing or having problems to bread. Even though we were very tired, we could not sleep, since probably die to the bad suspension of the bus we where shaken in all directions, and a several times and had to hold on to the chair in front of me, to prevent being thrown out of my chair

We have taken photos of the bus and the effect on the ride on ourselves and on our personal belongings.

I will also sent the description of our bus ride to the Transport Company Limited, where we bought our ticket and ask them to react.

[TwentyBaht]

Mekong Bob,

The Chiang Khong border crossing routine is this;

Border is open 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Present your passport to Thai Immigration and they will put an exit stamp in it. And, take your white departure card. And, they now will take your picture. All normally done in about five minutes.

Then, go twenty meters to the river and take a small ferry boat across to the Laos Immigration, directly across the river. Ferry cost- 30 baht for you, and 10 baht for your bag. About, five minutes.

Get a 30 day Laos Visa on Arrival in about twenty minutes. Need completed form, money (US dollars or baht), passport, and one picture (or a photocopy of your passport information page).

The visa cost normally ranges between $30-$42 US, depending on your nationality. Japanese and South Korean free. Swiss 15 day free.

You pay in dollars or baht. But, the conversion rate makes it cheaper to pay in dollars. For example, the minimum visa cost may be posted as $30 or 1500 baht. (1500 baht is currently about $48 US.) So, most people try to pay in US dollars.

There are money changers on the Thai side.

The visa cost is one dollar extra on weekends.

And, the Laos Visa on Arrival is Single Entry.

Wish you a safe trip.

[Mekong Bob]

Thanks to Benl and TwentyBaht! I am now re-doing my plans - and it's a much more expensive trip! Will fly Lao Airlines to Vientiane via Louang Phabang, then fly to Louang Namtha the next morning. 4-5 days in Louang Namtha, with side-trips to Muang Sing, Ban Boten, etc. Then fly back to Vientiane, overnight, and fly back to Chiang Mai the following afternoon. No Lao buses, noLao speedboats for me!!

[dindong]

Thanks for the report Benl.

You have saved a lot of us from a very uncomfortable trip.

When you are relaxed and the body has settled down after your bone rattling experience, perhaps you could post some phots of the trip.

[el jefe]

The road is good enough. I drove our 4x4 Vigo but never had to use the 4wd during the trip.

The first section, Huay Xai to Luang Namtha is a great drive. There is a section about 60km out from Hyay Xai which was not yet surfaced but the grading was good enough to drive at normal speeds.

From Luang Namtha to Udomxai the road was recently resurfaced but had some work being done on the verges. The next part, Udomxai to PakBeng is very bad. It's only 80km but took three hours to drive. The last section into LP is very good.

Diesel, by the way is within a Baht of Thai prices and the Thai Baht is accepted everywhere. Just take small denomination notes.

Actually, the section from Houie Xai was paved over two years ago. It deteriorated quickly and was re-done over a year ago. This is the third time they're trying. I've done this section of the road by bicycle 3 times. Even though you can drive at "normal speeds", please slow down. There's too much dust and I can't close the windows.

They've been working on the downhill into Oudom Xai for over two years. When they fiinish, it will be time to start again.

The next section goes to Pak Mong, not Pak Beng. You can get to both from Oudom Xai.

[el jefe]

Thanks to Benl and TwentyBaht! I am now re-doing my plans - and it's a much more expensive trip! Will fly Lao Airlines to Vientiane via Louang Phabang, then fly to Louang Namtha the next morning. 4-5 days in Louang Namtha, with side-trips to Muang Sing, Ban Boten, etc. Then fly back to Vientiane, overnight, and fly back to Chiang Mai the following afternoon. No Lao buses, noLao speedboats for me!!

Smart decision to fly rather than take the bus if you're limited in time and don't want to suffer on 2nd class buses. But I'd reconsider the day in Boten. There's really nothing there now that the Chinese have shut the casino, although the brothels are probably still there. It's really nothing more than a poor border town. Mai Sai and Tachilek are far more interesting.