Visa Run Chiang Mai

[mrireland]

Firstly id like to go via VIP bus, i know you can fly but i hate flying so if possible i want to avoid it. Also i know it sounds easy to people who have done this over and over but im worried ill end up stuck somewhere and not have a clue where im going so i want to get this planned out as i have a single entry and want to get a double entry which will require an overnight stay to wait for my visa application.

1 - From what i read i heard that Vietenne is the best place to go so correct me if im wrong?

2 - Whats the best VIP bus service, how much roughly and where can i book this?

3 - I presume i get a bus from Chiang Mai to Udon Thani, is that correct?

4 - I then get a tuk tuk to the border, go through customs and then get another tuk tuk to Vietenne?

5 - How much should the tuktuks cost on both sides of the border so i dont get completely ripped off?

6 - Whats the total Journey time from time you leave Chiang Mai to arriving in Vietenne allowing for stop offs and the border queue?

7 - Does anyone know for sure how long the visa process takes, i need to book the return journey and a hotel so i need to know the expected arrival time at the border and also how long they usually take?

8 - I presume the consulate opening hours are 9am - 5pm?

9 - Any good advice that you learned doing the runs you want to share?

Appreciate if you can answer just 1 or more of the questions

[orang37]

This topic is covered in great detail in many posts on the main ThaiVisa visa and immigration forum. Detailed reports are usually available, on a per weekly basis from people who have just come back. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/forum/1-thai-visas-residency-and-work-permits/

Search here on this forum for "Vientiane," and search, and look, on the main forum: you'll find all the details.

It is very important you inform yourself about the most recent developments in Vientiane, or any other destination for a visa run: the "rules" change, policies change, frequently. And, what happens to someone applying for different types of visas, or with multiple double-entry tourist visas already in their passport, may vary.

There are two bus companies providing overnight VIP buses to Udon Thani: one is Oosuksatour,the other is Nakornchai (spelling ?). Both from the Arcade Bus Station just off the Superhighway, the east side of it.

The two companies alternate nights; if you book one company to go down there, and the other one to come back the next night, and any problem develops with your visa where you have to wait another day: then you are going to lose your ticket on the other company: the alternative being to book both going and coming back via the same company, and having to spend an extra day in Vientiane.

Of course, if you've got the dosh, you can Laos Air from CM to Vientiane via Luang Prabang, or fly to Bangkok, and then fly to Vientiane.

I don't know if air service is still available from CM to Udon, but it sure took the long-haul out of the trip, last time I used it (but, not cheap).

~o:37;