Is "Chong Mek " A Good Place For Visa Border Run ?

[redroo]

Its close too ubon ratchatani heading south east behind the big lake.borders lao/thai.any info would be handy.

[UbonTaz]

At Chong Mek all you can do is cross the border into Laos and come back to Thailand and get the walk-in 15 day extension to a tourist visa. If you need to visit a consulate to get a new visa the closet place to do this is to travel to Mukdahan and cross Friiendship Bridge 2 over to Savannakhet.

[brewsterbudgen]

It's quite a trek from Ubon and pretty chaotic when you get there! Pakse is only a 40 minute drive into Laos, and is worth visiting. But as the previous poster says, you can't get a visa, just a 15-day stamp / re-entry.

[LivNon2396]

I use to live 20k from the Chong Mek Border. It was pretty convenient until they went to the 15 Day Stamp! Chong Mek is pretty much a dump IMO. It amazes me how they can have nice Duty Free shops right across the border and nothing here in Thailand.

Are there Border Crossings that will issue Tourist Visas?

[SantiSuk]

I appreciate from what you all say that you cannot get a new visa at Chong Mek but, if you have an existing and still current Non-O one year multiple entry visa, can you go over the border and turn tound and come back and have another 3 months validity of stay? I had assumed yes, but had better check here, since I was planning on doing that next week at either Chong Mek (Laos) or Chong Jom (Cambodia). Am I right in saying that it's not possible at Choam S'Ngam (Cambodia)?

Those of us who live in southern SiSaket are spoiled for choice when it comes to Visa runs and travel.

[redroo]

Thanks for the replies. Was hoping to get a stamp for the " no O multi one yr " at this place ,but i guese not.

[sirchai]

Well, it's always like that. People are asking a serious question, but don't get the right answer.

When driving to Chong Mek from Ubon Ratchathani, you'll come through Phibun Mangsahan, which is the local Immigration for Ubon area. You can apply for a Non-O extension on weekdays.

Should you have to leave the country because of the 90 days, you'll like the Laos beer behind the plastic market.

Phibun is only 45 km away from Ubon R. Hope I could help you with that.

Cheers- M.

Edited March 26, 2012 by sirchai

[BlueScouse]

Yes you can, but it costs $35 for a one month single entry visa to enter Laos.

[redroo]

thanks sirchai !!

Verry helpfull .Will give it a try mate.

[sirchai]

thanks sirchai !!

Verry helpfull .Will give it a try mate.

You're welcome mate! There's also a good duty free shop. Plenty of good videos and more. Best and cheapest cigarettes are ERA at the market. Only 100 baht/carton

Please be aware that customs check on telephone copies etc made in China when people are trying to get them over the border!

Please don't forget to take some dollars when buying a visa for Laos!

30 bucks, or 1,300 baht.....Cheers- M.

Edited March 28, 2012 by sirchai

[kimamey]

Yes you can, but it costs $35 for a one month single entry visa to enter Laos.

If you try to pay using Thai Baht the exchange rate they use means it will cost a lot more. I have a feeling the cost changes depending on nationality as well plus you may have to pay to get your passport back.

[SantiSuk]

Well, it's always like that. People are asking a serious question, but don't get the right answer.

When driving to Chong Mek from Ubon Ratchathani, you'll come through Phibun Mangsahan, which is the local Immigration for Ubon area. You can apply for a Non-O extension on weekdays.

Should you have to leave the country because of the 90 days, you'll like the Laos beer behind the plastic market.

Phibun is only 45 km away from Ubon R. Hope I could help you with that.

Cheers- M.

Do you mean by that Sirchai that you can get another 90 days entry stamp on a valid non-O one year multiple entry visa at Phibun Immigration Office without going out of the country? Or do you mean that you can get a 7 (or is it 15?) day extension of your existing 90 day entry permission.

I would find it odd if it were the former. I went to the SiSaket immigration office at Phusing last week to get a residence letter, but I also mentioned that my non-O 90 day stay was about to expire. They directed me to go to the border (pointing down the road to the Choam Sa Ngam border) for that.

Incidentally:

1. In an earlier posting above I questioned whether you can use the Choam Sa Ngam/Anlong Veng Cambodian border for a visa run. Clearly you can at least go in and out and get another 90 days on your non-O one year.

2. Cambodia is cheaper than Laos if your location allows a choice. Cambodia is 1,000 baht (or preferably if you have it US$ 20). Ignore any requests for additional fees by Cambodian immigration. I don't know about Choam Sa Ngam / Anlong Veng, but the Arranyapratet / Poipet Cambodian border is notorious and bad habits seem to have spilled over to the Chom Jom / O'Smach Cambodian crossing; I was asked for 300 baht by Cambodian immigration on departure on Friday last week. I said ok and made to get the money out so the guy would hand my passport back. I said thank you and walked away.

[overherebc]

Yes you can, but it costs $35 for a one month single entry visa to enter Laos.

Do they use a full page sticker like Cambodia, so you end up losing almost two pages evreytime you do a run, or is it just a rubber stamp job.

[SantiSuk]

Yes you can, but it costs $35 for a one month single entry visa to enter Laos.

Do they use a full page sticker like Cambodia, so you end up losing almost two pages evreytime you do a run, or is it just a rubber stamp job.

Looking back thru my passport:

I went over at Nong Khai freindship Bridge in May 2008. They put a sticker in covering one page and immigrations thereafter have not stamped the facing page - net result (including in and out stamps) two and two-thirds pages lost.

I went over by ferry at Nakhom Phanom later that same month. They stamped a visa onto and covering one page - subsequent immigrations seemed to be less wary about stamping around it. Net result one and two-thirds pages lost.

Thais escape with half a page of stamps each time if they are just going for a short visit

[transam]

Chong Mek use that daft one page visa. There is now a Bank opposite the Lao immigration office where you can buy Dollars. $35 cost a little over 1000bht, better than paying 1500bht for your Lao visa. Make sure you have the correct figure as they do not like to give change, tea money. An extra Dollar for Saturday or Sunday.

[overherebc]

Yes you can, but it costs $35 for a one month single entry visa to enter Laos.

Do they use a full page sticker like Cambodia, so you end up losing almost two pages evreytime you do a run, or is it just a rubber stamp job.

Looking back thru my passport:

I went over at Nong Khai freindship Bridge in May 2008. They put a sticker in covering one page and immigrations thereafter have not stamped the facing page - net result (including in and out stamps) two and two-thirds pages lost.

I went over by ferry at Nakhom Phanom later that same month. They stamped a visa onto and covering one page - subsequent immigrations seemed to be less wary about stamping around it. Net result one and two-thirds pages lost.

Thais escape with half a page of stamps each time if they are just going for a short visit

Thanks,

I enjoy getting out for a few days every 3 months, strange I don't mind the cost of it all, but, for some reason I get pi--ed off with the filling up of the passport too quickly.

I could go the way of reporting every 90 in Thailand but just prefer the break somewhere else.

Wasn't too bad when you could get the passport in BKK but the new system just adds an unwelcome change to the system.

Rant finished.

[hyls]

We live in Buri Ram and are thinking about making a 2-3 day trip to Laos. It will be either to south Laos (Pakse and surroundings) or Vientiane.

I'm on a 1 year extension of my Thai spouse visa (non-immigrant "O"). Does someone know if you can get a re-entry permit at Chong Mek / Vientiane checkpoint? Or will I have to travel (all the way) to my nearest immigration office?

[khwaibah]

We live in Buri Ram and are thinking about making a 2-3 day trip to Laos. It will be either to south Laos (Pakse and surroundings) or Vientiane.

I'm on a 1 year extension of my Thai spouse visa (non-immigrant "O"). Does someone know if you can get a re-entry permit at Chong Mek / Vientiane checkpoint? Or will I have to travel (all the way) to my nearest immigration office?

Reentry permits are issued at immigration office not check points. Your in Buriram so you need to go to the Kap Choeng Immigration Office for your reentry permit.

[hyls]

Sorry for my confusion of checkpoints and immigration offices. I've read on various forums that other people did get re-entry permits at immigration offices near the border. Will that possible for me too? I don't want to go all the way to my usual Immigration Office in Kap Choeng first, because it's a long ride (more than half a day): we live very close to Korat province.

[hyls]

By the way I saw the following on the frontpage of the official Thai Immigration Bureau website:

You could apply a re-entry permit at every checkpoint. However at Suvarnabhumi Airport Checkpoint would provide this service if necessary depend on officers approval.

Is this still up-to-date? Someone with firsthand experience?

[sirchai]

By the way I saw the following on the frontpage of the official Thai Immigration Bureau website:

You could apply a re-entry permit at every checkpoint. However at Suvarnabhumi Airport Checkpoint would provide this service if necessary depend on officers approval.

Is this still up-to-date? Someone with firsthand experience?

I'd rather go to Phibun Mangshahn Immigration when living near Ubon, or Phusing Immigration for people in Sisaket area. Phusing Immigration come to Sisaket on Mondays and Fridays. Some other members might have a different experience with Chong SangNgam (Phusing/Cambodia) or Chong Mek/ Laos

[transam]

By the way I saw the following on the frontpage of the official Thai Immigration Bureau website:

You could apply a re-entry permit at every checkpoint. However at Suvarnabhumi Airport Checkpoint would provide this service if necessary depend on officers approval.

Is this still up-to-date? Someone with firsthand experience?

Get re-entry stamp at Phibun immigration office which is about 30 km from Chong Mek.

[lostinisaan]

By the way I saw the following on the frontpage of the official Thai Immigration Bureau website:

You could apply a re-entry permit at every checkpoint. However at Suvarnabhumi Airport Checkpoint would provide this service if necessary depend on officers approval.

Is this still up-to-date? Someone with firsthand experience?

Get re-entry stamp at Phibun immigration office which is about 30 km from Chong Mek.

Plus a nice place for a short trip like the Sirindhorn dam and a big lake to relax.......

[khwaibah]

Sorry for my confusion of checkpoints and immigration offices. I've read on various forums that other people did get re-entry permits at immigration offices near the border. Will that possible for me too? I don't want to go all the way to my usual Immigration Office in Kap Choeng first, because it's a long ride (more than half a day): we live very close to Korat province.

If you got your extension to stay based on marriage from Korat immigration they will more than likely issue a reentry permit, even if your area now is Kap Choeng. My advice is do not drive 300 km thanking that another immigration office will issue you that reentry permit, they may not.

[hyls]

I'll ring them up! Thanks for the advice.

[hyls]

The cleverest option is of course to let the obtention of the re-entry coincide with my 90 day report. Less risky, but that means we'll have to postpone the holiday.

Do you guys/girls know when it's less crowded or high/low season in Laos, now or in October? We like it quiet and cheap.

Edited July 19, 2012 by hyls

[sirchai]

Yes you can, but it costs $35 for a one month single entry visa to enter Laos.

Do they use a full page sticker like Cambodia, so you end up losing almost two pages evreytime you do a run, or is it just a rubber stamp job.

Looking back thru my passport:

I went over at Nong Khai freindship Bridge in May 2008. They put a sticker in covering one page and immigrations thereafter have not stamped the facing page - net result (including in and out stamps) two and two-thirds pages lost.

I went over by ferry at Nakhom Phanom later that same month. They stamped a visa onto and covering one page - subsequent immigrations seemed to be less wary about stamping around it. Net result one and two-thirds pages lost.

Thais escape with half a page of stamps each time if they are just going for a short visit

Once they've got your passport, they put stickers and stamps in wherever they want to.....

Edited July 19, 2012 by sirchai

[cardholder]

By the way I saw the following on the frontpage of the official Thai Immigration Bureau website:

You could apply a re-entry permit at every checkpoint. However at Suvarnabhumi Airport Checkpoint would provide this service if necessary depend on officers approval.

Is this still up-to-date? Someone with firsthand experience?

I'd rather go to Phibun Mangshahn Immigration when living near Ubon, or Phusing Immigration for people in Sisaket area. Phusing Immigration come to Sisaket on Mondays and Fridays. Some other members might have a different experience with Chong SangNgam (Phusing/Cambodia) or Chong Mek/ Laos

Chong sa Ngam is user-friendly and won't rip you off as much as Chong Chom. The border point has moved slightly now that the new casino is open.

Also - less than 2 hours to Siem Reap if you fancy a break.

[SantiSuk]

The cleverest option is of course to let the obtention of the re-entry coincide with my 90 day report. Less risky, but that means we'll have to postpone the holiday.

Do you guys/girls know when it's less crowded or high/low season in Laos, now or in October? We like it quiet and cheap.

October will be quiet. November will be a better month still with less rainy days.

Europeans go on holiday in July and August and don't seem to care about the higher flight prices to SE Asia or the fact that it rains a hell of a lot! If you've got no choice/flexibility about when the boss allows your holidays I guess you just have to go for it. July/August is therefore the second high season.

Laos is a communist country - you can't guarantee that prices reflect seasonality as readily as they would in savvy Thailand, but October has the chance of being cheaper - certainly more choice in the places that sell-out quickly like the medium to top end hotels favoured by French tour companies.

[redroo]

I have a non -B- visa for 12 months

and wanted to know if i could get an xstra 90 day stamp or sticker

at "chong mek" border crossing checkpoint.

YES or NO ?