Thai Visiting Laos With Id Card But No Passport?

[brotherother]

I've searched on here but as is often the case there's conflicting reports, or at least nothing that seems clear cut.

Basically I need to know whether a Thai national can visit Laos (overland to Vientiane for 1 or 2 nights) using only their government issued ID card and no passport.

Thanks for any information.

[samran]

It is actually very simple.

LAND BORDER CROSSING

For land border crossings into the opposite province, yes, an ID card is all that is needed.

Just before you cross the border, there will be a booth with with process a 'border pass' on production of a Thai ID card and a photo I think. The pass costs 50 baht from memory and is used in place of a passport. You get stamped in/out of each country with that. You only get a 3 day stay in Laos on that, and technically, only in the opposite province.

For longer stays, a Thai passport is needed. A Thai citizen will be stamped in for 30 days on the passport. No visa on arrival is needed.

AIR TRAVEL

A Thai passport is needed.

Edited May 15, 2012 by samran

[brotherother]

Great, thanks for that.

Do you have any idea how long it's likely to take to get the border pass? I read in an old post (2007 I think) that it was quite a lengthy process, over an hour wait.

[edwinclapham]

Great, thanks for that.

Do you have any idea how long it's likely to take to get the border pass? I read in an old post (2007 I think) that it was quite a lengthy process, over an hour wait.

My wonderful TukTuk man who loves accompanying me gets his Border Pass done in a few minutes. Very simple!

[samran]

Great, thanks for that.

Do you have any idea how long it's likely to take to get the border pass? I read in an old post (2007 I think) that it was quite a lengthy process, over an hour wait.

Doesn't take long to process, but there could be queue during busy times.

The other alternative is just to get a Thai passport. Simple to get, and a 3 day turn around to arrive at home.

[brotherother]

Great, thanks for that.

Do you have any idea how long it's likely to take to get the border pass? I read in an old post (2007 I think) that it was quite a lengthy process, over an hour wait.

Doesn't take long to process, but there could be queue during busy times.

The other alternative is just to get a Thai passport. Simple to get, and a 3 day turn around to arrive at home.

Yes the reason I'm asking about the no passport option is because I wasn't entirely sure whether a passport applied for tomorrow (Wed) would arrive back to me (posted, within Bangkok) by this Sunday.

Any idea?

[brotherother]

Great, thanks for that.

Do you have any idea how long it's likely to take to get the border pass? I read in an old post (2007 I think) that it was quite a lengthy process, over an hour wait.

My wonderful TukTuk man who loves accompanying me gets his Border Pass done in a few minutes. Very simple!

I guess you're talking about crossing over at Nongkhai, yes?

Mukdahan / Savannakhet's another option for me. I'm thinking the same rules should apply there - Thai nationals being able to cross using the border pass method, with no passport?

[edwinclapham]

Great, thanks for that.

Do you have any idea how long it's likely to take to get the border pass? I read in an old post (2007 I think) that it was quite a lengthy process, over an hour wait.

My wonderful TukTuk man who loves accompanying me gets his Border Pass done in a few minutes. Very simple!

I guess you're talking about crossing over at Nongkhai, yes?

Mukdahan / Savannakhet's another option for me. I'm thinking the same rules should apply there - Thai nationals being able to cross using the border pass method, with no passport?

Yes Nong Khai, seeing its where my dad lives its a very convenient exit point for us.

[samran]

Great, thanks for that.

Do you have any idea how long it's likely to take to get the border pass? I read in an old post (2007 I think) that it was quite a lengthy process, over an hour wait.

Doesn't take long to process, but there could be queue during busy times.

The other alternative is just to get a Thai passport. Simple to get, and a 3 day turn around to arrive at home.

Yes the reason I'm asking about the no passport option is because I wasn't entirely sure whether a passport applied for tomorrow (Wed) would arrive back to me (posted, within Bangkok) by this Sunday.

Any idea?

Probably cutting it fine. If you got in today, you might be lucky.

But ID option is perfectly fine if you are just popping over for a few days.

[brotherother]

And you reckon the same border pass option will be available for the Mukdahan / Savanakhet border crossing - you'd think so, surely?

[samran]

And you reckon the same border pass option will be available for the Mukdahan / Savanakhet border crossing - you'd think so, surely?

sure

[brotherother]

OK, thanks for your help people.

All I need to do now is decide whether it's Vientiane or Savanakhet that gets a visit...

[NanLaew]

-deleted-

Edited May 15, 2012 by NanLaew