Going To Laos From Mukdahan

[ProdigalSon]

I'm going from Mukdahan across the friendship bridge to Laos. How much is the visa for a day over there? Is it any cheaper if I pay in USD?

[sirchai]

Paying in U.S.$ is much cheaper. $ 30,instead of 1,200 baht. There's no visa for just one day, you'll receive a one month visa in form of a full page sticker.

You can take the shuttle bus driving you direct into Sawannakhet. Please check the dates of your visa stamp.etc....

Some good restaurants and a duty free shop in Sawannakhet. Lao beer's also much better than any Thai beer, or Heineken.- .....

[DJH77]

The new staff at the Lao Visa office have refused some people from paying in $US and want 1,500 baht which is the right price and is better for the lao government due to the exchange rate. The last time i paid 1,200 baht was about 9 months ago with the old staff there who knew me well. Last week cost was 1,500 baht. 5 months ago they tried to charge me 3,000 baht and when i refused they checked my passport and said, Oh you go often and asked me why To which i replied, I go to play golf with your Governor, which stopped them quickly and i was given change from the 2,000 baht i had placed on the counter. So be warned, if they can rip you off and put the balance in their pocket ,they will. If you stop in Mukdahan or are looking for a good feed, Check out Mukdahan Manor and thein Waterfront Restaurant, by far the best in Muk..

[ProdigalSon]

Thank you Sirchai and DJH77 very much for the info & advice. All the best for the new year to you both.

[swissie]

Last time I went it was 35 US Dollar (December). Depends on your nationality. Canadians pay top price = 70 Dollars, on the other hand, with a Swiss-Passport, you pay nothing at all (30 Day stamp absolutely free).

Why those differences? Don't know. Can only guess.

Cheers.

[zoolander]

As per above they don't always accept US dollars for the Laos visa. In addition, they demand B40 to pass through the check point.

I would stay in Mukdahan or go to Vientiane. Savannakhet is a rip off.

[sirchai]

Last time I went it was 35 US Dollar (December). Depends on your nationality. Canadians pay top price = 70 Dollars, on the other hand, with a Swiss-Passport, you pay nothing at all (30 Day stamp absolutely free).

Why those differences? Don't know. Can only guess.

Cheers.

Really hard to understand why Swiss guys don't pay for a visa.

http://www.evisaasia.com/laos-tourist-visa-requirements-for-swiss-citizens

[transam]

Last time I went it was 35 US Dollar (December). Depends on your nationality. Canadians pay top price = 70 Dollars, on the other hand, with a Swiss-Passport, you pay nothing at all (30 Day stamp absolutely free).

Why those differences? Don't know. Can only guess.

Cheers.

Really hard to understand why Swiss guys don't pay for a visa.

http://www.evisaasia...-swiss-citizens

They are neutral. Noooooo wars. Perhaps /////////////

[swissie]

Last time I went it was 35 US Dollar (December). Depends on your nationality. Canadians pay top price = 70 Dollars, on the other hand, with a Swiss-Passport, you pay nothing at all (30 Day stamp absolutely free).

Why those differences? Don't know. Can only guess.

Cheers.

Really hard to understand why Swiss guys don't pay for a visa.

http://www.evisaasia...-swiss-citizens

They are neutral. Noooooo wars. Perhaps /////////////

Have looked it up. This is going back to the Vietnam-War.

After the peace talks in Paris that diden't go nowhere, a neutral broker was needed. The Swiss- Diplomats had very little to say to the US-Delegation. Exept: The supply line of the Vietcong goes now (the Ho-Chi-Min-Trail) trough Laos and if you bomb the trail into oblivion, it will just be going through N/E Thailand. How many S/E Asian countries do you want to bomb into oblivion without beeing able to cut off the supply lines of the Vietcong?

And that statement in itself was the end of the war. (Nevermind Kissinger,Nixon,McNamara etc.) It meant an immediate cease-fire in Laos.

Everyone may have forgotten this little episode,including Americans. But the Laotians did not forget. This is why a Swiss-Citizen can enter Laos for free.

Cheers.

[Sandman77]

Suvanaket boarder have year ago I cross the boarder was over 500 addicted casino gamers mostly thai woman we wait over 2 hour until the bus come to bring the tourists over the bridge !

If you are not a casino player, you must be patient, to cross the boarder and wait in the 2. Line!

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[MeMock]

Chong Mek crossing in Ubon province. Always accept US dollars, always quiet, out of Thailand in 10 minutes and into Laos about 30 minutes and this is driving your own car. On foot would be 2 minutes out and 10 minutes in.

Edited January 3, 2013 by MeMock

[ignis]

Went to Suvanaket 2 weeks ago for 3 nights, I like Suvanaket so makes for a nice break....

8 am at the friendship bridge I was the only non Thai person at the Thai Immigration, at the Laos Immigration met an Australian and a US Guy, both of them had 35 US$ , I paid 1,550 baht

As for going over the bridge, the Casino have an office at the boarder, pop in and for 40 baht you get a mini bus service, no waiting for the big bus to fill up

Up to what people like, I did go a couple of years ago to Vientiane, never again, over 2 hours to cross the boarder and totally mad, no not for me.

[sirchai]

Last time I went it was 35 US Dollar (December). Depends on your nationality. Canadians pay top price = 70 Dollars, on the other hand, with a Swiss-Passport, you pay nothing at all (30 Day stamp absolutely free).

Why those differences? Don't know. Can only guess.

Cheers.

Really hard to understand why Swiss guys don't pay for a visa.

http://www.evisaasia...-swiss-citizens

They are neutral. Noooooo wars. Perhaps /////////////

Or maybe because of their bank system. Wouldn't be surprised when various TVF members do have a number account there as well....

[sirchai]

Suvanaket boarder have year ago I cross the boarder was over 500 addicted casino gamers mostly thai woman we wait over 2 hour until the bus come to bring the tourists over the bridge !

If you are not a casino player, you must be patient, to cross the boarder and wait in the 2. Line!

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

My Alzheimer's killing me.....are we really talking about the same Sawannakhet you can reach when coming from Mukdahan province?

I've never heard of addicted casino goers, never saw it. Is it possible that they'd built a casino there? I'm confused. You usually don't have a problem to cross the border from Mukdahan via shuttle bus.

Sent via cryphone

Edited January 3, 2013 by sirchai

[transam]

When l went there, three double decker buses pulled up, out got a zillion Thai folk all dressed in the same uniform, my mrs said they are work folk on a gambling holiday to the casino. Took an hour and a half to get through immigration.

[Sandman77]

Yes we talking about same boarder all 4 busses coming from this casino!

http://savanvegas.com/

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g811038-d1492807-Reviews-Savan_Vegas_Hotel_Casino-Savannakhet_Savannakhet_Province.html

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[transam]

Yes we talking about same boarder all 4 busses coming from this casino!

http://savanvegas.com/

http://www.tripadvis...t_Province.html

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

Yep.

[sirchai]

Yes we talking about same boarder all 4 busses coming from this casino!

http://savanvegas.com/

http://www.tripadvis...t_Province.html

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

Guess I'll have to go there soon. Wanna try the "Swedish Massage, this classic European massage is a collection of techniques characterized by smooth strokes

Thai Massage, this ancient tradition involves stretching and deep massages

http://savanvegas.co...-sabai-spa.html Smooth and deep strokes ........

Edited January 3, 2013 by sirchai

[transam]

Yes we talking about same boarder all 4 busses coming from this casino!

http://savanvegas.com/

http://www.tripadvis...t_Province.html

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

Guess I'll have to go there soon. Wanna try the "Swedish Massage, this classic European massage is a collection of techniques characterized by smooth strokes

Thai Massage, this ancient tradition involves stretching and deep massages

http://savanvegas.co...-sabai-spa.html Smooth and deep strokes ........

Yeh, l had on of those last night. .................................

[cbrer]

they demand B40 to pass through the check point.

No.

They try to.

[crocken]

better to cross at the new bridge at nakhon phonom,the staff are very helpful and do all the paper work and you can pay in US $ and nice friendly crossing with my car.

[ALFREDO]

Last time I went it was 35 US Dollar (December). Depends on your nationality. Canadians pay top price = 70 Dollars, on the other hand, with a Swiss-Passport, you pay nothing at all (30 Day stamp absolutely free).

Why those differences? Don't know. Can only guess.

Cheers.

To my knowledge, told to me by a Swiss Expat living not so far from the Laos border,

a former or the still present Ambassador for Switzerland in Thailand

and responsible for Laos affairs to,

had such good connections to the Lao leaders, that he could make that Visa deal-no payment necessary, for not more than 14 days lasting visits.!

That is what friends are for!

Also a new agreement, 1-2 years? Not since the Vietnam war, but one of the reason can that war help be, with is mentioned above by

-swissie-, of course.

http://www.lotusreis...ionen-laos.html

Also Luxembourg Passport holders can enjoy a 14 days Visa fee free travel to Laos!

http://en.wikipedia....urgian_citizens

Edited January 6, 2013 by ALFREDO