Current Policy On Back-To-Back Tourist Visas

[ultramarine]

Hi,

I apologize is this question is pretty obvious but I did want to ask it anyway. I know there was a period in the past when you could not get back-to-back tourist visas but that this has relaxed somewhat in the past years. My question is whether I can get a double entry tourist visa from Vientiane or Savannakhet immediately after the expiry of my triple entry tourist visa issued from Canada. I understand that consecutive tourist visas were allowed but wondered if this applied to a triple entry tourist visa. I have not previously stayed in Thailand under consecutive tourist visas.

What are my chances of getting a double entry from Laos after my triple entry visa expires in April? And is it better if I go to Vientiane or Savannakhet to obtain a double entry? I'm just wondering what the odds are here and what the worse case scenario might be. I guess they could refuse me a double entry and give me only a 60-day single entry.

[Ackybang]

Hey mate.

Would try Savannakhet - very nice and friendly embassy there - no questioning atall - pay the money and smile.

Would imagine not a real problem for a double entry visa, as I'm on my 4th - back to back, and was there last week.

Have tried Vientienne before, and didn't like the third degree I got there - would not go back.

Remember - a single 60 day can be stamped for another Month before it expires - 1,900 baht at immigration.

Good luck.

[lopburi3]

Actually the only official rule was repeated visa exempt entry and that ended when they made 15 days normal for land entry several years ago. Individual Consulates have periods of not allowing application for new tourist visas and may even issue a red stamp to not come again at times but it has never been a general policy at more than a single or several locations at any one time. Currently it does not seem to be an issue with less than 5 such visas anywhere - but that could always change.

[ultramarine]

Cheers Ackybang. Appreciate the input and the vote for Savannakhet. I am leaning that way even if it's a bit of a hassle. How did you get up there? I could train it to Ubon and then bus it the rest of the way.

lopburi3 - is that 5 consecutive tourist visas you are referring to? If so, does it matter if they are single, double or triple entry? That is something that is often glossed over in these discussions.

[lopburi3]

That was the latest reported search at Vientiane and included any type - each entry was counted as one. But not even sure they still counting as have not seen recent reports of not getting double entry if application is made for it.

[Ackybang]

Ultramarine, usually I drive upto Mukdahan, park and then walk over the border / 50 baht bus into Savannakhet.

Where would you be travelling from ?

Indeed, from Ubon you can get a bus to Mukdahan, or I believe direct into Savan... As I understand, the border closes / last bus from the border around 8pm (ish).

Not sure about the rate for Laos visa for Canadians - perhaps 35 U.S.dollars (which will save you money, rather than paying in Baht) + 1 passport photo.

The last time I went, I turned it into a bit of a holiday, as you've got to buy the Laos visa anyway - I drove to chong mek, parked / walked over and got a minibus to Pakse, and then down to Si Phan Don to chill for a couple of weeks, before busing it upto Savan - which was a bit of a trek, but I wasn't in any hurry...

Your entries at the consulate are 1,000 baht each (payable in baht) and you need 2 photos.

[ultramarine]

Thanks again. I'm coming from Bangkok. I don't have a car so it's either train or plane. A bus over that entire distance does not sound appealing. When you say "your entries at the consulate are 1000 baht each" what are you referring to? Is that for the entry into Thailand I assume?

Can you recommend a decent hotel in Savan for the overnight? I wouldn't mind staying longer since I've never been to Laos but I'm not sure I can spare the time on this trip.

[ubonjoe]

The tourist visa costs 1000 baht per entry applied for (IE: 2 entry = 2000 baht) is what he was trying to say.

You might want to click on Savan Vegas advert on right side of this page. They offer transport from Ubon or Nakon Phanom (flying in) as part of a package deal.

Nok Air has flights listed for Mukdahan that are fly ride to there.

[ultramarine]

^ Thanks for the info. Have you ever used the Savan Vegas service? I read a write up of it on here.

[Hawkman]

Ultramarine -

I have tried Savannahket and I have back to back visas which I found was easy to obtain them.

Getting there - I too left BKK by train to Ubon and then got the bus to Mukdahhan - takes about 12 hours in all. So, you won't get there by the morning and you will miss one day to get to the consulate. I recommend staying at the Sudmukda hotel in Mukdahan, only 400 baht a night, get wifi, tv and the rooms are nice enough. Not much in the way of things to do in Mukdahan, some bars though, not a lively place. However, it's really nice, if you find a spot by the river and if you find the bar called something like Wild Wine, the owner is a real nice guy.

Getting Back - Is a bit of a pain, as you could either get a bus to Ubon or Khon Khaen to catch the train, but by the time you get your passport, cross the border, jump on a bus to either place, there's a huge risk of missing the train back. In fact, you probably WILL miss it.

So, what I did, is got the overnight bus back and I hate these bus rides, can never sleep, however, if you get the 24 VIP seater you do get leg room and the seats do go back well. Next time, I will do this to get there, as then I will get there by the morning and not lose a day (Mo Chit straight to Mukdahan), though a sleeping pill will be a must!

Savan Vegas visa run - OK, I've done this twice now and if I go back I will do it without them for a change.

Pros -

- Take all the hassle off you, sort everything at the border, get you in the casino, do all your dirty work.

- The room is great too.

- If you just want to stick in your room and read books or gamble downstairs this is your best option.

- If you pre-book your trip with them, you get lots of vouchers, free massage, 3 buffet meals. (but you only get this if you PRE-Book, turn up on the day and you miss out - as I found out last time)

Cons -

- A bit smokey in the casino and buffet is expensive.

- If you go into town it costs 200 baht to get anywhere with the tuk-tuks (and you will want to go into town to get away from the casino).

- If you just stay in the casino, you miss out on the experience of spending time seeing the town.

- Though they are really helpful (the casino and the visa run service), they are sometimes a little lost on what's going on. Last time I got to the casino, they forgot to get the visa guy to come and collect my passport for the visa run, only a badgering from myself and a frantic call to the visa guy, did I get it sorted in time (though to be fair, if I had pre-booked this wouldn't have happened).

If you do it on your own, there's much I can report as I haven't yet tried it, but it seems easy enough. It's not a lively place, but really quite beautiful in a way; nice to stroll around (even in the heat) and chat to locals, drinking beer Laos by the river.

[ultramarine]

Great post, Hawkman. Thanks. I figure I will either do the train to Ubon or take Nor Air to Sakhon Nakon and then the bus. I can't sleep on the bus at all and even the train is iffy with a berth. That's why I avoid these overnight journeys if possible. I'm too wiped the next day for not having slept. Thanks for warning for the return train trip. My GF's family lives in Mukdahan province so there is a good chance that I will pay them a visit on the way back so I'm less concerned about a speedy return trip.

The review I read on TV of Savan Vegas did not make it seem too attractive. I don't smoke, I hate loud music so really this is not a good fit for me. I do appreciate the convenience of a visa run though as I have used one to Cambo a couple of times for my re-entry stamp.

A beer Lao next to the river at sunset sounds pretty much perfect in my books.

[notbkk]

Thanks Hawkman, for the interesting info! After I do my visa in Savannaket I have to go and visit someone in Muangxedon, south from there. As part of a little holiday, I was thinking of taking some slow boat or something down the Mekong from Savannaket to near there. Has anyone done that and is it even possible? Looks like this place I'm going to is not too far north from Pakse. Thanks!

[Grinder]

Hey mate.

Would try Savannakhet - very nice and friendly embassy there - no questioning atall - pay the money and smile.

Would imagine not a real problem for a double entry visa, as I'm on my 4th - back to back, and was there last week.

Have tried Vientienne before, and didn't like the third degree I got there - would not go back.

Remember - a single 60 day can be stamped for another Month before it expires - 1,900 baht at immigration.

Good luck.

Could you elaborate on this a bit? PM would be great if you don't want to post. I'm in Chiang Mai so Vientiane is my best option. I need to go for my third back to back double entry this October (first one I got in Canada Oct 2012, 2nd one April 2013 in Vientiane). Will there be delays and questioning? If so what do I say? Truth is I'm not working here illegally, but I'm not really a tourist either (just enjoying living here while working on projects online).

I don't want to rush into an Ed. visa before Oct. because I'm still not certain what school or which region of Thailand I want to settle in. Also still not certain I can commit to a full year more in Thailand.

Appreciate any help/advice.

Thanks

[Maestro]

Vientiane is known to be trying a bit harder than some other consulates to second-guess whether an applicant for a tourist visa might intend to use his trip to Thailand for purposes other than tourism, eg work without a work permit.

[Maestro]

Could you elaborate on this a bit? PM would be great if you don't want to post. I'm in Chiang Mai so Vientiane is my best option. I need to go for my third back to back double entry this October (first one I got in Canada Oct 2012, 2nd one April 2013 in Vientiane). Will there be delays and questioning? If so what do I say? Truth is I'm not working here illegally, but I'm not really a tourist either (just enjoying living here while working on projects online)...

For a visa application, always tell the truth.

[Grinder]

Could you elaborate on this a bit? PM would be great if you don't want to post. I'm in Chiang Mai so Vientiane is my best option. I need to go for my third back to back double entry this October (first one I got in Canada Oct 2012, 2nd one April 2013 in Vientiane). Will there be delays and questioning? If so what do I say? Truth is I'm not working here illegally, but I'm not really a tourist either (just enjoying living here while working on projects online)...

For a visa application, always tell the truth.

Ya, I have no need to lie. I'm technically on a long vacation since I'm not working and I'm not sure I want to enroll in a 1 year language program yet.

What I meant is how can they "give you the third degree." I just assumed you're getting approved or rejected, but nobody is ever going to talk to you.

Another concern I have is if I do get rejected. Will this then hurt my chances of getting approved for the Ed. Visa. I mean if I was rejected I'm assuming I'd have 15 days after entering back into Thailand to get something sorted. So I'd have to get my enrollment set up, get the paperwork set up then head straight back to Laos to apply for the Ed. Visa.

But if have some kind of red stamp in my passport related to a failed TV application will that cause problems?

[Maestro]

...Truth is I'm not working here illegally, but I'm not really a tourist either (just enjoying living here while working on projects online).

I don't want to rush into an Ed. visa before Oct. because I'm still not certain what school or which region of Thailand I want to settle in...

... I'm technically on a long vacation since I'm not working...

• I am not working illegally
• I am not really a tourist
• I am working on projects online
• I am on a long vacation
• I am not working

Just tell the consulate all five truths and they will do what is right.

[Grinder]

...Truth is I'm not working here illegally, but I'm not really a tourist either (just enjoying living here while working on projects online).

I don't want to rush into an Ed. visa before Oct. because I'm still not certain what school or which region of Thailand I want to settle in...

... I'm technically on a long vacation since I'm not working...

• I am not working illegally
• I am not really a tourist
• I am working on projects online
• I am on a long vacation
• I am not working

Just tell the consulate all five truths and they will do what is right.

Sure, it reads bad listed like that. Obviously I mean I'm working on stuff on my computer, while on an extended vacation and I'm not gainfully employed while in Thailand.