Savanvegas Visa Run.my Experience.

[Maestro]

I have deleted a flame and the replies to it.

[blackthorn2005]

You would have saved about B300 ($10 US) if you had paid the Lao entrance fee, $35 in $$ rather that Baht. At least that was true through last year, could have changed now.

Good report...certainly eliminates a lot of the hassle.

I tried to pay for my Cambodian visa at at a land crossing from Thailand, they would not accept the $20 always accepted at the airport and demanded 1,200 Baht, they through my passport on the floor and closed the window. I just love the warm welcome you always get from immigration staff when visiting a country!

[MartyC]

Just heard that some bloke had to show his bank book at savan Vegas to obtain 1 year non imm O multiple entry visa. I was told they don't check finances is this correct?

[Mario2008]

Normally not asked at Savanakhet, but the situation is a bit unclear. If you have rpoof of money in the bank I would take it with you, but only provide it when asked for.

[adam1]

Hi Everyone,

Just to let you know that I just got a 3 month tourist visa from Savannakhet, despite having the dreaded red comment in my passport that had been enough to see me refused at Vientiane a few days earlier.

This will be enough to stay in Thailand until the summer when I go back to the UK and get a new passport and hopefully a non-B.

So, the reports about this laid back consulate appear to be somewhat true, so thx to everyone who posted on here about it.

Also, a couple more points -

- there is a good minivan service from Mukdahan to Ubon which is cheap fast and regular. Much better than the slower bus

- you have to get the official bus to cross the border - don't try walking like I did, they won't let you (the savan vegas have their own minibuses that can cross also)

Good luck

[rott]

What I am saying and have been for years is that yeah ok I am a cc. I revel in doing it cheap, I am a very experienced backpacker and been here a long, long time.

BUT

I sacrifice nothing. I go on vip buses when available, I sleep in simple cheap rooms (always clean), I eat the best local food I can find, I drink as much lovely beer Lao as my head can handle.

As for visa services. I have never used one but every time I go to the border, you guys are aleays behind me. Same at the visa window, same at the pickup time and same when I rock up on the border and clear customs and your van is doing whatever wherever.

Some of my most fun visa runs were on the Nong Khai - BKK party train. All the Cheap Charlies coming back to bkk. Techno playing in the resty and the beer flowin like it was Germany.

What in my life or way of traveling is a hardship?

Mr Burning,

Two interesting and potentially informative posts, it is just a pity that like many on here you feel it necessary to be snide to/about people who choose to do things differently.

I will be doing a Mukhdahan visa run in the near future, provisionally by your method, so can you please possibly fill in a few details:-

How (and for how much) do you get transport from the bus station to the border?

And the same from the other side to the consular office in Savannakhet?

What is the name of the accom in S/k?

Any decent bars in town?

Anything else of interest to the impecunious?

Regards, R

[Asiantravel]

I would like to ask why the OP flew on Air Asia to Nakhon Phanom when he could have flown directly to Savannakhet on Lao Airlines?

[lopburi3]

Because it is much cheaper and flights fit his schedule most likely.

[Asiantravel]

Because it is much cheaper and flights fit his schedule most likely.

ok. So 3000 on Air Asia verus $157 ( 4710 ) on Lao Airlines.

But basing the choice of their carrier on saving 1000--1500 baht seems a bit inconsistent to me with people who argue that it's worth paying extra for the reduced hassle of using Savan Vegas but then putting themselves through this extra journey by road and plus the unpleasant task of having to pass through the Thai and Lao border checkpoints? This border crossing doesn't get any breeze because it is all covered up and it is a dreadful place to be when the weather is hot. Arriving at Savannakhet airport and going through immigration is so quick and easy. So if money is really no object, I would just have thought people would go in style the whole journey?

I was tempted to try this place. So another question i have is, does anyone know if they have bicycles for rent at Savan Vegas so that if you want you can get out of the compound for a while and take a look at the surrounding countryside? When I was in Savannakhet last time I stayed in a guest house near the city centre and it was very pleasant to take a bicycle ride.

I certainly would not want to be in the casino for two nights, which I understand is a long way from anywhere if I would have to be stuck there for the whole time.

Edited March 20, 2013 by Asiantravel

[Asiantravel]

I actually asked in an e-mail if Savan Vegas would provide me with a bicycle for which I would pay a rent and they refused my offer. Every day I cycle for exercise.

How can a company spend millions of dollars on building a casino hotel and be unwilling to spend a couple of hundred dollars on having a rental bicycle available for its guests?

Ah well it has made my decision much easier! It will be back to one of the delightful city-based guest houses for me because they do provide these amenities.

Edited March 20, 2013 by Asiantravel

[Sydneycraig]

You can get 3 wheel taxi bikes into town that takes 5 minutes...why provide bikes for guests to ride around the countryside when they could be inside the casino loosing $$

[Asiantravel]

You can get 3 wheel taxi bikes into town that takes 5 minutes...why provide bikes for guests to ride around the countryside when they could be inside the casino loosing $$

" why provide bikes for guests to ride around the countryside when they could be inside the casino loosing $$ "

exactly ! :-)

I may not necessarily want to travel into the town? I would just want the freedom to get out of that compound if I wanted and take a look at the countryside. Being taken to that kind of establishment without any freedom to move around outside would be too oppressive for me.

very shortsighted on their part in my opinion

Edited March 20, 2013 by Asiantravel

[ubonjoe]

What I am saying and have been for years is that yeah ok I am a cc. I revel in doing it cheap, I am a very experienced backpacker and been here a long, long time.

BUT

I sacrifice nothing. I go on vip buses when available, I sleep in simple cheap rooms (always clean), I eat the best local food I can find, I drink as much lovely beer Lao as my head can handle.

As for visa services. I have never used one but every time I go to the border, you guys are aleays behind me. Same at the visa window, same at the pickup time and same when I rock up on the border and clear customs and your van is doing whatever wherever.

Some of my most fun visa runs were on the Nong Khai - BKK party train. All the Cheap Charlies coming back to bkk. Techno playing in the resty and the beer flowin like it was Germany.

What in my life or way of traveling is a hardship?

Mr Burning,

Two interesting and potentially informative posts, it is just a pity that like many on here you feel it necessary to be snide to/about people who choose to do things differently.

I will be doing a Mukhdahan visa run in the near future, provisionally by your method, so can you please possibly fill in a few details:-

How (and for how much) do you get transport from the bus station to the border?

And the same from the other side to the consular office in Savannakhet?

What is the name of the accom in S/k?

Any decent bars in town?

Anything else of interest to the impecunious?

Regards, R

The bus that crosses the bridge originates at the bus station in Mukdahan and will take you to the bus station in Savannakhet.

[Richie1971]

Just come back from Savan Vegas run for 12 month Non O. I was asked (and did) provided evidence of financials, another guy did not have the funds and was issued one anyway.

Docs - Marriage Cert + copy, tabien ban copy, wife id copy, my passport copy, bankbook copy and original (obviously not really required)

Food in the Savan Hotel was very good, buffet three times a day - never experienced the 'scrum' that some people talk about - they constantly replenish from what I could see

I booked the 3 night package but in the end only stayed for 2 nights (staying one more night would have been cutting it very fine to get get back for a 9.20am flight from Nakon Phanom) so travelled up to Nakon Panom and spent a night there

Only thing I would recommend (unless you really love gambling) is stay there 1 or 2 nights - the second night was a bit painful, like the twilight zone ie - you couldn't tell whether it was night or day in the casino, just one long groundhog day - couple of restaraunts outside the casino but nothing you'd return to out of choice.

If i was to use Savan Vegas again I would probably stay in the casino hotel for the bare minimum and if needed stay another night in Mudkahan or NP

No complaints about the visa service though, well worth it

Internet in room was fast (via provided cable) as well, which was a handy time filler

[Richie1971]

I would like to ask why the OP flew on Air Asia to Nakhon Phanom when he could have flown directly to Savannakhet on Lao Airlines?

I would have done that but the website offered no available flights - either full or not the requested date

[Vinny1967]

I would like to ask why the OP flew on Air Asia to Nakhon Phanom when he could have flown directly to Savannakhet on Lao Airlines?

I had a look at flying into Savannakhet,but they were too expensive and anyway,I liked the minibus drive from Nakhon Phanom.Gave me a chance to see a bit of rural life.Maybe next time I'll fly into Savannakhet if the price is right and the times are OK.