1 other possible problem I have just thought about is that when my wife got a new id card a few months back she has changed first name so it doesn't match her name on the marriage certificate! But she still has my surname on her id.

Do you think this could be a problem? I was thinking about taking copies of both her old & new id card.

Believe name changes at notated on the blue book entry and that is required for visa issue but having copies of both can not hurt.

How long does it take to get your Thai visa after crossing into Laos?

Apply in the morning and pick up next day afternoon.

There is no minimum - you must apply before extension expires and even then people have been allowed to apply letter if a valid reason for being late and overstay paid. But yes I would always recommend a least one week early.

I prefer to do mine at the earliest opportunity after the "30 days before" window opens, since this gives plenty of time for any problems to be ironed out. In any event you don't lose out by applying early: your new extension will still be for 1 year after the expiry date of your old one regardless.

A new problem for me has developed, although I am married to a Thai, we have separated & she has all the documents I need to get my new 'O' non-immigrant visa at Suvannaket which she is refusing to give me!

I know there are other options if you have sufficient funds in the bank or the required income but I have neither. Anyone have any suggestions about alternatives even for extending my stay for 2 or 3 months?

Also if I did get a new visa at Savannaket based on marriage could my wife cause problems for me with the visa because we have separated although still married? She seems to think she can!

Thanks

You would be getting the visa illegally so yes she could make troubles for you if you are not with her as husband and wife and using copies of her documents with her permission.

You can easily get a single or two entry tourist visa from Laos to cover up to six months time.

I have heard that getting a tourist visa in laos may be a problem because I have so many non immigrant visas already, anyone know if thats true?

Non immigrant visas of any kind do not count in consideration of issuing tourist visas anywhere.

They are just looking for back to back tourist visas.

Can I get a double entry tourist visa giving me 6 months? Also do I have to go to Savannaket to get a tourist visa & how much are the visas?

Vientiane is another option for a 2 entry tourist visa besides Savannakhet. All other locations will only issue single entry visas.

Tourist visas cost 1000 baht per entry. Both locations in Laos take baht.

Thanks for your help guys, I have no experience in these matters.

Could I go to Poi Pet for a single entry tourist visa then do it again after it expires saving the long travel to Laos as I am in Pattaya at the moment

All you can get in Poi Pet is a 15 day visa exempt entry there is not a consulate or embassy there.

Ok so it looks like a trip to Laos then. If I go to Suvannaket do I get a tourist visa straight away or is it next day as with a non im?

The next afternoon.

I take it all i need is my passport for a tourist visa? Do you recommend Savannaket or Vientiene for the best / easiest trip & also for least hassle with the visa?

Vientiane overland could be the easiest if you go by train from Bangkok to Nong Kai.

By bus is would be about the same.

You get to both locations by air from Bangkok. Vientiane via Udon Thani is one route. Nok Air has fly/ride service to Mukdahan and Vientiane both.

Both locations are the same for issuing the visa by most reports. Dependent on when you go Savannakhet would probably be the least busy. Vientiane is pretty busy on Monday and Wednesday.

Edited July 15, 201312 yr by ubonjoe

The train to Nong Khai is still not up and running (they put in new tracks all the way) Said to be running by the end of this month. You can get a train ticket at train prices but you will be in a bus. When they closed it down you could ride as far north Buiyai and then a bus to just noth of KK, then they closed it all down. I hear the tracks are finished from KK north but I haven't heard if the train is running north from there. I live one km from the tracks, one hr north of Korat and the train is not running here

Edited July 15, 201312 yr by bunnydrops