Visa

[Antsaar]

Hi

We left for Thailand in December last year with our 60 day Visa. We then went to Malaysia (Penang) for another 60 day visa which was granted no problem. We came back into Thailand and travelled around, and then from Bangkok we left for Cambodia. We stayed in Cambodia for 10 days and were under the impression once we left Cambodia, that coming back into Thailand we would be granted another 60 day visa. We were wrong!.....We only got a 15 day stamp. We are now on Koh Chang, but our stamp runs out on the 6th May. We don't want to go back to Cambodia as we didn't like it........So....From Koh Chang....What is the best way to get another 60 day visa...or even a double entry visa!? (We don't leave back to England untill October!) We have been told that from here we need to go back to Bangkok, to either the Airport, Mochit or Kaosan...and from there (remembering we don't want to go back to Cambodia) we need to do a visa run to Laos!?.....Is this correct, or is there a way of getting 60 days in Thailand?

[metisdead]

Moving to Thai Visas forum where you will get better answers.

[Antsaar]

Moving to Thai Visas forum where you will get better answers.

Many thanks!

[lopburi3]

You must exit the country to obtain a new visa and the only place you are likely to be able to get a two entry would be Laos. The most you could obtain inside Thailand would be 7 days to leave after a refused extension application. Not sure why you expected to return for another 60 day stay from Cambodia without a visa.

So yes a trip to Vientiane should be your next step and often people use a flight to Udon for that trip and then van/bus to Nong Khai but you can also use bus or train to Nong Khai and cross the bridge there. Apply for a two entry tourist visa - each entry can be extended 30 days so can cover almost six months - remember you must make second entry while the visa is still valid (3 months from issue date).

[Antsaar]

You must exit the country to obtain a new visa and the only place you are likely to be able to get a two entry would be Laos. The most you could obtain inside Thailand would be 7 days to leave after a refused extension application. Not sure why you expected to return for another 60 day stay from Cambodia without a visa.

So yes a trip to Vientiane should be your next step and often people use a flight to Udon for that trip and then van/bus to Nong Khai but you can also use bus or train to Nong Khai and cross the bridge there. Apply for a two entry tourist visa - each entry can be extended 30 days so can cover almost six months - remember you must make second entry while the visa is still valid (3 months from issue date).

You must exit the country to obtain a new visa and the only place you are likely to be able to get a two entry would be Laos. The most you could obtain inside Thailand would be 7 days to leave after a refused extension application. Not sure why you expected to return for another 60 day stay from Cambodia without a visa.

So yes a trip to Vientiane should be your next step and often people use a flight to Udon for that trip and then van/bus to Nong Khai but you can also use bus or train to Nong Khai and cross the bridge there. Apply for a two entry tourist visa - each entry can be extended 30 days so can cover almost six months - remember you must make second entry while the visa is still valid (3 months from issue date).

We didn't research enough....and just seemed to think that at the Thai/Cambodian border we could get the 60 day visa. Stupid!! So do we leave for Nong Khai from Bangkok? Promised each other we wouldn't do any flying apart from home again! .... So it will be by bus.

Many thanks for your quick reply.

[lopburi3]

Morchit 2 bus terminal then - should be able to go directly to Nong Khai and local transport to bridge/cross/into Vientiane about 15km on other side. Consulate is not same location as Embassy but most will know where to take you - apply in morning and get next workday afternoon and retrace trip. Good food and beer in Vientiane so not bad for a couple days.

[Antsaar]

Morchit 2 bus terminal then - should be able to go directly to Nong Khai and local transport to bridge/cross/into Vientiane about 15km on other side. Consulate is not same location as Embassy but most will know where to take you - apply in morning and get next workday afternoon and retrace trip. Good food and beer in Vientiane so not bad for a couple days.

Legend!......Thankyou! Dont suppose you know the bus times?

[lopburi3]

No but it is a major route (always see them on road) so would expect every 30 minutes or so.

[DennyEagle]

I would take the train from bangkok, way more pleasant than a bus, You can get up and move around, eat, drink beer whatever. Another option is to fly to udon thani, about an hour and then 45 minutes to the bridge to Laos, there are some good hotels right by the consulate and an excellent lao restruant right across the street

[ubonjoe]

Train is a better option than a bus in my opinion.

You can get a 2nd class sleeper for around 500 baht.

From your location you could look into buses going to Korat and then train or bus to Nong Khai form there.

Savannakhet Laos is another option for 2 entry visas. No train to there but you probably could find buses going to Mukdahan from where you are (or Trat) also.

[notbkk]

Agree, the train is the most pleasant. Make it part of your holiday as you might need 2 nights in Vientiane. The train is always 2 to 3 hours late.

Take the train to Nong Kai. Walk to the immigration point on the platform, clear immigration and buy a 20 baht ticket to Thanaleng in Laos. 15 min ride. At Thanaleng, get your visa on arrival for Laos (1300 thb) and hop on a tuk tuk (300 thb)straight to the Thai embassy if the train is not too late. If too late, let him go straight to your hotel, which you can book online.

There are many decent cheap hotels at the river front, where there is a night market and all the nightlife, restaurants, etc.

Next day, go to the embassy just before they close at 12:00, to submit your application. (2000 thb for double entry) There will almost certainly be no queues if you don't arrive there on a Monday or Thursday. Go and have fun and the next day go back to the embassy between 14:00 and 15:00 as there will again be hardly any queues. Catch the train back from Nong Kai at 18:00 after passing the friendship bridge, and arrive fresh and rested the next morning in Bangkok.

[wwex]

Savanakit probably quicker from koh chang, can get a bus from pattaya or maybe closer, but its still a 12-15 hour bus trip, not much fun but savanakit is quiet and easy once you are there

Edited April 26, 2013 by wwex

[rct99q]

Train is a very good option from Bangkok to Nong Khai and then it is an easy journey into Laos. But the North East is also a beautiful place to visit if it is not in your plans already. Either before or after you visa run stop in Nong Khai for a bit and then explore the Mekong River route between Chiang Khan and Nakhon Phanom. Some beautiful sites and amazing temples to be seen.

Not a bad idea to combine a little sightseeing with your visa run!

Some things to be aware of:

Consulate is open Monday to Friday (closed saturday, sunday and thai/laos national holidays)

8:30am - 12:00n to drop off applications - however you should be inside the consulate before 11:30 to be sure of processing

1:00pm - 3:30pm to pick up passport with visa

It takes 1 working day to process you application. If you drop off on Monday your passport will be ready to pick up on Tuesday afternoon. If however you drop off your application on Friday your passport with visa will not be ready for pick until Monday at 1pm (one working day).

[ALFREDO]

Promised each other we wouldn't do any flying apart from home again! .... So it will be by bus.

Many thanks for your quick reply.

With weekly freaking Bus accidents, I would not choose Bus or train either.

No understand what the problem with a short flight is? From Bangoks old Don Muang Airport with Air Asia or Nok Air about 1.300.- Baht One way to Udon Thani.

[Antsaar]

Promised each other we wouldn't do any flying apart from home again! .... So it will be by bus.

Many thanks for your quick reply.

With weekly freaking Bus accidents, I would not choose Bus or train either.

No understand what the problem with a short flight is? From Bangoks old Don Muang Airport with Air Asia or Nok Air about 1.300.- Baht One way to Udon Thani.

Thankyou all for your input! What an excellent sight Thai Visa is! You've helped me before we left England.....and now sorted us whilst here in Thailand! Excellent! We are going to head to Bangkok tomorrow and catch a train!

[Antsaar]

Agree, the train is the most pleasant. Make it part of your holiday as you might need 2 nights in Vientiane. The train is always 2 to 3 hours late.

Take the train to Nong Kai. Walk to the immigration point on the platform, clear immigration and buy a 20 baht ticket to Thanaleng in Laos. 15 min ride. At Thanaleng, get your visa on arrival for Laos (1300 thb) and hop on a tuk tuk (300 thb)straight to the Thai embassy if the train is not too late. If too late, let him go straight to your hotel, which you can book online.

There are many decent cheap hotels at the river front, where there is a night market and all the nightlife, restaurants, etc.

Next day, go to the embassy just before they close at 12:00, to submit your application. (2000 thb for double entry) There will almost certainly be no queues if you don't arrive there on a Monday or Thursday. Go and have fun and the next day go back to the embassy between 14:00 and 15:00 as there will again be hardly any queues. Catch the train back from Nong Kai at 18:00 after passing the friendship bridge, and arrive fresh and rested the next morning in Bangkok.

Do they take baht in Laos?

[Antsaar]

One last thing! How many photos do we need for this visa trip? Do Laos require photos?

[ubonjoe]

Yes you need photos. Between the Lao visa and Thai visa application you will need 4.

Before you going to the consular section for visa you will need copies of you passport photo page and Lao visa/entry stamp.

[lopburi3]

Yes baht is accepted but believe you will get change in kip so probably end up using both. Pay for Thai visa in baht.

[Antsaar]

Train is a very good option from Bangkok to Nong Khai and then it is an easy journey into Laos. But the North East is also a beautiful place to visit if it is not in your plans already. Either before or after you visa run stop in Nong Khai for a bit and then explore the Mekong River route between Chiang Khan and Nakhon Phanom. Some beautiful sites and amazing temples to be seen.

Not a bad idea to combine a little sightseeing with your visa run!

Some things to be aware of:

Consulate is open Monday to Friday (closed saturday, sunday and thai/laos national holidays)

8:30am - 12:00n to drop off applications - however you should be inside the consulate before 11:30 to be sure of processing

1:00pm - 3:30pm to pick up passport with visa

It takes 1 working day to process you application. If you drop off on Monday your passport will be ready to pick up on Tuesday afternoon. If however you drop off your application on Friday your passport with visa will not be ready for pick until Monday at 1pm (one working day).

Is the embassy in

Agree, the train is the most pleasant. Make it part of your holiday as you might need 2 nights in Vientiane. The train is always 2 to 3 hours late.

Take the train to Nong Kai. Walk to the immigration point on the platform, clear immigration and buy a 20 baht ticket to Thanaleng in Laos. 15 min ride. At Thanaleng, get your visa on arrival for Laos (1300 thb) and hop on a tuk tuk (300 thb)straight to the Thai embassy if the train is not too late. If too late, let him go straight to your hotel, which you can book online.

There are many decent cheap hotels at the river front, where there is a night market and all the nightlife, restaurants, etc.

Next day, go to the embassy just before they close at 12:00, to submit your application. (2000 thb for double entry) There will almost certainly be no queues if you don't arrive there on a Monday or Thursday. Go and have fun and the next day go back to the embassy between 14:00 and 15:00 as there will again be hardly any queues. Catch the train back from Nong Kai at 18:00 after passing the friendship bridge, and arrive fresh and rested the next morning in Bangkok.

Is the embassy in Thanaleng? Would that be the best place to book a hotel? Thankyou.

[lopburi3]

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=thai+consulate+vientiane&hl=en&ll=17.964323,102.623699&spn=0.010839,0.01929&fb=1&hq=thai+consulate&hnear=0x3124688606ed7b21:0x1f93b18618c1eedf,Vientiane,+Laos&cid=0,0,2493823819629344575&t=h&z=16

http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/images/consulate/Thai%20Consular%20Office%20Map.jpg

[1kate1]

Just to say Wednesday is a holiday - National Labour Day - may cause you a delay.....maybe someone else could verify this for you.

[ubonjoe]

Correct the embassy and consular section will be closed on Wednesday the 1st of May (Lao holiday not Thai).

Source: http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/vientiane/en/embassy/embassy_time/index.php?month=5&year=2013&bxajaxid=

[Antsaar]

Trip went like clockwork.....Train was 3 hours late though. We got to the Consulate at 11.20am.......and we're grabbed by a man outside that said we needed photocopies of our passports and Laos Visas! We were charged 1500 each for the visas incidentally. Anyway.....This man sat at a little table charged us 100 baht each to fill out our forms, do the photocopies, and stick our photos on! Because of this we were late by 30 seconds!!!!.....and no matter how much I begged, they would not take our applications from us!! We now know we could have got the photo copies done inside and this man was a scam!! We live and learn! . Anyway, we now have t wait untill tomorrow (Thursday) to hand in, and then pick up on Friday. Not a good first impression of Laos!........Even the tuk tuk drivers try to scam you EVERYTIME for 50,000 kip for a 15000 kip fare!!!........

[ALFREDO]

1.500 Baht for the Lao Visas? Pay in Dollar 35 Dollars for most countries, a bit cheaper.

Else, Tuk Tuk drivers - been there-done that, yes experience.

Now everything ok?

Edited May 4, 2013 by ALFREDO