Forgive me in advance, as I have spent a long time Googling this subject. However all I get is 'visa run' information which I don't think is quite relevant to me.

I am British and will be flying into Bangkok for a week before flying off to Hanoi, Vietnam and Laos. Then I will get the bus down to Savanakhet and come across at Mukdahan.

Can I get a visa on arrival? - or do I need to go to the consulate? If I can get a visa on arrival how long will it last?

All the visa run information talks about a 24 hour stopover - but I thought you could get one on arrival. What are the technicalities here? Why do people spend 24 hours in Sav, apart from the excuse of the casino? Is this for specific types of visa, or is it just not possible to get stamped as you walk in?

Can anyone please explain?

Brits are not entitled to get a Visa on Arrival.

What you will get is a Visa Exempt Entry of 15 days.

Apply at the Thai consulate in Savannakhet for a Tourist Visa and you will get 60 days.

You can get "stamped in" for a 15 day stay in Thailand. (visa exempt entry)

If you wish to stay longer a tourist visa giving an initial 60 day stay (with the possibility of extending that for a futher 30 days) will be required. Obtainable at a Thai consulate

Edited June 20, 201313 yr by SeaVisionBurma
corrected number of days

When you first enter Thailand by air you will get a visa exempt entry, good for 30 days.

Next time you enter Thailand will also be a visa exempt entry, but by land, in which case you get 15 days .

Inflammatory posts removed please lets start that bit again and be nice this time

If you want more than 15 days you could apply for a visa at the consulate in Savanakhet. You submit one day in the morning and pickup the next day in the afternoon. Hence the advertised 24 hour stay. It would give you 60 days on entry which can be extenced for another 30 days at immigration in Thailand, cost 1900 baht. You could also get the visa at the embassy in Vietnam if you do not want to spend the night in Savanakhet.

Get a double entry tourist visa by mail in the UK before travelling and save yourself time at some consulate in SEA.

any 'news" on a entry visa 15 days issued at Nakhon Phanom from Thakhek Laos (Friendship bridge 3)???

any 'news" on a entry visa 15 days issued at Nakhon Phanom from Thakhek Laos (Friendship bridge 3)???

No problem.

any 'news" on a entry visa 15 days issued at Nakhon Phanom from Thakhek Laos (Friendship bridge 3)???

No problem.

So this is well open and functioning for foreigners??

If you are planning to stay longer than 15 days, get a visa in Hanoi, Vientiane or Savanaket. Many buses from the North will run to and then back out of Vientiane. Might be a good place to break the LONG journey anyway.

Use US Dollars for your visa to Lao and save,

Border crossing at NKP has been possible for a long time.