Drive Out, Fly In?

[gk10002000]

I saw article about the Laos Friendship bridge trying to woo tourists. OK. I do want to go to LAOS via the land route and coordinate my trip with the times when my Thailand 30 day visa stamp on arrival runs out. I know that coming back my land you only get 15 days. So, I am wondering and trying to double check that if I leave by land, but come back by Air, that I will still get a 30 day visa on arrival? I don't want to assume anything. Thailand may have an unwritten rule that the in and out must both be by Air in order to get another 30 days.

Thanks

[tinhead]

Arrive by air, get 30 days. You could swim, skip or kayak out of the country for all they care.

[IsaanUSA]

Arrive by air, get 30 days. You could swim, skip or kayak out of the country for all they care.

You still need to get stamped out though, right?

[djbarry]

If you travel out by road across the bridge, why not stop at the Thai embassy which is very close, and pick up a Thai visa? This will allow you up to 120 days (depending on how many entries you apply for).

Yes, you will still need to be stamped out. This is not optional.

Can I ask, is your passport nearly full?

[phuketrichard]

i think swiming u might bypass immigration so best take the land route out :-)

The laos visa is $30-50 ( $35 for us passport) and takes a full page and 1/4 for stamps

[thairookie]

I have just returned from Vientiane, by chartered van.

I was at the Embassy yesterday morning, at about 8.45 am. There was no queue whatsoever. You should fill up the form and apply for a Visa while at Vientiane.

If you're contented with a 30-day Visa exempt entry, I suggest you try AirAsia to Kuala Lumpur. It's cheaper than flying to anywhere else from BKK.

[joepattaya1961]

Arrive by air, get 30 days. You could swim, skip or kayak out of the country for all they care.

You still need to get stamped out though, right?

You do not only need to be stamped out from Thailand, you also need a visa, stamp-in and stamp-out of any other country.

That proves that you actually have been out of the country and that you didn't stay at the departure terminal of the airport.

That's the reason, that Immigration may ask (read: MAY) for your boarding-pass of the inbound flight.

[lopburi3]

There is no requirement for stamps using air travel - most countries do not even provide. Visas are not required for most people traveling to Malaysia or Singapore and many other countries.