Please guys, could you stop paying these 40 bahts that guys ask when you present your passport at a Lao border.

Years ago, it was 20 bahts, now 40 or even 60.

One day they will ask 100 or 500 bahts.

You don't have to pay, you can simply say what for? Or :ok if you give me a receipt with your name and badge number.

By the way, it' s illegal. When you look at them, they hide your money under their desk.

Years ago, it was 20 bahts, now 40 or even 60.

Why are you crossing into Laos so often and for so many years that it matters?

Before claiming it's the principle, your righteous indignation clearly appears to be stoked by the amount.

Contact the UNDP Anti-Corruption Initiative and ask how far the efforts already are with the Border Police.

Never been asked for more than the posted fee

Doesn't seem to happen often at the Thannleng point. I cross over 3-4 times a year.

Mac

You pay when leaving Laos at Nong Khai you get a receipt and a card that gets you through the exit wickets.

Do you mean paying on the Thai side or the Laos side?

The last two times at Nong Khai I don't remember paying for anything more than the Laos visa. Just get the Laos VOA and walk straight through the booths to the final desk where somebody may give your passport stamp a quick visual check and you're there. (There is another booth that may want to see your passport and maybe this is the one that asks for money, but just walk past it to the final check desk)

Coming back into Thailand have never been asked for 'extras'.

they only charge that to people who are called Idontpaytaxsowhat...

I've been heaps and only ever paid extra money for the bus ride.. dunno what you are referring to.

Are you speaking about the US$1 extra charge that is to be paid at the Laotian border when you cross it before 8am or after 4pm or on official holidays? This fee is probably amounting 40 bahts now (I never pay this fee in THB, so, I can't say for sure) if you don't pay it in US dollars (the exchange rate is very unfavourable for you there as it is also the case for the visa fees and it's recommended to pay every fees using US dollars at the Laotian border).

If this is what you are speaking about, you should be given a receipt: I got one every time that I go to Laos on the "overtime" periods. If you are not speaking about this "overtime fee", then, I don't know what you are referring to. I have never been charged even once the fee that you mention in your OP, even though I have crossed the Thai-Laos border (at the Friendship Bridge located near Nong Khai city) approximately fifty times so far (and counting) since my first sojourn in Thailand in 1999.

I have removed two flame posts.

Since this topic is not directly related to visas and has evolved into into a bickering match it is now closed.