Warning: Major Delays at Thai Consulate in Vientiane

[dannoOnline]

I just spoke with my Canadian wife who is in Vientiane to get a double entry tourist visa (her triple entry tourist visa from Canada was about to expire) . She was told today (Thursday) that she will not be able to pick up her passport /visa until Wednesday even though the consulate website says next day service. She asked if she could pay more for faster service and was denied. Apparently there were many unhappy tourists there who were deciding not to travel to Thailand after receiving the same news.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[ubonjoe]

Holiday on Monday according to their calender but tomorrow is also a holiday here. Perhaps closed tomorrow also.

Their have been reports on here about Monday and Thursdays being very busy. Numbers up to 1000. But people still got their application in as late as 4pm after waiting all day. And they still got their visa the next day.

[ignis]

Always check the Embassy website... clearly states: copy and paste from website (except Thai & Lao Official Holidays).

on Embassy website Opening Hours clearly show 11th closed Thai Buddist Holiday and 14th closed Lao Holiday, copy and paste from website: 14 Jul 2014 Substitute for Buddist Lent Day

[Mudcrab]

I just spoke with my Canadian wife who is in Vientiane to get a double entry tourist visa (her triple entry tourist visa from Canada was about to expire) .

A genuine tourist? Triple followed by a double? Maybe questions are being asked in the background given the current situation.

[dannoOnline]

Yep, she said she had checked the website and staff had apologized. I guess it is updated now.

Genuine tourists - we have been traveling around SE Asia. We do not need to work and may move to elite membership if we decide to reside here. No need to be cynical.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[gemguy]

Holiday on Monday according to their calender but tomorrow is also a holiday here. Perhaps closed tomorrow also.

Their have been reports on here about Monday and Thursdays being very busy. Numbers up to 1000. But people still got their application in as late as 4pm after waiting all day. And they still got their visa the next day.

Like someone else mentioned previously ....you would surmise that the Thai embassies would be anticipating a notable increase in visa application traffic...especially the Embassies in the border countries....and hire more staff or some how accommodate the increased traffic.

From what I have heard nothing has changed...same format ...same over worked, moody Consulate staff and long line ups on top of having to plan to wait for 3 to 5 days rather than 1 or 2 days.