Just a small piece of good news. I crossed the bridge today from Vientiane, and asked for a 14 day (Ozi) visa exemption. I was a little worried, what with all the reports of visa troubles, but nothing. The guy behind the counter was saying yes and handing me my passport with the stamp, before I had finished my explanation of why I wanted only 14 days (Nong Khai Saturday night market). Good news.

 

Maybe not so good. A hotel in Nong Khai, that I had stayed in for years on and off, and before had been happy to not ask for my passport, this time insisted on seeing my passport and my departure card, and my email. So, more paperwork.

Did you have a bunch of previous entries? How was your passport looking?

Have you ever used any ID for check-in there previously? In every hotel I've ever stayed at in Thailand (including in Nong Khai just recently), in the past couple of years I've only presented my Thai D/L even when, on the way to/from a neighboring country I would have my passport in my possession. There have never been any problems with that and it doesn't matter if the hotel is a grand 4 or 5 star palace or a small family owned guesthouse. In the latter case normally no ID is requested from anyone of course.

My Australian passport is new, with only 1 previous, expired (obviously) Thai tourist visa, and no overstays, however, I have been coming to Thailand for over a decade on previous passports. The immig guy took only seconds to give me my stamp. He would not have had time to browse my history in detail, the most he could have looked for a red flag (none, as far as I know).

 

Hotel — previously, maybe the first time I visited (years), showed passport, but this time I was told to show the passport at checkin, and specifically, reception wanted to see my departure card.

Just a small piece of good news. I crossed the bridge today from Vientiane, and asked for a 14 day (Ozi) visa exemption. I was a little worried, what with all the reports of visa troubles, but nothing. The guy behind the counter was saying yes and handing me my passport with the stamp, before I had finished my explanation of why I wanted only 14 days (Nong Khai Saturday night market). Good news.

 

One is not supposed to explain anything unless asked. The law says it's 15 days (including arriving) visa exempt for your nationality, that is what is given, no more, no less.