Using Touts In Vientiane

[charliebadenhop]

I was in Israel a few months ago, and if I remember correctly they purposely do not stamp your passport.

[1Junglemonkey]

Filling out the paperwork is easy enough and you can do it yourself. However the guy across the street next to the restuarant is on the up and up. I have used him many times and have friends who told me to use him if I didn't want the hassle and he will provide you with excellent service for a 1500 to 2000bht depending on what you need. I personnaly have never heard of any complaints about him. They do it all day everyday and there would be problems with farangs if he did no do what he say's he will, you would be warned beleave me. I usually buy my photo's from him if I forgot mine (he gives you nine regardless) and the first time I was confused with the paper work so I paid them 100 to fill them out. They know what lines you have to fill out and don't have to fill out. Also there some excellent taxi guys that will take you from the bridge and back that are aces too. 200Bht each way is the going rate or 400 if you want solo service. I recommend Mr. Nee <contact member by PM for contact info> if you want to call him in adavance from Thailand and have him meet you. I was there last Tuesday and Wednsday and my wife will be going next week and I will have him deliver her, thats how much I trust the guy.

Now it is never easy just to give your passport over to someone, but this guy is reputable and has connections in the Embassy and can make things happen you can not. For example, they had just started playing with the rules and I was going for my third consecutive double entry visa. Most of the taxi guys will dump you right infront of him anyway, they all work as a team. He asked me if I wanted him to do my paper work for me and I said no I have it all filled out. Then he said what are you trying to do and I said third double entry. He said you won't get it. I asked why and he said the embassy will only give to two. Then I said can you do it and he said yes, but before you believe me walk over to the embassy, do not get a que ticket and ask anyone there at the windows or standing outside if you can get a third double entry, do not say anything to them but that, do not even mention you talked to me. I said ok, I walked over and they told me sorry you can only get two.I walked back across the street and he smiled and said: "Do you believe me now?" I reaffirmed with him if he could do it and he said yes, but doubted he can get a forth, we could try but no guantee's. So he was honest about it. My friend was with me and his son and they needed visas too and asked me if he should do the same. I said no mine is a bit more complicated so why don't you save the money. He said while I am in there what are going to do and I said go to the hotel, check in and get a big 40Bht bottle of Beerlao. It was hot and busy. So he said screw it paid the man gave him all the information and we went to the hotel. The visa guy asked us which hotel and we told him. The next day around noon a Tuk Tuk showed up and said come on lets get your visas, but instead of all of us going my friends Thai wife went with him instead and in thirty minutes time we all had our passports complete with Visa's and the tuk tuk driver took us to the bridge. It was that simple.No hassles, no standing in line, no fuss no muss. I have friends that call him and have people come get his paper work and passport and never even sets foot in the embassy. So if you have been on a bus all night, it's hot, rainy or extremmely crowded I say that is the way to go if you don't mind paying for the service. These guys have been in business as long as I have lived here (two years) but much longer according to the friend that sent me to him in the first place. If there is a possiblity he can't do it, he will tell you. In have heard that if you are early enough, they will try to do one day service, but not guarenteed. This anyway has been my experience. I don't hessitate to use him. Up to you.