Okay I'm feeling pretty stupid having just arrived in Phnom Penh on a visa run, only to be told that The Thai Embassy is closed from today until the 10th of November for a local festival. I really would like to be back in CM for the 7th at the latest and am thinking of making my way to Vientiane. Before booking this though, I figured it would be sensible to check hat the Embassy there will actually be open.

I've searched online and can't find anything that suggests it would be closed but then again I can't find anything warning me that Phnom Penh would be closed either. Does anyone know for sure one way or the other whether the Vientiane Embassy will be open or closed next Monday to Friday.

Oh, and if anyone has got any better suggestions for where to go cheaply, I'd be grateful. I'm definitely not a fan of Vientiane and as funds are strictly limited I'm looking at a 24 hour bus ride. Yikes!

Thanks.

I find it odd that the embassy in PP is closed for such a long period of time.

There are no holidays shown on Venetians calender for the month of November. http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/vientiane/en/embassy/embassy_time/index.php?month=11&year=2014&PAGEN_1=2

Savannakhet?

Okay I'm feeling pretty stupid having just arrived in Phnom Penh on a visa run, only to be told that The Thai Embassy is closed from today until the 10th of November for a local festival.

Cambodia water festival (national holiday) begins Wed 5th.

I would be surprised to learn that the Thai embassy is extending the celebration starting now already.

I suggest you check/apply tomorrow for the visa to be delivered by Tue 4th.

Okay I'm feeling pretty stupid having just arrived in Phnom Penh on a visa run, only to be told that The Thai Embassy is closed from today until the 10th of November for a local festival.

Cambodia water festival (national holiday) begins Wed 5th.

I would be surprised to learn that the Thai embassy is extending the celebration starting now already.

I suggest you check/apply tomorrow for the visa to be delivered by Tue 4th.

Thanks. I will do that. I was given the information by the same visa company I used last time to obtain my visa but am now becoming a little sceptical given the responses I've got from people over here when I've mentioned the problem.

Update to follow but either way I'll feel pretty dumb.

Calender on PP embassy website shows closed November 6th and 7th for water festival and the 10th for independence day,

Savannakhet?

Their holiday schedule is the same as Vientiane.

According to this morning's edition of Newsline on NBT there's currently a high-level governmental visit to Cambodia taking place, which might also explain the extended Embassy closure referred to by the OP.

According to this morning's edition of Newsline on NBT there's currently a high-level governmental visit to Cambodia taking place, which might also explain the extended Embassy closure referred to by the OP.

Yep. The Thai Prime Minister is apparently here. At least there are signs out welcoming him to Cambodia.

The embassy was closed today when I went there and there were shed loads of police not allowing vehicles to stop anywhere in the vicinity.

Enough people have told me that the embassy will be closed on 5th, 6th and 7th that I believe it to be true even though I haven't had it confirmed to me by the embassy itself. I'm pretty sure it's going to be closed on the 10th as well for Independence Day. So anyone planning a visa run to PP next week, be warned.

Two agencies who appear to know what they are talking about (many simply don't seem to have a clue) have offered to get me a visa by Tuesday even though it usually takes 3-4 working days. I'm a little bit sceptical but have taken a chance with the Khmer View agency at the river end of 130 street who seem, by some distance, to be the most clued up of the agencies I've spoken to.

In any event the alternative plan of going to Vientiane by bus is a no-go. They closed the route several months ago apparently due to hazardous roads.

Edited October 31, 201411 yr by LegalBrian

Two agencies who appear to know what they are talking about (many simply don't seem to have a clue) have offered to get me a visa by Tuesday even though it usually takes 3-4 working days. I'm a little bit sceptical but have taken a chance with the Khmer View agency at the river end of 130 street who seem, by some distance, to be the most clued up of the agencies I've spoken to.

Yes, using an agency in PP it's the right thing to do.

Enough people have told me that the embassy will be closed on 5th, 6th and 7th that I believe it to be true even though I haven't had it confirmed to me by the embassy itself.

This would appear to be because of the water festival referred to in post #4.

Edited October 31, 201411 yr by OJAS

I find it odd that the embassy in PP is closed for such a long period of time.

There are no holidays shown on Venetians calender for the month of November. http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/vientiane/en/embassy/embassy_time/index.php?month=11&year=2014&PAGEN_1=2

Not good news for me joe, after i explained my situation on the phone today......So any reliable reports of Savanaket closures this incoming week...

I find it odd that the embassy in PP is closed for such a long period of time.

There are no holidays shown on Venetians calender for the month of November. http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/vientiane/en/embassy/embassy_time/index.php?month=11&year=2014&PAGEN_1=2

Not good news for me joe, after i explained my situation on the phone today......So any reliable reports of Savanaket closures this incoming week...

There will be none. Their holiday schedule is the same as Vientiane.

Went to pick up my passport from the agency this evening at the promised time only to be told to come back tomorrow. They assure me that the Thai embassy will be open tomorrow and I will have my passport tomorrow evening, this despite the fact that they previously told me that it would be closed.

Frankly I'm panicking. If I don't get it back tomorrow I can't see how I can get it back before the 11th at the earliest which will mean missing my flight and a load of extra expense that I really can't afford.

Does anyone know for certain whether the embassy will be open or closed tomorrow?

Edited November 4, 201411 yr by LegalBrian

I am certain you will get your visa tomorrow. Apparently they shutdown because of the PM's visit.

But were open today.