CR Border Crossings - Quick Visa Run

[Chao Lao Beach]

Looking at doing a trip to CR, I may have a buddy with us who needs a quick 3 monthly in/out visa run.

We were looking to go to Chaing Saen then turning right to stay with friends a couple of hours East of here near the Mekong.

Get you get a boat across to Laos at Chaing Saen and do a visa run with immigration on each side ?

If Not, where is the next best, Golden Triangle ?

Anyone know the visa cost for Laos these days to do this ?

Thanks.

[ripstanley]

Mae Sai which is about 60 km north of Chiang Rai on highway 1

[Chao Lao Beach]

I am aware of Mai Sai, but I really want to go East from Chiang Saen, kind of inconvenient....

I remember seeing a both on the Thai side at the Triangle with Immigration on it, anyone ever used it ?

Chiang Saen is a pretty decent size, but I don't think there is anything on the Laos side.

[Chao Lao Beach]

Maybe I am wrong, here are pics of the Chiang Saen Immigration check point, there is also a immigration office at another location in the city according to Google maps.

Also, in this image credit there are other pics, I wonder if this is in the Chiang Saen town or up at the tourist trap triangle ?

Found it I think, can anyone confirm? In doing image credits for the pic above I found this from only last year which is lifted from The Nation, very relevant to a visa website one would think. Check this out: http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycle-forum/showthread.php/38393-Chiang-Saen-Golden-Triangle-%28Laos%29-International-Border-Crossing-Officially-Open

A bit of it below,

"New border post to help trade - or gamblers?


CHIANG RAI: -- The new Golden Triangle permanent border checkpoint in Chiang Rai's Chiang Saen district - which has just been opened - is seen as having been established with political connections to benefit a large casino project on the Lao side.


The checkpoint was opened on Sunday at the Sobruak village in Tambon Wiang. The government claims it will promote tourism and border trade but critics believe it is aimed at facilitating gamblers who will cross the border to the casino in the King Romans of Laos Asian & Tourism Development Zone.


Actually, even without the checkpoint, many Thais reportedly cross the border to gamble at the King Romans Casino. cond......

[vaughn]

they don't stamp your passport on the lao side not sure it would be any good for visa run

[Chao Lao Beach]

Has anyone tried ?

[villagefarang]

Those of us who live, here generally have some form of longterm visa and are required to go to either the Mae Sai or the Chiang Rai branch of immigration to process our paperwork. Visas are a serious matter, so personally I would check the immigration website as well as call to get firsthand information on where you can do a visa run in our area.

[Rotweiler]

Nonsense. They DO "stamp" (a very large one-page sticker glued to your passport) your passport if you actually enter the country. There yesterday.

they don't stamp your passport on the lao side not sure it would be any good for visa run

[RichCor]

Nonsense. They DO "stamp" (a very large one-page sticker glued to your passport) your passport if you actually enter the country. There yesterday.

they don't stamp your passport on the lao side not sure it would be any good for visa run

Which border crossing?

I believe Vaughn was referring to one of the Casino-Only crossings (where you don't technically cross into Laos).

[Rotweiler]

My apologies. Wasn't referring to the casino crossing - have never been there.

[Dancinge]

Does anyone have an updated answer for this? I'm an American that got 30 day voa in bkk and did 1 mo extension of visa in Chiang Mai so far. Tried to do border crossing yesterday in Mae Sae but immigration wouldn't even let me cross and said Thai govt cracking down on border runs. Has anyone heard whether Laos is better? Would Chang kong be best? I was thinking this and then closer to Luang Prabang if I can't get new visa so then I could fly back to Chiang Mai?

[RichCor]

Does anyone have an updated answer for this? I'm an American that got 30 day voa in bkk and did 1 mo extension of visa in Chiang Mai so far. Tried to do border crossing yesterday in Mae Sae but immigration wouldn't even let me cross and said Thai govt cracking down on border runs. Has anyone heard whether Laos is better? Would Chang kong be best? I was thinking this and then closer to Luang Prabang if I can't get new visa so then I could fly back to Chiang Mai?

Very strange that Mae Sai wouldn't let you exit, as that usually only happens when you already have back-to-back-to-back 30-day Visa Exempt entries from prior border crossings.

A "Visa" is different from a "Visa Exemption stamp" (Visa exempt entry). Just to be clear.

The Mae Sai is one of a couple of unique/special border crossing, where most foreign travelers movements are restricted once you exit Thailand.

The Chiang Khong crossing into Laos works fine ... so long as you aren't doing the back-to-back-to-back-to-back multiple Visa Exemption. Otherwise, yea, slow boat to Luang Prabang and then a bus south.

If you WANT to stay in Thailand longer, then Vientiane should be your destination with a plan to acquire a 60-day Tourist Visa, or a Double-Entry Tourist Visa if you plan on staying more than 90 days.

Edited January 5, 2015 by RichCor

[Briggsy]

Unless you are going to Jinghong in China, I think you will be unsuccessful here. There are no reports of foreigners getting Laos Visas on Arrival opposite Chiang Saen.

Edited January 5, 2015 by Briggsy