Tourist visa (2) in Vientiane by bike

[jethro69]

Was due to get another visa, so I decided to go to Vientiane. As I usually return back home for ~2 months, that's only once a year I have to do it. I get a triple back home, after that a double in Vientiane, that's good enough for me, and spare me the 1900 bath extensions. The lady at my local immigration office is not the friendliest person anyway.

With the whole visa nonsense which is going on for the last couple of years, I decided to take my time and spend at least some of my money outside of Thailand. So I went on a two week bike trip to Vientiane and back.

My closest crossing would be Golden Triangle, but somehow you can't cross there by bike. Next closest would be Chiang Khong crossing via the Friendship bridge, but somehow in the Thai bureaucratic system, the bridges are considered as Tollways. In the past the bridge was sometimes completely closed for bikes, and you had to use the ferry, but instead the 500 or so bath you paid back then, they sometimes charged up to 3000. Nowadays, you can cross the bridge, but usually you have to be escorted by a car for the gentle fee of 1000 bath. I don't support that kind of corruption, so off to the next crossing in Nan province. No Mekhong there, no need to cross a bridge.

After a couple of days in Xayaboury; Luang Prabang; and Vang Vieng I arrived in Vientiane on Wednesday afternoon. So I went to the consulate the next day around 10:00 am, showed my paperwork and got my number. I have my papers always ready beforehand, so no issues here. I spotted a copy shop near to my hotel, so I had even the side with the Lao entry stamp ready, for a 1000 Kip bargain. As soon I had my number, I was off to the opposite restaurant, for some coffee. There was only Nescafe on offer, so I choose Beer Lao instead, what was a better choice for sure. I made sure that I got back a bit before 11:30, which turned out just fine, after a short waiting, I dropped my papers. No questions asked, and was send off to the next office to pay my 2000 bath for a double entry tourist visa. I was back on my bike before 12:00 am, and picked up the missus for lunch.

On a side note, last year I arrived shortly after 7:00 am, and had still 30 people in front of me, so you'll have to wait either way. I'll prefer the 10:00 am Beer Lao option in the future. However they have now a small Kiosk inside the consulate which serves coffee. And of course you see the usual Singh-Shirt-Flip-Flop-brigade, with large Beer Lao bottles and/or cans inside the consulate grounds. Probably the same ones who complain on TV, that their visa got denied.

Went the next day with the missus to the same restaurant, ordered some food, went over to pick a number, but within the first hour most of the passports are handed out anyway, so if you'll arrive around 14:30, you'll find most certainly an empty room. Collecting time is from 13:30 – 15:30. So I got my passport with a brand new double entry, no issues at all.

After 3 pleasant days in Vientiane, we went further to Phonsavan; Luang Prabang again and Oudomxai, from there back to Nan crossing in Huay Khon. The immigration officer asked us (me and the missus) how long we're on honeymoon, and I didn't first get what he want. So I answered, we were not on a honeymoon, finally I realized that he asked us how long we stayed together, so missus replied 7 years, me 8 years. So, I just told him it's already so long, we both forgot, what he found quite amusing.

My current passport history is probably not the very best, but I'm pretty sure there are much worse out there. Started off with a 30 day visa exempt, followed by 4*15 day exempt, after that I left by plane and entered on another 30 day visa exempt followed by one 15 day exempt. After that I got my first double in Vientiane. I did the 30 day extension nonsense on this one, followed by a tourist visa from Phnom Penh.

From there I'm now in my current rotation. Back home, come back with a triple entry, followed by a double entry from Vientiane. Did that now twice.

https://www.google.co.th/maps/dir/Gin%27s+guest+house/Siam+Garden+-+Bungalows/ACLEDA+Bank+Lao/19.8846891,102.1391475/Jammee+Guesthouse/Pho+Zap+2/Viettien+06+-+Viettien+XiengKhouang/19.8838943,102.1399239/20.6883242,101.9853612/20.2885035,100.0881495/@19.8661907,103.5345743,8z/data=!4m67!4m66!1m5!1m1!1s0x0:0xad8ea01723940616!2m2!1d100.087916!2d20.288283!1m5!1m1!1s0x0:0x76ceaf6b5e98276e!2m2!1d100.881743!2d19.389999!1m5!1m1!1s0x0:0xf70e8b7e7dbc2b5!2m2!1d101.707681!2d19.264318!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x0:0x5c37874718332695!2m2!1d102.446136!2d18.915989!1m15!1m1!1s0x0:0x45c6517014df0126!2m2!1d102.610955!2d17.966912!3m4!1m2!1d103.6176556!2d18.407067!3s0x313ad40a3d3d9995:0x4bb6543272bb8bce!3m4!1m2!1d103.6414919!2d18.3932324!3s0x313ad6a617ad299d:0x660fc7a84ef25bd4!1m5!1m1!1s0x0:0x79bc394b53e21c73!2m2!1d103.194269!2d19.446431!1m0!1m15!3m4!1m2!1d101.0673952!2d19.8490307!3s0x3128492ce2b7822d:0x4f2caa5f05b28937!3m4!1m2!1d100.8197275!2d19.1323165!3s0x3127e4beff05bb95:0x36a28691eb1ec753!3m4!1m2!1d100.0769056!2d20.2816446!3s0x30d65b2bbd4d837b:0xcc19ccec9311859f!1m0!3e0?hl=en

[paz]

My current passport history is probably not the very best, but I'm pretty sure there are much worse out there.

What do you mean with that, that is the proof that you chosen Thailand many times to spend your money, and probably motivated other people like you to do the same. Don't worry, under the nonsense facade the officers know that well and treat you accordingly. Although sometime is worth to remind which direction the money flows.

A passport full of Thai stamp should make one being admired when showing it to any Thai person.

Edited February 26, 2015 by paz

[wernerkl]

What do you mean with that, that is the proof that you chosen Thailand many times to spend your money, and probably motivated other people like you to do the same. Don't worry, under the nonsense facade the officers know that well and treat you accordingly. Although sometime is worth to remind which direction the money flows.

A passport full of Thai stamp should make one being admired when showing it to any Thai person.

Thanks for this reminder. I am sometimes made to forget this aspect. I will give myself some attitude adjustment. For a change I am not being sarcastic!

[thefactoryoutlet]

"Nan province. No Mekhong there, no need to cross a bridge"

So how do you cross ???

And where exactly ?

[jethro69]

"Nan province. No Mekhong there, no need to cross a bridge"

So how do you cross ???

And where exactly ?

There is a Google map link below the post, but anyway.

Thai side is called Huai Kon

Lao side is called Muang Ngeum.

If you keep left direction Hongsa, you go for a while before you get to the Mekhong, and I did nowhere in Lao paid a toll for crossing a bridge. Only exception is near Pakbeng, where I took a ferry, as the bridge is not finished yet. That was 30K Kip, ~100-110 bath, and I guess that is not the local price. Scooters may be a bit cheaper.

[deonvz]

Did the trip a few years ago on a 110cc scooter from Thali (Thailand) and and travelled on road number 4. Between Xayabouri and Luang Praban the road was really terrible and still had to cross the river by ferry but did notice that they were building a bridge further down the river so was just wondering if the road has improved and if the bridge has been completed?

[mango66]

Hi !

Where you get your triple entry visa in your home country ?

My Thai in Austria want see for a triple , 3 plain tickets, 3 entries denied !

only single entry;

On my comment I would travell individual to Laos, Combodia,

she told, than you can get the next visa there !

Sorry Miss ... I want more to explain - ask ??????

just: next one please !

Very friendly Thai style, isn't it ??

[jethro69]

Did the trip a few years ago on a 110cc scooter from Thali (Thailand) and and travelled on road number 4. Between Xayabouri and Luang Praban the road was really terrible and still had to cross the river by ferry but did notice that they were building a bridge further down the river so was just wondering if the road has improved and if the bridge has been completed?

Well, when first entering Laos, I thought too what terrible roads, after 10 days on the roads, I would say the road is quite ok. As almost everywhere you have to circle the potholes and they might be sometimes giant.

There is a "new" road half way between LP and Xayabouri, (bridge finished btw), which leads over the mountains direction Vang Vieng.

Really good roads I found around PakBeng > Thai border 2W, even the whole distance from Oudomxai > Pakbeng was not too bad.

Good stretch of road I found from Pak Mong > Oudomxai, but it lasted only for 11Km, 2 landslides in between. The remaining 80Km were the worst of the trip, giant potholes, no tarmac seen for 80Km. And plenty of stupid Chinese who took PakMong for Paris and Oudomxai for Dakar Chasing the 100.000 $ around like Carlos Sainz, no respect for themselves, other living creatures or the material. Well a few parts could be found along the road, gave me always a big grin

That night I took shower in full gear, to get the dust off.

Another really rough piece of track was from Thatom > Muang Khoun

So those two are really to avoid next time. A worn out rear suspension plus a pillion rider didn't make it better .

[jethro69]

Hi !

Where you get your triple entry visa in your home country ?

My Thai in Austria want see for a triple , 3 plain tickets, 3 entries denied !

only single entry;

On my comment I would travell individual to Laos, Combodia,

she told, than you can get the next visa there !

Sorry Miss ... I want more to explain - ask ??????

just: next one please !

Very friendly Thai style, isn't it ??

ASFAIK, the Belgium embassy handles the visa. However, I drop my papers in Luxembourg city, there is an office which handles consular affairs. I guess they do more collecting papers than anything else. IMHO, there is one consul who switches around different places from time to time. As the secretary always ask, when I want to go, and then tell me when to come as the consul will not be there for a week or two. So far no issues, I booked only one ticket. With Thai, cancellation fee is 2000 bath. Others I checked are like 180 EU.

No idea if the really check it, otherwise it would be enough to just change the date on an old flight confirmation. But that's a bit too risky for me, as they can check it easy online with the reservation Nr. and last name.

[deonvz]

Did the trip a few years ago on a 110cc scooter from Thali (Thailand) and and travelled on road number 4. Between Xayabouri and Luang Praban the road was really terrible and still had to cross the river by ferry but did notice that they were building a bridge further down the river so was just wondering if the road has improved and if the bridge has been completed?

Well, when first entering Laos, I thought too what terrible roads, after 10 days on the roads, I would say the road is quite ok. As almost everywhere you have to circle the potholes and they might be sometimes giant.

There is a "new" road half way between LP and Xayabouri, (bridge finished btw), which leads over the mountains direction Vang Vieng.

Really good roads I found around PakBeng > Thai border 2W, even the whole distance from Oudomxai > Pakbeng was not too bad.

Good stretch of road I found from Pak Mong > Oudomxai, but it lasted only for 11Km, 2 landslides in between. The remaining 80Km were the worst of the trip, giant potholes, no tarmac seen for 80Km. And plenty of stupid Chinese who took PakMong for Paris and Oudomxai for Dakar Chasing the 100.000 $ around like Carlos Sainz, no respect for themselves, other living creatures or the material. Well a few parts could be found along the road, gave me always a big grin

That night I took shower in full gear, to get the dust off.

Another really rough piece of track was from Thatom > Muang Khoun

So those two are really to avoid next time. A worn out rear suspension plus a pillion rider didn't make it better .

Thanks for that and I thought the roads were mostly terrible but found road 4 one of the worst. Going over the mountain from Vang Vieng to Laung Praban the road was not all that bad but other drivers on the road made for some exiting riding when you come around a bend and find a bus cutting the corner on your side of the road but in the end I was glad that I did not have to claim on my travel insurance and enjoyed staying in the remote villages on the way.

[ALFREDO]

Hi !

Where you get your triple entry visa in your home country ?

My Thai in Austria want see for a triple , 3 plain tickets, 3 entries denied !

only single entry;

On my comment I would travell individual to Laos, Combodia,

she told, than you can get the next visa there !

Sorry Miss ... I want more to explain - ask ??????

just: next one please !

Very friendly Thai style, isn't it ??

Here some information my fellow countryman.

The Embassies-Consular sections, seem always be more Papal than the Pope.

My German neighbor in Isaan, by the way, I am Austrian to, used always the Munich or Salzburg Thai Consulate and got there for years a Non Immigrant O without qualification!

Maybe give it a try, they even write on their new Information page, up to 3 Tourist visa entries, and they write, Visa same day possible.

I will also think going there and try to get a Non Immigrant O Multiple entry, for reason-having Thai children, which they offer to give with a presented birth certificate of child and my name as father.

http://www.thaiconsulate-salzburg.at/

http://www.thaiconsulate-salzburg.at/visabestimmungen.pdf

http://www.thaikonsulatmuenchen.de/html/visa___gebuhren.html