Border run to Chiang Khong first time, does this make sense?

[GoGet]

Hi there,

I live in Hua Hin. I have a new passport without a lot of stamps, just one transferred ED visa and one visa from Vientiane for a 6 month Tourist Visa.

Normally I extend the visa with another 30 days after two months but this time I'm thinking well, that costs 1900 THB for just one month, perhaps I should skip that part and do the border crossing directly after two months instead this time.

As I live in Hua Hin, normally I have been crossing the border at Ranong to activate the second visa.

However, I quite like it, relatively speaking, to visit the North so I was thinking maybe I should try the Chiang Khong border crossing this time.

The idea is to take the bus to Bangkok and then a bus to Chiang Khong and then cross the border there. Looks like it should be about 3000 THB (180 THB Hua Hin to Bangkok, 700 THB or so Bangkok to Chiang Khong), 1000 to pay the Laos Visa and then about 1000 to go back again.

Does this sound like a viable idea?

Actually I'm looking for feedback on both ideas.

a) Does it make sense from an economical perspective to skip the 1900 THB 30 day extension of the Tourist Visa

and b ) Is it reasonable to make a border run from Hua Hin to Chiang Khong in the way I envisioned it above?

Any other feedback would also be welcome.

Thanks

BP

Edited October 6, 2015 by GoGet

[ubonjoe]

I think you are bit low on the cost of the Lao visa. Check the cost for your nationality here. http://www.laos-guide-999.com/visa-on-arrival.html

It seems a bit more than getting the extension.

You can also do a crossing to Myanmar at the Ban Pu Nam Ron crossing in Kanchanaburi,

[glenmohr]

Although the Chiang Khong / Huay Xai crossing is very user friendly they normally only give 14 days re entering Thailand if it is a tourist visa being refreshed.

[GoGet]

Although the Chiang Khong / Huay Xai crossing is very user friendly they normally only give 14 days re entering Thailand if it is a tourist visa being refreshed.

What? That does not make any sense at all. You mean they would take my double entry tourist visa and turn it into a 14 day stay somehow?

Honestly, are you sure about this? Perhaps some senior member can confirm or decline.

[oncearugge]

Although the Chiang Khong / Huay Xai crossing is very user friendly they normally only give 14 days re entering Thailand if it is a tourist visa being refreshed.

What? That does not make any sense at all. You mean they would take my double entry tourist visa and turn it into a 14 day stay somehow?

Honestly, are you sure about this? Perhaps some senior member can confirm or decline.

It is nonsense.

If you have a valid visa it will be honored.

However, for those seeking a visa exempt entry 30 days are available to those from G7 countries and 15 days for others.

[swampdonkey]

Although the Chiang Khong / Huay Xai crossing is very user friendly they normally only give 14 days re entering Thailand if it is a tourist visa being refreshed.

That is not true

A tourist visa will get 60 days

If you are getting mixed up with a visa exempt entry it will depend on the nationality of the passport holder

[RubbaJohnny]

You may be unaware of some travel options

Kan air who fly Hua Hin to C mai also do C Mai to C Rai, at a price for those who value time over cash and a unique view of the North,From C Rai its 2500+ by cab or 72 baht bus

On a budget one ticket will get you a Nok Air Don Muang fly drive to C Kong from min 599 in advance inc 15kg bags up to about 2k max.,with a shared van from 250 from Hua Hin only 1-2k each way economy.

Despite any rumours of trains the route and track not beyond Den Chai yet.For those who haven;t visited this boom area in last decade many new rds dual carriageway most way to Kuntan/Thoeng area

If you consider VIP buses 11-14 hrs from Morchit Sombat Tour VIP etc are best around 800

There is also a bus "claiming to run C Mai L Prabang" but it switches to old banger on Lao side RHD

There are over 100 lodging options neerby from 80-8000 bahts.

pm me if you want recomendations to match your budget

The Bridge is some 5 miles from town or the Casino or Huay Zai airport which currently has flights for $40 to Vientiane on Lao Skyways promotion

Bon Voyage if travelling after November remember its cool at night for nongs but still mid 20s in day

Edited October 6, 2015 by RubbaJohnny

[Suradit69]

Although the Chiang Khong / Huay Xai crossing is very user friendly they normally only give 14 days re entering Thailand if it is a tourist visa being refreshed.

You're talking about a visa exempt entry, which is not a tourist visa. If you're not from a G7 country and if you DO NOT HAVE a visa, when you enter at a land border, you get 15 days (14 days in addition to the day you enter) and you could get an additional 30 days by going to an immigrations office to apply for an extension of stay.

A tourist visa entry allows 60 days plus you can extend for an additional 30 days.

Just make sure you make the second entry on the tourist visa before it expires. If it has expired they'd only give you the visa exempt entry.

Edited October 7, 2015 by Suradit69

[Mangkhut]

Cant belive that travelling the way TS describes will have any economically benefits. If he on the other hand likes to take bus journeys that lasts up to almost 24 hours each way he might have some pleasures doing this. And if he do this to activate his second entry he loses the 30 days of visa extension one can get on every entry. Cant belive that it could be called a benefit or anything like it.

Extend your visa at the nearest place it can be done and if you like a trip up north and maybe into Laos - do it when your visa extension expires and you need to activate the second entry. And as pointed out above - dont wait until your second entry expires...