Hi all,

So I've booked flights/hotels for my 1st visa run (SETV) in Savannakhet.

A few questions for anyone with recent experience:

Does the Thai consulate require any financial proof?

When coming back into Thailand does immigration need to see an outbound flight within 60 days?

Apart from the application form, copies of passport, photographs, is there anything else I need to take, or any other good advice?

I've booked a flight landing in Ubon around lunchtime - From what I understand I then need to go to Ubon bus terminal to get to Mukdahan, and then catch the savannakhet bus - is this the best way, or is there any direct option from Ubon?

TIA

No

No

No

No

Since you already have a flight to Ubon, there is no point suggesting other options (such as fly-ride tickets to Mukdahan, dropping you at the friendship bridge). Going to the bus station may be best. The Ploy Palace Hotel in Mukdahan offers a transfer service from Ubon airport which you might investigate. The details seem to vary over time. [TEL no. for booking: 042-630-562, 042-631-123 (office hour to book): 08:00-17:00]

Savannakhet as all Thai Consulates are clamping down on visas and as such I would recommend you have everything in order and not just arrive with hearsay documents.

Tourists arriving in Thailand must ensure they have the correct Visa for which their intended purpose of stay is.

If you do not possess the correct Visa within your passport or documentation when making an application you may be refused.

Savannakhet as all Thai Consulates are clamping down on visas and as such I would recommend you have everything in order and not just arrive with hearsay documents.

Tourists arriving in Thailand must ensure they have the correct Visa for which their intended purpose of stay is.

If you do not possess the correct Visa within your passport or documentation when making an application you may be refused.

This is true, so looking at the Savannakhet thai visa application form, it doesn't mention onward travel, nor financial proof.

I'll take my updated bank book, and a fistful of baht just incase, but the flight booking i could do without if recent experiences haven't required it.

Savannakhet as all Thai Consulates are clamping down on visas and as such I would recommend you have everything in order and not just arrive with hearsay documents.

Tourists arriving in Thailand must ensure they have the correct Visa for which their intended purpose of stay is.

If you do not possess the correct Visa within your passport or documentation when making an application you may be refused.

This is true, so looking at the Savannakhet thai visa application form, it doesn't mention onward travel, nor financial proof.

I'll take my updated bank book, and a fistful of baht just incase, but the flight booking i could do without if recent experiences haven't required it.

Ubonjoe is #1 and the best on this and I am sure he will comment shortly if not tomorrow morning and advise you accordingly

no direct option ... get the bus from Udon ... or minivan I believe to Mukdahan then the Savannakhet bus at the Mukdahan terminal. Stay on the Mekong at the cheap hotel and enjoy some cooked bbq fish or whatever over looking the river.

No financial proof or tickets needed at the consulate. Same at the border crossing.

You will need to get a taxi at the airport and then go to the bus station. There are vans and buses going to Mukdahan on regular basis.

The bus to Savannakhet leaves Mukdahan about every hour.

You should have enough time to get to the bridge before 6 pm. The Lao visa on arrival office closes a at 6 pm unless they are busy. If they are closed Thai immigration will not stamp you out of the country.

I am considering the Savannakhet option as well. Will they issue me a second SETV without problems if my first one just ran out (already extended)? Thanks for sharing your experience!

YES. you can take SETV without problems in Savannakhet

Could anyone comment as to if they have a dress code at the Royal Thai embassy in Savannakhet.

 

Kurt

It is the Royal Thai Consulate (RTC). The Embassy is in the Laos capital, Vientiane. One does not actually enter the building at RTC, Savannakhet. Once inside the gates, everything is done at an outside window. At present it is quite relaxed. There is no dress code as such, but remember you are on the premises of the Immigration Section of the Royal Thai Government. Best to dress respectfully - smart appearance and a cool, friendly attitude are appreciated. Some people might dress roughly and talk loudly. Bad idea. The immigration officer has a tedious life. Don't create problems. Your question shows you'll be fine.

1 hour ago, kbelyeu said:

Could anyone comment as to if they have a dress code at the Royal Thai embassy in Savannakhet.

 

Kurt

 

All they want is your money, plenty of scruffy people were there with me in June.

Best to stay overnight in Mukdahan if you get to the area in the afternoon, much more to do there in an evening, Suvannakhet is dead as a dodo.

 

If you miss the last bus to Mukdahan (around 5pm) there is a much later bus (around 7:30pm & 80bht) to Sakon Nakhon, where you can stay overnight (400bht) then a 6am (80bht) mini bus to Mukdahan in the morning, they will let you off at the bridge if you ask nicely around 8am.

Edited August 5, 20169 yr by MissAndry

On 1/22/2016 at 7:41 PM, steven100 said:

Savannakhet as all Thai Consulates are clamping down on visas and as such I would recommend you have everything in order and not just arrive with hearsay documents. 

 

Tourists arriving in Thailand must ensure they have the correct Visa for which their intended purpose of stay is.

If you do not possess the correct Visa within your passport or documentation when making an application you may be refused.

 

He is applying for a tourist visa for the purposes of tourism, why is he likely to be refused? Bearing in mind it's his first one

 

As for clamping down on visas no they are not, it is still possible to get 3 TV's at that Consulate

 

What are heresay documents by the way? All you need to apply for a TV is cash, photos and application form, what is heresay about that?

 

Your post is nothing more than scaremongering

 

 

I can confirm flip flops and shorts are no problems.. 

is there an agency doing this run or DIY all the way?

3 minutes ago, edgarfriendly said:

is there an agency doing this run or DIY all the way?

I am not aware of any companies doing a visa run to Savannakhet.

On 1/23/2016 at 8:14 AM, ubonjoe said:

The bus to Savannakhet leaves Mukdahan about every hour.

The minivan service that runs is called Sahamit. You can buy tickets at the bus station. Current schedule (as of 03/April) from Ubon bus station to Mukdahan bus station is:

 

06:00

07:10

08:30

09:30

10:45

11:45

12:30

13:30

14:30

16:00

17:30

On 1/23/2016 at 8:14 AM, ubonjoe said:

You should have enough time to get to the bridge before 6 pm. The Lao visa on arrival office closes a at 6 pm unless they are busy. If they are closed Thai immigration will not stamp you out of the country.

On Sunday 02-April, I arrived at the Thai side of the bridge to Savannakhet about 8:20pm. There was about a dozen cars, and a line of around 20 people at the single immigration kiosk, with two Thai immigration officers. Their main concern was how I got there (no buses across the bridge at night). I said "don't worry, I will find a way". I just had to wait and hitch a ride with Savan Vegas minibus, 50 THB. I reached the Lao immigration side and there was no problem (just took a little time) to get the visa form. They had to open up the office where the visas are, but again, no trouble, no immigration officer complained. They had a constant press of Lao people coming back to Laos. This was Sunday night so not sure if this is an everyday occurrance, but my guess is yes. I received my Lao visa at about 9:20pm. There were no tuk-tuk/taxi/skylabs waiting, so I had to call my hotel and ask them to roust someone to come get me. I paid a bit of a premiun for that ($200 THB) but was at the hotel by 10pm.