Best Place For A Regional Tourist Visa Run (not Entry Stamp!)

[kruudontrii]

Hello all.

Tomorrow evening (after 3, precisely) I've gotta go somewhere, somehow, to get a 60-day tourist visa. It's short notice. I mustn't get an ordinary entry-stamp, as this tourist visa will later be converted to a Non-Imm B by my employer. I'd like suggestions for which country to go to.

Mind you I'm on a moderate budget. Flights are almost certainly out of the question, as any flight for tomorrow night will be steep in lieu of the short notice.

It basically comes down to Cambodia or Laos, by bus or train. I've heard the consulate at Phnom Penh can be iffy, but I've only heard that in relation to B visas, not tourist visas.

I've been to Laos before, but the overnight train arrives at Nong Khai at 8.30 (IF it's on time), and that'll leave me scrambling to get to the consulate before noon (I think?).

So... what should I do?

Any and all suggestions welcome!

Edited October 24, 2006 by kruudontrii

[lopburi3]

There is also the option of bus service to Udorn/Nong Khai. I would use Vientiane myself as they seem to provide a single entry visa for everyone (even if stamped not to come again). PP has been even less accommodating to some recent travelers. But if your passport is relatively clean of Thai stamps you may be able to obtain at either place.

[calibanjr.]

I think you can still get to Penang on AirAsia for 3300 THB R/T, not sure. The train to Nong Khai, then the bridge visa, mini van to the consulate in Vientiane is usually OK, but it can be close. Worst case scenario is you have to stay two nights in Vientiane, not really that bad.

[kruudontrii]

I think you can still get to Penang on AirAsia for 3300 THB R/T, not sure. The train to Nong Khai, then the bridge visa, mini van to the consulate in Vientiane is usually OK, but it can be close. Worst case scenario is you have to stay two nights in Vientiane, not really that bad.

I'd agree with you, but as I'd be getting there on Thursday morning, if I missed the small window of time, then I'd have to wait until Monday for pick-up.

And oh yeah my employer might be a little

Thanks for the advice so far.

My passport is riddled with Non-Imm B's. I wonder if they'll mind with lots of them as opposed to entry stamps.

I guess the bus would be the best choice... arriving at 6.30 and 7 am, I'd get there with plenty of time to spare, and could always take a train back.

Edited October 24, 2006 by kruudontrii

[lung]

nighttrain to vientiane.

in laos you will get your visa friday,when you got a taxi from the border to consul.

(it was cheap) and friday noon back train.

penang is the time to short i think...

forget pnom penh... (about visa)

[rak sa_ngop]

nighttrain to vientiane.

in laos you will get your visa friday,when you got a taxi from the border to consul.

(it was cheap) and friday noon back train.

The night train often arrives one hour late in Nong Khai, about 9.30 am, but even so if you should still be able to get to the consulate (not the embassy) well before 12.00 noon (closing time). Bear in mind that you have to make a photocopy of your passport and entry stamps so you will also neeed about 10 mins to rush to a nearby photocopy shop. However if there are big queues at Laos immigration you may be cutting it too fine.

An alternative is to catch the earlier afternoon Nong Khai train (not sure of the time) but this arrives in Nong Khai about 3.00 or 4.00 am. I have never tried this myself but one downside is that there are no sleepers, only seats.