New to the board. I want to go check out the Kings Romans Casino in the Special Economic Zone in the Golden Triangle near Huay Xai on the Thai side

and was wondering if the visa fee is still $35.00 for 30 days. We would only be staying for one day and an overnight hotel stay. If you go about once every month

this would be very costly and wipe out my passport pages. My wife is Thai so okay for her. Is there some exemption if you are just headed for the casino?

Dennis.

To enter Laos a visa is required the cost of which depends on your nationality.

NO exemptions that I am aware of.

Sorry I am an American.

Question: can non-Thai and non-Lao cross at Chiang Saen? Obviously that crossing is only for ferry passengers and there seems to be a lot of confusion as to whether it's an international crossing or a locals crossing.

I have read reports about Chinese people crossing there so if they can cross obviously it must be an international crossing and open to all.

Please advise.

You can go without a visa as an American. They hold your passport and give you a border pass. Think cost like 500 baht last time we stayed a couple of nights.

Moving this topic to the forum for visas to other countries.

You can go without a visa as an American. They hold your passport and give you a border pass. Think cost like 500 baht last time we stayed a couple of nights.

That's correct, but not sure if this does include an overnight. Best is to check with the ferry people next to the immigration, and make sure to check with the immigration as well, as they'll keep your passport on the Thai side.