Visa Run from Khon Kaen to Lao

[Dr Mick 111]

As I am on a O none immingration 12 month visa i need to do a visa run every ninety days.

 

As this was the first time i had done this before I thought I would post to help others,

I must admit this being the first time for me and my TG we found very confusing.

 

As I live in Khon Kaen the best place for me to do a visa run was Lao,as this is only about

3 hours from Khon Kaen.

 

I did prepare a little as I obtained my Lao visa at the Lao consulate in Khon Kaen,this cost

me 1400 bhts with a waite for visa for 15 minutes ,I could have paid 1200bhts but visa would not be

ready until 24 hours later.

 

Took train from Khon Kaen to Nong Kai at the cost of 35bhts single ticket for me and my lady ticket was free

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa,dual costing system for falangs again

Trip takes about 3 hours ,but be prepaid that trains might be running 1 hour late at times

 

It costs 50 bhts from Nong Kai train station to the friendship bridge ,this being the border crossing.

 

As my lady does not have a passport only a ID card I found out that she needed some paper work at the

Thai border .

This was obtained at a cost of 130 bhts and a 20 minute waite .

This was new to me as i always thought a thai could pass into Lao for a 1 day pass only by showing

her id card

 

Then after passing through thia immingration we needed to buy tickets for the bus to take us over

the friendship bridge to the Lao border ,5 minute trip and cost of 20bhts each.

What is strange coming back accross bridge cost is only 15bhts each ,must be shorter route

 

When passing into Lao was hit with anther large cost for entry costs ,75bhts

25 bhts for my thai lady and 50bhts for me ,aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa that dual costing system again.

 

Did reclaim some of my costs back by buying Benson Hedges cigs ,400 for 1000bhts would have cost

me 1700 bhts in thai land.

Also 2 bottles of nice wine and 2 bottles of vodka.

Take note this is the allowance is for 2 people and not one person ,if caught wth more than allowed

you pay high tax duty and would then become a very expensive visa crossing.

 

This was my experiance of my very first visa run ,I have learned a lot from this and next

time I should know what to expect ,but who knows rules are always changing

 

In summary ,was not to bad and if fact had a wonderful time with my lady as we made a holiday

of this by spending 2 nights in Nong Kai and stopping in Undon Thani for 2 nights

 

I am amazed at the low cost of the train travel,if you do not mind the trains running late at times ,try it.

Its not 1st class travel but 3rd Class travel ,it does have air as long as you seat at a seat and

the windows open

[vidman 2]

I once took the girlfriend's whole family (distant cousins and all) over to Lao (friendship bridge and onto vietianne for day trip).

 

On the way back over the bridge i hadnt noticed they had bought a shit load of Lao whisky. Well the thai border customs stopped them (as they had went ahead somewhat). The joke was on me when i followed a few minutes later and the family were pointing to me saying whisky for him.

 

Confused i said nothing. Just a sort of shoulder shrug. With that the customs guy comes to me and the girlfriend and says "if you love thailand and thai people you will buy Thai whisky next time". He then waved us all on with a smile.....and let us keep the crates of whisky (yes crates).

 

The family are Nong Khai locals so maybe they knew him....i dunno!!!

[turboman 0]

Mick,

the next time you go there is a baguette sandwich seller just outside the duty free, they are delicious, can't remember price but not expensive

[Dr Mick 111]

Mick,

the next time you go there is a baguette sandwich seller just outside the duty free, they are delicious, can't remember price but not expensive

 

I know as i tried very good ,think more street sellers in Pattaya would do this ,sure be good business

[jm49er1 0]

what is the limit for bringing back booze from laos? i thought it was one liter per person. Does this differ for my thai wife? any store recommondations for bargains in Vientaine?

[jacko 8,866]

what is the limit for bringing back booze from laos? i thought it was one liter per person. Does this differ for my thai wife? any store recommondations for bargains in Vientaine?

The same as bringing it in at the airport, correctly as you say 1 litre. Edited December 10, 2008 by jacko