Answered2 years ago
Are same-day border exits from Laos at Savannakhet allowed, and how long do you need to stay in Laos before reentering Thailand?
Is it confirmed now that when entering Laos at the Savannakhet checkpoint, leaving Laos the same day at Savannakhet checkpoint is no longer allowed by Laos Immigration? If same day border bounces are no longer allowed, does anyone know how many days must be spent in Loas before being allowed to exit Laos and reenter Thailand at the Mukdahan checkpoint. Just need to know if I need to book a room in Savannakhet.
Answer summary
Recent discussions indicate that same-day border crossings between Laos and Thailand at the Savannakhet checkpoint may no longer be allowed. New Thai immigration requirements reportedly state that travelers must stay in Laos for at least two days before re-entering Thailand at Mukdahan. There are conflicting views about whether this is a Lao requirement or primarily a Thai policy. Travelers are advised to check with local immigration offices for the most accurate and current information.
47 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Grant *******
I believe that it's 2 days now
Min **********
Please which thai boarder is near to savannaket. I have always know that of Vientiane as a point of entry
Galen ******
OP@Min *********
MukdahanTobben ********
Laos is a nice country and Vientiane is a nice City,so why not ? Air Asia to Udon Thani and a taxi 25 minutts to the Laos Border where you pay entrancefee( visa on arrival). Then 20 min taxi to Vientiane where you already have booked rom at Trivago.com .Tasty and cheap food,nice Girls and many dancehalls to visit,,,just like in Thailand.. one week there wont hurt anyone !
Tobben ********
I have lived there all in all 6 years and not only in the North!
John ********
@Tobben *******
Nice girls. You make it sound like it's a big brothel. Maybe that is the main attraction for some Farangs.Tobben ********
@John *******
Have you been in Pattaya ? It is a big Brothel !John ********
@Tobben *******
Yes, unfortunately, I was hoteled there by my company before going offshore, but fortunately the hotel was in North Pattaya, Soi 2.Nongnuch ********
@Tobben *******
there is no "entrance fee" for Laos. You need to buy a Laos "visa-on-arrival" for 2000.- THB. i find it weird that you call a visa an "entrance fee". Is me buying a beer in a girlie bar an entrance fee for the bar?
Angelo ***********
Laos is now 14 days visa exempt (for most nationalities). So, no visa on arrival and no "entrance fee".
Terje *********
@Nongnuch *******
if you not going to stay more than 14 days in Laos you pay nothing.At leat that what they told me at the border at Mukdahan for a few weeks ago.
Terje *********
@Stephen ********
I only know what the imitation in Laos told me, and I pay nothing.I'm from Norway btw.
Stephen *********
@Terje ********
not true. The visa is different price for different nationalities though.Nongnuch ********
@Terje ********
okay, but this is only good for a handful few countries since recentlyTobben ********
@Terje ********
Not my experience after many trips to Laos from Udon Thani ! I always had to pay visafee even I never stayed more than a week at the time,but it costed nothing to enter back to Thailand again !Galen ******
OP@Terje ********
I wonder if that is for all countries.Tobben ********
@Nongnuch *******
You can try to enter Laos if you dont pay ! "Entrancefee" is only a Word i use to tell people that it cost money to enter Laos ! I have been in Laos many times and also find out that you dont pay the same amounth if you use usd.Nongnuch ********
there have been reports that the Thai side Immigration now requires a two-night stay in Laos from visa-exempt border bouncers. So it seems a Thai requirement, not something Laos came up with. Lord knows what the Thai side expects to earn from such a rule. One of the many "OMG!" moments in this amazing place
Galen ******
OP@Nongnuch *******
I was guessing it is meant for the exempt crowd. Seems like maybe Thai helping Lao recover lost revenue from fewer required consulate visits. Maybe ok.
Neil ********
2 days. Get a room
Steve *******
@Neil *******
Not at the Mukdahan/Savannakhet crossing
Alan **********
@Neil *******
great place for 2 nights 🌙
Jay *****
Best answer to this question. Go to thai immigration and get the answers.
Jeffrey ************
I don't think it's a Lao problem... it's Thai
David *******
2 night they said
Andy ************
A friend went to Mukdahan/Savannaket last week. Had to spend two days in Savannaket. New Thai immigration requirement
Galen ******
OP@Andy ***********
Thanks for that. So this is a Thai requirement, not Laos. Would be interesting to know if it is actually something in writing or possibly a bad day for an officer. Also do you know what visa your friend was on. Was it visa exempt or did they have some type of multiple entry visa in their passport. Thanks!
Brandon ************
@Galen *****
the immigration officers at Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong said it was an order from above.Nongnuch ********
@Andy ***********
correct, he has been kicked from the control room recentlyAndy ************
@Nongnuch *******
Actually isn't Big Joke on the sidelines now? Maybe there's a Little Joke ready to assume the mantle 😆Nongnuch ********
@Andy ***********
probably from Big Joke ? 😂Andy ************
@Brandon ***********
God? Or Buddha?Andy ************
@Galen *****
He was leaving on exempt and re-entering on exempt
Daniel ************
Laos / Thai - there is no such requirement
Nongnuch ********
@Daniel ***********
there are reports that the Thai side Immigration now requires a two-night stay in Laos from visa-exempt border bouncersAndy ************
@Daniel ***********
Changed about two weeks agoGalen ******
OP@Daniel ***********
ThanksBrandon ************
I haven't seen anyone mention anything about borders except for Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong.
Robert ******
Probably a scam to get people to spend money on hotel rooms they don't need.
Galen ******
OP@Robert *****
I'm thinking maybe people traveling on exemption. People on a regular multiple entry visa possibly may not be effected. Hopefully as more people do border runs, there will be more input to this topic. My last border run to Savannakhet, there seemed to be far fewer foreigners traveling. Most likely not as many people need to visit the Consulate now with the change in visa exempt rules. I'm sure a loss in revenue for businesses in Suvannakhet.Brandon ************
@Galen *****
I think it has more to do with the consulates being appointment only nowBrandon ************
@Robert *****
why would Thai immigration officers require people to stay in Laos as part of a scam? That wouldn't benefit them at all. It's a completely different country.
Steven ***************
@Brandon ***********
. Would be interesting for those who choose to fly back to Thailand instead of a land border. Are they going to get the same response? I can't see how Laos can stop you from leaving without a legal reason (eg a wanted fugitive )but Any country can stop you from entering for any reason they see fit. My opinion is it's a Thai influenced decision in that respect that also benefits Laos 2nd hand.
Wether this affects actual visa holders is another interesting question.
Robert ******
@Brandon ***********
it's a scam of some sort, that was just my idea of what it could be. If you think immigration at borders don't scam, up to youBrandon ************
@Robert *****
So every border with Laos decided to do it at the same time... okayRobert ******
@Brandon ***********
land borders are full of scams, thai side says have to stay two days, laos side collects the hotel money then they split the rewards.Galen ******
OP@Brandon ***********
I thought I saw something a couple weeks back. However when I search the posts now, I can't find them. Perhaps fake news.Activity
20 joined20
people
Related
25Is the entry visa duration in Thailand still 60 days or has it changed to 30 days?
23.4k1374326mo
How many times can I leave and reenter Thailand on an entry visa in a year?
8k611016mo
Do I need a visa to travel to Bangkok for 4 days from Vietnam with a USA Passport?
6.5k51796mo
What are the current visa entry limits and extension options for French citizens in Thailand?
14.3k922378mo
Can I use a Wise account to show proof of funds when entering Thailand on a visa-on-arrival?
11.8k881529mo
Is it necessary to prove accommodation for my entire stay in Thailand if I only plan to book my first few nights?
3.7k202010mo
Will traveling to Japan during my stay in Thailand on a visa waiver affect my re-entry?
6342610mo
What should travelers with a one-way ticket to Thailand know about immigration checks?
1.7k3261y
What are the new visa exemption restrictions for entering Thailand?
3.7k25351y
How long do you need to leave Thailand before re-entering for another 60 days with a passport?
3.6k11151y
Do I need to show my departure ticket when entering Thailand visa-free with AirAsia?
1.3k561y
Is the 60-day visa on arrival still valid for travelers to Thailand?
2.4k15281y
Do I need to book a return trip to re-enter Thailand after staying in Laos?
1.4k4202y
Is it true that I can get a 60-day visa exemption on arrival in Thailand, and how do I extend it for an additional 30 days?
2.8k23202y
Do DTV visa holders need the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in Thailand?
5.3k44192y
What are the best places to exit Thailand for a new 60-day tourist visa?
1.9k13143y
Can you enter Thailand as a tourist immediately after your education visa expires?
1.5k10124y
Do you need a return ticket to enter Thailand or can you show onward travel instead?
3.7k32284y
What are the current visa rules for entering Thailand through land borders with Laos?
6.2k251254y
Can I Obtain Two Visa Exempt Entries by Land Border in Thailand for 2020?
578147y
What are the options for border runs from Mukdahan/Savannakhet for Non-O marriage visa holders?
2968y
What are the steps and time involved for a border run from Mukdahan to Savannakhet?
3908y
What are the current visa rules for entering Thailand by land from Malaysia?
982638y
What is the official limit on visa exemptions for entry into Thailand per year?
2.2k16148y
Can I extend my stay in Thailand by crossing into Laos and returning on a tourist visa?
973579y
Resources
Need help with your Thai visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served