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Are same-day border exits from Laos at Savannakhet allowed, and how long do you need to stay in Laos before reentering Thailand?
Visa RulesThailand ImmigrationLaos Border CrossingSavannakhetMukdahanVisa ExemptionsTravel Requirements
Aug 30, 2024
2 years ago
Galen ******
ORIGINAL POSTERIs 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.
TLDR : 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.
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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 ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Min *********
MukdahanReply to
Galen ******
Reply
Tobben ********
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.Reply to
John ********
Reply
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.
Stephen *********
@Terje ********
not true. The visa is different price for different nationalities though.Terje *********
@Stephen ********
I only know what the imitation in Laos told me, and I pay nothing.I'm from Norway btw.
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 ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Terje ********
I wonder if that is for all countries.Reply to
Galen ******
Reply
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.Reply to
Tobben ********
Reply
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 ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@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.Reply to
Galen ******
Reply
Neil ********
2 days. Get a room
Steve *******
@Neil *******
Not at the Mukdahan/Savannakhet crossingAlan **********
@Neil *******
great place for 2 nights 🌙Reply to
Alan **********
Reply
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 ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@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.Andy ************
@Brandon ***********
God? Or Buddha?Nongnuch ********
@Andy ***********
probably from Big Joke ? 😂Andy ************
@Nongnuch *******
Actually isn't Big Joke on the sidelines now? Maybe there's a Little Joke ready to assume the mantle 😆Nongnuch ********
@Andy ***********
correct, he has been kicked from the control room recentlyReply to
Nongnuch ********
Reply
Andy ************
@Galen *****
He was leaving on exempt and re-entering on exemptReply to
Andy ************
Reply
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 ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Daniel ***********
ThanksReply to
Galen ******
Reply
Brandon ************
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 ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@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 nowReply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Brandon ************
@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 ***********
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.Brandon ************
@Robert *****
So every border with Laos decided to do it at the same time... okayRobert ******
@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 youReply to
Robert ******
Reply
Galen ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@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.Reply to
Galen ******
Reply
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