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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
3 months ago
Galen ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
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.
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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.
Grant *******
I believe that it's 2 days now
3 months ago
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Min **********
Please which thai boarder is near to savannaket. I have always know that of Vientiane as a point of entry
3 months ago
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Galen ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Min *********
 Mukdahan
3 months ago
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Galen ******
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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 !
3 months ago
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Tobben ********
I have lived there all in all 6 years and not only in the North!
3 months ago
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John ********
@Tobben *******
 Nice girls. You make it sound like it's a big brothel. Maybe that is the main attraction for some Farangs.
3 months ago
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Tobben ********
@John *******
 Have you been in Pattaya ? It is a big Brothel !
3 months ago
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John ********
@Tobben *******
 Yes, unfortunately, I was hoteled there by my company before going offshore, but fortunately the hotel was in North Pattaya, Soi 2.
3 months ago
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John ********
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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?
3 months ago
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Angelo ***********
Laos is now 14 days visa exempt (for most nationalities). So, no visa on arrival and no "entrance fee".
3 months ago
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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.
3 months ago
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Stephen *********
@Terje ********
 not true. The visa is different price for different nationalities though.
3 months ago
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Terje *********
@Stephen ********
 I only know what the imitation in Laos told me, and I pay nothing.

I'm from Norway btw.
3 months ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Terje ********
 okay, but this is only good for a handful few countries since recently
3 months ago
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Tobben ********
@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 !
3 months ago
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Galen ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terje ********
 I wonder if that is for all countries.
3 months ago
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Galen ******
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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.
3 months ago
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Tobben ********
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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
3 months ago
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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.
3 months ago
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Galen ******
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Neil ********
2 days. Get a room
3 months ago
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Steve *******
@Neil *******
 Not at the Mukdahan/Savannakhet crossing
3 months ago
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Alan **********
@Neil *******
 great place for 2 nights 🌙
3 months ago
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Alan **********
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Jay *****
Best answer to this question. Go to thai immigration and get the answers.
3 months ago
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Jeffrey ************
I don't think it's a Lao problem... it's Thai
3 months ago
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David *******
2 night they said
3 months ago
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Andy ************
A friend went to Mukdahan/Savannaket last week. Had to spend two days in Savannaket. New Thai immigration requirement
3 months ago
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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!
3 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Galen *****
 the immigration officers at Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong said it was an order from above.
3 months ago
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Andy ************
@Brandon ***********
 God? Or Buddha?
3 months ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Andy ***********
 probably from Big Joke ? 😂
3 months ago
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Andy ************
@Nongnuch *******
 Actually isn't Big Joke on the sidelines now? Maybe there's a Little Joke ready to assume the mantle 😆
3 months ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Andy ***********
 correct, he has been kicked from the control room recently
3 months ago
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Nongnuch ********
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Andy ************
@Galen *****
 He was leaving on exempt and re-entering on exempt
3 months ago
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Andy ************
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Daniel ************
Laos / Thai - there is no such requirement
3 months ago
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Nongnuch ********
@Daniel ***********
 there are reports that the Thai side Immigration now requires a two-night stay in Laos from visa-exempt border bouncers
3 months ago
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Andy ************
@Daniel ***********
 Changed about two weeks ago
3 months ago
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Galen ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Daniel ***********
 Thanks
3 months ago
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Galen ******
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Brandon ************
I haven't seen anyone mention anything about borders except for Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong.
3 months ago
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Robert ******
Probably a scam to get people to spend money on hotel rooms they don't need.
3 months ago
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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.
3 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Galen *****
 I think it has more to do with the consulates being appointment only now
3 months ago
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Brandon ************
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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.
3 months ago
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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.
3 months ago
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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.
3 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Robert *****
 So every border with Laos decided to do it at the same time... okay
3 months ago
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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 you
3 months ago
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Robert ******
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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.
3 months ago
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Galen ******
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