Answered4 years ago

Do I need a visa to enter Laos for a border run from Thailand?

Visa Border Run Laos Thailand Immigration Visa on Arrival Education Visa

Jack ****************

asked Feb 2, 2023

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Okay this is a bit general or spread out because the concept wasn't relevant to me before so I never paid attention...  When you do a border run (ground - Chiang khon to Laos .maybe) do you not need a visa to enter Laos?  What is the cost for just turning around to come back? I've been building up to a trip back to the US after finishing my education visa but it is starting to look like it might be much better for me to stall that for a month. I'll be coming back after either way as "Thailand is my home now"

I've got crap to do in the US regardless, it just might be a more productive trip if I push it back.

Answer summary

When making a border run from Thailand to Laos (e.g., through Chiang Khon), you must obtain a Visa on Arrival (VOA) for Laos, which typically costs between 1500-1800 Thai Baht depending on the crossing point. It's important to note that you cannot simply turn around after entering Laos; you are required to complete the entry and then exit Laos before re-entering Thailand.

13 repliesnewest first

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Steve *******

You need a voa for Laos, 1500-1800bt depending on where you cross. You cant just turn around, you have to enter and then exit Laos, then re-enter Thailand.

4 years ago

Phil ********

@Steve ******

Standing corrected, thanks.

Cheers 🍺

4 years ago

Phil ********

@Jack ***************

in fact, there's at least one senior, upcountry officer who does lurk here and a few other sites, Jack. She started lurking back in the old Thai Visa. com & nanaplaza .com days 20+ years ago...

Me mates' longtime gf.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding, marriage. Do know that any "village" ceremony isn't officially recognized until you properly register your marriage. As you are American, I'll allow others to advise you. No fiancé visa, though.

Cheers 🍺

4 years ago

Steve *******

@Phil *******

You dont need to season the 400k for the initial 90 days Non Imm O visa, only for the yearly extention of stay.

4 years ago

Phil ********

@Jack ***************

Seems you're planning a "border bounce" back into LOS

Best to have the 3 proofs in any case:

hotel booking for a few days & onward travel reservation within your allowed "visa exempt for tourism" stamp days in & 20,000 thb or equivalent in $ £ € in CASH is needed.

You'll likely be questioned by immigration because you said you had an Ed visa.

Don't sing that "Thailand is My Home Now" song if you're re entering as a tourist obstensibly, mate. 🙃 555

Do not use PoiPet for any border bounce.

YMMV

TIT

4 years ago

Jack ****************

@Phil *******

Sure. I am reasonably confident the immigration cops aren't trolling this group to catch people. I share so people can advise with the appropriate context- save everyone the time of reading 50 "just stay in the US for a year so you can get XYZ benefit of blah" or whatever. I'll be starting the marriage stuff when I come back- but I think you need to do all that while on tourist visa right? Like there is marriage and there is tourist but there is not a fiance visa here like there is for the US?

4 years ago

Brandon ************

@Jack ***************

correct no fiance status. Only fully married.

4 years ago

Jack ****************

@Steve ******

I read something in passing (it wasn't relevant yet) a while back that you could come back same day but had to demonstrate that you acquired lodgings...

4 years ago

Steve *******

@Jack ***************

You can come straight back into Thailand but you have to enter and exit Laos first. You cant just leave Thailand, turn around and re-enter.

4 years ago

Jack ****************

@Steve ******

I see. I assume it will be a lot of me feeling stupid and waiting in lines and being told I'm in the wrong line go stand in that other one... When I came here it was a whole thing with applying online and getting rejected over and over... So the idea that it can happen in real time is fascinating

4 years ago

Steve *******

@Jack ***************

People genuinely think you can leave Thailand and re-enter without stamping into another Country. That seemed to be the gist of your question.

4 years ago

Graham ******

@Jack ***************

You stamp out of Thailand, get on a bus to cross the bridge, stamp in to Laos then join the queue to stamp out of Laos then back on the bus to cross and get your Thailand re-entry stamp, a total of 4 stamps (plus your Laos Visa sticker)

4 years ago

Jack ****************

@Steve ******

either I am super dumb and don't understand or some people are super dumb and think you can just make a U-turn mid bridge. Being honest if you just think I am that dumb I don't blame you. :)

4 years ago