Do I need to re-apply for the Thai Pass if I leave Thailand for a weekend trip to Laos?

Jan 26, 2022
3 years ago
Kimi ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
In Thailand on a 30-day visa exempt. If I leave and go to visit Laos for a weekend, will I need to re-apply for the Thai Pass again for re-entry? Any advice or info appreciated! Thank you!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
If you leave Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption for a weekend trip to Laos, you will need to re-apply for the Thailand Pass in order to re-enter Thailand. This is due to current travel regulations requiring a Thailand Pass for all air entries, regardless of the duration of your absence. Additionally, travelers are currently limited by restrictions on entering Laos and engaging in tourism activities, which may pose challenges for such an expedition.
Chris *************
Going to Laos for a week end per your post not practical:

UPDATE on travel to Laos from
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/2022

There are now two ways of entering Laos:

1. Under the new Lao Green zone Scheme, travel is limited to tours & green zones. (See Q&A below)

The tourist e-visas provided are NOT transferable to multiple entry with stay permit.

You must register with a green zone tour agency to arrange all of your trip as a tourist (There is still no Visa on arrival since March 2020)

From January 1st 2022 you arrive at a pre-arranged quarantine hotel and as part of an approved tour group. You will be tested for covid and have to wait for the negative result. You then ‘quarantine’ as a mobile group only visiting approved locations and accommodations for 14 days. Further travels are restricted as well.

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/12/mofa-proposes-easing-visa-restrictions-for-entrance-to-laos/

2. COE (certificate of entry) & multiple entry visa which we can process for you.

With this procedure you are free to stay or work and travel where you want, visa is extendable 3, 6 or 12 months

3 weeks to process if existing visa, 4-5 weeks if no valid visa and full vaccination + 14 day quarantine (check with your employer for exemptions) are mandatory

Therefore if you wish to work or stay long term anywhere in Laos and go in and out of the country then the COE + visa request are needed.

—— Green zone Q&A for tourism only ——

The green zone travel entry option is still in the process of training and refining all the rules and restrictions for travelers during the 3 phase reopening process (Q1, Q2 & Q3 2022)

However, there are 3 things you should keep in mind:

(1) Reopening program focuses on tourism purpose only.

(2) All places you visit need to be included in the safety list and certified by the government.

(3) Anywhere you go, you need to go with the tour guide and driver. You cannot go out and wave down any drivers on the street and go with them.

Here are some questions that we usually have from the travelers.

1. Can I come to Laos to work or live based on tourism scheme?

>> The answer is a big "NO". The program is for tourism purpose only. If you plan to come to Laos to work or live, you need to come based on the COE + visa program. Contact us for more detail.

2. Can I visit my partners at their office?

>> No you cannot. That said, any place you visit need to be included in the safety list and certified by the government, those places are mainly tourist attractions. No office can be included in the program during this period.

3. Can I visit the embassy?

>> The answer is the same as the question #2. No embassy is certified to receive tourists at their building.

4. Can I visit my husband / wife at their house?

>> The same answer as #2 and #3. No private house is included in the safety list.

5. Can I go to restaurants or market by myself?

>> No, you cannot. Everywhere you go, you will be escorted by your guide and driver. Moreover, the restaurants or markets that you visit need to be included in the safety list.

6. Can I have guests visiting me at my hotel?

>> This varies by the hotel policies. Most hotels will let you have guests visiting at the hotel's restaurant or bar or reception area. Very few hotels will let you have a guest in your room.

7. Is the booking fully refundable in the event that plans change due to COVID situation or travel rules change?

>> This depends on the policy of the local tour agency , that said, at the moment, there are many things that are unsure. We recommend you buying a travel insurance that cover the loss in case of Covid situation or travel rules change
Jeffrey ************
Yes of course.
Umer *********
Did anyone got covid visa today
John ******************
You can’t visit Laos 🇱🇦 as it’s closed for tourist, opening
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/22
Helen ********
@John *****************
You can fly in as part of a tour...
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John ******************
@Helen *******
yes. But you can’t go anywhere on your own, only with tour guide
Helen ********
@John *****************
yes, aware of that as mentioned in my response. The point is it's possible, might not be the type of travel you prefer but it is open under certain conditions.
Wayne *********
Why leave ? If your thinking to do it for another 30 days just go to immigration pay 1900baht and get 30 day extension lot easier than leaving and trying to come back.
Jim **********
Ron *********
Much easier to hire a mule to get you back and forth, it'll be like it never happened unless you get caught. Trust me when I tell you it's a high volume business right now during these times you just have to find the right contact.
Robert *********
@Ron ********
there is no “ex-Vet.“ Once a Vet, always a Vet! Ooh-Rah, Hooah and Hooyah!
Ed *******
@Robert ********
affirmative
Michael ********
@Ron ********
i did it on a hovercraft once, this crazy shell shocked ex vet built was about 30 years ago. Bottles of Johnny walker and marlboros to facilitate paperwork 555
Bob **********
Yes you'll need to re apply
Stuart *********
Every entry by air (and because land borders are closed that means all entries) needs a ThailandPass to enter. Whether you’re gone for a day or a week, to get back in you’ll need one.
Robert *********
Prolly best not to go!
Stacey *******
The test and go scheme requires 21+ days in the country you are traveling from to Thailand. The weekend layovers are no more
Anthony *********
@Stacey ******
I was in Cambodia 3 days and then flew back to Thailand at the beginning of this month
Michael ********
@Stacey ******
wrong your time in Thailand counts towards your 21 days
Stacey *******
@Michael *******
thx u. My embassy must have given the wrong info
Michael ********
Duncan *******
Yes and go through test and go. Also the only way you're going to Laos is flying. Land borders are still closed.
Tim *******
are the land borders open yet?
Anthony *********
@Tim ******
No, but I live in Sa keao right on the border, it was in the news around here recently that there have been talks about opening the land border to Cambodia. These talks were just before Christmas and there is an Article online about it, but then omicron hit. Now the test and go has come back it stands to reason those border talks will also resume. There was no date given in the article I read but they were talking that it would be very near future. Perhaps that is why they have said no more covid extentions for the people on non immigrant visas, as they are planning to open land borders. Obviously just a guess but based on all this info its a fairly educated one, the land borders have to open at some point 🤷
Darren *******
@Tim ******
not for tourists
Tim *******
@Darren ******
I didn’t think I so
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