Answered4 years ago
How can I travel from Bangkok to the Savannakhet Thai embassy for a Non-O visa application?
American male on visa on arrival [edit: visa exempt]. I will be switching to Non O marriage extension in May hopefully. Interested in the Savanakhet thai embassy option for maybe not having to bother with the 400,000 in the bank. How to get there from BKK, I saw a post about airaisa fly and ride but can't find information and the poster didn't respond to my DM. Any information appreciated.
Answer summary
This post discusses the process of traveling from Bangkok to Savannakhet to apply for a Non-O visa, detailing the differences between applying for the visa in-country versus at the embassy, including financial requirements. Users also share travel tips, such as taking an overnight bus to Mukdahan and then onwards to Savannakhet, and the necessary documents to prepare for the visa application.
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Paul *******
Fly to Nakorn Phanom or Ubon Rachathani then catch a taxi/van/bus from there.
Not sure why Mukdahan doesn't have an airport. Savannakhet does, but from Bangkok, you have to fly either to Pakse first (3 times a week the flight continues to Savannakhet) or via Vientiane. Keep in mind that visa on arrival is now suspended at Savannakhet Airport so you'd have to stamp in at Pakse or Vientiane before continuing to Savannakhet.
Not many people travel this way as it's an expensive flight so domestic to Ubon or Nakorn Phanon is the way to go.
Another method is using an overnight bus to Mukdahan from Bangkok, connecting to a Mukdahan to Savannakhet bus, which leaves from the same station you arrive at from Bangkok. On the way back, you would travel the same way in reverse. The Savannakhet bus station is about a km from the Thai embassy on the same side of the road.
Not sure why Mukdahan doesn't have an airport. Savannakhet does, but from Bangkok, you have to fly either to Pakse first (3 times a week the flight continues to Savannakhet) or via Vientiane. Keep in mind that visa on arrival is now suspended at Savannakhet Airport so you'd have to stamp in at Pakse or Vientiane before continuing to Savannakhet.
Not many people travel this way as it's an expensive flight so domestic to Ubon or Nakorn Phanon is the way to go.
Another method is using an overnight bus to Mukdahan from Bangkok, connecting to a Mukdahan to Savannakhet bus, which leaves from the same station you arrive at from Bangkok. On the way back, you would travel the same way in reverse. The Savannakhet bus station is about a km from the Thai embassy on the same side of the road.
Steve *******
DMK to UBP. Transfer to Mukdahan. Mukdahan to Savannakhet.
Kool *******
Take the overnight bus to Mukdahan. The roads are good so you are able to sleep all night. Cross the border when you get there, and go to the consulate with copies of your marriage license in Thai and your registration, a copy of your wife's ID card, if she is not going there with you, and a copy of the house book she is listed in. Sometimes they ask for this, sometimes they don't. A few pictures of you together where you live doesn't hurt, but not required. Copies of your passport. Then a passport photo. You shouldn't have any problems, and it works real good if she is with you.
Ron *********
OP@Kool ******
thank you!Kool *******
@Ron ********
it's also a good place to cross going overland to Vietnam by bus.
Lyndon ************
Overnight VIP bus
Ron *********
OP@Lyndon ***********
which city or destination do I look up?Lyndon ************
@Ron ********
personally I prefer a big VIP bus that trundles along and I can sleep on than a small van, even if they fit comfy seats they drive them like xxxxx.You can see lots of options on Rome2Rio...
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Michael ********
@Ron ********
Also make sure wife signs all copies blue pen only
Incognia **********
@Michael *******
go with wife the best I thinkRandy ********
@Ron ********
Mukdahan. I just did this trip a couple of weeks ago. I used a Visa Run company though. I did see a few of the Bangkok - Mukdahan buses there.
Randy ********
@Ron ********
make sure you have all the proper paper work if you’re applying for the multi entry Non-O.Randy ********
@Ron ********
you’re welcome. I’ve used this company multiple times. I would recommend them. *******************************
Ron *********
OP@Randy *******
thanks, would you recommend the company you used?
Will ************
You will enter on 30 day exempt. Then leave an buy a Non-o which is valid for 90 days. Then for your 1 year extension which can only be purchased in Thailand you will most definitely need 400k in your Thai bank account
Wylie *******
@Will ***********
you're talking about getting the non-o in country. He is referring to going to Savannakhet, Laos which has different requirements and rules. It does not have the 400k financial requirement. You also do not need to leave the country to get the in country non-o.Stuart *********
@Will ***********
OP is referring to the year long Multiple entry Non O issued by Savannakhet consulate for 5,000 baht. No financial requirements needed, but have to border bounce every 90 days.Ron *********
OP@Stuart ********
thank you. So either 400,000 in the bank and do non o in country or Savanakhet and not need 400,000, but have to leave every 90 days. Is that the gist of the differences?Stuart *********
@Stelar ******
at the consulate yes.Incognia **********
@Stuart ********
after 1 year ends can buy 5000 baht another one year without any financial 400k requirement?Stuart *********
@Ron ********
Same form a TM7 as with any other extension. The requirements to obtain may differ from office to office so best to check with your local one.Ron *********
OP@Stuart ********
do you have a form number for that visit family extention?Stuart *********
@Ron ********
The Non O can’t, but you do have the option of applying for a “visit family” extension on each entry, that would give you a further 60 days each time.Ron *********
OP@Stuart ********
can the 90 days be extended each time by 30 or 60 days?Stuart *********
@Ron ********
You can do an extension for a year at any point - if you meet the financial and other requirements.Ron *********
OP@Stuart ********
can one switch from the multi entry to the single entry later in the year, or at the one year renewal?Stuart *********
@Ron ********
yesRon *********
OPI tried to use the right term and used the wrong term. Sorry. Not the relevant info I'm looking for yet in regards to my question.
Mike ********
@Ron ********
Go to the back of the class !….Stuart *********
I’ll let others advise about getting to Savannakhet but just to let you know as an American you don’t get a visa on arrival. That’s a different entry scheme for Chinese, Indians and a few other counties. On arrival do not follow the “Visa on Arrival” signs.
Go to the normal immigration counters where you’ll be stamped in for 30 days with no visa. It’s called visa exempt.
Go to the normal immigration counters where you’ll be stamped in for 30 days with no visa. It’s called visa exempt.
Paul *******
If you hold a USA passport then you cannot be on a Visa on Arrival.
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