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Is it possible for Indian passport holders to do a visa run to Laos for Thailand after previous visits?

Thailand visa rules Indian passport visa Visa run Tourist visa Visa-on-Arrival (VOA)Thai immigration policies

Dec 7, 2022

2 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

*URGENT*

My friend got tourist visa stamp from India in August 2022 and then again in October 2022 from Laos (visa run to Laos). Is it possible to do Visa run to Laos again this year? 

Passport: Indian

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TLDR : Answer Summary

An individual with an Indian passport who has previously obtained tourist visas for Thailand may face challenges in performing another visa run to Laos. Importantly, Indian citizens do not have the same land-border crossing restrictions that apply to others, allowing them to re-enter Thailand while holding a valid visa. However, entrance is still subject to the discretion of immigration officers, and there is no guarantee of re-entry. Alternatives include applying for a Visa on Arrival or extending the stay through other tourist visa options.

Chris *****

The Thai embassy in Vientiane refused to deal with an Ethiopian passport. The one in Cambodia describes a process for Ethiopian passports but we didn't try it. (To get into Cambodia holding a passport from a poor country you sometimes unofficially need $2000 cash with you.)

But sounds like you just want to bounce back in on a VOA. They're currently 30 days, think flight only? and whether you get in might depend on the mood of the entry officer.

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Chris *****

Steve you also think India's poor are richer than America's poor?

That India is poorer than USA must be one of the most obvious facts there is, by any metric you choose, and you both know this.

I get that it comes across as offensive if someone from a rich, ex colonial country calls a country poor. If I was blaming ordinary Indians for their poverty that would be fair. Perhaps it was offensive to you because you assumed I do? (I absolutely do not. As you'd know if you read A Fine Balance, one of the best books ever written in my opinion.)

I would also agree that poor Americans may suffer as much as poor Indians, due to, for example, racism, addictions and violence.

But when Thailand decides who gets in visa exempt, they're not looking at psychological or relative poverty, they're looking at how many dollars citizens might bring into the country, and whether they're likely to try to work.

Also, you're both inadvertently being very rude to Ethiopia - another beautiful country rich in ways financially rich countries aren't. (My son is half Ethiopian.) No blame, appreciate that wasn't your intention.

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Chris *****

Steve have you been to either? The average annual per capita income of households (interviewed in the LASI survey conducted in 2017-18) is ₹44,901, or £450. That's £37 per month, and an average - many are below, per household. Ie, unimaginably, disgracefully, a stain on humanity's conscience poor. Both are on the VOA scheme. No worries if you thought I was being pejorative, understand the impulse, but I'm not blaming ordinary Indians, and may as well be honest about it.

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Chris *****

I am simply stating that India is poorer, per capita, than the US. This is simple fact and doesn't require books or websites, and if you wish to question it, you should probably try to come up with some facts yourself. I have spent considerable time in both places and was struck by how socially isolated from the poor rich Indians are - more than most other countries. (Few places have "untouchables".) Your comments are either because you have been comfortably ignorant of the suffering in India, because expats tend to be patriotic, or because my calling India poor is offends you. If the latter is true, and it seems to be, my pointing out that a country is poor is not colonial (you said US is poorer), my anger at it and study of it is because I am anti-colonial. I am equally critical of politicians in my home country, and I consider households living off a couple of dollars a day a terrible, unforgivable stain on all our consciences.

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Srini ******

@Chris ***************

If you go to many cities in the USA.. The homelessness and poverty is unimaginable in a so called wealthy country.. It's the same in India.. There's a huge population of well off middle class and wealthy people. The poor in India have a large social welfare structure in many States unlike in the USA where it's minimal and no one can afford an apartment. Quoting some website is not the reality on the ground.

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Chris *****

if you want to learn more I recommend the book A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry. Asserting that the Indian government protects the poor better than the US is laughable. The salary I quoted was the average salary. There is an argument around "relative poverty" you might also find interesting and more in line with your views, that focuses on the psychological toll of poverty. But the critical indicators of human welfare, things such as infant mortality, mothers dying in childbirth, death from preventable diseases, provision of justice, are imperfect in the US but infinitely better than India.

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Srini ******

@Chris ***************

quoting biased books is not reality. I've lived in India and the US most of my life.. You quoting books is laughable since I'm living the experience instead of quoting things i don't know about. Give it a rest.. Your colonial mentality is showing... calling India a poor country. I suggest you Stop commenting on things you know nothing about.

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Srini ******

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Nishant ************

@Chris ***************

Yeah, you're being honest. I agree with you. 👍

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Nishant ************

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Steve *******

@Chris ***************

FFS and FYI India and Ethiopia aint the same Countries! India certainly aint "a poor Country".

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Srini ******

None of the tourists visiting are poor... Thailand is also heavily promoting visiting their country in India.

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Steve *******

Exactly. Try telling Chris Technicaltitch!

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Steve *******

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Adan *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Chris ***************

I was hoping he can get a tourist stamp visa (2 months)

Same like before.

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Nishant ************

He can get a VOA if enter Thailand from Laos.

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Chris *****

unfortunately I don't think there are any clear rules, it'll be down to discretion.

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Chris *****

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Sri ***

No visa run for Indian passport

You can get VOA, if you want to stay longer, apply for tourist visa

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Graham ******

That's what the OP is asking about, another Tourist Visa issued in Laos.

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Sri ***

by air only possible not by land

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Graham ******

Well it seems it was possible the first time "then again in October 2022 from Laos (visa run to Laos)."

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Graham ******

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Frank-Steven ***********

In theory: yes. Visa Exemption land-border crossings are limited to 2 times per calendar year. But those don't apply to Indian citizens. Crossing while presenting a valid visa does not have such restriction and should be relatively smooth. However, it does still not guarantee 100% entry and the immigration officer may still question him being a tourist.

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Graham ******

@Frank-Steven **********

There is still the question as to whether the Embassy staff processing the request will issue a back-to-back tourist visa. Good luck to the OP.

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Graham ******

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