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What are the current requirements and experiences for crossing from Thailand to Laos at Chiang Khong?

Chiang Khong Border CrossingVisa On ArrivalVOA RequirementsOutbound Travel RequirementsThai Immigration RulesLaos Visa FeesTravel DocumentsTM30 Registration
Sep 9, 2024
3 months ago
Southpaw **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Just an update on Chiang Khong. I just came back through. This was my 3rd land entry this calendar year. And second Chiang Khong crossing in a row. Last one was 30 days. This was 60.

It's now 1 night instead of 2. Laos still took 2000 THB for the VOA.

Thai immigration gave a document showing requirements to come back the next day.

10,000 THB, outbound flight to country of origin, and proof of accommodation in Thailand for duration of stay.

They didn't ask to see the 10k baht on the way back in. But he did take 5 minutes examining the plane ticket screenshot and was on his computer verifying it's legitimacy.

I showed my TM30 as proof of stay. He didn't pay much attention to it.

Make sure you have your plane ticket.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An update on the Chiang Khong border crossing reveals recent changes and requirements for travelers. After a third land entry this year, a traveler confirms that Thai immigration now requires a single night stay, with Laos charging 2000 THB for a Visa on Arrival (VOA). To re-enter Thailand, travelers need to show 10,000 THB, proof of accommodation for their stay, and an outbound flight ticket. Although immigration did not ask for the cash on re-entry, the authenticity of the flight ticket is verified. The travel community discusses varying visa requirements based on nationality and whether onward travel tickets are sufficient.
Melanie ******
"airfare for travelling return to the country of origin by paying the ticket already' - does that mean an onward ticket to ANY OTHER COUNTRY is ok - OR - does it mean ticket to country of origin of the passport holder - ie. if UK passport, then return ticket has to be to the UK?
3 months ago
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Ryan ********
Which passport do you have? I read that Laos had gone to visa exempt entry for a lot of counties.
3 months ago
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Southpaw **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ryan *******
 not implemented yet. Border run people and laos immigration said no date yet for implementation.
3 months ago
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Southpaw **********
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Tod *********
Okay People lets stay ON topic,

This is ONLY about bouncing out and back at Chiang Khong (and probably Chiang Saen) the two borders with Lao up in Chiang Rai province.
3 months ago
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Miko ********
i was nervous about the new deal and so i flew to/from luang prabang. i spent five days there. returned to CNX = no problem, no need for outward-bound ticket.
3 months ago
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Ian ***************
Thanks for this helpful firsthand information. A few questions please:

1. "Thai immigration gave a document showing requirements to come back the next day."

Do you have a photo of that document? Like to see that.

2. "Laos still took 2000 THB for the VOA."

Most nationalities pay $40USD, which is around 1400 THB. Was the price posted/displayed?

3. "outbound flight to country of origin"

So "POOT" (Proof Of Onward Travel) to any country is not enough?

Thanks!
3 months ago
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James ********
@Ian **************
3 months ago
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Southpaw **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ian **************
 this is my 2nd land border crossing at Chiang khong. Last time was in out immediate. And still took 2000 THB.
3 months ago
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Southpaw **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ian **************
 it said country of origin. And I didn't want to mess around. But I showed him a "reserved" flight with a travel agent. It wasn't paid. And he accepted it after spending a very long time checking the reservation on his computer
3 months ago
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Ian ***************
Proof of flight back to "country of origin", assuming it means country of your passport, of course is totally impractical in many cases, and they know most of them are doing a border hop to get another 60-day Thai exempt entry and may very well have no near-term travel plans. So again what is written on a scrap of paper and what is enforced can do with a reality check. Thanks.
3 months ago
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Ian ***************
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Southpaw **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ian **************
3 months ago
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Ian ***************
So a piece of paper with "No Visa Run 1 Day" and what looks like the Thai Immigration logo. So that's about as "official" as it gets(?) 😉

Land borders between Thailand and Laos/Cambodia over the years (25 in my case) have been notorious for making up their own rules and setting their own prices. Sometimes we just have to play their game and move on.

Thanks!
3 months ago
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Southpaw **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ian **************
 all in all was good. My first 60 day exempt feels good. Plus was happy only one night not two that I was hearing. And nice they at least give the document to people to prep them for what to expect next day. But my cheapest option from CNX last minute
3 months ago
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Ian ***************
As much as I sympathize with the people of Huay Xai who have been badly hit by lack of tourism and a weak deflating currency, there isn't much for a tourist to do there except pay one night's accommodation and buy some food and a Beerlao or two. So forcing someone to stay one night is of minimal benefit.
3 months ago
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Ian ***************
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Southpaw **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ian **************
 I didn't have time to get dollars. So paid the 2000 thb.
3 months ago
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Dca *****
@Ian **************
 when Lao Immigration accepts payment for the Lao VoA in Thai Baht instead of USD Dollars, then it will be at a 'very bad exchange rate'. Hence, the Baht price will not be the equivalent price of USD $40.- This has always been the case with the old prices for Lao VoA (was varied, depending on passport country). Pay in crisp, new, clean US Dollar banknotes for Lao VoA of USD $40.-
3 months ago
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Ian ***************
@Dca ****
 Indeed the cost of a Laos visa at the border (Thai/Lao,Thai/Cam) has almost always been inflated in "other" currency. I've crossed at CK/HX many times over 25 years and the THB price was always based on some outdated/opportunistic exchange rate. On US passport, for example Lao VOA was $35 for many years, but they always charged 1500 THB (50 bucks). So now instead of $40 it's 2000b so it still pays to bring crisp USD and save around 600b.

Also funny/sad that the Laos gov't is demanding tourists use Lao Kip for their whole visit, not $ or ₿, but Lao border immigration won't even accept their own currency and local people will very happily take those other hard currencies. Also if you buy Kip on the way in it's a one-way trip cos they won't buy them back on the way out. LAK is soft and weak, especially now.

P.S. Yes this is the Thai Visa Advice group, but maybe just let this thread do it's relevant thing. Cheers.
3 months ago
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Southpaw **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dca ****
 not only that. I didn't have time to sell the kip I bought in huay xai. And the Thai side of the border has an exchange booth and they won't even buy the kip back. So you lose at the exchange paying for VOA. You lose exchanging baht for kip. Then can't even sell the kip in Thailand.
3 months ago
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Sam *********
@Dca ****
 Or just buy an evisa and save your passport pages because we are in 2024, also it's not the exchange rate ... They clearly want 1,000 bills only and not 100bahts.
3 months ago
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Dca *****
@Sam ********
 Yes, the Lao eVisa sticker is smaller than the regular Lao Visa sticker, but Lao eVisa price is about USD $52.-

And, of course, you still have to queue separately for the Lao eVisa sticker upon arrival and only able to enter Laos at 3 Land Border Gates along the Lao-Thai Border, or 2 Lao Airports with direct flights with Thailand that accept Lao eVisa.
3 months ago
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Todd ********
@Dca ****
 absolutely. Laos Evisa uses less space on your passport.
3 months ago
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Todd ********
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Kieran *******
You can just pay 40usd instead of getting fleeced for 2000B to enter Laos
3 months ago
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Southpaw **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kieran ******
 yep. But I didn't have time to go find dollars. And already had baht cash.
3 months ago
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Kieran *******
@Southpaw *********
 🤷‍♂️
3 months ago
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Kieran *******
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James ********
What is your passport nation?

You stated that you entered with VOA Visa on Arrival. Is that true?

Or did you enter Visa Exempt Entry ?

I ask because I think you have entered as a VOA Visa on Arrival before... that entry requires showing 10,000 Thai baht and a flight ✈️ ticket departing Thailand within the number of days you are stamped in on arrival as VOA.
3 months ago
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Southpaw **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
 VOA Entering laos. Exempt entry coming back next day. The border run companies are saying 2 nights. But thai immigration agent on departure side said it's now one night. And said show your onward flight ticket and 10k baht and I showed my TM30. Like normal. But they are taking it seriously coming back through Chiang Khong it seems.
3 months ago
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Greg ***********
Thai to Laos is VOA.

Laos to Thai is visa-exempt (or with a valid visa)
3 months ago
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James ********
@Greg **********
 thank you 🙂
3 months ago
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James ********
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Maria *************
@James *******
 I think he means VOA for Laos
3 months ago
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Southpaw **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maria ************
 yes. Laos side still have to buy visa. For now.
3 months ago
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James ********
@Maria ************
 possible. But its Thailand which requires a flight departing Thailand within the number of days you are stamped in for and show 10,000 Thai baht in CASH or equivalent currency and Booking address for the stay in Thailand.
3 months ago
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Greg ***********
@James *******
 20.000.- Thai Baht, not 10.000.- THB. Per Person. The quote on Thai Embassy websites is not correct, Thai Immigration wants to see 20.000 THB or euqivalent in another currency
3 months ago
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James ********
@Greg **********
 there's Another visa category... VOA Visa on Arrival..it requires 10,000 Thai baht, departing flight ✈️ ticket and address of stay in Thailand.

It's those who enter Visa Exempt Entry that can be asked to show 20,000 Thai baht, departure ticket within the NJ number of days stamped in for and address of initial stay in Thailand.
3 months ago
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Southpaw **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg **********
 10k coming back as stated in the document Thai immigration is providing while departing. Yet he didn't ask me for the cash. Only flight he cared most about. And my tm30
3 months ago
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Sam *********
@Greg **********
 6-7 monthes ago Ranong asked me for 10k cash, but can't comment now as i'm already on DTV.
3 months ago
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Sam *********
@James *******
 He clearly says Laos VoA which is 2k baht.
3 months ago
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James ********
@Sam ********
 thank you 🙂
3 months ago
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James ********
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