What are the requirements and best routes for driving border runs from Bangkok to Laos?

Aug 16, 2023
a year ago
Bruno ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
๐Ÿ“ CLOSEST DRIVING BORDER STAMP from Bangkok please? Is LAOS now OVERNIGHT STAY REQUIRED?

I am told that the Nongkhai Border Checkpoint now requires overnight stay in Laos, is that verified? Did anybody had to stay one night in Laos?

Can you please share the best/fastest ways from Bangkok or Pattaya?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation revolves around the requirements for performing a border run from Bangkok to Laos, specifically through the Nongkhai Border Checkpoint. While there are claims regarding an overnight stay now being necessary in Laos, several commenters confirm that no overnight stay is required unless applying for a visa at the consulate. Alternative travel options and estimates for time and cost from Bangkok to various borders are discussed, emphasizing the convenience of using a border run agency to avoid complications.
Andreas *********
@Bruno *****
Nongkhai is a very relaxed border to do border runs. No scammers, no attempt to tell you that you have to stay one night. It's a get the VOA-and-turn-around border. Requires to buy a Laos Visa-on-arrival for like 35.- USD
Bruno ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andreas ********
I can confirm that you are absolutely right Andreas thanks ๐Ÿ‘Œ
Stephen *******************
Fly to UBON Ratchathani takes 1hr. 700 baht Thai Lion air.

Taxi to Mukdahan 1200baht

Bus to Savanakhet from Mukdahan 100 baht

Visa for Laos 1900

Total cost 3900 baht

Time involved 4 hrs from Bangkok

๐Ÿ‘
Gregor **********
@Stephen ******************
OMG! ๐Ÿ˜Ž๐Ÿ˜ƒ what a heckmeck! . . . the 6 hour border run with a "visa run company" from Bangkok to Poipet/Aranyaprathet, is cheaper by 400 THB (it's 3500 THB) and takes much less time and effort. The visa run company makes sure the wheels at the border are "greased"
Gerry ********
@Stephen ******************
cheaper to fly to KL, quicker too.
Stephen *******************
@Gerry *******
KL airport is a nightmare and not user friendly plus you probably have never been there so why recommend it ?
Gerry ********
@Stephen ******************
I have been there. Day return, stayed a couple hours, got back, got 30 days stamp. A lot less trouble and cheaper too.
Bruno ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stephen ******************
unusual ans creative thank you
Richard *********
Poi Pet 4 +hours

Or Pailin ( head to Chantaburi and than north to pong nam ron) 4 hours

all depends on where u are in Bangkok>

VOA for Cambodia is $30

sometimes ur asked to pay 300 baht on Cambodia side if u dont stay the night
Paul *******
@John *********
It doesn't matter and that's not the point. You're drifting off into some irrelevant discussion that has nothing to do with the point here, which is the name of this border.

The name of the border on the Thai side is Aranyaprathet, which is Aranyaprathet district. Khlong Leuk is a sub district of Aranyaprathet district. On immigration stamps, it says "Aranyaprathet, Thailand". The town center is 5km from the border.

Poipet is the city and also the name of the border crossing on the Cambodian side which is reflected in their immigration stamps.

I've crossed at this border a number of times over the years, though these days I generally don't cross there anymore. I sometimes pass through town, as there's a sparsely traveled highway north towards Buri Ram which is a good alternative to the heavily trafficked route 304 or mittraphap highway, if heading to Surin or even Southern Laos (Pakse).
Paul *******
@John *********
Aranyaprathet immigration is the name of the office there so it's appropriate to call it the Aranyaprathet crossing.

Rong Kluea is the name of the market. The district is Aranyaprathet so it's the Aranyaprathet crossing AKA Aran.
John **********
@Paul ******
Aranyaprathet immigration office is in Aranyaprathet town (in the grounds of the police station) 8 or 9 km away. Aranyaprathet district contains many border crossings of which this is one. While it's manned by immigration officers there is no traditional immigration office there where you can deal with immigration for anything other than crossing the border and receiving a stamp (or not as the case may be)
Paul *******
@John *********
The only other international border crossing in Aranyaprathet district is the Nong Ian/Stung Bot border, which in the first phase, is only open to trucks.

There aren't "many" crossings in that district that's nonsense. In some places you might have some local border crossings but for all intents and purposes, there are only two that either Thais or Cambodians can use which is the main Aranyaprathet border crossing and for truckers, the Nong Ian one.
John **********
You are the one that started getting nit picky, just responding to that.
John **********
@Paul ******
there are 3 in the 30km from here to Aranyaprathet but not international. Trucks cross all day just 3km from me at Nong Prue
John **********
@Richard ********
I'd give Poipet a miss. It has a reputation for being difficult
Paul *******
@John *********
Well, Aranyaprathet on the Thai side does. Poipet, which is on the Cambodian side, is merely corrupt, but they don't tend to be difficult, especially if you pay the bribe they are asking for.
John **********
@Paul ******
there's only one border crossing there. Poipet on one side and Khlong Leuk (usually pronounced Long Klua) on the other side. Aranyaprathet is actually 8 or 9 km away.
Steve *******
No overnight stay needed in Laos unless you're applying for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate
Brandon ************
The best way is to contact a land border run agency and let them handle it. Then you don't need to worry about what the best border is or what the stay requirements are. They'll ensure you get out and back in.
Bruno ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Thanks Brandon, can you provide a few agency names please?
Ilse **********
@Bruno *****
I did thai visa service last Monday ,leaving 4am we where back 2 pm , easy peasy
Brandon ************
@Bruno *****
the only one I know if is Thaivisaservice. Should be the first option that comes up that's not an ad when you Google it.
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