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What has happened to the tourist activity in Savannakhet, Laos recently?

SavannakhetLaosTravel ChangesRoyal Thai ConsulateVisa RulesLong-term VisaNon-Immigrant VisaExpat LifeBorder RunsThai VisaImmigration Issues
Sep 12, 2025
3 days ago
Iriz *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
This is what Savannakhet, Laos looks like now. Two years ago it was busy and touristy at 5 a.m. there were plenty of people around the Royal Thai Consulate. But now, it feels like a ghost town… so quiet.

#Savannakhet #LaosTravel #QuietTown #RoyalThaiConsulate #TravelChanges #GhostTownVibes #TravelLife #WanderAsia #diynonbvisa #visathailand
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the significant decline in activity at the Royal Thai Consulate in Savannakhet, Laos, which was previously bustling with tourists and expats. Factors contributing to this change include the impact of low season travel, the Thai government's crackdown on short-term visa border runs, and the closure of a popular visa category (multi-entry Non-Imm-O) at the consulate. These changes have resulted in a noticeable drop in foreigners visiting the area.
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Nongnuch ********
Savanakhet Thai consulate was the last Thai consulate to issue multi-entry 365-days Non-Imm-O family visa to foreigners married to a Thai wife, without having to show finances. . .this generated a high influx and many many agents visits and also visits from Expats married to Thai wives. Since the consulate went to the E-visa online system and the multi entry Non-Imm-O family was discontinued, the arrival of foreigners has ebbed to almost zero
a day ago
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Richard ********
Thai gov crackdown on short term visa boarder runs. Don't critisis my terminology because I don't do them. I love Laos but hate the border stickers, takes up a whole page in my passport or I would go every 4 or 5 Month's to see my cousin and her family. Idiots
a day ago
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Johny ******
Why is that 🤷
2 days ago
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Dany ********
Constant visa runs are a thing of the past.
3 days ago
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Iriz *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dany *******
 That's a fact. Does it mean that the number of teachers applying for a non-B visa is decreasing, or that the number of tourists is decreasing?
3 days ago
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Dany ********
@Iriz ********
 the number of teachers doing visa things in laos is probably so small that you would not even notice a difference if they were going from 100% to 0%… such a very specific small group.

while before you had thausands of expats running the border every few months and literally living on visa exemptions for many years in thailand. things changed.

plus visa exemption is now 60 days + 30 extension. majority of tourists have very little reason to do a border run now since the change.
3 days ago
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Iriz *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dany *******
 I see. Possible reasons.
3 days ago
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Iriz *********
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Mma *******
You’d think with Cambo closed it’d push some business up there. Is the Embassy closed-down?
3 days ago
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Iriz *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mma ******
 I don’t have any updated news about Cambodia. They advised me to go to Laos, which is my only option.
3 days ago
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Iriz *********
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Mark *********
I was there in July. Loved it!
3 days ago
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Iriz *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark ********
 I love the people and the peaceful vibe there, but I wish there were more shops to stroll around while waiting for my visa approval. It gets a bit boring when you’re alone.
3 days ago
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Jo **********
@Iriz ********
 why don’t you fly Luang Prabang it’s beautiful a UNESCO world heritage site
3 days ago
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Iriz *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jo *********
 I was in Laos to apply for a Non-B visa. I haven’t heard about that, but I’ll check next time
2 days ago
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Iriz *********
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Mark *********
@Iriz ********
 did you have a chance to go to the Pilgrim Inn? Good food in a beautiful riverside setting.
3 days ago
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Iriz *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark ********
 I only went to the Savanakhet riverside square. I haven’t had the chance to visit other places since I don’t really know much about it.
3 days ago
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Mark *********
@Iriz ********
 It was my first visit there, and to Laos as well.
3 days ago
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Iriz *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark ********
 How was your trip? What were your challenges?
3 days ago
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Mark *********
@Iriz ********
 It was just for four days, but I enjoyed it. No challenges to speak of.
3 days ago
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Iriz *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark ********
 good to know 😀 you must be easy going person 😉
3 days ago
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Mark *********
@Iriz ********
 I try to be! I usually find things to enjoy no matter how dull it may seem.
2 days ago
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Iriz *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Mark ********
 good for you 👍
2 days ago
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Iriz *********
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François **************
Low season.
3 days ago
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Iriz *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@François *************
 yes right
3 days ago
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Iriz *********
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Kim *******
They did it to themselves. Zero sympathy.
3 days ago
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Barry *******
@Kim ******
 Pretty sure they were the most bombed country in the world and not even becasue they did anything. That can kinda mess up your progress of being the coolest most fun place for entitled tourists to drink cheap beers. Its a country that was screwed over and destroyed by your country and mine. Empathy.
2 days ago
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Barry *******
I hate when I realize that Im replying to a bot or a troll. its the majority of fb
2 days ago
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Barry *******
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Michael ********
@Kim ******
 they got no control of Thai goverment policies
3 days ago
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Garry *******
@Kim ******
 i think you may be confused
3 days ago
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Iriz *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kim ******
 really, why?
3 days ago
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Iriz *********
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John *******
Blame Facebook
3 days ago
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Stéfan ********
I traveled to Laos through Nongkai last month… Zero waiting on both sides and I saw maybe 5 other people crossing at the same time. Granted, it’s the middle of the low season.
3 days ago
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Iriz *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stéfan *******
 Yes, that’s right. I asked the locals and they said it’s because of inflation.

But I think some people prefer to go to Vientiane since it only takes two nights to get the result of the non-B visa.
3 days ago
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Stéfan ********
@Iriz ********
 Ok… I was in Vientiane and travelled along the Mekong all the way to Cambodia… Quiet everywhere in the tourist areas in Laos…. Vientiane, Pakse, Dondet, etc.
3 days ago
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Iriz *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stéfan *******
 I see, very low season 😢
3 days ago
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Iriz *********
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