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What is the crossing experience like at the Third Thai Laos friendship bridge in Nakhon Phanom, and what is the visa on arrival cost for US citizens?

Third Thai Laos Friendship Bridge Nakhon Phanom Visa on Arrival US Citizen Travel Border Crossing Laos Immigration Travel Tips

Mar 20, 2023

2 years ago

Ralph *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi. Has anyone recently used the Third Thai Laos friendship bridge in Nakhon Phanom to get into Laos recently? How was the crossing experience? What's the cost for the visa on arrival for US citizen? Planning to spend a few days there and going the same way back into Thailand.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Travelers report that the Third Thai Laos friendship bridge in Nakhon Phanom is a convenient and relatively quiet crossing point, especially for those using their own vehicle. The visa on arrival for US citizens costs approximately $40, though it can be more expensive in Thai Baht.

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Twiggy ******

@Ra***

, have you done the crossing there? Was it easy? I plan to do the same. Thanks.

2 years ago

Ralph *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Twiggy *****

yeah fairly simple. Had to find the bus that crosses the border from Nakhon Phanom bus station to Laos. The bus stops at the border immigration and waits for you on the other side.

2 years ago

Twiggy ******

Thanks a lot,

@Ralph ************

2 years ago

Reply to

Twiggy ******

Paul *******

I've crossed there several times in the past. It's a good and fairly quiet border crossing. I always cross by car. My most recent trip (3 weeks ago) entered at Vientiane, left Laos via Chong Mek in the south.

2 years ago

Arnie ************

@Paul ******

I find the Vientiane crossing (by car) the worst.

2 years ago

Paul *******

@Arnie ***********

The Thai side at Chong Mek, was fast and straightforward though. Very friendly officials.

2 years ago

Paul *******

@Arnie ***********

Not anymore. It's a very straightforward process now. Previously I'd only exit there, but now they're applying the same rules as everywhere else, you get 30 days automatically without even asking for it, no special "meetings" with the head of customs needed and the staff are super friendly.

I didn't particularly like Vang Tao, complete confusion and chaos there. One Lao official who thought he was superior to everyone else because he speaks English was quite rude and there was nowhere to change money back into Baht officially.

2 years ago

Reply to

Paul *******

Arnie ************

It is a good crossing place with your own vehicle. I'm sure Mukdahan has more buses. Visa on arrival is $40 U.S., or a lot more expensive in Baht.

2 years ago

Graham ******

@Arnie ***********

VoA at Mukdahan was 1800B

2 years ago

Arnie ************

@Graham *****

That is approximately $53 U.S. at current rates. Versus $40 U.S.

2 years ago

Gorgon *****

@Arnie ***********

I have done 2 crossings @ Mukdahan this year (to update a multi entry visa). Although, I had brought both currencies..they seem to prefer Thai Baht..and yes, traditionally new crisp US dollar used to be preferred..in contrast to what I used in Nong Khai a few years back.

2 years ago

Paul *******

@Gorgon ****

You just give them USD.

2 years ago

Gorgon *****

@Paul ******

Happy it worked out for both of you.

2 years ago

Arnie ************

@Gorgon ****

I prefer $53 to $40 too. I travel to Lao a few times a year to visit family, and to get sick.