What is the current situation for traveling from Bangkok to Savannakhet solo, and are there specific things to know about the border crossing?

Question

I'm sorry if this is old, trodden ground; I tried searching and didn't find anything recent.  I was curious about the route from Bangkok to Savannakhet these days, and if there are any caveats about going alone instead of with a group.  From what I understand there are Nakhon Chai and Sombat Tour buses from Mor Chit to Mukdahan, and an hourly bus that crosses The Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge 2.  Primarily my questions are: during what hours is the bridge open?  Is there anything to be aware of, any unexpected or questionable border guard behaviour?  I carry a UK passport.  I've been on an extension for retirement the past 4 years, off of a Non-Immigrant O that was purchased in Yangon 5 years ago, when I was volunteering with an NGO.  I switched to retirement during Covid to avoid having to go out for a new visa.  This year, however, I am applying for B visa, having registered and set up a company.

I do know about having to book an appointment, and already have a date booked, but it doesn't coincide with a visa-run van service, so I wanted to check on the latest situation.  Also, before Yangon I'd always received visas from Vientiane, so Savannakhet is unknown territory for me.

Thank you in advance.

I do know about having to book an appointment, and already have a date booked, but it doesn't coincide with a visa-run van service, so I wanted to check on the latest situation.  Also, before Yangon I'd always received visas from Vientiane, so Savannakhet is unknown territory for me.

Thank you in advance.

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user inquired about traveling alone from Bangkok to Savannakhet, specifically focusing on the journey by bus and the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge's hours of operation. Commenters provided insights confirming that the bridge is open from 6 AM to 10 PM and reassured that there would be no significant issues with border guards, advising the user to have cash ready for the Lao visa on arrival. They also shared tips about visa processing times in Savannakhet and alternative travel options.

Anthony ****** · Answer

Could fly to Roi Et, hire a car drive to Mukdhan you can secure park on the Thai side and bus it over.

Tod ********* · Answer

I let this post on although there's a LOT of fluff in it that is totally not relevant to the questions 🙂

How you get there is how you get there. So that you can figure out on your own, The bus companies you mentioned are good I've used them both

There's also fly-n-ridez with Air Asia and Nok Air too but they have sucky timepoints

𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻? 6am to 10PM

𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳, 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝘂𝗻𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗿 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗿? Nope, have the cash ready for your Lao visa on arrival and you're fine.