Answered2 years ago
Why do officials in Laos charge money when exiting the country?
Why do the officers ask money when leaving Laos. It isn't much but I was surprised seeing that I was only in Laos for 5 days.
Answer summary
Travelers leaving Laos have reported being asked for a small exit fee by immigration officers, which can vary in amount. This practice may be attributed to unofficial charges imposed during off-duty hours or by individual officials, leading to mixed responses from expats regarding its legitimacy. While some assert that such fees are common and easily manageable, others perceive it as a potential scam or corruption. Discussions also touch upon the currency accepted, with baht being preferred over kip, and express frustrations about the lack of clarity surrounding these charges.
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Milas ********
It’s donating funds for their Christmas party, you just misunderstood their accent
Gordon *******
Just crossed Laos border at Nong Khai today Friday December 20
Asked for
Just paid it no big deal
Asked for
*****
kip (about 94 b) at Immigration Just paid it no big deal
Giorgio ******
why do people keep asking questions starting with : " WHY ?"
when will they understand it's absolutely unuseful to ask why ... TIT .
when will they understand it's absolutely unuseful to ask why ... TIT .
Charlie *********
@Giorgio *****
lmao, you mean like you just did? 🤣🤪🤣
Carsten ************
Charlie *********
I truly wonder why people have to add insulting nastiness to their comments. Nobody’s going to take away a year of your life, or throw you in jail. It’s JUST WORDS. Keyboard warriors are THE worst, whether offensive or defensive. You know who you are (I have been one also). Get a grip.
Carsten ************
Sometimes they charge an exit fee, about 40 THB. It also could be the fee, if you cross the border before or after regular opening times, which is also about 50 THB.
Richard ********
Cause he need money to buy new car !!!
Stefan ************
My Goodness. I can now add this to the lengthy list of reasons I will not be joining my Thai friends in visiting Laos early next year. (was last there 12 years ago)
Edward ******
@Stefan ***********
rich trump loving American, right?
Thailand ********
@Edward *****
everyone loves the Donald 👍Edward ******
that is going to change. i will love him because inflation will skyrocket, my SS payments will increase, and deregulation will cause the stock market to go up as people die for the sake of more money for the rich. that is an absolute...Boeing, United Health Care, lack of gun control. the rich will get richer and i am ready for it. let the rest eat cake.
Braulio *********
Because you are rich, pay the tax and move on....."it isn't that much"
Bart **************
@Braulio ********
very bad advice to support crimes.
Asokā **********
Exiting Lao Pdr during off duty time- like week ends and , early am or late pm is considered off duty and there is a charge for “extra time” has been like that for ever - the off duty time is Ministries duty schedule - 8 to 4 or 5pm
Pertti *************
Laos immigration officers asked 5000baht or 2000 exit fee when crossing border back to Thailand but i just said my thai wife has all my money and they said ok go get some because wife was line before me and crossed border before me but do you think I went back to pay🤡
Neil *********
Funny enough I was in Laos sorting out my business visa about 6-7 weeks ago nothing from anyone then
Again it’s just down to some dodgy official tying it on.
And also ignore some people’s comments about visas being required here it’s nothing to do with that at all it’s just a dodgy official
Again it’s just down to some dodgy official tying it on.
And also ignore some people’s comments about visas being required here it’s nothing to do with that at all it’s just a dodgy official
Christopher ******
OP@Neil ********
yeah there were so many people in line and literally nobody was asked then he asked me to pay. Had a non visa for Thailand also had a 30 visa from Laos and only stayed 5 days.Bart **************
@Christopher *****
just tell him no next time.
Jonny *********
What currency they ask for? Dollar, Baht or KIP?
Christopher ******
OP@Jonny ********
the Lao officer asked for bahtJonny *********
@Christopher *****
ok 👍🏻Christopher ******
OPThe baht is preferred over the kip. So difficult to exchange your kip into baht again.
Tim ********
Happens all over the world. Small fees from different officials.
Xjwhudkwhry ********
How arey they supposed to know how many beer lao you've drank and ladies entertained in those five days?? They need to make sure you still have some left for Thai ladies
Михайло ********
@Xjwhudkwhry *******
or at least for one condomPaul ***********
Because it's required to enter Thailand 🤦
Craig *********
@Paul **********
laos customs has absolutely nothing to do with collecting money for another country. There never was or has been an exit fee from Laos.Paul ***********
@Craig ********
never said they did ... And nobody mentioned customs... The word used was "officials" '.... 🤦Jay *******
@Paul **********
what are you talking about dude? Literally been to Thailand over 20 times through land and air and never paid money. Don’t comment on things you know nothing about. This is a Laos exit fee he is referring tooPaul ***********
@Jay ******
oh wow a whole 20 times.. Are you playing don't question me because you have spent "X time gambit" ❓🙄Is that suppose to impress or intimidate me 🤭
As I said his post wasnt clear what he meant but the fact is
Being able to show Money is required to enter Thailand is required...which is what his post appeared to question
Even for visa runners such as yourself 👍
Paul ***********
@Geoff ********
actually not as if it was I would have answered correctly ..And your are about 3 days too late with your observation anyway princess.. But thanks anyway Mr Perfect 🤦 👍
Geoff *********
@Paul **********
Read and understand before putting your foot in your mouth. It's as clear as crystalJay *******
@Paul **********
anyways bro it’s water under the bridge. Hope you have a good nightPaul ***********
@Simmy *****
not at all.. The statement/question wasn't clear.. 🙄And when it was clarified I adjusted my statement accordingly
Thats what we adults do 👍
Who is arguing.. I have presented facts.. Facts don't care what you think 👍
Simmy ******
@Paul **********
learn to read lmao. You keep arguing back when you didn't understand the initial statementPaul ***********
@Jay ******
oh dear... 🤦Jay *******
@Paul **********
okay there you have it your response to the original post proves your reading comprehension is 🗑️ like I said Have a good day Paul.Jay *******
@Paul **********
how about we ask the OP what he meant and let’s see who’s right. If your reading comprehension is as good as you seem to imply 😂Paul ***********
@Jay ******
please read this slowly and tell me "ask for" or "ask about" ❓🙄Paul ***********
@Jay ******
not "ask for" or "about" money means very different things... Oh Mr 20 times 🤦Jay *******
@Paul **********
literally read what he wrote slowly and use your entire brain. Please try and do thatJay *******
@Paul **********
he asked why you need to pay money to Laos officer sounds like you truly struggle with reading comprehensionPaul ***********
Jay *******
@Paul **********
lol okay Paul whatever you say enjoy your day.Jay *******
@Paul **********
what is required to enter Thailand??? The way you wrote it sounds like “paying money” to enter Thailand. Dude your vague statement leads to misinformation I am not the only one to question the accuracy of your remark by the looks of itChristopher ******
OP@Jay ******
payment was asked when leaving Laos not about entering thailandJay *******
@Paul **********
why would you tell someone that you have to pay to enter Thailand? I said in all my 20 plus times I never paid to enter. Yet here you are saying it’s required that is just false information and false information spreads fast. Why would you even say it’s required. That is just weird as all hell. The more I look at what you wrote the more annoyed I become with your false statement
Bobby *******
@Paul **********
this has absolutely nothing to do with Thailand it’s in the Lao sidePaul ***********
@Bobby ******
well that's a scam then.. His post wasn't very clearChristopher ******
OP@Paul **********
what is required? The lao officer asked for money when I was leaving Lao
Matthew *******
@Christopher *****
he was trying to scam youBrandon ************
Because it's a legal requirement to enter Thailand if you don't have a visa. Has nothing to do with how much or little time you'll be spending.
It's not checked at every border, but is checked at some.
It's not checked at every border, but is checked at some.
Bart **************
@Brandon ***********
since when does entering Thailand on a visa cost money?
Jo **********
@Brandon ***********
no this is Laos not ThailandMatthew *******
@Brandon ***********
I’m not sure what the op is asking 1 ask for proof of funds
Or
2 asking for an exit fee
I initially thought 2 which would indicate being scammed
Christopher ******
OP@Matthew ******
yes refering to point number 2Brandon ************
@Matthew ******
after other comments I was confused tooMatthew *******
@Brandon ***********
glad not just me lol
Jeffrey **********
Jim ********
@Brandon ***********
it’s not a legal requirement, it’s corruption 👌
Marc ********
@Brandon ***********
Looks like the laotian IO demands money to let them exit.I don't think he is talking about the 20k baht cash the Thai IO might wants to see
Matthew *******
@Marc *******
that’s what I thought so they got scammedMarc ********
@Matthew ******
It's not really a scam it's extortionChristopher ******
OP@Marc *******
I had to pay money. I didn't get it backMarc ********
@Christopher *****
Sure not😅Brandon ************
@Marc *******
maybe. I read it as then wanting to see money but I guess "ask money" could be asking for payment as well.Christopher ******
OP@Brandon ***********
I do have a visa. Just received my non o from the embassy.Christopher ******
OPIt was also a lao officer and not Thai.
Bonnie *********
Ross ********
@Brandon ***********
wrong. It is just corruptionBrandon ************
@Christopher *****
they probably don't know anything about Thai visas so they just ask everyone
Terry ********
@Brandon ***********
when did this become a thing?
Toby ******
It has only been tried once with me after leaving Laos and I said ok but only if you give me an official receipt and they backed off . I think it was like 200 ThB Mukdahan c 2012
Brandon ************
@Terry *******
it's always been a requirement. It's just rarely asked for.
Brian *********
@Christopher *****
okay. 👌The way your original post is written it’s difficult to understand what money, for what purpose. Your post didn’t say ‘pay’ so I think there’s some confusion. 🤷♂️
Christopher ******
OP@Brian ********
definitely not about showing 20k he asked me to pay it was very clear. Otherwise I would of got my money back if he wanted proof of financeBrian *********
@Terry *******
the question was not asked clearly and I think it’s about having the 20k baht on entry requirement, not that they’re being asked to pay for entry (as a bribe or whatever).Terry ********
@Brandon ***********
paying to enter Thailand visa exempt?Activity
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