Soo, Vientiane was a lot of fun. I’m a US passport holder and I applied for the tourist visa for the first time in LA right before coming to Thailand for the first time. Easy, approved, same day. I overstayed one day, oops, and extended my visa, mai pen rai, no problem khrub! I decided to visit Vientiane to apply for second tourist visa. I made an appointment, my lucky number was 33, and I showed up last Friday for my appointment. Application form filled out, passport photos, copies of my passport and Lao visa, and I even made copies of bank statements, just in case. I was beckoned to proceed to the window and handed all my forms. “You have bank statements?” Of course I did, so I handed them over, phew. “You have thai bank statement?” Now she got me by surprise. “No, I don’t.” “You need thai bank statement.” “I live in the USA and only have American bank statements.” “You need Thai bank statements. You can’t apply for tourist visa twice. You already apply. You need to apply in your own country.” Okay, she’s lost her patience about now and I’m losing mine, but I remain calm. “I thought I could apply for a tourist visa here.” “You can try, but not likely. I don’t think you get visa!” “Okay, I try anyway.” I left my passport and returned on Monday. I get in line and of course I get sent to that “other” line, the one that smells like desperation and hopelessness. This time it’s a gentleman, “You have bank statements?” “Uhh, I brought them with me on Friday but I was told I needed Thai bank statements.” He says, “You need American bank statements. You have?” “I had them with me on Friday but I threw them away after I was told I needed thai bank statements, which I don’t have.” “Go make copies of American bank statements.” So, I couldn’t find a place to make copies and he said that it was okay to use my phone. Phew, good thing. I get summoned to go inside the building and they ask for printed American AND Thai bank statements. “I don’t have Thai bank. Just American banks. He said I can use phone to show bank statements.” “No, you need to print.” Now I’m like WTFffff, I’m so confused. Long story short, I don’t get my visa and decide to get one on arrival. From Vientiane to Non Khai, no questions asked. That was easy! Because I made it across and had time to spare, I visited the immigration office in Udon Thani. No forms, no pictures, just, “Sign here. And here. And here.” I don’t know what I signed, but I was able to extend the stamp on my passport that I’m assuming is the visa exemption. It was 2000 baht, but no headaches or unorganized people. This is my second time in Thailand and it was my second time applying for a tourist visa. Maybe I just smelled bad after waiting in line under the hot sun, maybe it was overstaying one day, but at least crossing the border was a smooth transaction. I will not be returning to Vientiane for any visa situation and though I’m here for educational purposes, I study with private teachers that do not help with visas. Maybe in the far future I will research visa accredited institutions should I need to continue my studies here khrubb. *edited for clarification* Even though this post was closed, I hope it sheds some light on this horrible visa process. Good luck to everyone.
