I’ve just done Laos for the second time.

Best cost effective border run by far.

Return ticket was just over 3000bht.

You need $40 USD for visa on arrival. You can pay 1500 bht also. I downloaded the visa application form, printed and filled it in before I left Thailand. I escaped the queues for forms and pens and was through in 10 minutes.

The place is so cheap it’s unbelievable. Airport is right inside Vientiane so quick airport taxi to hotel, standard cost is 180,000 Lak, which is around £6.50.

I stayed at an expensive hotel as I was meeting up with friends who had already booked there. But you can use Agoda to find somewhere desirable. The first time I went I stayed down by the river. Try look for a place close-ish to The Tipsy Elephant Roof Top Bar. That’s where most bars restaurants are. Taxis to places from our hotel were no more than 50k - 70k Lak (£2 - £3) using an app called Loca, similar to BOLT, which you can also use there. Food and beer is dirt cheap, even in the nicer venues.

Most places accept Thai baht as payment so no real need to exchange money. You will get baht or Lak back in change.

NOTE: Vientiane is much quieter than anywhere in Thailand. Not much happening at all. So expect a very relaxing and quiet day or two. But if you fancy a beer with some live music I’d recommend Wind West bar. Cosy place with a good atmosphere. Because of the lack of choice, we also went to Hard Rock, not my usual go to, but it was ok.

@Us ****

If they love it so much they should stay there. The place is a dump.

@Sebastian ******

I took passport, medical certificate, residency certificate, UK driving licence and international driving permit.

@Sebastian ******

Yes it was 2 months apart.

@Sebastian ******

No, go to the transport office in Phuket town and the process is the process full stop.

Due to how busy they were I had to do it in 2 visits and the total cost was 250 bht for both car and bike licences (2yrs).

First visit - Submit your paperwork, passport, licence, residency and medical certificate etc (2 x copies plus originals).

They give you some online links to view, which is around Thai driving laws etc. About an hour of your time at home and answer a couple of easy multiple choice questions. You will get a ‘pass’ message once completed. Keep that ready for your second visit.

Second visit - Do a simple break reaction test involving mock break and accelerator peddles. Also a colour blind test. All very easy. Pay your money, have your photo taken snd then wait for your licence to be printed.

Total time for both visits around 2.5 hrs.

@Sebastian ******

You think I have problems with my cognitive function?

I live in Phuket. This was the same when I applied for my first licence. I submitted the paperwork and then told to go back 2 months later for the test, payment and licence

So if you have submitted all your documents on the first visit, there is no need to re-submit.

@Gigi ***

Bangkok bank. I opened mine in the Rat-U-Tit Road branch and a friend of mine opened his last month in the branch that is located at in the basement of the Jeung Ceylon shopping mall.

Still opening accounts here in Patong on TV’s.

@Alf **********

Ok, didn’t know.