Vientiane Visa Run
Last updated 2007-10-18
One of the better known locations for foreigners wishing to renew their visa is the Nong Khai to Vientiane route. Plenty of buses are available on this long journey but my personal preference is to take the night train, where you can stay in a clean sleeper carriage and arrive the next morning refreshed and alert. The trains leave from Hua Lamphong train station in Bangkok and the journey takes around 12 hours. Of course, there are many buses to take you to Nong Khai from all other locations.
Plenty of tuk tuks etc are available to take you to the border but beware of a scam that they tried to pull on me once. In a nutshell, the drivers on the Thai side get a commission if they take you into a little tour shop en route, where they lie to you and tell you that you have to purchase some kind of visa stuff from them in order to make the crossing... it's simply not true and it's a scam to extract some money out of you. Ignore them and go straight to the border. If they argue with you, just tell them you'll call the police and that should shut them up.
You can obtain a visa to visit Laos in Bangkok but a visa on arrival is available at this crossing. Cost should be around 35 US Dollars. Once you've got your Thai exit stamp etc, a few Baht will get you a minibus to the Laos side of the Friendship Bridge. You're now about 15 kilometres away from Vientiane itself and there are taxis ready and willing to drive you the final leg of the journey (should cost no more than 200 Baht).
Note that is is possible to take your own vehicle to Laos as long as you have the registration documents with you in your name, or the name of someone who is accompanying you (don't forget to drive on the right once you get to the Laos side!... and beware your car insurance may be void once you're over the border).
Apply for your visa as early in the morning as you can and you'll usually have to go back the next day to pick up your passport, so be ready for a 1 or 2 night stay in Vientiane. Plenty of cheap but good accommodation is available (see: Vientiane Hotels) and there are a few nightlife options also if you're bored. Loads of restaurants etc along the river where you can relax and enjoy the peaceful views over to Thailand (close enough to use your Thai SIM card). Vientiane is a very pleasant place to spend a couple of days in my opinion.
Note that like most Thai consulates in Asia, if you're applying for a non-immigrant visa, all of your paperwork should be in order of you'll struggle to get one issued.
See also the Vientiane visa run forum thread.
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