Nong Khai to Vientiane Visa Run

[Marmite the Dog]

^^ Did you not read the thread?

[peterpan]

^ I did but by the time I finished reading I have forgotten what was at the start.

[Marmite the Dog]

I did but by the time I finished reading I have forgotten what was at the start.

Ahh, the pleasures of getting old....

[peterpan]

My daughters decided they want to go as well,(anything to get out from summer school) but one passport has expired, reading thru here on the dogs OP it seems they can get a border pass.
Presumably I can get this at the visa shops for a 100bt payment?

[ossies]

Just a quickie which hopefully someone can give me the answer.

I am thinking of taking an Air Asia flight to Udon Thani which arrives 17.15. I then obviously have to get mini bus from airport to Laos border, buy visa and cross over.

How long does the mini bus ride take from Udon Thani airport to border?

Does the border close overnight? If so, will I have enough time to get across?

I note the OP mentioned the border closing at 10pm and someone else in thread says 8pm.

Thanks in advance.

[peterpan]

A little bit of additional info I got from may last trip a couple of weeks ago.
I arrived at the border with my 5 yo, they looked at her passport and said, Laos won't let her in because her passport has less than 6 months to run (actually 4 months) You have to get a border pass for her.
This was obtained from the women who does the photographs near the Thai border immig.
As there was only my daughter, I rang my wife to get her ID card number, the woman did a run to wherever they issue border passes and after putting my wife's ID into the Computer, it brought up all her details including photo. They printed all this out and made a Border pass for her, cost about 300Bt.

[mtone9317]

In Laos they drive on the RIGHT side of the road, which is more sensible because in order to make a right turn you don't have to drive around the traffic to your right side, which is more comfortable because 90% of the human race is right handed. Good drivers in the US drive to avoid making left hand turns except at signals. But it's probably what each country is used to that makes it seem awkward.

[mtone9317]

Two Saturdays ago I had a horrendous experience on the Laos side. The Laos immigration gave my passport to an American and he took off with it to Thailand.
With my always good luck they stopped him at the Thai border, but let him bring my passport back to me at the imm office Bridge. He tried to steal it again. I trust no one, and "when he said just follow me back to Thailand" he wasn't kidding. He tried to desert me at every oportune, when we got to Thai imm, he said to the lady Thai officer, "give him his passport" she looked at him and said, "you have it"
He said "No I don't" When another Thai officer arrived, He reached in his briefcase and pulled out my passport. Then walked away. It took me six hours to go from Nong Kai back to VT, Laos. I should have had him arrested, that lying MF.

[Bung]

I have to go to Vientiene to make a tourist visa and will need to leave my car at the bridge for a couple of days. Anyone know of secure parking at the bridge or is it better to leave it at a hotel and pay them?

[Marmite the Dog]

Anyone know of secure parking at the bridge or is it better to leave it at a hotel and pay them?

There's a car park on the left hand side about 150 before the crossing. I've never had a problem leaving bikes or cars there.

If you're not happy with that, you can leave it here and I'll run you up to the border.

[joepaai]

In Laos they drive on the RIGHT side of the road, which is more sensible because in order to make a right turn you don't have to drive around the traffic to your right side, which is more comfortable because 90% of the human race is right handed. Good drivers in the US drive to avoid making left hand turns except at signals. But it's probably what each country is used to that makes it seem awkward.

Good drivers in the US drive to avoid making left hand turns except at signals