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  1. #26
    I am in Jail

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    I'm going to the border tomorrow with a 4 day overstay already bagged up; there should no problems I hope; just a simple stamp, payment and then cross over

  2. #27
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    That looks like arabic hang - on christophers ranting hasnt come true has it, and the muslims have take over checkpoints already???????

    Firstly never speak to colombians on the train, although generally this could apply to any farang. He just offered to me to sit next to him, whn he starts shouting off about the king, then i got the impression he was into drug smuggling (not because he was Colombian) and we were both being stared down by security!!!!!!!!!!

    i said good night and left him to it.....................................

    I went a week or so ago, one word of warning never do it by train with no stop over in laos from bangkok - im not old by any means but i was knackered for days after!!!!!!

    got some little lao beer shirts for the newborn, and had a quick laobeer myself before going from vientienne to the bridge - cost me 80000 kip as i was by myself and i needed to get the train quickly. theyve all got a bit more stingy on negotiations i found maybe a lack of tourists, though i came out even cause i managed to blag a ride into vientienne off another guy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    i hate vietienne generally bloody boring, no decent shops for books, gifts or otherwise just some nice food. prefer other places to stay!

    on the way back from nong khai to krungthep i was in the restaurant cabin whilst they were blasting out, by some russian teen travelers request that thai reggae song over and over again. maybe i was just unlucky but before ive enjoyed a nice beer by moon light which has made that trip something special.........
    im hot its so hot today.......milk was a bad choice!

  3. #28
    たのむよ。
    The Gentleman Scamp's Avatar
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    I have to go tomorrow, and I'm about to get a taxi to Lak Si station to buy my ticket for tomorrow - it may even be to late to get a fan car lower bunk.

    If only there was some way of booking online or calling a number to reserve my seat.
    "I'm an outsider by choice, but not truly. It's the unpleasantness of the system that keeps me out. I'd rather be in, in a good system. That's where my discontent comes from: being forced to choose to stay outside.
    My advice: Just keep movin' straight ahead. Every now and then you find yourself in a different place."

    George Carlin

  4. #29
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    Marmite the Dog's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by The Gentleman Scamp
    If only there was some way of booking online or calling a number to reserve my seat.
    My travel agent has booked rail tickets for me before the days of AirAsia.

    But, I guess that would be too easy, eh?

  5. #30
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    Quote Originally Posted by benlovesnuk View Post
    i hate vietienne generally bloody boring,
    I just got back from two weeks there on Friday, after the boat racing festival, and have to disagree.

    When i first went there six years ago it was very quiet with little to do. A year and a half ago when i went back it was a little more lively, but still a place i couldn't imagine myself living in.

    This time things seemed different. The whole front of the mekong is a throng of people, particularly in the evening, with various stalls selling rubbish. The number of bars and restaurants seems to have increased, and the nightclubs have got livelier.

    I met, and got to know somewhat, a lot of nice people, and it's actually become a possible alternative location for me if i ever tire of Bangkok and Thailand.
    Last edited by Fast Eddie; 19-10-2008 at 02:20 AM.

  6. #31
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    Quote Originally Posted by Fast Eddie View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by benlovesnuk View Post
    i hate vietienne generally bloody boring,
    I just got back from two weeks there on Friday, after the boat racing festival, and have to disagree.

    When i first went there six years ago it was very quiet with little to do. A year and a half ago when i went back it was a little more lively, but still a place i couldn't imagine myself living in.

    This time things seemed different. The whole front of the mekong is a throng of people, particularly in the evening, with various stalls selling rubbish. The number of bars and restaurants seems to have increased, and the nightclubs have got livelier.

    I met, and got to know somewhat, a lot of nice people, and it's actually become a possible alternative location for me if i ever tire of Bangkok and Thailand.

    OK Guys in simple terms, What is required if I front up at the border to do a Exit re-entry with a Multiple entry Tourist visa ??

  7. #32
    better looking than Ned
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    Quote Originally Posted by Khun Sabai
    1. If you go over the top with wines, spirits, and ciggies you are Watched "big time". on the road back you will be stopped 90% of the time as they have your reg number. Did nobody see a checkpoint I.E. 3 lanes cordoned off to 1 lane on the way back????????? surprise the hell out of me if you didnt, the purpose of which is to slow down the motorway traffic, pick out the bold boys as they have been radiod ahead. Next step take all your goodies including your allowed duty free, fine you 500 to 1000 and off on your way
    If you are planing to bring back more than a few bottles their a few tricks you need to know, I am sure if you ask the guys that bring back large amounts they might tell you, but I am not about to write it on the net

    Quote Originally Posted by Khun Sabai
    2. The Thai immigration hate anybody filling in the forms for you and giving them to you to forward on to customs. These are the little immigration shops that are situated on the left 1/4 of a mile before the bridge, that charge you for the service. There is always a chap at the Thai immigration initial hatch. he will sit down beside you at the hatch and help you fill in the form 50 Baht. hand in docs to hatch on left and receive them from hatch on right, (Same Guy).
    Never had a problem with immigration and have been using their the car service and fill in the form for years and bring in a few cigs and a couple of bottles

  8. #33
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    yea, Its worth while using the car service if you want a few bottles extra.
    In fact the car service is worth it anyway for a quick dash, the Thai entry side is chock a block these days, used to be in a short queue and away but the last 3 occasions have been 1 to 1.5 hours to get thru, bloody woeful.

  9. #34
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    Question Quick Turnaround Visa Processing

    I have read through most of the messages regarding visa processing via the Friendship Bridge Immigration, Nong Khai. Unfortunately, I have not been able to determine specifically how the processing proceeds.

    There are 4 of us that will be processing at the border point. Two of us have Thai passports (also have American passports) and the other two, myself and a 4 year old, have only American passports. Myself and the 4 year old will need to renew our intitial 30 Thai visas received after flying into Thailand from the states. From what I ascertain on this board, the two Thai passport holders do not require departure stamps, entry visas to Laos, and re-entry visas back into Thailand. The two of us that have American passports require departure stamps, entry visas to Laos, and re-entry visas back into Thailand.

    The question that I have is, can one depart Thailand, enter Laos, and immediately re-enter Thailand without basically leaving the bridge area? We don't want to stay in Laos if we don't have to. If we are able to do it this way can we only get another 30 day visa or can we get a 60 day visa also? Or, do we have to go through the Thai Consulate in Vientiane for a 60 day visa?

    Can someone please walk me through this so that even I can understand? Thanks!

  10. #35

    R.I.P.


    dirtydog's Avatar
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    Coming into Thailand from land borders you will get a 15 day visa exempt stamp, no more 30 days unless your Malaysian, you can come straight back into Thailand no problem, if you need longer than 15 days then probably best to go to Vientiane and get a 60 day tourist visa at the Thai embassy/consulate.

  11. #36
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    Thank you. That is what we will do. Stay in Vientiane for a couple of days and get 60 day visas at the Thai Consulate.

    Below are 4 hotels that I picked out of the group in Vientiane. Which would you recommend for a family?

    City Inn
    Lao Orchid
    Green Park
    Parkview Executive Suites

  12. #37
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    Quote Originally Posted by dirtydog View Post
    Coming into Thailand from land borders you will get a 15 day visa exempt stamp, no more 30 days unless your Malaysian, you can come straight back into Thailand no problem, if you need longer than 15 days then probably best to go to Vientiane and get a 60 day tourist visa at the Thai embassy/consulate.
    Do you know the name and telephone number of a reliable broker in NongKhai. I am flying into Udon Thani from Bangkok and would like to have a broker ready to go when I arrive. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  13. #38
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    Don't quite know what you mean by broker, if you want someone to help you with the form filling and transport there are a dozen or so agents on both sides of the Road just before the bridge.
    For a small fee they walk you all thru it, worth while for a 1st timer I think. Not much to choose from they all seem to be OK, although I have used the 1st one on the left hand side a couple of times.

  14. #39
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    Quote Originally Posted by peterpan View Post
    Don't quite know what you mean by broker, if you want someone to help you with the form filling and transport there are a dozen or so agents on both sides of the Road just before the bridge.
    For a small fee they walk you all thru it, worth while for a 1st timer I think. Not much to choose from they all seem to be OK, although I have used the 1st one on the left hand side a couple of times.
    My understanding is that there are brokers that will package the whole process; border crossings (over and back), forms, photos, transportation, Thai Visa, etc. You personally do not have to deal with Laos and Thai immigration and do not have to stand in line at the Thai consulate. Believe that they have vans to transport you. Being a world traveler most of my life I have learned the hard way not to handle these processes myself in foreign countries and especially in a Marxist country like Laos. I flew into Thailand and received a 30 day stamp at the airport. Now need to obtain a 60 day tourist visa (or extension) from the Thai Consulate in Vientiane as my 30 days will be up April 4th.

    Any additional and specific info would be most appreciated.

  15. #40
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    We are a both talking about the same thing, but they are known as agents, not heard of any that you prearrange with, there is probably 20 of them located in the shophouses either side of the road immediately prior top the friendship bridge.
    Coincidentally I have to do a Laos run on april the 4th as well.

    Just reread and saw this bit:
    You personally do not have to deal with Laos and Thai immigration and do not have to stand in line at the Thai consulate
    I don't know of anyone that can do that for you, even those that go on organized packed "Visa tours" have to apply in person for their own visas.
    Last edited by peterpan; 19-03-2009 at 10:07 AM.

  16. #41
    The Dentist English Noodles's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by dirtydog
    They charge i think 20baht to go into and out of Laos, could be 10baht, I have to admit I never bothered paying this before, just never noticed it before, assumed it was for Asians only, the Laos immigration don't seem to worried if you don't bother paying it.
    Forgot about that, B10, I won't bother to pay it next time.


  17. #42
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    Is the Thai and Lao immigration open 24 hours at the friendship bridge ?

    I'll be up there next week, but won't get to the border till after 7pm. Not sure if it's better to spend the night in Nong Khai or head for Vientiene straight away.

  18. #43
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    A couple of years ago it used to close early, 5.30pm or something. It may have changed though.

  19. #44
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    IF anyone is interested.

    The immigration at the friendship bridge shuts at 22:00hrs.

    If you arrive after 18:00hrs you have to pay an overtime charge at Lao immigration. 40 baht.

  20. #45
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    Any updates on the simplicity of all this much appreciated...

    What I'd like to do:

    Take a flight to Udon Thani, overnight there for two nights at the Grand Chon whatever it is called at the mall and near the bus station.

    Take a bus, I think they have one all the way to Vientiene?

    Buy my VISA for Laos without much fanfare, service charges for "agents" no worry.

    Check into a nice hotel in Vientiene. Proceed to the Thai Consulate that same morning?

    Go back to the Thai Consulate the next afternoon, pick up my double entry 60 day VISA and passport, spend that night in Vientiene.

    Return to Udon Thani in comfort and style the next morning, spending one more night, then fly back to Bangkok.

    Is it this easy if not attempting to save every satang along the way?

    I don't have an "air ticket" out of Thailand, no one seems to mention that old requirement..is it moot?

    Thanks for any information. It is all so overwhelming for me reading the various web sites and forums, I get confused...

  21. #46
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    1. To get a bus direct from Udon to Vientiene you need a Lao Visa before boarding the bus. Easier to get a bus from Udon to Nong Khai and get your Lao Visa at the bridge (15 minutes) then grab another bus to Vientene.

    2. Coming back there is a bus every 2 hours from the bus station at Talad Sao in Vientiene to Udon Thani. Cost is 22,000 kip. You should buy a ticket in advance if possible. It's convenient as you go through immigration together and the bus waits for all the passengers. Takes 2 hours from Vientiene to Udon including immigration at the bridge.

  22. #47
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    Quote Originally Posted by Begbie
    To get a bus direct from Udon to Vientiene you need a Lao Visa before boarding the bus.
    No you don't. You can just tell the ticket seller that you'll be getting off at the border. It'll still be cheaper than getting a tuk tuk from NK bus station.

    Quote Originally Posted by Begbie
    You should buy a ticket in advance if possible.
    It's not possible; they sell the tickets consecutively. But, if you're returning the following morning it should be easy enough to get the bus to Udon. Also, they're not every 2 hours, so I'd take a look at the times the day before.

    Quote Originally Posted by NokTang
    two nights at the Grand Chon whatever it is called at the mall
    Charoen Sri Grand. The Irish Clock has better rooms and is still in a good location for the Bus Station.

    Quote Originally Posted by NokTang
    Proceed to the Thai Consulate that same morning?
    Can be done, but you'll be #4743 in the queue.

    Quote Originally Posted by NokTang
    I don't have an "air ticket" out of Thailand, no one seems to mention that old requirement..is it moot?
    It is moot.

  23. #48
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    Just a minor point to add, if you have been there before and you have a ladyfriend... or friend i dont know why it popped into my mind, just my thinking (im pulling a x on u)
    , she can arrange the transport from the train to vientiane. Otherwise, there wll he like 3 taxi bastards waiting for you to hand some 300 baht

  24. #49
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    Quote Originally Posted by siamsky View Post
    Just a minor point to add, if you have been there before and you have a ladyfriend... or friend i dont know why it popped into my mind, just my thinking (im pulling a x on u)
    , she can arrange the transport from the train to vientiane. Otherwise, there wll he like 3 taxi bastards waiting for you to hand some 300 baht

    It is illegal in Lao to spend time in room or night with woman who is not your wife. So you might consider taking your thai wifes with you, or risking it.

  25. #50
    Tonguin for a beer
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    How real a possibility is it of getting busted? Thinking of taking a ladyfriend....

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