Visa at Loas border crossing at Chiang Khong in Thailand.
Hi everyone!
I'm looking for some advice for the border crossing for the boat trip down the Mekong to Luang Prabang.
Is it possible to get a visa at Chiang Khong? If you go through a Guest House they get an extra $20.00 for the service. Can I go direct to the officials at the border crossing to obtain the Loas Visa?
Or should I apply direct to the Loas embassy in the United States instead? I'm not arriving unitl January of 2008. I've got plenty of time to plan.
Thanks,
travelman56
Reply to this I'm planning a trip to Laos with my daughter in January 2008 too. Have done (way too much) research, but obviously haven't been there yet. I'll be going to Luang Prabang from Ventiane and then circling back down into Thailand by way of Chiang Khong. I've found this site to be incredibly helpful: http://www.ecotourismlaos.com/transportation.htm. You've probably already found it yourself; there's lots of information about visas and border crossings. Wish I could give you more first hand help. Beth
Reply to this Thanks for the help. This is my second tour to Thailand and my first to Loas. There is a lot of the unpredictable to this kind of travel. You don't find out the reality till its staring you in the face. I think that's what I like about it😊
I'll check out the site!
Reply to this Loas visa are very easy to get. You can obtain them in Thailand at several travel agencies on Kho San Rd in Bangkok, in Chiang Mai ,or Chiang Khong. Processing time is 2-3
days and they cost about 1000 Thai Baht.
Reply to this Better to get you Visa at the Loas embassy in Bangkok if you have the time, otherwise, you can get one at the boarder. Not a big time trap / pay off, bribery - rip off like going into Cambodia without a visa, but it will just save you a few minutes time and give you a competitive edge on getting the first crack at transportation on the other side of the boarder then your co-travels still caught in the back of the line. You will pay an entry fee of 10 baht on top of it and another 3500 kip per day upon exit from Loas*. I had no trouble getting money from the ATM, but I have heard of those who have, so take some with you.
*I found it amusing that in Loa, in hotes, their theme is "Stay another day..in Loa" and then they stick it to you at the boarder for staying another day, but that is how it is. Baht and American Dollar largely acepted in Loa. ATMs distribute in Kip. Rent a van for the day for about 1000 baht.
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In December 2005 my wife and I crossed the Mekong from Chiang Khong (Thailand) to Huay Xai(Laos). Getting ashore in Huay Xai we presented the man in the immigration booth with our passport, two passport-sized photos, and US$30. We got the visas immediately, and I believe there has been no change in procedure. For details with photos of our trip see the "Indoclhina" section of Our Travel Journals website: www.evcal.org
Reply to this I can confirm caldnj's advice. No problem to get Visa on the Laos side (Houeyxai). US$30. We exited Laos and re-entered to get another 30 days on our visa by doing this.
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