Easiest and cheapest way to get Thailand visa-on-arrival from Laos

[Johnnysukhumvit]

Hi guys,
I will need to leave Thailand next month to get a new Thailand visa on arrival. What would be the easiest and cheapest way to get a Thailand visa-on-arrival from Laos. ,leaving from either Udon Thani or Nong Khai. Most important is no hassles. I Want to get in and out as quickly as possible. I might stay a few days as an option. Any referrals to competent visa run companies is appreciated or information on ho to cross the border, and if I can get the visa there. (I might be interested in taking my bicycle along if that is an option. But just really looking for a new visa.
Thanks.

[jackspratt]

What country's passport do you have?

[jackspratt]

Seems like Johnny has lost interest in this topic.

[Johnnysukhumvit]

USA. Sorry. I’ve been busy.

[Johnnysukhumvit]

Hi,
I plan to go to the Nong Khai train station with my bicycle. I intend to get a Lao Visa online, then enter Laos with my bicycle. I would like to spend a few days there.
Once across the border from Nong Khai, where is the closest town that is worth staying a few days? How far is the Thai immigration border crossing and Laos immigration border crossing from the train station. I have a USA passport.
Thanks.

[Laan Yaa Mo]

The capital, Viang Chan (Vientiane), is close by. It's about a 20-30 bus/car ride from Nong Khai. There are lots of things to see and do in Viang Chan. If you really feel adventurous, you can hop on the high speed train with your bike and go to the old capital of Luang Prabang. There's even more to see there and its very scenic with lots of hills and rivers. There's a Lanna Thai (Chiang Mai) culture here. You might even bike to Sayaboury from Luang Prabang too.

https://explore-laos.com/luang-prabang- ... oury-loop/

[rick]

Haven't been to Vientiane for about 10 years, my impression back then was 'tired'. my wife thought there would be shopping opportunities but just the same tat as in Nong Khai and Udon, but more expensive. Luang Prabang sounds a better idea.

[sometimewoodworker]

Hi guys,
I will need to leave Thailand next month to get a new Thailand visa on arrival. What would be the easiest and cheapest way to get a Thailand visa-on-arrival from Laos. ,leaving from either Udon Thani or Nong Khai. Most important is no hassles. I Want to get in and out as quickly as possible. I might stay a few days as an option. Any referrals to competent visa run companies is appreciated or information on ho to cross the border, and if I can get the visa there. (I might be interested in taking my bicycle along if that is an option. But just really looking for a new visa.
Thanks.

FWIW & FYI
as you are a US citizen you can’t get a visa on arrival (they cost about 2,000 are usually 15 days, no extension possible). You can enter visa exempt (no cost, usually extendable by 30 days). You can do that overland twice in one calendar year, more than 2 if you fly into Thailand.

[mak]

I heard that you have to spend 2 days in Laos if you are doing a border bounce.

[tilt]

Easy way.
Nong Khai border.
If you have a valid "visa" they make reentry stamp for 1000THB, also stamp you out same time, just walk true.
Buy buss ticket 40THB , not allowed to walk or alike over bridge.
Buss stop at Laos immigration, knock on windows, get relevant documents and do them, remember 1 passport size picture and 2000THB fee, give 30 days stay for some countries, personally I never stayed more than about 24h.
Then reverse, take buss from same place Laos immigration over bridge to Nong Khai.
Avoid the "cranky" IO man 30ish yo..say you just want to stay 30 days, have a business card from a hotel/guest house in Udon Thani, with booking minimum 1 day in case they ask.
I have done a border crossing, just over and back again before Xmas, no problem, I do had a reentry..
If you want a real visa like retirement or alike, since no mention what you really want, there is Easy ways.
Have used upp 5 passport doing everything my self totally legal, cheaper than using agency.
Collecting documents by your self is not expensive.
Have a nice trip

[sometimewoodworker]

If you want a real visa like retirement or alike, since no mention what you really want, there is Easy ways.
Have used upp 5 passport doing everything my self totally legal, cheaper than using agency.
Collecting documents by your self is not expensive.
Have a nice trip

Real visas from Laos are no longer a viable option unless you are planning on staying in Laos for 3 weeks or live in Laos

This is because from 1/1/2025 you must get an e-visa, you must pay the fee at the embassy or consulate, since one of the requirements is a copy of your Laos arrival stamp you must almost certainly stay in Laos for between 10 and 15 working days for the visa to be processed before you can re-enter Thailand

There is certainly a possibility that workarounds for this may be found or that the conditions maybe changed.

This is a dramatic change from the previous 2 days required.

AFIK Vietnam is now the closest, shortest option for actual visa.

Any information that corrects this is welcome

[tamada]

As far as I'm aware, there's never, ever been an option to get a visa on arrival at any of Thailand's land border entry points. A visa-exempt entry yes, but no visa on arrival.

[Doodoo]

Visa on Arrival
https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-vi ... on-arrival

Once again Google pulls through

[tamada]

I stand corrected, thanks Doodoo. I incorrectly thought that VoA was only available when entering at international airports.

I wonder if the OP wants a visa-on-arrival rather than a visa-exempt entry as they are different things. Right now the visa-exempt is less of a faffabout for what it gives you, but of course that depends if the OP has been gaming or milking the visa-exempt system already and needs something different.

[tamada]

With regard to Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi being the most "efficient" place to get a visa in the region, the visa processing time may be decent but the last time I checked, the mandatory online appointment had about 2-3 weeks waiting list. If your current permission to stay is expiring and you're looking for a convenient, regional option, better not leave the appointment making too close to the expiry date or you could still end up spending more days in Vietnam than planned, having had to leave Thailand to avoid an overstay, but waiting for the appointment date to roll around.

[sometimewoodworker]

I stand corrected, thanks Doodoo. I incorrectly thought that VoA was only available when entering at international airports.

I wonder if the OP wants a visa-on-arrival rather than a visa-exempt entry as they are different things. Right now the visa-exempt is less of a faffabout for what it gives you, but of course that depends if the OP has been gaming or milking the visa-exempt system already and needs something different.

You can only get the category that your nationality allows.
Quite a lot of people have little idea of the actual names or that there are significant differences.
There is nothing beneficial difference to getting a visa on arrival & I am sure that those who have to get a VoA would love a visa exempt entry.