An amusing story.
2024 is the Visit Lao Tourism Year, and in June 2024, they announced visa promotions.
A multiple-entry tourist visa was one of those promotions that went quietly under the radar.
After a busy few months, I finally got around to chasing one up that would ultimately ease entry into Laos, save pages in my passport, and get me into naughty Xayaboury province, where they have no Visa on arrival or eVisas accepted.
Xayabury province has four international border crossings with Thailand.
Muang Ngern / Huay Kon in Nan province.
Pang Mone / Huak in Phayao province.
Phu Du in Uttaradit province.
Kenthao / Tha Li in Loei province.
So to enter Laos vis Xayaboury, you need a visa from the Laos embassy or consulate in your passport.
Living in Chiang Khong, a few hundred metres from the border, my nearest Laos embassy is in Bangkok, a mere 820 km away.
In March this year, I flew down to Bkk and the Lao embassy to get a single-entry visa from Chiang Rai in a day, so I thought, "OK, let's do it again" and try for a multi-entry tourist visa.
How it all went:
ETD 7.55 am flight with Nok Air. The take-off was delayed 1.5 hours because of fog.
I got to the embassy at 11.15 am, just before lunch break.
Yes, you can apply for a multi-entry tourist visa.
The price is the same as a single-entry visa.
Winner, I paid 1,600 baht immediately.
It is valid for 2 months.
Submit the application plus a cover letter requesting a multi-entry visa.
Can I get this approved today so I can fly back to CR today?
No, it has to be approved by Vientiane first.
Please come back in 1 week to pick it up.
No, we won't ring you to confirm it is ready.
No, we don't provide any EMS service to CR.
Come and pick it up.
We don't know if you can still get these after 31st December
Flew down with Nok Air for 1,300 baht.
They wanted 2,600 baht to fly back.
So, I booked on Thai Lion for 1850 baht.
The flight was delayed 45 minutes.
Arrival in Chiang Rai was 7.15 pm.
But I've got one for three border crossings without VoA, so I should be busy next month. I'll make little trips into Laos for three or four days to explore new areas. Plus, a ride to Luang Prabang.
Now, I must wait for a friend to pick up my passport and visa from Bangkok.
Stay tuned...
2024 is the Visit Lao Tourism Year, and in June 2024, they announced visa promotions.
A multiple-entry tourist visa was one of those promotions that went quietly under the radar.
After a busy few months, I finally got around to chasing one up that would ultimately ease entry into Laos, save pages in my passport, and get me into naughty Xayaboury province, where they have no Visa on arrival or eVisas accepted.
Xayabury province has four international border crossings with Thailand.
Muang Ngern / Huay Kon in Nan province.
Pang Mone / Huak in Phayao province.
Phu Du in Uttaradit province.
Kenthao / Tha Li in Loei province.
So to enter Laos vis Xayaboury, you need a visa from the Laos embassy or consulate in your passport.
Living in Chiang Khong, a few hundred metres from the border, my nearest Laos embassy is in Bangkok, a mere 820 km away.
In March this year, I flew down to Bkk and the Lao embassy to get a single-entry visa from Chiang Rai in a day, so I thought, "OK, let's do it again" and try for a multi-entry tourist visa.
How it all went:
ETD 7.55 am flight with Nok Air. The take-off was delayed 1.5 hours because of fog.
I got to the embassy at 11.15 am, just before lunch break.
Yes, you can apply for a multi-entry tourist visa.
The price is the same as a single-entry visa.
Winner, I paid 1,600 baht immediately.
It is valid for 2 months.
Submit the application plus a cover letter requesting a multi-entry visa.
Can I get this approved today so I can fly back to CR today?
No, it has to be approved by Vientiane first.
Please come back in 1 week to pick it up.
No, we won't ring you to confirm it is ready.
No, we don't provide any EMS service to CR.
Come and pick it up.
We don't know if you can still get these after 31st December
Flew down with Nok Air for 1,300 baht.
They wanted 2,600 baht to fly back.
So, I booked on Thai Lion for 1850 baht.
The flight was delayed 45 minutes.
Arrival in Chiang Rai was 7.15 pm.
But I've got one for three border crossings without VoA, so I should be busy next month. I'll make little trips into Laos for three or four days to explore new areas. Plus, a ride to Luang Prabang.
Now, I must wait for a friend to pick up my passport and visa from Bangkok.
Stay tuned...
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