thailand
Ask question
This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

Are same-day border exits from Laos at Savannakhet allowed, and how long do you need to stay in Laos before reentering Thailand?

Visa RulesThailand ImmigrationLaos Border CrossingSavannakhetMukdahanVisa ExemptionsTravel Requirements
Aug 30, 2024
6 months ago
Galen ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is it confirmed now that when entering Laos at the Savannakhet checkpoint, leaving Laos the same day at Savannakhet checkpoint is no longer allowed by Laos Immigration? If same day border bounces are no longer allowed, does anyone know how many days must be spent in Loas before being allowed to exit Laos and reenter Thailand at the Mukdahan checkpoint. Just need to know if I need to book a room in Savannakhet.
3,209
views
5
likes
94
all likes
47
replies
0
images
16
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
Recent discussions indicate that same-day border crossings between Laos and Thailand at the Savannakhet checkpoint may no longer be allowed. New Thai immigration requirements reportedly state that travelers must stay in Laos for at least two days before re-entering Thailand at Mukdahan. There are conflicting views about whether this is a Lao requirement or primarily a Thai policy. Travelers are advised to check with local immigration offices for the most accurate and current information.
Pelle Eriksson
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...
recently on Facebook
Luca G.
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...
recently on Google
Trusted Thai Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Grant *******
I believe that it's 2 days now
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Min **********
Please which thai boarder is near to savannaket. I have always know that of Vientiane as a point of entry
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Galen ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Min *********
 Mukdahan
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Galen ******
Reply
Tobben ********
Laos is a nice country and Vientiane is a nice City,so why not ? Air Asia to Udon Thani and a taxi 25 minutts to the Laos Border where you pay entrancefee( visa on arrival). Then 20 min taxi to Vientiane where you already have booked rom at Trivago.com .Tasty and cheap food,nice Girls and many dancehalls to visit,,,just like in Thailand.. one week there wont hurt anyone !
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Tobben ********
I have lived there all in all 6 years and not only in the North!
6 months ago
Like
Reply
John ********
@Tobben *******
 Nice girls. You make it sound like it's a big brothel. Maybe that is the main attraction for some Farangs.
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Tobben ********
@John *******
 Have you been in Pattaya ? It is a big Brothel !
6 months ago
Like
Reply
John ********
@Tobben *******
 Yes, unfortunately, I was hoteled there by my company before going offshore, but fortunately the hotel was in North Pattaya, Soi 2.
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
John ********
Reply
Nongnuch ********
@Tobben *******
 there is no "entrance fee" for Laos. You need to buy a Laos "visa-on-arrival" for 2000.- THB. i find it weird that you call a visa an "entrance fee". Is me buying a beer in a girlie bar an entrance fee for the bar?
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Angelo ***********
Laos is now 14 days visa exempt (for most nationalities). So, no visa on arrival and no "entrance fee".
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Terje *********
@Nongnuch *******
 if you not going to stay more than 14 days in Laos you pay nothing.

At leat that what they told me at the border at Mukdahan for a few weeks ago.
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Stephen *********
@Terje ********
 not true. The visa is different price for different nationalities though.
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Terje *********
@Stephen ********
 I only know what the imitation in Laos told me, and I pay nothing.

I'm from Norway btw.
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Nongnuch ********
@Terje ********
 okay, but this is only good for a handful few countries since recently
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Tobben ********
@Terje ********
 Not my experience after many trips to Laos from Udon Thani ! I always had to pay visafee even I never stayed more than a week at the time,but it costed nothing to enter back to Thailand again !
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Galen ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terje ********
 I wonder if that is for all countries.
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Galen ******
Reply
Tobben ********
@Nongnuch *******
 You can try to enter Laos if you dont pay ! "Entrancefee" is only a Word i use to tell people that it cost money to enter Laos ! I have been in Laos many times and also find out that you dont pay the same amounth if you use usd.
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Tobben ********
Reply
Nongnuch ********
there have been reports that the Thai side Immigration now requires a two-night stay in Laos from visa-exempt border bouncers. So it seems a Thai requirement, not something Laos came up with. Lord knows what the Thai side expects to earn from such a rule. One of the many "OMG!" moments in this amazing place
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Galen ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nongnuch *******
 I was guessing it is meant for the exempt crowd. Seems like maybe Thai helping Lao recover lost revenue from fewer required consulate visits. Maybe ok.
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Galen ******
Reply
Neil ********
2 days. Get a room
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Steve *******
@Neil *******
 Not at the Mukdahan/Savannakhet crossing
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Alan **********
@Neil *******
 great place for 2 nights 🌙
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Alan **********
Reply
Jay *****
Best answer to this question. Go to thai immigration and get the answers.
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Jeffrey ************
I don't think it's a Lao problem... it's Thai
6 months ago
Like
Reply
David *******
2 night they said
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Andy ************
A friend went to Mukdahan/Savannaket last week. Had to spend two days in Savannaket. New Thai immigration requirement
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Galen ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andy ***********
 Thanks for that. So this is a Thai requirement, not Laos. Would be interesting to know if it is actually something in writing or possibly a bad day for an officer. Also do you know what visa your friend was on. Was it visa exempt or did they have some type of multiple entry visa in their passport. Thanks!
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Brandon ************
@Galen *****
 the immigration officers at Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong said it was an order from above.
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Andy ************
@Brandon ***********
 God? Or Buddha?
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Nongnuch ********
@Andy ***********
 probably from Big Joke ? 😂
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Andy ************
@Nongnuch *******
 Actually isn't Big Joke on the sidelines now? Maybe there's a Little Joke ready to assume the mantle 😆
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Nongnuch ********
@Andy ***********
 correct, he has been kicked from the control room recently
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Nongnuch ********
Reply
Andy ************
@Galen *****
 He was leaving on exempt and re-entering on exempt
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Andy ************
Reply
Daniel ************
Laos / Thai - there is no such requirement
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Nongnuch ********
@Daniel ***********
 there are reports that the Thai side Immigration now requires a two-night stay in Laos from visa-exempt border bouncers
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Andy ************
@Daniel ***********
 Changed about two weeks ago
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Galen ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Daniel ***********
 Thanks
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Galen ******
Reply
Brandon ************
I haven't seen anyone mention anything about borders except for Chiang Saen and Chiang Khong.
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Robert ******
Probably a scam to get people to spend money on hotel rooms they don't need.
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Galen ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert *****
 I'm thinking maybe people traveling on exemption. People on a regular multiple entry visa possibly may not be effected. Hopefully as more people do border runs, there will be more input to this topic. My last border run to Savannakhet, there seemed to be far fewer foreigners traveling. Most likely not as many people need to visit the Consulate now with the change in visa exempt rules. I'm sure a loss in revenue for businesses in Suvannakhet.
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Brandon ************
@Galen *****
 I think it has more to do with the consulates being appointment only now
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Brandon ************
@Robert *****
 why would Thai immigration officers require people to stay in Laos as part of a scam? That wouldn't benefit them at all. It's a completely different country.
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Steven ***************
@Brandon ***********
 . Would be interesting for those who choose to fly back to Thailand instead of a land border. Are they going to get the same response? I can't see how Laos can stop you from leaving without a legal reason (eg a wanted fugitive )but Any country can stop you from entering for any reason they see fit.

My opinion is it's a Thai influenced decision in that respect that also benefits Laos 2nd hand.

Wether this affects actual visa holders is another interesting question.
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Robert ******
@Brandon ***********
 land borders are full of scams, thai side says have to stay two days, laos side collects the hotel money then they split the rewards.
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Brandon ************
@Robert *****
 So every border with Laos decided to do it at the same time... okay
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Robert ******
@Brandon ***********
 it's a scam of some sort, that was just my idea of what it could be. If you think immigration at borders don't scam, up to you
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Robert ******
Reply
Galen ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 I thought I saw something a couple weeks back. However when I search the posts now, I can't find them. Perhaps fake news.
6 months ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Galen ******
Reply
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
What are the current requirements and experiences for crossing from Thailand to Laos at Chiang Khong?
41 comments
5 months ago
What are the current border run requirements from Chiang Mai to Laos for visa extensions?
4 comments
6 months ago
What are the current border crossing requirements for land borders in Chiang Rai province?
28 comments
6 months ago
Is there a new two-night stay requirement for border runs from Thailand to Laos?
45 comments
6 months ago
Can you change passports when crossing the land border from Thailand to Laos for a short stay?
11 comments
a year ago
How long do I need to stay in Laos before re-entering Thailand at the Nong Khai border?
17 comments
a year ago
What are the current issues and regulations for same-day arrivals and departures at the Aranyaprathet-Poipet border crossing?
15 comments
2 years ago
What are the requirements and best routes for driving border runs from Bangkok to Laos?
23 comments
2 years ago
What are the latest border bounce procedures from Nong Khai to Laos?
35 comments
2 years ago
What are the border bounce rules for visa-exempt entries into Thailand at the Lao border?
2 comments
2 years ago
Can a Laos national enter Thailand via the Nongkhai land border, and what are the current requirements?
0 comments
3 years ago
What are the current border conditions at Mukdahan - Savannakhet for Lao visa holders?
13 comments
5 years ago
What is the current status of Lao border crossings and visa policies for foreigners?
57 comments
5 years ago
Is There a Minimum Wait Time After Exiting to Obtain a Visa Exemption When Leaving Thailand Through Savannakhet?
5 comments
5 years ago
What Are the Current Requirements for Crossing the Border into Laos from Thailand?
15 comments
5 years ago
Can You Still Do a Same-Day Border Bounce at Sadao?
2 comments
5 years ago
Can You Exit and Re-Enter Thailand on the Same Day During a Border Bounce?
5 comments
5 years ago
Is it true that new rules require a one-night stay in Cambodia for Thailand border runners?
15 comments
5 years ago
What are the current procedures and fees at the Mukdahan-Savannakhet border crossing for visa applications and entry?
5 comments
5 years ago
Is it advisable to make a same-day border crossing with a 6-month MTV visa?
5 comments
6 years ago
Can I just cross the border from Thailand to Laos for a short trip and return for the 30-day stamp?
3 comments
6 years ago
What are the current rules for entering Thailand from Cambodia regarding the stay duration?
44 comments
6 years ago
Do I need a visa to visit Suvannaket, and can I return the same day?
6 comments
7 years ago
Can I extend my stay in Thailand by crossing into Laos and returning on a tourist visa?
5 comments
7 years ago
Can you still do a same-day border bounce at Wang Prachan/Wang Kelian for a METV?
8 comments
7 years ago
Data protection policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimerPrivacy policyRefund policy
The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.