|
Entering Laos via the Thai-Lao Friendship bridge
From 2006/07 Travel Blog
We had arranged Lao visas at the Lao consulate in Khon Kaen - it cost 1400 baht, two passport sized photos and an hour later the 30 day visas were ready. No dramas these days and independent visitors are no longer restricted in Laos - the visa allows you to wander where you wish in the country.
On arrival at the Thai side (Nong Khai) of the Thai-Lao Friendship
Bridge things went nice and simply. A minute to get a passport stamp
then you buy a 20 baht ticket for a bus ride over to the Lao side.
Arriving at the Thai Lao Friendship Bridge - Nong Khai Thailand side
They packed us into the bus like sardines then drove us over the mighty
Mekong River to the Lao immigration building. Here, the fun really
began.
First up was a massive and very slow moving queue to pass through
immigration. There are no arrival immigration forms available, unless you feel like buying one. I don't think you really need one. The customs officials make no real effort to get people through and unless you bribe you way out of the line one way or another, you will be there all day.
After a while it became obvious we were going to be stuck
there for hours, however happily fate intervened. A gentleman tapped me
on the shoulder and asked if I would like to rent transport for the day.
Bus trip across the Thai Lao Friendship Bridge
On offer was a 9 seater van with driver for 1200 baht for all
day....handy as there were 9 of us. The price was right and the clincher
was when he whispered "and I get you out of the queue". And the rate was exactly the same as the official tour rates posted on a nearby sign.
I agreed and true to his word the guy took our passports right to the
front of the queue and they were stamped immediately. And we were off -
well kind of - there was a 10 baht entry fee to pay for the privilege of
visiting Communist Laos first.
Fees paid our driver began the 19 Km drive from the bridge into
Vientiane city. Its a fascinating ride down a busy road that in many ways looks just like any regional Thai town. Lots of construction, farmland, lots of small business and plenty of traffic.
The queue at Lao immigration at the Thai Lao Friendship Bridge
More Articles from this blog
|
HOTEL RESERVATIONS 
