Do I need to get a Visa in advance for Thailand and Laos?

Question

I am going to Thailand and Laos for a while. My friend has a place I can stay in Vientienne for freee. So I need a round trip ticket regardless of the fact that I might stay a few years?

Do I get visa's at the border? Any restrictions? Suggestions, comments welcome.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi,



By flying in to Thailand, because you're from a country like America, you'll get 30 day free travel at the airport (no need to get a visa). Officially, you're supposed to have a flight ticket (or train/bus ticket) to prove that you're leaving the country but is is very, very, unlikely that you'll get asked....i've never been asked, i've never known anyone who has......indonesia is strict on this, thailand isn't.....my advice...don't buy a return ticket if you're really not sure when to go....



You wrote:

So if I have a return date of like four month out they won't let me in? I'll be staying in Laos for a while...



No worry, really! Trust me! They won't ask. Many fly in to Thailand, then head to a neighboring county like Laos or Malaysia to get a 2 month visa and head back to Thailand. If you want to get the return ticket now for 4 months after you arrive in Thailand, that's fine.....If you really are still worried, you could have your credit card handy....and book a cheap ticket out of the country (like with airasia.com) while you're at the airport in Thailand, possibly in front of the immigration officials....but i think there's a 0.01 percent chance you'll be asked....



For more information, head to this page:



www.thailand-travel-help.com and click on the Visa section



Good luck, safe travels

Answer 2

If you plan to stay long time in Thailand, I suggest you to get a Thai visa at the nearest Thai consulate or Embassy.

You can apply for a tourist visa which is valid for 60 days. In some consulate they issue also double entry tourist visa which will last 60 Days, then you go in Lao and when you' re back you get. again 60 Days.

At the moment Thailand is offering tourist visas for free because is trying to increase the tourism.

It is useful to know that in Vientiane there is also a Thai Embassy where you can apply for a Visa.

You can get Lao visa directly at the border.

Last year, a friend of mine with a one-way ticket leaving Milan, was not allowed to fly to Bangkok. At the check-in, the airline staff told him that he have 2 options if he want to leave to Thailand:

1) Buy a return ticket directly at the airport

2) Apply for a visa in any Thai Consulate or Embassy.

So I suggest you to apply for a Thai visa and buy a one-way ticket

Once you arrive in Thailand is very much unlike that somebody will make you a problem if you don't have a return ticket. You have a visa issued, so you are fine with the custom.

On this website http://www.thaiembassy.org/ you may find the nearest Thai consulate or Embassy

Answer 3

You think because your an American you can just go anywhere in the world you want and stay as long as you like? Well you wrong. Both countries have restrictions on length of stays. Since your going to spending most of your time in Laos you better check with the Laos Embassy for what type of visa you can qualified for. For Thailand to entry without a visa you can stay 30 days if arriving by land and 15 days if you arrive by crossing the border. So when you arrive in Thailand by air you will get 30 days. If you arrive in Thailand from Laos you will get 15 days in Thailand. As for Laos yes you need a visa that you can get at the border for a short stay. For Long stay check with the Embassy in the USA for more information. I don't think Laos is as easy to stay in as Thailand.

Answer 4

In Thailand,you can get a tourist visa when you go into the country.

Better have a round-trip ticket to show Customs,though,I've heard

stories of them turning people away who didn't have a set departure date.The Thai tourist visa is good for thirty days.



EDIT: Well,I think having a return date four months later wouldn't be such a big deal-there must be ways to get a visa extended,after all. Tourism is Thailand's main industry and they're very accomodating. You can get a visa renewed just by crossing the border for Laos or Cambodia. I used to do it

all the time,I lived in Thailand for over a year. If Customs questions you you can just tell them you plan to go over to Laos,I really don't think they'll care.



You should definitely have a return ticket just for Customs.

I have heard stories about them turning away people who didn't have one. Why take a chance just to save a few bucks?

Answer 5

You really haven't thought this through yet have you.Think about it in reverse.....could a Laotian just turn up in America,nip across into Canada once in a while and stay for years no questions asked? Illegally maybe.Legally and morally no.Same goes for you in Asia.Your plan requires correct visa's and planning.Just because you've got a free offer it would be silly to think you would want to stay for years,maybe not even a month or two.Don't get me wrong Thailand and SE asia in general are fantastic and you must go but take a little reality check.I would hate to think of anyone,particularly a fresh faced naive westerner,penniless in sunny Laos or Bangkok selling their charms for a bowl of rice and a free bed.Never mind all this ducking and diving around immigration officials....do it once and do it rightThe peace of mind that will follow will ensure you have a life changing experience(for the better)

Answer 6

for sure you cannot stay for "years", you can stay as long as your visa



you do not have to show a ticket when arriving thailand



ad a departure date you should use your departure flight info and pick a departure date which is before the last day of your visa

Answer 7

Impossible to give a sensible answer without knowing what passport you hold.



Ian M