Step-by-step travel instructions, photos and tips for securing a Thai visa as cheaply and conveniently as possible for travelers coming from Bangkok (***Please note that these instructions may be out of date as the visa processes are likely to change. This blog post was written in 2019***).
With a little advanced planning, getting a Thai visa can be a smooth and surprisingly inexpensive undertaking. After a challenging journey by bus to Phnom Penh for my last tourist visa, I found taking a train to Laos to be significantly cheaper and faster.
- Go to Hua Lamphong Station
If coming by the BTS skytrain, make your way to Sala Daeng, Asok, or Mo Chit to interchange with the MRT system. Take the MRT to Hua Lamphong. Follow signs for Exit 2 Hua Lamphong Railway Station.
2. Purchase train ticket bound for Nong Khai (253 Baht)
To be sure, I booked my ticket for the 8:20AM, #75 train the night before departure. The 3rd class fan seat costs 253 baht (The 2nd Class A/C seat costs 498 baht – Tip: Bring a sweatshirt)
To avoid having to spend two nights in Vientiane, you could take a night train instead.
3. Arrive at the Nong Khai train station
I arrived at the Nong Khai train station just before sunset.
4. 20 minute walk to the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge
While there were some rad looking motorcycle tuk tuks available, it’s an easy, safe walk to the border. No one hassled me on the 20 minute walk. Upon exiting the Nong Khai Train Station, take a left. When the road comes to an end, take a left. There will be signs for the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. Take a right as the signs suggest.
5. Stamp out of Thailand
There was no line when I arrived to stamp out of Thailand.
6. Take Bus across the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge (20 baht)
Once you exit the depature terminal, you are required to purchase a 20 baht bus ticket to cross the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge.
7. Fill out visa-on-arrival form and get stamped into Laos (Visa cost is $36 US dollars)
The visa-on-arrival form asks for your residence in Laos so have the address for your guesthouse handy. Tip: Bring US Dollars. The visa cost is $36 US Dollars or 1,500 baht (almost $8 more if you pay in Thai baht). After waiting a few minutes, your passport will be returned, stamped. Go through the immigration check.
8. Take public bus #14 into Vientiane (6,000 kip)
About fifty meters past the immigration checkpoint to the right sits a green and white public bus # 14. The 20km bus ride is 6,000 kip. You can pay in baht at a slightly inflated rate.
9. Walk from Khua Din Bus Station to the Funky Monkey Hostel
There are tuk tuks available at the bus station, but it is an easy 20 minute walk to the Funky Monkey Hostel. For a bed in the 16 bed dorm rooms, the cost is 40,000 kip or 50,000 kip for a bed in the 8 bed dorm rooms. I opted for a top bunk bed which featured an outlet, reading lamp, and clean sheets. Tip: Bring your own lock.
10. Walk to the Thailand Consular Section (40 minute walk)
I made the mistake of walking to the Royal Thai Embassy first. Be sure to head to the “Thailand Consular Section” instead which is located at 15 Ban Ponesinuan, Bourichane Road in Vientiane. Tip: Arrive earlier than 8:30AM when the office opens as the line can get quite long.Come with your Thai visa forms prepared.
11. Fill out and submit the Thai visa form with your passport, copies of your passport, 2 passport sized photos, and copies of your visa pages (80-100 baht for passport photos and 10 baht for passport copies)
Though I downloaded a Thai visa form from the Royal Thai Embassy website, they have an updated the Thai visa form which can be obtained on-premise. While there looked to be services to obtain passport photos and copies within the Thai visa office, I used a service located just to the right of the Thai Consular Section gates. It took just about 5 minutes for them to take my photos, make a copy of my passport and visa pages, and affix 2 passport sized photos to the forms. Tip: Be sure to have the name and contact of your “Guarantor in Thailand” as well as your proposed address in Thailand.
12. Wait in line and submit your Thai visa forms and passport
I was fortunate to get a spot near the front of the line, but prepare to spend a while waiting in line.
13. Enjoy the day in Vientiane before picking up your visa the following day
I recommend visiting That Luang and the Patuxay Monument.
14. Pick up your passport with Thai visa (Free)
Pick up for your Thai visa is from 1:30pm-3:30pm the day after you submit your passport and forms. Perhaps the free tourist visa is only temporary, but this was my experience in February of 2017.
15. Walk to Khua Din Bus Station (20 minute walk)
16. Take bus to the border (6,000 kip)
17. Fill out Laos departure card and board bus across the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge (20 baht for bus ride)
It took just a few minutes to stamp out of Laos and then I took the 20 baht bus back across the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge.
18. Stamp into Thailand
19. Walk or take a tuk tuk to the Nong Khai Train Station (40 baht for tuk tuk)
On my return into Thailand, I took a 40 baht tuk tuk to the train station.
20. Take the train back to Bangkok (253 baht)
