visa run from chiang kong to laos

[eebrak]

hihi.. can anyone give me some information on how i can travel from bangkok to chaing kong and about the crossing at this border?? thanks

[Betti]

get a bus to Chiang Rai, and from there, a local bus to Chiang Khong. you need to check out with Thai immigration before you take a boat across the Mekong. you can get a visa on arrival in Laos (30 to 40 dollars depending on nationality, can be paid in baht but always cheaper to pay in dollars).
if you are planning on a visa-free entry back to Thailand (as opposed to the next entry on your multi-entry non-B or tourist visa), please note that you'll only get 15 days, not 30 as before. this is the new regulation for all visa-free entries across land borders. with your non-B or tourist visa, there are no changes.
I think it is more worthwhile to go to Mae Sai (with a day ticket to Tachilek, Burma), because the day ticket is only 5 dollars or so (you don't need to get a full visa). Mae Sai is also accessible by local bus from Chiang Rai.
though I don't know if it is technically possible to take the boat over to the Lao side, but then instead of checking in with the authorities, get the next boat back and get your next Thai stamp! no idea if the Thais go through all your 50 stamps in your passport to make sure you entered Laos.

[eebrak]

Thank you so much for the info. I am from Singapore so I do not need the visa to enter Laos(:

I am sorry but I do not understand what you said at the end... Let my clarify...(:

Are you saying, after getting out of Thailand, I might not have a boat to Laos immigration? I think i read on the internet that there are boats between Chiang khong and Huay Xai(:

I will leave for the visa run on Sunday and will update again about the success of this trip.

After that I hope to make my way to the golden traingle, wat rong khun and then go over to pai(:

[KhunChin]

In ChiangMai, take a van from NamKhong Travel that will take you directly to Chiang Khong.

[Betti]

yes of course there are boats. that's the only way to cross the river there.

[eebrak]

Hi, I am back from the visa run and I would say it was a no fuss trip(: Passed through both Thai and Lao immigration very smoothly and yes, my visa was only extended for 15 days (a right number of days before I head back to singapore) (:

p/s visited amphoe pai after the visa run and it is beautiful!