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[yashi]

My husband wants to apply for non o visa. my husband is also filipino and he wants to stay also here in bangkok since i already have my working permit. what are the requirements needed?  thanks.

[lopburi3]

Do you have a one year extension of stay?  That is the first requirement.  If you do he takes a copy of your passport and marriage certificate to obtain the non immigrant O visa and then extends to match your extension per police order 777/2551 section 2.20

[yashi]

yes i have one year extension. is he need to exit to laos? o

[lopburi3]

He will have to go outside of Thailand - not sure how Laos is as seem to recall Philippine nationals may have visa issue problems there but that is probably only for tourist visa if true.  Is marriage Thai?   If not suspect will have to be translated/recorded with your Embassy and registered with MFA but a phone call to Consulate may be required to know if that is required for the visa issue itself.
Tel (856 21) 214581 – 2 Fax (856 21) 214580 Telephone (02) 354-6196 - 97 Fax (02) 354-6194

[yashi]

do you have any contact with the agent that will process the visa? can i have his/her contact no.?

[Huayrat]

I came back from savannakhet yesterday with a NON O... very easy.. No proof of funds , didnt sign pics and no letter from the wife... Hotel staff went next day and picked it up for me too...

Edited by lopburi3, 2012-03-21 19:06:24.
correct font

[Huayrat]

Also it opens at 9am not 8.30am... Stayed at savanvegas hotel who will take you there in there own transport

Edited by lopburi3, 2012-03-21 19:06:52.
correct font

[Elfin]

Hi Guys! I find this site very helpful, but I want to ask some questions.
We live in Chiang Mai.
I had a non O (M) single entry visa which, when expired, I have done 2 border runs to Mae Sai. My 3rd one is due to be done on the 20th, but I would like to go to Savannakhet and get another non-O (M). Some of you are saying that you can get a multi-entry non-O (M), valid for 12 months without showing a bank balance of 400K. I would like to get that-is it still possible? If not, I will get a single entry.

Now, which is the best way to get there? We have a car, but the VIP bus also sounds a good option too. As I have to work TWT evenings, I just want to be away SMT. The airline schedules don't suit me.
Is the casino a good place to stay, or are there better options?
Would going to Vientienne or some other country be better or easier?
Thanking you in advance,
Elfin.

Edited by Elfin, 2012-05-16 12:10:33.

[ubonjoe]

Yes the multiple entry non-o is still available. Only other option is KL or Penang in Malaysia for multi and you need to show funds for both.
I can't advise on casino verses another hotel. If you want a less expensive place to stay there are some near the consulate along the river that might be good.
I don't think you can do the run by bus or car SMT. You won't get your passport back until Tuesday afternoon so if you plan on working Tuesday evening you wouldn't make it.
If you choose to drive or go by bus it is best to get bus from Mugdahan bus station to Savvanakhet. You have to buy a ticket at bridge to get on the same bus across to Laos side and sometimes the bus is full when it gets to the bridge.

Edited by ubonjoe, 2012-05-16 12:57:14.

[Elfin]

Thanks Ubonjoe. I had already shifted my class from Tuesday evening. So I was planning to leave Sunday, be at the consulate/embassy Monday at 9am, and pick up my passport Tuesday at 2pm, then head straight back to Chiangmai.
So you don't recommend driving there or VIP bus?

[ubonjoe]

I didn't intend to disapprove of the bus or driving. It was the time frame that was the problem but you have plenty of time since you don't have class on Tuesday.
Driving yourself would be ok but I think I would consider an overnight stop someplace. Since you have time I think I would consider arriving in Mugdahan Sunday afternoon and spending the night in Savvanakhet that way you can be at the consulate when it opens. You may find it pretty busy on a Monday morning at the consulate so getting there early might avoid some waiting time.

Edited by ubonjoe, 2012-05-16 14:43:44.

[SavanVegas]

Huayrat, on 2012-03-21 17:42:24, said:

I came back from savannakhet yesterday with a NON O... very easy.. No proof of funds , didnt sign pics and no letter from the wife... Hotel staff went next day and picked it up for me too...

Dear Huayrat,

Thanks you for mentioning our service on these forums. We are glad that we were able to assist with your Thai visa application and hope to welcome you again. For all the other visa runners who are interested in coming to Savannakhet, Lao PDR for their visa run, please check our website (listed in my profile - can't post links) for more information/pricing and how to contact us.

Thank you and best regards,
Savan Vegas Hotel & Entertainment Complex.

[Elfin]

Thanks again Ubonjoe, you have been very helpful, and I will take heed of your advice.
Cheers mate!

[tig28]

Elfin, on 2012-05-16 12:09:36, said:

Now, which is the best way to get there? We have a car, but the VIP bus also sounds a good option too. As I have to work TWT evenings, I just want to be away SMT. The airline
Elfin.

Hi Elfin
Went to Savannakhet a couple of weeks ago -- obtained a Non Immigrant O multiple entry due to marriage to Thai. No proof of funds required. Submit application one morning -- pick up passport/visa the next afternoon.Very smooth.
We drove into Lao but would not do so again ....  on that day the processing of the vehicle took about one hour extra. We had all the necessary paperwork.
On the Thai side near the immigration check point is a large car park. In future I would leave my vehicle there & catch a tuk-tuk to the Consulate/hotel. Much faster and no navigation problems.
I also picked up a traffic "fine" for entering a one-way street where the one-way sign had been painted out. Three police were waiting & requested 3,000Bt. Pleading no cash I managed to escape for "only" 1,000Bt.

I think the Tuk-tuk from border is 150Bt.
Good luck.

[Elfin]

Thanks Tig28-again great info. Now, I have searched the internet without success, so can anyone tell me about the VIP bus to Mukhadan? I am guessing it leaves the Arcade Bus Station 7-8pm? What time does it arrive? I might then stay at the Savan Vegas, and use there VIP services.

[zoolander]

Went to Savannakhet last month for a tourist visa.

There is covered car parking on the left just before the entrance on the Thai side of the bridge complex. Its 150 baht a night charge. Bus ticket from Thai to Laos was 50 baht each, the bus stops at Laos immigration and terminates at the market in Savannakhet. If you are travelling with a Thai partner and they do not have a passport they can get a 5 day boarder pass to enter Laos in the car park area.

As you know there are no lines when getting on the bus and you have to push in like everyone else. Apart from one racist remark shouted at me, we managed to get on the bus as it was very crowded.

Off the bus in Laos and on the left is the Laos immigration booth. 2 photos required. I tried to pay with US Dollars but they did not accept them, they only wanted Thai baht. I have payed with US dollars at Chonk Mek and Vientiane with no problems. After 10 minutes waiting saying i had no Thai baht it was clear i had to pay in Thai baht. After i got my Laos visa we had to pay an extra 40 baht to the security who check your passports.

By this time the bus that terminates at Savannakhet market had left and we took a tuk tuk to our Guesthouse, 100 baht each.

Stayed at Leena Guesthouse. 350 baht a night. Pleasant staff, clean room, hot shower, air conditioning, Thai TV only and free WIFI which was quick. Also, there was an open air restaurant where you can have breakfast or dinner. The food was satisfactory and the frenchbread was ok but the cheese was processed. You can also rent bicycles. It was a 10 minute walk to a main road where there were mini marts and restaurants etc.

We visited Lins Cafe which was walkable from the Guesthouse. Great food with basic surroundings.

Savannakhet is expensive compared to Vientiane. I would say most items in the minimarts are the Thai price plus 20 to 50 percent. Even a bowl of noodles where i would pay 35 baht in Thailand cost 65 baht in Savannakhet.

Upon reaching the Thai consulate you will be harassed by the visa agents opposite. They will try to sell you the visa form for 20 baht and complete the form for you at additional cost. These forms are free at the Thai consulate, although not displayed. Just go up to the window and ask. The forms are also very simple to complete. Just bring a pen and 2 photos.

There are many farangs doing the same and try to share a tuk tuk back to the market or bridge to reduce costs.

I went to the Casino last year in Savannakhet. Its nice to visit but is a few km out of town. There is not much to do in Savannakhet. The market was awful as Laos kids follow you and beg for money, with their hands pulling at your pockets and the museums are basic. There were a few massage shops on the main road but we did not bother. I found the Laos people to be reserved and there was not the friendliness i have experienced within Thailand.

General impressions, the incident with Laos immigration left a bitter taste and will look at using alternative options next time. In addition, Savannakhet is comparatively expensive compared to Vientiane and there was just nothing for us to do.

Finally, bring Loas Kip as they charge more if you pay in Thai baht.