Crossing the Thai-Laos border WITHOUT a visa | Chiang Khong 🇹🇭 → Huay Xai 🇱🇦

Krisna and I went from Chiang Rai, Thailand to Chiang Khong and then crossed the border into Huay Xai, Laos. The reason for making this trip was partially because my Thailand tourist visa was about to expire, and so I could get an new 30 day visa in Thailand. I tried researching how to enter Laos before going, but it turned out to be very very confusing. But we made it!
We spent several hours looking at the day market in Laos and trying a few different foods and snacks.
If I had to do it all again, I would’ve tried getting an e-visa. I think that would’ve make everything easier.
📷 Follow me on Instagram:
ig.whereisbrad.com/
@whereisbrad_
✈️ Get 10% off Travel Insurance with Safety Wing:
bit.ly/safetywing-whereisbrad
🏨 Get $10 off your next hotel:
bit.ly/hopper-whereisbrad
🎗 Support my travels:
paypal.me/WhereIsBrad
🛠 Gear:
• GoPro Hero 10
• GoPro Media Mod
• Rode Wireless Go II
• Nomadic 40L Travel Bag
💙 Thank you all for watching. Subscribe to support my channel and don't hold back in the comments! Love you!
#thailand #laos #streetfood

[@searatravels]

OMG she was so brave eating the warm jajaja. I'm glad you continue with the videos and your channel. Keep the work and the fun in thailand!

[@WhereisBrad]

Thanks Gladys!!!

[@amberstewart5284]

loved this one, Brad! so interesting seeing the logistics of your travels.

[@WhereisBrad]

There’s def a ton I’ve learned about how to plan, or get from one place to another depending on a time, weather, location, etc. I’ll try to trickle that info in as I go.

[@billmoeller8897]

Thanks for posting this. I have been so stressed out about doing a border run now that Mai Sai is closed. Been trying to find out if you can just do a quick look around in Laos & return to Thailand the same day. You were the first one to answer that question. We are staying in Chiang Mai, planning to ride up to the Chiang Khong Border in late Janaury to cross over the get another 60 days on my 6 Month METV. Any other tips you remember, please pass them along. Thanks again for the video !!!!

[@WhereisBrad]

Wow I’m so glad to hear this!! Please let me know how the border crossing goes for you! My biggest takeaways would be to get the e-visa (72 hours in advance or more) and to bring a pen lol. Oh, and don’t overstay your Thai visa like me haha. Bring some patience with you too and you should have no problems 😆.

[@daytonswork]

Great vid bro keep it up

[@WhereisBrad]

Thanks man!

[@Travelwithchris]

Man that looks like a good visa run!

[@WhereisBrad]

Haha it was kinda stressful, but still fun!

[@juliocifuentes6809]

Great. Lots of good info

[@WhereisBrad]

Glad to hear that!! Totally getting an e-visa next time I go to Laos! Lol

[@justinvidalmusic2632]

So many things. I want to comment on😂 awesome video dude.

[@WhereisBrad]

Thanks! It was fun, and hopefully can help people too

[@haveagoodtimeswithsanit]

Very lucky mate. Have a good day.

[@WhereisBrad]

Thank you!!

[@crazycrazy4774]

Always Cool🥰😎

[@WhereisBrad]

Thank you very much!!

[@alandaniel1082]

Looking forward to vids from Cambodia haven't been there yet

[@WhereisBrad]

It’s def been quite different here… but they’re on the way!

[@bboy4339]

Happy Funny trip

[@WhereisBrad]

Lol. It was a little stressful… but still very fun!

[@minihousebobaebangkok3923]

Enjoy

[@barbvidal107]

Fascinating! Food a little strange...

[@WhereisBrad]

Haha yes it was intense over there!

[@Keepingupwiththequeens]

Did you enter Thailand in a 30 days exemption? You could have extended that in immigration for another 30 days then do this visa run when that expires.

[@roofpizza1250]

Works both ways. It's a day out anyway.

[@Keepingupwiththequeens]

@@roofpizza1250 but border runs a being limited. You could do it in X amount in a year

[@WhereisBrad]

Good to know! I was planning to go to a variety of countries, and don’t really have a plan, so I didn’t think through that all the way. I just left Thailand and am now in Cambodia. I’m planning to do a bunch of SE Asia, so I think I should be okay with each 30 day visa going forward.

[@crazycrazy4774]

Cute cople 😊🥰

[@WhereisBrad]

You think so? ☺️

[@josephpiscopo3436]

Wow that must have been really stressful! I don't know why they make these processes so tedious and confusing. Had a bit of confusion myself to understand how to get our Visa for Thailand.

[@WhereisBrad]

It was for sure. Im sure it would be worse if I were alone! There were a couple English signs around, but no English speakers. I wonder how I would make the process smoother if I was in control… maybe prices listed, for things. There was even an office they pointed me to walk to. When I got there I saw someone inside, but they were watching their phone. I stood a while and waived. I wasn’t even sure if I was at the right place, and didn’t know how to communicate that if I did get their attention. Finally krisna came over, knocked in the window and started speaking Thai. Wow what a hurdle.

[@josephpiscopo3436]

@@WhereisBrad lucky you that you had a Thai speaking lady with you 🤪

[@alandaniel1082]

You aren't going to like this but if you had done this on October 1st they changed it to 45 days exempt with a 30 day extension at (Thai immigration) and as mentioned you could have got that 30 day extension at Thai immigration instead of visa run. still good company and a stay in Lao. The 45 day exempt will last till March 2023. i will fly to Vientiane after my 44 th day so when i come back 45+30. Keep up the good work.

[@WhereisBrad]

Oh nice. Well I’m in Cambodia now, and will be going back to Thailand in a week. I suppose I’ll be able take advantage of the 45 days, but I don’t I’ll stay more than 2-3 weeks before moving on to Vietnam or Indonesia

[@k995k]

Wellcom to laos 🇱🇦🇱🇦

[@WhereisBrad]

Thank you! I didn’t stay long this time, but I plan to go back and really explore.

[@kitiara231]

Where did she park at the border crossing? Planning to do the same exact run next week

[@WhereisBrad]

At 4:04 we drove up to ask how it works, they told us to make a u-turn and drive over to the side to park. At 4:07 we drive into a parking lot that was right next to that. I don’t remember the exact turns but it was very easy to see all the parking and figure it out as you drive in. Hope that helps!

[@Wubbleman21]

How did it go? Do you need an e-visa like another commenter mentioned? Do you have any tips? Planning on doing this this week. Cheers!

[@kitiara231]

Yeap did this - exactly as they said, pretty straightforward

[@John-uz3yu]

How many days did you get after you arrived back in Thailand from Laos? 15 or 30 days?

[@WhereisBrad]

That time I got 30. But things changed after that. So later I went to Cambodia and came back, and had 45 days that time.

[@WhereisBrad]

I’m in Thailand still, but actually at the airport now and finally leaving lol.

[@Dublinek]

Hi, do you need to get vaccinations for C19? or tests if I am not vaccinated, to and back?

[@WhereisBrad]

If not vaccinated, you need to take a test within 48 hours of entry of Laos. If you’re planning on going to more than one country, having a vaccine makes things far easier, because you just show your card and are exempt from taking tests. Each country has their own entry requirements.

[@WhereisBrad]

I believe Thailand is 72 hours, so yes you’d need to show proof on the way back too.

[@Dublinek]

@@WhereisBrad Thanks

[@WhereisBrad]

No problem!

[@roofpizza1250]

When no one seems to know how these things work you always gotta wonder. -Rule changes -Incompetence -Scams A little Googling and 1400 baht seems about right.

[@WhereisBrad]

I agree 100%

[@frankrizzi3629]

When did you do this? Three years ago? Because you said nothing about the covid atk test required to enter Laos and nothing about the atk covid test required to enter Thailand. Huh?

[@WhereisBrad]

This was last week. If you have a vaccine, then you are exempt from the Covid tests. Search “[country] entry requirements” to see specifics.

[@WhereisBrad]

I came to Cambodia yesterday, and again I showed my vaccine certificate, and didn’t need to take a test.