Bus routes opening 15 June: Thailand pass still required

[bear]

Thailand to start running buses to 10 Lao destinations from June 15

The state-operated Transport Co Ltd will have buses running on 10 routes from Thailand to Laos from June 15.

Sanyalux Panwattanalikit, Transport Co president, said nine more routes will be added to the first Mukdahan-Savannakhet route opened on May 9.

Nine new routes are:
Nong Khai-Vientiane
Udon Thani-Vientiane
Ubon Ratchathani-Pakse
Khon Kaen-Vientiane
Bangkok-Vientiane
Nakhon Phanom-Thakhek
Udon Thani-Udon Thani International Airport-Nong Kha-Vang Vieng
Chiang Rai-Bokeo
Loei-Luang Prabang

These routes are scheduled to be opened from June 15 and tickets will be available at all Transport Co ticketing booths across the country. They can also be bought online via tcl99web.transport.co.th/Home.

Meanwhile, the other three bus routes to Laos, (Chiang Mai-Luang Prabang, Bangkok-Pakse and Nan-Luang Prabang), and the two bus routes to Cambodia, (Bangkok-Aranyaprathet-Poipet-Siem Reap and Bangkok-Aranyaprathet-Poipet-Phnom Penh) are yet to open.

Sanyalux said the company currently runs buses on 14 routes in the North, 24 in the Northeast and East and 13 in the South of Thailand.

On domestic routes, people with a membership card will get a 5 per cent discount, while students and Transport Ministry officials will get 10 per cent off. The company will also give discounts to volunteer groups later. Discounts are also given to people based on criteria set by the Department of Land Transport.

Visit transport.co.th or call 1490 for more information or updates.

www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016042

[Banjo]

I must have crossed the Thai/Lao border fifty times but never used this service.
You had to have your Lao visa before leaving and it was easier to get a visa on arrival when crossing yourself.

Loei-Luang Prabang sounds interesting.

[nomadic]

Yes, a few years ago, the last time I tried to go from Udonthani to Vientienne they refused me a ticket in Udon saying I needed a Laos visa first but these days everyone gets a visa at the border on arrival so you need the bus first to get to the border so it was locals only on it. I had to pay for the more expensive minivans to Nong Khai and then find transport to border immigration before rip off taxis into Vientienne when the bus was set up to do it all the way as I have done on it from Mukdaharn to Savannakhet with never a problem. Someone getting a kickback from the minivans in Udon can be the only reason. But does seem like some interesting new routes now, among the old ones returning, especially for tourists if they run as planned for all. Things seemingly getting back to normal slowly. Do you know if Mae Sai/ Takilech is open again and /or if you now need a full Myanmar visa online even for a day pass as was reported ages ago rather than the previous US$10.00 on arrival? Not that I need it anymore these days. Gee some of those routes like Bangkok to Pakse will only be for the hardiest of travellers. Or Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang also. Journeys you will never forget.

[bear]

Do you know if Mae Sai/ Takilech is open again and /or if you now need a full Myanmar visa online even for a day pass as was reported ages ago rather than the previous US$10.00 on arrival?

I think so nomadic  though I keep getting conflicting articles. Myanmar only opened two weeks ago and this article is a bit sketchy and light on info. Got a vague memory of reading somewhere that you now need a full visa, as opposed to the old rules. Cheers 🐻

When Did Myanmar Reopen to Tourism?

Myanmar recently reopened to international tourists. Tourist visa applications for Myanmar resumed on May 15, 2022.

www.myanmaronlinevisa.com/entry-restrictions/

Border Checkpoints in Mae Sai Chiang Rai to Reopen June 1st

www.chiangraitimes.com/news/mae-sai-border-checkpoints-to-reopen/?amp=1

Both checkpoints are open, with extended hours at Checkpoint 1 until 9.00 p.m. 

[Banjo]

It will be good news because both towns rely heavily on border crossers for business, my mate's Tai Yai girlfriend has a shop in MaeSai and has barely made enough to pay the rent since the pandemic outbreak.

[nomadic]

But will falang need a full visa to cross rather than the previous US$10.00? If so I can't imagine many falang bothering. If me I'd go to Chiang Kong and cross into Laos with visa on arrival even if further to travel. Never did like supporting the Burmese criminal generals anyhow.

[bear]

Jun 2, 2022 20:38:35 GMT 7 nomadic said:

But will falang need a full visa to cross rather than the previous US$10.00? If so I can't imagine many falang bothering. If me I'd go to Chiang Kong and cross into Laos with visa on arrival even if further to travel. Never did like supporting the Burmese criminal generals anyhow.

Not being familiar with the previous US$10.00 charge; if it was for a border pass as opposed to a full visa, you should be good to go, according to this!!

More border checkpoints set to open

The Thai-Myanmar Township Border Committee (TBC) agreed to open the Mae Sai and other border checkpoints on June 1 to boost local economies and resume cross-border trade.

Checkpoints in Chiang Khong, Mae Sai and Chiang Saen districts will be opened to border pass holders.

The decision followed a meeting attended by Chiang Rai governor Passakorn Boonyaluck, various agencies, TBC coordinators and the governor of Myanmar's Tachileik province Myint Naing.

www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2315970/more-border-checkpoints-set-to-open

[Banjo]

I used to pay US$10 or 500B on the Myanmar side for a "VIP pass", which meant that you left your passport in Thailand for the day and presented a photocopy and the money to Myanmar immigration on the other.
Handy for shopping or showing visitors around as it did not involve stamps in the passport, something most expats try to avoid as you would be surprised how quickly that little book fills up.
It's been discontinued for a number of years now.