A disturbing report from Laos via
Nine Border Checkpoints to Discontinue Visa On Arrival Services - The Laotian Times
Amazing Laos, building new roads from Thailand / Vietnam, opening up new border crossings & then stopping visa on arrival. Duh!
I can understand that at some of the smaller border crossings, it can hardly be affordable to employ Foreign Affairs staff to issue visas, because the volume will be so small.
But what about some of the other crossings....?
Muang Ngern / Nam Neun to Huay Kon in Thailand.
Nam Heuang (Khentao?) to Tha Li in Thailand.
Good ol Sayaboury province on the front line, killing tourism again for international travellers from Thailand.
What was the Huay / Kon / Muang Ngern road to Luang Prabang built for?
It probably won't affect ASEAN passport holders with one month visa free on arrival? But for everyone else a serious backwards step!
There is no commencement date, so it may not yet happen; but absolutely what are they thinking?
If it really does happen, it is a serious step backwards & a shot in both feet.
Please don't do this!
Come guys you're going backwards, not facilitating entry.
Nine Border Checkpoints to Discontinue Visa On Arrival Services - The Laotian Times
Nine Border Checkpoints to Discontinue Visa On Arrival Services
According to a notice issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday, nine of Laos’s border checkpoints will discontinue providing visa on arrival services to tourists.
The notice orders the closure of visa on arrival units at nine border checkpoints:
– Pang Hok (Phongsaly Province) bordering China
– Nam Soy (Huaphanh Province) bordering Vietnam
– Nam Kan (Xieng Khouang Province) bordering Vietnam
– Nam Ngeun (Xayaboury Province) bordering Thailand
– Nam Heuang (Xayaboury Province) bordering Thailand
– Nam Phao (Khammouane Province) bordering Vietnam
– Na Phao (Khammouane Province) bordering Vietnam
– Savannakhet International Airport
– Phou Keua (Attapeu Province) bordering Vietnam
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been tasked with coordinating the closure of the visa units and is to ensure that no disruptions are caused at border checkpoints.
Laos launched an e-visa service earlier this year, but so far this is only available for use at three checkpoints; Wattay International Airport, The First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, and Luang Prabang International Airport.
According to a notice issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday, nine of Laos’s border checkpoints will discontinue providing visa on arrival services to tourists.
The notice orders the closure of visa on arrival units at nine border checkpoints:
– Pang Hok (Phongsaly Province) bordering China
– Nam Soy (Huaphanh Province) bordering Vietnam
– Nam Kan (Xieng Khouang Province) bordering Vietnam
– Nam Ngeun (Xayaboury Province) bordering Thailand
– Nam Heuang (Xayaboury Province) bordering Thailand
– Nam Phao (Khammouane Province) bordering Vietnam
– Na Phao (Khammouane Province) bordering Vietnam
– Savannakhet International Airport
– Phou Keua (Attapeu Province) bordering Vietnam
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been tasked with coordinating the closure of the visa units and is to ensure that no disruptions are caused at border checkpoints.
Laos launched an e-visa service earlier this year, but so far this is only available for use at three checkpoints; Wattay International Airport, The First Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, and Luang Prabang International Airport.
Amazing Laos, building new roads from Thailand / Vietnam, opening up new border crossings & then stopping visa on arrival. Duh!
I can understand that at some of the smaller border crossings, it can hardly be affordable to employ Foreign Affairs staff to issue visas, because the volume will be so small.
But what about some of the other crossings....?
Muang Ngern / Nam Neun to Huay Kon in Thailand.
Nam Heuang (Khentao?) to Tha Li in Thailand.
Good ol Sayaboury province on the front line, killing tourism again for international travellers from Thailand.
What was the Huay / Kon / Muang Ngern road to Luang Prabang built for?
It probably won't affect ASEAN passport holders with one month visa free on arrival? But for everyone else a serious backwards step!
There is no commencement date, so it may not yet happen; but absolutely what are they thinking?
If it really does happen, it is a serious step backwards & a shot in both feet.
Please don't do this!
Come guys you're going backwards, not facilitating entry.