Mukdahan, Savanakhet, Visa Run

I have lived in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand for 6 years. Well except for a year I spend in Bangsaen, Chonburi. I have had non-immigrant visas in all that time. But now for the first time I had to go on a "visa run'. If you don't know that means I had to leave Thailand to get a visa so I could continue living here in Thailand. Even though I am now considered a tourist.

I got on a bus to Mukdahan here in Ubon at about 5:15 AM. It takes about 3 hours. I arrived in plenty of time to catch a sam lor or 3 wheeler to the river port. Thai Immigration processed me through easily and paid my 50 Baht for the ferry ride across the Khong River to Savanakhet, Laos. The ferry left promptly and 9AM and it took about 15 minutes.

On the eastern shore I disembarked and took about 30 minutes to get my Laotian "visa on arrival". The was a 1700 Baht investment. When finished there it was off to the Thai consulate. I didn't know exactly where it is so I paid 50 Baht to a driver to take me there. The ride was 5 minutes as it is less than a kilometer from the port.

The paperwork at the consulate was quick and painless. After paying the 1000 Baht it was off to see the city. Savanakhet is mid size and rather quiet and peaceful. It was how I imagine Thailand was 30 years ago. I had a good lunch and drank a few Beer Lao while waiting for 3pm to pick up my passport. I met an American Expat named Hank who was retreating from Thailand to Laos because of the changes about visas.

At 3:00 exactly the consulate opened its doors distributing passports. Five minutes later I was back at the port un-doing all I did that morning and waiting til 4pm for the ferry to return me to Mukdahan. That was much the same as the morning.

I spent the night in Mukdahan at KiengPiman Hotel. Nice and clean with air and hot water only 500 Baht. After a few beers at Ban Cafe, a drinking establishment owned and operated by an American, I enjoyed a steak next door and then off to karaoke and disco with my new friends Tim and Milk.

An express ride back to Ubon and my visa run adventure was complete. I rather enjoyed it. I think next time I will spend a night or two in Savanakhet. It was a good experience to Mukdahan, Savanakhet and back to Ubon. Thailand and Laos in 24 hours.