Thailand Visa Run 2025: Step-by-Step Guide to Vientiane and Savannakhet
Need a Thailand visa run in 2025? Whether you’re a teacher securing a Non-Immigrant B (Non-B), a tourist extending your 60-day Tourist Visa (TR), or a retiree applying for a Non-O, Laos has you covered. Vientiane and Savannakhet both use Thailand’s e-Visa system (https://www.thaievisa.go.th/) as of February 26, 2025. This guide compares two options: a DIY bus trip with a 10–15 day wait (higher costs due to lodging) or Meesuk Travel’s 2-day fast-track (priced by nationality). Get every step—costs, docs, timing—for your Thai visa run to Laos right here!
What Is a Thailand Visa Run?
A Thailand visa run is a border trip to renew or upgrade your visa. Teachers need Non-Bs for work, tourists grab TRs for more travel, and retirees secure Non-Os for long stays. In 2025, Vientiane and Savannakhet process all visas online via Thailand’s e-Visa platform. DIY takes 10–15 days and racks up lodging costs; Meesuk’s fast-track saves time but varies by nationality. Here’s your 2025 visa run guide.
Thailand E-Visa System 2025: Key Updates
Thailand’s e-Visa system went global on January 1, 2025, and now both Vientiane and Savannakhet follow the same online process: apply at https://www.thaievisa.go.th/, pay in person, and wait (10–15 days DIY, 2 days with Meesuk). Optimize your Thailand visa run with these steps.
Vientiane Visa Run: E-Visa Guide for Teachers, Tourists, and Retirees
Who’s This For?
Tourist Visa (TR): 60 days for travelers.
Non-Immigrant B (Non-B): 90 days for teachers/workers.
Non-Immigrant O (Non-O): 90 days for retirees (50+) or Thai family ties.
Step 1: Choose Your Visa Run Option
DIY Bus: 10–15 day wait in Laos—lodging costs add up fast.
Meesuk Fast-Track: 2 days, priced by nationality: 6,500 THB (Westerners), 6,800 THB (Asians like India/China), 7,000 THB (Africa/Middle East).
Step 2: Travel to Vientiane from Thailand
DIY Bus Route:
Bangkok to Nong Khai: Overnight bus from Mo Chit Terminal (400–800 THB, 8:00–9:00 PM departure, 10–12 hours). VIP recommended.
Chiang Mai to Nong Khai: Bus to Udon Thani (500–900 THB, 6:00–7:00 PM, 12–14 hours), then minivan to Nong Khai (50–100 THB, ~1 hour).
Border Crossing: Friendship Bridge 1 (opens 6:00 AM). Stamp out (free), Lao visa on arrival (30–42 USD or 1,000–1,400 THB, 1 photo, 8:30 AM), bus across (40 THB), tuk-tuk/taxi to Vientiane (100–200 THB, 30 minutes). Arrive by 10:00 AM.
Meesuk: Van departs Bangkok (958/8 Sukhumvit 71 Rd.) Sunday/Wednesday, 8:00 PM. Includes Thai/Lao border fees.
Step 3: Apply for Your Thailand E-Visa
DIY E-Visa Process:
Gather Documents: Before leaving, scan:
Passport (6+ months validity, 2 blank pages).
4x6 cm photo (white background).
Hotel booking (10–15 nights in Vientiane).
TR: 20,000 THB bank statement.
Non-B (Teachers): School letter, contract, guarantor (headteacher’s name, address, phone).
Non-O: 800,000 THB funds or family docs (marriage/kid certificates).
Submit Online: Day 1, use Wi-Fi in Vientiane, log into https://www.thaievisa.go.th/, upload docs (10:00–11:00 AM, 15–30 minutes).
Pay at Embassy: Day 2, Royal Thai Embassy (15 Bourichan Road), 9:00–11:00 AM, Monday–Friday. Cash: 1,000 THB (TR), 2,000 THB (Non-B/Non-O). Keep receipt.
Wait: 10–15 working days (2–3 weeks). Stay in Laos—leaving cancels it. Check status online daily.
Download E-Visa: Day 11–16, email arrives. Print 2 copies (~20 THB).
Meesuk Fast-Track:
Submit Docs: Pre-trip, send scans to Meesuk (same as DIY).
They Process: Upload, pay, handle it—2 days. Includes hotel, 3 meals.
Get E-Visa: Day 2, emailed and printed.
Step 4: Stay in Vientiane or Return
DIY: 10–15 nights at Grand Hotel Vientiane (800–1,200 THB/night), Douangpraseuth Hotel (600–900 THB), or Lao Golden Hotel (500–800 THB).
Meesuk: 1 night included. Back Tuesday/Friday midnight.
Step 5: Return to Thailand
DIY: Day 11–16, tuk-tuk to Friendship Bridge (100–200 THB), bus to Nong Khai (40 THB), Bangkok bus (400–800 THB).
Meesuk: Van to Bangkok arrive at midnight.
Vientiane Visa Run Costs
DIY: 10,000–25,000+ THB (travel, visa, 10–15 nights’ stay outweighs savings).
Meesuk: 10,500 (Westerners), 8,500 (Asians),
Not including visa fee at the Thai Embassy: Tourist = 1,000 THB Non-B, O & ED 2,000THB
Savannakhet Visa Run: E-Visa Guide for Teachers and Workers
Who’s This For?
Non-Immigrant B (Non-B): 90 days for teachers/workers.
Tourist Visa (TR) or Non-O: Available, but Vientiane’s preferred.
Step 1: Pick Your Visa Run Option
DIY Bus: 10–15 day wait—lodging costs pile up.
Meesuk Fast-Track: 2 days—6,500 THB (Westerners), 6,800 THB (Asians), 7,000 THB (Africa/Middle East).
Step 2: Travel to Savannakhet from Thailand
DIY Bus Route:
Bangkok to Mukdahan: Bus from Mo Chit (500–1,000 THB, 8:00–9:00 PM, 10–12 hours).
Chiang Mai to Mukdahan: Bus to Udon Thani (500–900 THB, 12–14 hours), then Mukdahan (200–300 THB, 3–4 hours).
Border Crossing: Tuk-tuk to Friendship Bridge 2 (50–100 THB, 7:30 AM), stamp out (free), Lao visa on arrival (1,000–1,800 THB, 1 photo), bus across (50 THB), taxi to Savannakhet (150–200 THB, 45 minutes). Arrive by 10:00 AM.
Meesuk: Van from Bangkok Sunday/Wednesday, 8:00 PM. Border fees included.
Step 3: Apply for Your Thailand E-Visa
DIY E-Visa Process:
Gather Documents: Same as Vientiane—passport, photo, hotel booking, visa-specific docs (Non-B: school letter, etc.).
Submit Online: Day 1, upload to https://www.thaievisa.go.th/ via Wi-Fi (10:00–11:00 AM).
Pay at Consulate: Day 2, Royal Thai Consulate, 9:00–11:00 AM. Cash: 2,000 THB (Non-B), 1,000 THB (TR). Keep receipt.
Wait: 10–15 working days. Stay in Laos, check status online.
Download E-Visa: Day 11–16, print from email (~20 THB).
Meesuk Fast-Track:
Submit Docs: Pre-trip to Meesuk.
They Process: 2 days—hotel, meals included.
Get E-Visa: Day 2, emailed and printed.
Step 4: Stay in Savannakhet or Return
DIY: 10–15 nights at Savan Café (500 THB/night) or similar.
Meesuk: 1 night included. Back Tuesday/Friday midnight.
Step 5: Return to Thailand
DIY: Day 11–16, taxi to Friendship Bridge 2 (150–200 THB), bus to Mukdahan (50 THB), Bangkok bus (500–1,000 THB).
Meesuk: Van to Bangkok arrive at midnight.
Savannakhet Visa Run Costs
DIY: 8,000–20,000+ THB (travel, visa, extended stay).
Meesuk: 10,500 (Westerners), 8,500 (Asians),
Not including visa fee at the Thai Embassy: Tourist = 1,000 THB Non-B, O & ED 2,000THB
Thailand Visa Run Checklist for 2025
Passport: 6+ months validity, 2 blank pages.
Documents: TR (funds/hotel), Non-B (school/guarantor), Non-O (funds/family).
Cash: THB for fees, USD/THB for Lao visa, 1,000–2,000 THB extra.
Timing: DIY (10–15 days), Meesuk (2 days).
Thailand Visa Run Tips
Teachers: Meesuk’s Non-B fast-track beats DIY costs and time.
DIY: Lodging for 10–15 days (5,000–18,000 THB) offsets bus savings—plan accordingly.
Explore: Vientiane—Patuxai. Savannakhet—Mekong sunsets.
Why This Matters in 2025
Thailand’s e-Visa system supports 36+ million visitors in 2025, streamlining visa runs. Vientiane and Savannakhet both use online apps with in-person payments. Check https://www.thaievisa.go.th/ or https://www.meesuktravel.com/ for updates.
Relevant
Read this detailed guide for the visa run to Vientiane following the pre-2025 system.
https://kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/thai-visa-run-to-vientiane-laos
Read this detailed guide for the visa run to Savankhet following the pre-2025 system.
https://kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/laosvisaguide
Read this detailed article on the Thai work permit.
https://kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/thai-work-permit