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There are a few border posts, but the only consulate/embassy is in the capital, Vientiane, which is within an hour of the Thai border at Nong Khai. You can take a bus or the 12-hour train to the border town of Nong Khai (air conditioned sleeper coach) where there are plenty of buses and tuk-tuks waiting to offer to bring you to the border crossing immigration center, and on the other side are Lao transport peddlers to take you to the capital city about 20 km away. Alternatively, you can cross at one of several border points in the north which are much more scenic and interesting, but there is no Thai consulate at those places to get a longer term visa.

The downside is that Laos is a little bit conservative about allowing foreigners into the country, so you must get a visa from a Lao embassy/consulate before arriving, and Laos isn't equipped at the border to give visas to people who are arriving (unlike Cambodia and Burma)

The capital city, Vientiane, is flat as a pancake. Most visa-running tourists stay in or around the city center. If you like nightlife during a visa run vacation, then forget Vientiane.The people who enjoy a trip to Laos are those who just like to hang out in aquiet, peaceful and inexpensive place, amidst a sedate culture. In many respects, Laos is a very charming country. There are no street signs.

The situation at the Thai consulate varies with time, but if you see a huge crowd of people of Indian descent, don't be intimidated. Just skip the long line, walk around them, and go to the window to submit your visa application. That is what the officials will say from time to time. They are stone walling the majority of these applicants, and that's why there are sometimes very, very long lines. If you go to the gate at opening time, you may find a huge crowd pressing against the gate and adangerous stampede when it opens. If you can get a visa running service you can trust, e.g., by staying at or visiting a major hotel, then you can save yourself a lot of time, energy and hassle. Be sure to get a receipt for your passport from an established entity you trust before handing it over. It can take from half a day to three days, depending upon their connections.

If you want to bring a Thai girlfriend, she can cross the border at Nong Khai for a small fee and just using her ID card, not a passport. However, she's supposed to return to Thailand by sunset. If you plan on staying longer, you must process the proper paperwork and pay the fee. Check with the consulate for the latest policy and details.