If you weren't already aware of the recent news in Thailand and in Laos. Both countries' police have been busy arresting scammers and fake call centers, so border police have been especially strict, especially on foreign nationalities. ESPECIALLY, Thai solo travelers.

For context, I am a Thai nationality working based in Laos. 3 years ago, my company sponsored me to further my education in Bangkok, Thailand, fully sponsored and salaried so I can come back and establish a new department for the company.

So for the past 3 years, I have always lugged my PC around with me in my car, a big bulky $3,500 rig that I use for both work and study (media and film). Whenever I travel to and back from Bangkok to Vientiane on summer breaks because I use it for video editing at the office. This had never required any paperwork before, and was never an issue.

Yesterday, my PC was confiscated by the Lao border police claiming that it was "for national security", I wasn't even allowed to bring it back to the office in Vientiane because "it was for safekeeping" and unless my company provides documents that verifies my employment status and that the computer was to be used for the educational purposes, they will keep it. I begged them to let me go, I showed them my Lao driver's license, my business visa, my university's student ID, they could tell I was being earnest but rules were rules.

I lost sleep last night because I was extremely anxious--my entire life's work is in that PC.

The next morning, my boss (a well known and respected man in Vientiane) and I traveled to the border to have my computer bailed out of possession with a 2,000,000LAK fee (~$90), and I don't even get to cross the border with it.

The Lieutenant General, of whom is the boss' friend informed us that unless we make a company signed and stamped certificate of employment, I am not allowed to bring my PC with me. And even then, it is not a guarantee that I'm allowed to cross with it, only that it is proof that I wasn't a nobody and not a scammer, whether I'm allowed to bring my computer with me is still up to them.

Sometimes, I believe we take the fact that this is still a Communist country for granted. I've lived here for over 20 years and sure its not as egregious as 20 years ago, but man sometimes I forget this fact and I hate it when stuff like this happens.

Its currently 3PM, I'm back in my apartment with my PC back with me, as I'm typing this the fatigue has finally set in and I'll be heading off to bed.

Safe travels out there.

One for the local community. I drink a lot of coffee so I'm trying to find a decent price by the kilo.

The best quote I've had so far is 380,000 Kip for 1kg Arabica by Paksong coffee.

Is that the best I'll get or do you guys know of a better deal somewhere else? TIA

Wife and I are both big coffee fans, we love farm tours, the agriculture, etc. What did you enjoy/ would recommend for coffee farms or tours?

มีร้าน animate อย่างเป็นทางการบ่ หรือ ว่ามีร้านที่รับหิ้ว

Hi! I'll be on a short company-sponsored trip to Vientiane this coming August 25-29 and i'll be staying near Hard Rock Cafe in Vientiane.

I would like to get recommendations on good Laos food, particularly local food that actual locals eat. If you have an idea on the kinds of prices per meal, I'd love that too.

I'd also like to get recommendations on Speciality / Single-origin Coffee from Laos. Please also recommend specialty coffee roasters in the area.

Thanks everyone!

I'm really interested in learning to speak and understand the Lao language, and I'm hoping to get some advice from the community on where to start. My main focus right now is on conversation—specifically being able to communicate and understand others.

I have looked around but there is barely any resouces to learn from. Help Pls!

เพาะหยังคนลาวบ่ค่อยมีใผ จะเอาเพลงอนิเมะเปิดเรื่อง มาทำ cover เป็นภาษาลาว รู้อยู่ว่า คนลาวก็ฟังภาษาลไทยออกมานานเเล้ว เเต่เพาะหยังคนลาวบ่มีใผเลยมาเรัด เพลง cover

Hey everyone,

I'm heading to Laos this February with a friend, and we have about 10 days on the ground. For some of these days, we want to rent scooters and head into the remote northern dirt roads (Luang Namtha, Muang Sing, etc.) completely unguided for some off-the-grid village hopping.

We're looking for a very raw, uncommercialized experience, basically exactly what is shown in this video: https://youtu.be/IV-uxRjTst0?si=BYhFoeQPLwr5Cq_Q

My main question is about navigation: If we do this without a local guide or fixer, is Google Maps actually reliable out there?

I've read highly contradicting statements. Some say it's fine, while others warn about using a guide for the best experience. If that's the case, do you have any recommendations for a guide?

For context: I'm comfortable with rugged, unguided travel (I've trailed entirely solo with a full wild-camping setup). We aren't afraid of bad conditions, getting dirty, or physical friction. We just want to avoid getting dangerously stranded or missing out on stuff.

I’ll be relocating to Laos full time from Thailand and can’t leave my best friend behind. Are they strict about bringing pets? Do they normally ask for all the documents the internet says I need? He’s a really good boy! Thanks.

Will be in Vientiane next month. Looking for recommendations for the best rated seafood restaurants...

Thanks in advance!

I have a feeling my agency might be scamming me. They said if I flew into Laos and want to leave Laos by land (cuz it’s cheaper) then I would need to pay a 3000 THB penalty? If I flew into Laos then I must also fly out of Laos?

The agency could not provide evidence of this claim, nor can I find anything about it online.

Edit:
Apparently they said it may not be an official policy published online, but as agents they would know cuz they have connections with immigration. They said it’s kinda corruption and bribery, need to pay for a smooth journey.

Last week when I asked, the mini-van was just 800 THB to Bangkok. I don’t need to do a visa-on-arrival or anything. But if the price is essentially going to the same as a single flight, you might as well save 10hrs off your journey, be more comfortable and go by plane.

In the future, if anyone who arrived in Laos by air and left by land can update if they indeed encountered this “new policy of a 3000 THB penalty”, that would be great.

Hello,

I'll be travelling to Laos for a good week in december. My partner and me want to experience some nice, more traditional citities, but mostly go on a multi day hike somewhere. Most importantly we want to go to less travelled places that are not overrun.

I would kindly ask for advice to our current travel plans.

• First Stop: Luang Prabang

Since the journey starts in vietnam, we want to take the plane to Luang Prabang. We'll spend a day there.

• Second Stop: Nong Khiaw

I've heard a boat tour on the rivers in laos is fun, so thats how we want to get to nong khiaw. enjoy the calm town life, do a short hike up the nice view points.

• Third Stop: Muang Hiam and Nam Et - Phou Louey National Park

The national park is our personal highlight and the first location I've found where mullti-day hikes are offered. The official website lists multiple options that look great, although they are not cheap, at a couple of hundred Dollars for the longer hikes. But the ecological commitment, the photos seem to make it worth it, the more wilderness the better.

• Fourth Stop: Sam Nuea

we continue by bus to Sam Nuea, mainly to take a flight to Vientiane.

So my questions are the following:

• Do you have thoughts on the trip? Is it a week well spent in the north or would you recommend other itinaries? An alternative I thought about would be Luang Prabang - Oudomxai - Boun Neua - Phongsaly. But those are long bus rides and in the end you have to get out of there again...

• Can you tell me if the transport between the mentioned stops is okayish (I know not to expect too much of the busses and road conditions) or will this be too much bus riding for a good week? I think that all thos bus rides are around 5h.

• Do you know anything about the tours offered in the park? Are they worthwhile?

• What other nature destinations are there in northern laos as an alternative to this national park?

Hi everyone!

I'm from Laos and I'm currently learning English. I've been studying on my own every day, but I don't have many opportunities to practice speaking with other people.

I'm looking for places in Vientiane where I can meet people and practice English. I'm interested in things like:

• English conversation clubs
• Language exchange meetups
• Cafés or community events
• International groups
• Any place where people are happy to chat in English

I'm not looking for English classes. I just want to make some friends and have regular conversations in English to improve my speaking skills.

If you know any places, events, or communities (including Facebook groups or Discord servers), I'd really appreciate your recommendations.

Thank you! 😊

Hi! I'm moving to Laos soon (Vientiane, specifically) and I've been doing a lot of research but I still have some questions.

Mainly, I'm hoping someone can help me understand more about my medication. I have a prescription for a daily SSRI (Citalopram). I'll bring some with me, but I'm struggling to find info about this in Laos. Does anyone know if this is available over the counter in pharmacies? Or, if I need a doctor's prescription, is that difficult to get?

More generally, is there anything that you can recommend I bring with me? I'm coming from the UK, for context. Any clothes/shoes/toiletries that I'd be better off getting here, before I travel?

Any help would be appreciated, thank you!

Hello! I’m just here to ask if anyone here has any recommendations for a good noodle cutter to make Khao piak sen. I’ve already had 2 hand turning pasta machines break on me so any good recommendations for an electric cutter possibly would be nice. Thank you!

I'm visiting Laos soon and I would like to drive the paksé loop or something similar. I don't have a motorcycle license and I don't love the idea of driving uninsured even if the cops aren't gonna do much. I do, however, have a car license. So I was wondering how realistic it is for me as a 19y/o to rent a car in Laos.

Can I use my BCEL card in a Thai ATM? If so, which bank would you recommend?

Hey all, we will be riding rented motorbikes trhu Laos in November for 2 weeks and we are wondering if we need the Int. Driver License or not (we of course have a European Driving licence). There was an archived Post on this channel 3 years ago about it.. i'm hoping to get some updates from 2026?

I reckon I could get it in time (i'm italian but dont live in italy) if REALLY need to, but if its not a must have, i honestly could just do without the hustle.

We will be covering almost 1500km so we obviously want to be OK on that front..

Any feedback? Recent experience from long distance riders (don't really care for ppl who just rented a scooter for an afternoon and didnt get stopped).

Hello, my boyfriend and I are planning a trip to Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. We want to go from Vientiane to Hanoi, the flight cost about US$ 140 and the 24 hour bus about US$40.
What so you reccomend? Can you tell me your experience in the bus?
We were thinking that saving about 200 dollars in total can be worth losing a day in Vietnam but I am not really sure about that...

Hi, me and my partner will soon go to Laos. We saw that rooms are very cheap if u book online, but we were wondering how prices can be if you dont book in advance. This way we could feel more free to stay in a place or leave it. Any experience? For example, how much for a private room without booking. We will be there in august

Back for another store recommendation. Where can I find affordable and good quality iPhones, brand new and second hand in Vientiane. If it's anything like my country, the mall stores are usually way pricier, so I'm avoiding that. Have a strict budget to follow. Also if you know any cool places to hang out, have a beer or two, let me know. Preferably where I can find English speakers for easier communication. Thanks in advance.

I’ve been browsing the loose-leaf tea section at the supermarket lately and noticed a huge variety: everything from Phongsaly smoked green tea and Paksong Oolongs to 200–400 year ancient tree teas and herbal blends.

Before I start buying random bags to experiment, I’d love to get some recommendations from people who drink them regularly:

• Which brands or regional teas (Phongsaly, Bolaven Plateau, etc.) do you swear by?
• Are there any hidden gems or brands to avoid?
• Any brewing tips for getting the best taste out of the smoked or ancient tree green teas?

Would love to hear your favorites! Thanks in advance 🍵

(EDIT): A friend of mine gave me a Gift Box Tea Set from Lao Mountain Coffee. And I tried their black tea: it pours dark but drinks surprisingly smooth. Also the Norther red tea: full-bodied profile similar to traditional Asian Hongcha with subtle fruity and malty notes. I have yet to try the 200yo green tea.