Chong Mek to Vang Tao Border Crossing: Ubon to Pakse 2026

Chong Mek, in Ubon Ratchathani province, faces Vang Tao in southern Laos. Unlike the Friendship Bridges, this is a land crossing: you simply walk from one immigration building to the other. On the Lao side the road runs about 45 km to Pakse, the gateway to the Bolaven Plateau and the 4,000 Islands.

Quick Facts

• Thai side: Chong Mek, Sirindhorn district, Ubon Ratchathani
• Lao side: Vang Tao, Champasak province
• Hours: 06:00 to 20:00 every day, according to Thailand’s Immigration Bureau
• From Ubon: about 1 to 1.5 hours by minivan (around 100 THB)
• To Pakse: about 45 minutes from Vang Tao

Getting There

Fly or take the train or bus to Ubon Ratchathani. Minivans leave Ubon’s bus terminal for Chong Mek regularly. There is also a direct international bus from Ubon to Pakse that stops at the border while passengers clear immigration, which is the easiest option if you are continuing into Laos.

Crossing Step By Step

1. Get stamped out of Thailand at Chong Mek
2. Walk through the short neutral zone, which includes a duty-free area
3. Get your Lao visa on arrival and entry stamp at Vang Tao
4. Take a minivan or songthaew on to Pakse

A small service or overtime fee of a dollar or so is often requested on the Lao side, especially at weekends.

Laos Visa On Arrival

Most visitors get a 30-day Lao visa on arrival at the Friendship Bridges. Budget roughly US$30 to US$42 depending on your passport (US citizens pay about US$35 to US$40), plus a small overtime fee early in the morning, late in the day or at weekends. Bring a passport photo and clean US dollars, since baht is accepted at a worse rate. Vang Tao is on the list of Lao checkpoints that issue visas on arrival.

Thailand’s Border Run Rules Since September 2026

Thailand changed the rules on September 15, 2026, and they matter more than any detail of the crossing itself:

• 30 days visa-free for eligible nationalities, for tourism only
• Two land-border entries per calendar year on the visa exemption. Nationals of Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore are exempt from the cap
• Air entries are not capped, but officers screen repeat visa runners more closely
• One 30-day extension at a Thai immigration office (form TM.7, 1,900 THB)

If you have already used your two land entries this year, this crossing will not get you back in visa-free. Fly in instead, or apply for a Tourist e-Visa or the DTV before you go. Our Thailand border run rules for 2026 covers every option.

Bring Proof Of Onward Travel

Border officers on a visa run are deciding one thing: will you leave again on time? A confirmed onward or return booking is the quickest way to answer that. It matters most when you are re-entering a country you only just left, and on the flight leg if your run involves one.

If you do not want to commit to a real ticket yet, Fast Onward Tickets issues an onward flight reservation in minutes. See our complete guide to proof of onward travel for what officers and airlines accept.

FAQs

Is Chong Mek good for a same-day run?

Yes. From Ubon you can cross, have lunch on the Lao side and be back before 20:00.

Can I continue to Cambodia from here?

Yes. Pakse connects south to the Nong Nok Khiene to Trapeang Kriel crossing into Cambodia.

Is there an ATM?

There is an ATM in Chong Mek. Bring US dollars for the Lao visa anyway.

The Bottom Line

Chong Mek to Vang Tao is the easiest way into southern Laos from Thailand. Arrive before late afternoon and keep track of your two land entries.