Lao-Thai border
: Houai Sai - Chiang Khong (Bokeo Province), Vientiane - Nongkhai
(Lao-Thai
Friendship Bridge Checkpoint), Savannakhet-Mukdahan (
Province), Vang Tao -
Chong Mek (Champasak Province);
Lao-Vietnamese border : Denesavanh - Lao Bao,
Nam Phao or Keo Neua - Kao,
Namkan - Namkan; and Lao-Chinese border : Boten
- Bohane.
Full detail of the visa regulations for Laos can be obtained
from the following official
websites where visa application forms can also
be downloaded :
Ministry of Foreign Affairs : http://www.mofa.gov.la/consular/Visas.htm
Lao
PDR Embassy in Bangkok
http://www.bkklaoembassy.com
Foreigners
who overstay their visas in Laos risk arrest and will be fined US$10 for
each
day of overstay upon departure.
Health
Requirements
Tourists visiting parts of Laos other than
Vientiane are advised to obtain medication for malaria. Immunisation against Helpatits
A & B is also recommended (Dengue fever of DHF). There is no immunization
against DHF.
It is strongly recommended that comprehensive travel and health
insurance be obtained which would include emergency air evacuation by a recognised
carrier. Prospective travellers should check with their insurer te make sure that
their policy meets their needs.
For further information go to Travelers' Health.
Climate Info
Laos
is a monsoon region with two distinct seasons: November to April is the dry season,
and May to October the rainy season.
For up-to-date weather information
click here.
Currency Info
The
currency of Laos is the Kip (LAK).
For current exchange rates click here.
State
and Official Visits / Bilateral Meetings
Mr Reuben Ngwenya, Deputy Director
of the SA Zoological Gardens in Pretoria
visited Laos in April 2005 on an
official visit arranged and sponsored by the SA
Embassy in Bangkok. His visit
was primarily aimed at visiting two identified wildlife
projects in Bolikhamsay
Province and the drawing up of a pre-feasibility study for the
further development
of these projects.
Bilateral
Agreements
If you have any queries with regard to treaties please contact the Treaty Section of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) at 012 351 1000.
Trade
Info
Laos' major imports are vehicles, cement, iron and fabrics, while
its major exports are hydroelectric power, timber, plywood, parquet, furniture,
garments, coffee and tin. South Africa mostly exports base metals to Laos and
imports mostly vegetable products from Laos.
For current information on
trade statistics between South Africa and Lao, visit the website of the Department
of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa.
Interest
Groups and Information
No Information