Following Thailand and Cambodia’s lead, Laos is considering getting in on a joint visa scheme that would allow tourists to visit multiple Southeast Asian countries with a single travel document.
As reported by the Vientiane Times, Laos has entered talks with Cambodia about setting up such a visa. If approved, tourists could apply for a visa to enter both countries at either a Laotian or Cambodian embassy. Laotian authorities hope this new visa would funnel further tourism revenue into the country.
At present, Thailand and Cambodia have a similar scheme in place, whereby tourists can apply for a single visa that will allow them to spend up to 60 days in both nations.
According to the Bangkok Post, the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy has promoted the creation of single-entry visas for the Southeast Asian region since 2003. Members of the Cooperation hope that with the creation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015, its vision of a joint-visa for Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam will finally become a reality.
