Lao Authorities Clarify Passport Violation in Viral Exit Fee Video

In response to a viral video exposing an alleged imposition of an extreme exit price of THB 5000 (round USD 142.37) on a Thai vacationer on the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge in Vientiane Capital, the Lao authorities have stepped ahead to deal with the controversy.

The cost was a results of a passport violation, disputing the preliminary declare of an unjust price, and that the Thai vacationer was charged LAK 700,000 (USD 33.89) as an alternative of THB 5000, Deputy Head of the Border Administration Committee, Kidon Kivongxay, defined on 20 November 

Kivongxay revealed that the Thai vacationer, recognized as Napapron Sugkaseam, lacked a verification stamp upon coming into Laos, a violation of the nation’s entry-exit and overseas administration legal guidelines. 

The controversy arose from a TikTok video posted on an account named “kimjihoon645” on 12 November. The video depicted a bunch of Thai people confronting a Lao border officer on the Friendship Bridge, alleging an unfair cost towards their buddy, Napaporn, upon their return to Thailand.

In accordance with the Thai vacationer’s account within the video description, when she entered Laos a number of days earlier, there was no indication of a verification stamp situation.

Solely upon the group’s return to their homeland, Napaporn was knowledgeable that her passport lacked the mandatory verification stamp. 

The Lao authorities allegedly demanded she pay THB 5000 (round USD 142.37), prompting the vacationers to query the border officer. After negotiations, the officer lowered the worth to THB 2500 (round USD 71.23), however Napaporn refused to pay. 

Subsequently, the group was known as into the Lao immigration workplace, the place Napaporn raised suspicions towards the officers alleging they intentionally ployed to extort cash from the Thai vacationers. 

Ultimately, each events agreed to decide on a price of LAK 700,000, which the Thai vacationer paid.

Nevertheless, Kivongxay added that the quantity of the cost was urged by the vacationer herself, and the authorities agreed to it.