Once time at Vangtao-Chongmek (immigration check point Lao-Thai border )
i ask them the question : do i pay money for what ? they answer me : will you want to go or not ? play me only , do not ask anything if you want to go .
Laos beside 10.000kip or 20.000kip but Thailand beside 100 or 200Baht up to them will want !
The Laos GOV has a Deecree on immigration fee 1$=1 person, that money was collected for Tourist Development Fun, every time that you pay you'll get official receive. If they ask more than 1$, please do not pay for it. On the other hand, for Thailand side, they charge you not go to GOV Treaury, but they collected for them self.
I also agree with you, in Europe, USA even China, they don't collect any penny from tourist. For Laos, the GOV explains that it's necessary to collect it and will cancel soon.
Different immigration officers tend to charge differents fees. I think officers make money from this. If they don't, why not same charge? I also see some officers who work at immigration checkpoints enrich themself. I wonder how can they do this while they don't get much from salaries. Where the money comes from?
In any Asian countries, a Security border guards or Immigration officers do not make enough money to support their families. anything they can make either under the table or straight to their hand they'll take it. just look at that way... as for the West, just to get a job at the security borders alone is hard enuogh, forget about corruption.
In any Asian countries, a Security border guards or Immigration officers do not make enough money to support their families. anything they can make either under the table or straight to their hand they'll take it. just look at that way... as for the West, just to get a job at the security borders alone is hard enuogh, forget about corruption.