Women cross the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge linking Savannakhet province and Mukdahan province in Thailand​. (File​ photo​ Lao Youth Radio)

Bridge officials probe claim of unlawful passport stamp charge

The Management Board of the 2nd Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge linking Savannakhet province and Mukdahan province in Thailand is investigating complaints about fees being charged when travellers have their passport stamped.
A post on Facebook last week claimed that immigration officials charged 200 Thai baht for an entry stamp into Thailand and 200 baht for an exit stamp.
Head of the Management Board at the bridge, Lieutenant Colonel Lamphon Xaythong, said officials were not allowed to charge for passport stamps at the border crossing, either on entry or departure, and that no charge is officially levied.
Presidential decree No. 002 states that immigration offcials at the bridge are not required to charge for passport stamps, he added.
However, authorities are investigating the claim to verify its validity and if anyone is found to have committed an offence, they will be prosecuted in strict compliance with the law, and there will be no exception regardless of the position of the offender, Lt. Col. Lamphon said.
The investigation is expected to be completed soon and the matter will be clarified at a later date, according to the Laophattana newspaper.​

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update July 25, 2023)