Savannakhet immigration officials ordered to end border crossing fees
Immigration officials working at the second Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge in Savannakhet province, which forms the border with Mukdahan province in Thailand, have been ordered to stop the collection of immigration and service fees. The Prime Minister’s Office last week issued a notice to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Minister of Public Security, Minister of Planning and Investment, and the Savannakhet provincial Governor informing them about the order. The order was made after it was learnt that immigration officials were not in compliance with the President’s Ordinance on the payment of various fees at the border crossing. The ordinance, dated December 26, 2012, outlines the fees to be paid to cross the border as well as an additional charge levied when people make the crossing outside of official working hours. The system is implemented by the customs sector.
