Inside the World's MOST DANGEROUS Casino 

I did this 18 yrs ago but got to Laos from Nong Khai. I did make sure to avoid getting a fake visa made up out the front of the Thai embassy by a vendor selling such visas at the same price as the embassy’s visas. The Thai embassy was very easy to deal with, very quick service, no dramas whatsoever. Love your vids. Keep going strong. ⭐️

Just to note. That casino is run by: Hong Kong Fuk Hing Travel Entertainment Group (The name is a little rude but, apparently, they don't give a Hing)

Really enjoyed this vlogging, Paddy. I do agree with what you said! Wow, you've made history, first foreigner! Thank you 🙏❤️🇹🇭 Ps, love your Thai talk 👍

I haven't been to Chiang Saen in almost 30 years and have always loved that area of Chiang Rai. I didn't recognize the Lao side of the border now. Kinda sad to see what's happened ...

Laos is a wonderful country, I suspect like Thailand was decades ago. don't let this experience decide how you see Laos, because you would certainly enjoy visiting places throughout the country, including Luang Prabang and even Vientiane.

Great video! I'll have to go up there for a bit. Koh Samui is beautiful but its making me soft. I'm glad you brought awareness to this place. I had no idea it existed. Well done Paddy!

Thank you for sharing it. I've heard about it from all sides, not sure whether I should visit there by myself. Now I have a better understanding and a POV experience. I echo "a poor country being bought out by a far greater power" and have mixed feelings about it. I also like the word Laosvegas... I'll use it 🙂

Great video Paddy as usual ! Please do more videos of Chiang rai. Hope to move there after the New Year .

Also went to Lao few years back via Golden Triangle. Took a boat from Thailand and into Laos. But I feel like the part we got dropped off was touristy like they had different booths selling handmade things. And was very small area. Stayed maybe half hour then back on the boat to Thailand.

Paddy - Great video, I am new to your channel. As noted in the comments the same thing has happened in Sihanoukville and even Ha Long Bay Vietnam. We call it silent colonialism. Also, it is known as zero dollar tourism. Specifically, what happens is the Chinese bring in all chinese construction workers (sometimes N Korean as well - great BBC documentary on this BTW) while promising jobs to locals, which is a lie. Then all the workers need food, so they open Chinese restaurants owned by the Chinese forcing out local restaurants. At the end of the construction, you have Chinese owned hotels, chinese owned restaurants, and Chinese owned gift shops. When the Chinese come to visit, ZERO dollars end up being spent on locally provided goods and services, hence the name. It is happening all over SE Asia and it is heartbreaking.

Kings Roman is pretty dodgy alright… There’s tons more dodgy casinos at lots of Thai land border crossings. Laos, Cambodia and Burma. It’s a bit of fun going especially the people watching aspect. If you want to check out some more proper dodgy ones, then Poipet on the Cambodian border has lots of them. Also Mae sot/Myawaddy on the Burmese border has a little mini vegas strip. It’s a 10 second boat trip across the Moei river. No passport or visa required. Very weird places but interesting….

Thanks Paddy , great and well said info

Yep we randomly went there too attempting to have a quick visit to laos and being drawn by a spectacular looking building across the river. I can completely vouch for that place being the weirdest place ive ever visited also. A genuine soulless Chinese bubble in lao. We didnt enter that super casino but after half an hour in china town we realised something was definitely off and sinister in the shadows. Caught a glimpse of a very rough looking burmese labour encampment on the taxi ride out of town. Was very relieved to get back into Thailand.

I really enjoyed that video, great stuff

Interesting video. Thanks for sharing it!

That area of Laos 50 years ago was just drug manufacturing and Thais stayed away. Over the years Laos has become just another province of China, especially in the north and Sihanoukville. A beautiful and friendly country has been forever changed. So sad.

I was first in Lao 🇱🇦 in 2002. So much natural scenery! Thanks for another insightful and fun adventure, Paddy! 🙏🏽🇹🇭❤️

Usually the fees at the border are cheaper in US dollars than in Baht. But that might only apply to fees in the neighbouring countries. I usually take some with me, or I buy some at SuperRich in Thailand, which always offers the best exchange rates. There's casinos right next to borders all around there. There was a small one in Cambodia just over the Thai border. I talked to some guys in a cafe who work there and they told me most of the punters are Chinese and Thai because gambling is illegal in China and Thailand and people with dirty money love gambling and Cambodia has lots of Chinese businessmen, expats, etc lately. There was a gigantic casino complex just on the Lao side of the border with China that China finally told Laos to close down after all kinds of murders due to drug deals gone wrong and whatnot. I used to like exploring it when crossing that border. Last time the whole area was being redeveloped as part of China's Belt and Road initiative. I think the new train line was going to go through there. There were some videos on RU-vid of that casino both while it was open and while it was abandoned. Anyway dude I'd love to see you explore Laos a bit at some time and meet the people there. Going to Isaan first is a great intro because Isaan people are so friendly and there culture is like the rest of Thailand but also has much more in common with Laos. Great stuff as always Paddy!

Very interesting. I'm surprised the whole backing and forthing across the border was so simple.

Great video Paddy....glad i caught it...again thanks for sharing this 🙏🙏🙏

We crossed the river there in the late '80's to catch a fast boat to Luang Prabang. Definitely different now. I bought the visa to Lao in Bangkok as the border control at the boat ramp on the Lao side was just like a police box, with no one in it.

It’s dangerous to use the atm machines in casinos and bars or restaurants to withdraw money because once the card is entered they will scan and clone the card and recognize the PIN number, only use the ATM in the real banks of the bank card, you should now check the money in the bank daily , go to the bank and ask for a new account and new card and new PIN, many people make this mistake

Laos Vegas😂Kool vid! Thanks Paddy🙏

You gotta love how open Paddy can be in these videos "TIme to hop across the border and exit Thailand, so I can extend my visa" :)

Oh yes. I have also been to the Golden triangle. It is a very interesting place as you have just said. So cool that you are making videos like these

Good one paddy. How about doing videos going round food markets and talking to the people in thai

Great video mate, nothing wrong with shining a light on corruption, it helps the locals.

Awesome video! Well done! You made it so dramatic. Really wasn't aware about the Chinese role in the triangle.

Thanks for making the vid of this topic. Although the process seems simple, I wonder why it’s not so crowded.

When I went to Nong Khai in 2014 I had a lovely street interview with a charming policeman! He didn't say he was a cop. But the starched shirt, chinos, shiny shoes, and the fact he addressed me in English sent my spidey senses tingling. When he asked me - in a street full of food stalls and restaurants - whether I knew anywhere he could eat - I was made yet more suspicious. He asked where I was from. "Scotland!! Ah, I am just back from St Andrews!!!" Mmm. Really?🤔 Anyway, once he was convinced I was just a hapless cheapskate he let me go. I'd also been quizzed by (my neighbour told me) a retired cop on the train. Be in no doubt; if you do something stupid they will have you!

I enjoyed this. wish it was longer.

I spent a month in Northern Thailand in August. I stayed in Chiang Saen, but never went across the river to that casino.

I really enjoyed your vid today.. Im not a big gambler but I do indulge amd kick life to bring more life to live

Sadly very common among Thailand's neighbours. The sketchiest place I've ever been is the no-man's land between Aranyaprathet (Thailand) and Poipet (Cambodia).

Thanks for doing this. Definitely know I won't be crossing over to visit now. Not the Laos I want see. Safe travels.

Bro, what are the directions to get there?

great video./.. pretty sad though because the same thhing has happened in cambodia on a much bigger scale. Sihanoukville has over 150 casinos.. and the crime that comes with it. Locals can no longer afford to live in their own town.

Everytime after watching your video, feels like i have traveled to thailand 🤣

You are right, it did the complete opposite. It's pretty sad to see. Great job always Sir Paddy

Hi Paddy great video. how was the Chinese buffet at the casino?

BEEN THERE, DONE THAT…I was at the Thai/Laos boarder with a Missionary in 2007. He had to make a border run. I was TERRIFIED when the Laos border agent kept my passport. He said, “You will get it back when you return to Thailand.” But I was thinking, “I will be kidnapped and held for ransom.” It was a gut wrenching day but I did make it back with my passport.

Paddy kharp I want to ask you how long does it take to understand Thai and how to study Thai every day

i'm Half asian (thai+lao) and French and yes it's a bit disturbing to see that building around nowhere, there are also others in the country as gambling is forbidden in Thailand and China ..

ดีมากครับ ท่องเที่ยวกับคนไทย ดูเป็นกันเอง สนุกครับ ขอให้ท่องเที่ยวแบบนี้กับคนไทยอีกครับ เป็นกำลังใจให้ครับ

I used to work in that casino for a year. Great memories from Laos.

In mid 90s I drove up from KL all the way to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. I just use a boarder pass. Phut Thai Mai Mi though

When you said 1000 on RED I knew you were doomed to lose your money! hahah

Your on a tourist visa??

Laos Vegas !! paddy you are comedic genius haha

I don't think you've seen enough ....

Very nice building!,, lots of sadness behind it. Laotian needs help… I’m sad watching this good video thank you for sharing

Hi Paddy I saw you the other day in Terminal 21 I was about to approach you but you are busy ordering food haha 😂 hope to see you again.

Great video. BTW, did the driver get paid?

dude, you got a sick mullet in your passport photo 👍

I was there a few years ago and yes it is a Chinese version of Las Vegas or as they say, Laos Vegas. Purely built for Chinese who sail down the Mekong because gambling is outlawed in China and designed to line the pocket of corrupt officials. Best avoided but it is an experience. Sadly Laos is being exploited by it's powerful neighbour.

Excellent

5555...LAO VEGAS! That's a good one Paddy. 🤣😂

How come you don't make more videos like this?

Yes, you should make this video! I visited this casino with Lao friends 10 years ago. (Students I sponsored through college.) Yes we had a good look, We did not gamble. We left. Worth the learning experience. I learnt the phrase "khoi boh mak khon chin". This is not real Laos. Cheers!

Paddy is so cute☺️

I was there in July 2022. I think I was the first foreigner to gamble there. I rented a hotel there , it was a very scary place.

Just a little correction on your visa terminology : you didn't "extend your visa" with 30 days by doing a quick trip across the border (known as border bounce). Your visa or visa exempt was about to expire, and with your border bounce you got a new permission to stay by way of visa exempt which gave you 30 days. (meaning this trip must have been before October, because now you get 45 days). A 30-day extension would have been done inside Thailand (which you may have already done ?) So coming back in Thailand your previous visa has been used up completely and you got a permission to stay 30 days, for which you got a stamp where you will find ผ.30 in it. ผ.30 หมายถึงประเทศ/เขตเศรษฐกิจที่คนชาติได้รับสิทธิให้เดินทางเข้าราชอาณาจักรเพื่อการท่องเที่ยวโดยได้รับการยกเว้นการตรวจลงตรา จ านวนรวม 42 ประเทศ /เขตเศรษฐกิจ ได้แก่ Australia, Austria, .......

No one ever telling you if you’re a criminal person! Everything looks so clean but whatever behind your back right.

Amazing

I'm looking forward to a video in Lao with Lao people. But this was great for now.

I’ve played there cuz, 7 years ago :) Strange thing when I was there is they didn’t even blink at me.

Similar to what's happened to Sihanoukville in Cambodia then - shame I didn't get to go there before it got taken over :(

You guys go to Laos and immediately act suspicious and scared wtf! Laos is the most safest country in all of southeast Asia! This farang speaks Thai but doesnt know Essan and Laos are similar in culture and language.

Can anyone please tell me how to get an IT job in Thailand? I am a Computer Science Major fresher.

I live in Mueng Chiang Rai. Ill be back in December if you want to link up.

Go to a Loas bank and not be able to use the ATM? haha he's full of it. They get commission for taking you to the casino.

Welcome to my hood Paddy... my relatives are just next door in Chiang Kong

Asking a Thai girl if shes hungry 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

I think it's 45 days now? Unless it's only by plane. I was restamped for 45 days when I returned from Laos.

How is it that you're allowed to just pay to enter Laos? The Laos embassy site says "Tourist visas valid for 30 days can be obtained on arrival at Vientiane and Luang Prabang International Airports, and at the Friendship Bridge between Nong Khai Thailand and Vientiane Laos. Passport photographs are required for a visa on arrival. All other crossing points require a valid Lao visa already in the passport, which must be obtained from a Lao Embassy abroad." You weren't entering from any of those points and didn't say anything about passport photos, so it appears you entered by some method the Laos Embassy doesn't mention online.

สวัสดีครับ Paddy ยินดีต้อนรักกลับสู่ประเทศไทยครับ ถ้าคุณจะไปกรุงเทพผมอยากให้คุณมากินผัดไทยในร้านของผมครับ ถ้าคุณสนใจเรื่องของผมทําให้ผมรู้เวลาคุณจะว่างครับ และผมจะบอกคุณว่าผมเรียนพูดภาษาไทยได้อย่างไรและทําไมผมเลือกเปลี่ยนประเทศมาอาศัยอยู่ประเทศไทยครับ ✌🏻

don't we get 45 days now ?

How did you survive that? Great story Paddy

I was in Laos for over 4 years

You said immigration was friendly on the way out but how was the mood on re-entry? Seems like you just left for a few hours. And you make it sound like you are on Visa Exempt, which surprised me.. but shouldn't the stamp be good for 45 days at the moment?

Yeah I have a natural gambling addiction so I’ll steer clear from this place 😂

so need to spend how many days outside thailand before can enter again?

Did you have any problems with your ATM card afterwards? Like money gone missing from your account? Kinda scary.

pay after pay how do you like to pay Mr if you want to stay Mr?

Paddy, Tai- Siamese never migrated from anywhere. We have been in this land ever since. Only the language and culture that are transferred from groups to groups.

make sure you upload this way after you leave

I will be totally fine in that casino🤣I’m Chinese American and speak perfect mandarin and cantonese.

😮

SAME LAS VEGAS HONGKONG SINGAPORE

swdikap i also can speak thai and thank for your make me now about 3 tringle khop khun khap..🙏

Thank you for sharing

Cheap Charlie Paddy! You take a 1,000 baht to get your visa renewed. Seriously!

Thailand is your home, Paddy.

love alll

Immigration building was closed last time I was there. You can travel across for a day without paperwork as long as you come back, but I totally would've taken a visa extension at the time! Also the Laos casino area is weird and we should tell everyone how weird it is and to not go. Go somewhere else in Laos to have a good day. You can hear them blaring music as if it is cool from the other side of the river at night but then you see that it is a self-contained stage park with no actual Laos people in the area and no culture, because it is overtaken by the Chinese casinos. Also also, I'm pretty sure we almost got mugged but ran away from a sketchy taxi situation. My afterthought was that Myanmar would have been safer. That says a lot at time of writing.

Nice Video, never been up there. I have heard the Casinos are kind of boring, not like Vegas/MAcao kind of thing but just serious gamblers and money laundering

Invite "Blondy in china" come here with you to be interpreted 😆😆

แพดดี้มาเที่ยวภาคใต้บ้างสิ

Dude, no pictures in the casino or parts of the casino is standard practice from Macau to Vegas. This also looks like a basic casino. You should do your next visa run to Macau. Macau sucks but at least you'll see how casinos work.

Viva Los Laos....Really enjoyed this. I agree that they be being taken advantage of...keep the videos coming