Forthcoming Laos Bike Entry Difficulties

[DavidFL]

TonyBKK;298463 wrote: Cheers for that David :thumbup:

Na is a sweetheart!

I had to double check with Na, if she wanted her contact details published. Not because she doesn't want the business, but because she can only handle so much herself & has already been under some pressure.
Only contact Na if you are serious about crossing, not just thinking out aloud. Na delivers & works hard at it. Preparing papers for Thai Immigration, Thai customs, Lao customs takes time.

 

[Javawa]

TonyBKK;298496 wrote: I've never had any problems getting in to Laos... You must have me confused with someone else??

Tony, as you seem to be well travelled in Laos, which of the border crossing between Thailand and Laos do you use most and which of these is your favourite to cross. Reason to ask is that from time to time I get questions from friends in Thailand asking which crossing they should use to ensure they get into Laos without hassles. I tell them that the Vientiane/Nongkhai is the easiest as I have never had serious problems over there but I have far less experience with the other border crossings

 

[TonyBKK]

^ not all that well travelled really as I've only ridden in Laos about 10 times now, but I agree with you that Nong Khai-Vientiane is probably the easiest and quickest place to enter and exit and it seems to be getting quicker and easier every time I go there.

Another reason I like to enter there is because I can put my bike on the night train from Bangkok to Nong Khai, fly up to Udon Thani the next morning and collect my bike at the station. :thumbup:

 

[bsacbob]

TonyBKK;298465 wrote: Yes, when dealing with people she doesn't know she probably ought to require payment upfront BEFORE she does all the paperwork. Sadly there are some wannabe "bikers" in Thailand who aren't terribly honest or trustworthy...

Could you clarify your terminology of "wannabe bikers" as what section of the riding community you refer ?

 

[DavidFL]

bsacbob;298598 wrote: Could you clarify your terminology of "wannabe bikers" as what section of the riding community you refer ?

Bob I think Tony's talking about guys dreaming of going & not really going.
No real need to clarify IMHO.
You recently did a trip in Laos..how did it go - any tips or report. How / where did you get in?

 

[bsacbob]

I had a great trip although i spent most of my time crying :cry: 4K km's in 13 days not bad for a little bitch wannabee. FYI information i crossed at Chiang Khong via the bridge in my good friends pick-up FOR FREE !!! exit at Nan with no problem and yes i will pull up some pictures for the community.

 

[brian_bkk]

Javawa;298508 wrote: Tony, as you seem to be well travelled in Laos, which of the border crossing between Thailand and Laos do you use most and which of these is your favourite to cross. Reason to ask is that from time to time I get questions from friends in Thailand asking which crossing they should use to ensure they get into Laos without hassles. I tell them that the Vientiane/Nongkhai is the easiest as I have never had serious problems over there but I have far less experience with the other border crossings

Never had any problem in Nonkhai / VTE either..
Chong Mek very friendly.
Tha Li checked all the bike serial numbers... Lao side no one there and had to wait and insurance closed.
Chang Khong, no drama.. Old Rex had a good look over his passport once when with him.. Just before the crack down on tours.

Never had any major drama's either myself.

Cheers
Bria

 

[DavidFL]

Davidfl;298461 wrote: The GTR contact in Chiang Khong for crossing the bridge.

[email protected]

Na can handle your bike crossings on the bridge. Email your details in advance & she will prepare the paperwork on both sides, excluding the Lao visa.

If you are only one bike the fee might not be be as cheap as you would like. But if that's the only way to go.......pay the fee,.....or you ride around to Nan.

I personally don't like this system - corruption - but don't want to upset the officials because we can still use the bridge to enter & depart Laos. The bridge crossings should be free just like the friendship bridge at Nong Khai.
However I think it will remain like this - motorbikes have to pay - for awhile because officials on both sides are making money out of it; mickey mouse may it be.

Power On. sent from Sony Xperia AcroS

Bump for Luke.

 

[sleepingbeauty2000]

Just wanted to share my experience on crossing into Laos using the 4th friendship bridge between Chiang Khong and Huay Xai.


I arrived on 11 April 2014 on a Honda CRF250L, which I had rented from ST Motorcycles in Chiang Rai. Khun Seksan from ST did an excellent
job preparing all necessary documents for crossing the border so I did not expect any troubles on either side (big thanks again to Khun Seksan).


And yes, everything was straightforward.


Thai immigration stamped me and the bike out, then Thai customs also stamped the bike out. I was given an escort service across the bridge by
Thai immigration as I was alone, maybe they were afraid I would get lost on the way...Thai Immigration was saying that no escort service is
required (and hence no fee applies) in case a group of motorcyclists crosses the bridge.


On the Laos side me and the bike were stamped in by both Laos immigration and customs. Interesting enough I did not have to buy an insurance.


The fees for everything were as follows:
- 200 Baht for validating Thai immigration documents for the bike (documents prepared by ST motorcycle)
- 0 Baht for Thai customs documents for the bike
- 50 Baht toll fee for using the bridge to Huay Xay
- 500 Baht for escort service by Thai immigration

- 200 Baht for validating Thai immigration and customs documents for the bike by both Laos immigration and Laos customs
- 0 Baht for Laos visa (Swiss passport holders receive the Laos visa for free, max. stay 15 days)
- 0 Baht for Lao 3rd party insurance


Some fees may be different if you arrive on your own bike.


I exited Laos at the Muang Ngern (Nan Province) / Huai Kon border point. Straightforward again and no fees whatsoever on either side.


Cheers
Oliver

 

[TonyBKK]

^ Bravo! You got across with no hassles and for half the price most of us have had to pay. Thank you for sharing the details! :thumbup:

 

[Joko Hurricanemax]

my buddy mechanic SC Premium (previosuly knowns as SunVay Cycle) and some 6 guys will be riding into lao soon...and I was asked to advise the 'best crossing'...so like most,all my previous crossings thru NongKhai- Vientien are the best with minimum fuss despite a couple of time, Baht200 to the immigration/custom...
Thank you all for sharing info.

~joko~

 

[kchow24]

Joko Hurricanemax;299013 wrote: my buddy mechanic SC Premium (previosuly knowns as SunVay Cycle) and some 6 guys will be riding into lao soon...and I was asked to advise the 'best crossing'...so like most,all my previous crossings thru NongKhai- Vientien are the best with minimum fuss despite a couple of time, Baht200 to the immigration/custom...
Thank you all for sharing info.

~joko~

Hi Joko,

When are they leaving the country?