Bangkok to Southern Laos

[Phantom200]

My name is Shawn. I currently work in Bangkok. I had a week off so I shot over to Si Phan Don "Four Thousand Islands" in southern Laos and then back again.

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I approached the border at Chong Mek expecting a confrontation with customs. I was pleasantly surprised. I had NO bike passport for my Thai registered Honda (no ITP). I presented written permission signed by the owner and an English translation - non-certified translation. My wonderful wife wrote out these two documents. I also presented the green registration book with copies as well. I presented my passport with copies. This is all. The customs asked for an ITP but I told them I couldn't get one in Bangkok or in Ubon Ratchathani. The crossing was undertaken at around 10:30AM on Tuesday the 30th of June 2009. The customs guard's first name was Siripol. He accepted my excuses and processed the documents himself.

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I processed a quick Laos tourist visa but mistakenly blew right through Laos customs. Luckily, I didn't have to pay for this mistake when I came back through on the return trip.

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Taking a break on the way to Pakse.
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Crossing the Mekhong to Pakse.
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Route 13 is as good as it got here in the South. It was on par with any roads I found in Thailand. It is pretty straight, not to mention hot, all the way from Pakse down to the Islands.

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Took the ferry over to Don Khong - the largest island. TIP: There are two ferry crossings. Take the southern most crossing at Ban Hat. I was quoted 30,000 kip at the northern crossing and only 5,000 at Ban Hat. I set up camp on the Eastern side of the Island and found a great guest house for 50,000 kip. Here is a pic of the western side at a noodle shop.
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Here is another shot of the same noodle shop in Muong Saen. The locals were quite friendly and had a lot of questions about the bike and myself. I really enjoyed my conversation with them.
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Some Laotian children.
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Continuing my circuit of Don Khong lsland.
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Took a boat tour of Don Det and Don khon islands further south.
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Old locomotive left behind by the French on Don khon island. I read they had installed a railway to transport teak logs.
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Shots of the locals living on Don Khon island. Fantastic people!
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Crossed from Don Khong island to the mainland and began the return trip home.
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Stopped for a coke and met a nice family. The little girl's name is Tookta. I can't remember the boy's name. I spoke with Grandma. She said their mother was working in Bangkok and she was taking care of them.
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Crossed the Mekhong river again to get to Chompasak. This is a motorcycle ferry. It took myself and two other bikes across.
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Found a guest house in Chompasak and departed early the next morning for Wat Phu temple. I stopped briefly to get a shot of these monks.
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Nearing Wat Phu temple.
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Wat Phu was definately worth a look. It is a Khymer style temple.
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Photos of Wat Phu temple.
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Let's get the Propaganda shot in too.
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Heading back to Pakse. Had to make one last river crossing. Ahhh! No worries though. I was hoping to find a firm path through to Vang Tao but was told twice that the route had been cut.
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Back in Thailand. Having a cup of coffee.

[Dougal]

Hey Phantom that's a great first post!!

Great report and photos. Looks like you had a great time. Thanks.

[Rhodie]

Congratulations on a great trip - especially that long, long haul from BKK to Pakse on a Phantom!
The islands are great and Bangkok Airways now have a weekly flight to Paskse,
if you want your Teelak to join you.
The ITP for bikes is still a moot question,
depending which border crossing you make.
Planning to exit there myself in August.

[Marco]

Hi Shawn

Nice to see you on the road,, when you passed Ubon,, why you didnt drop me a line and we could have a coffee or soemthing less stronger.
Dougal know that i only drink non alcoholic beverages...

nice trip and clad to hear that border formalities for bikes in chong mek are so easy

[Moto-Rex]

Great report Shawn.

I havent been to the islands down south yet, your photos make it look like a good place to check out.
Thanks for the tips on the ferrys.

Cheers Rex

[Phantom200]

Marco,

Do you know Andrew over there at Peppers Bakery in Ubon? I believe he made a call to you while I was at the Bakery. Well, it's nice to meet you and I'll catch up with you on my next trip to Ubon.

Shawn

[Captain_Slash]

Yes well done there Shawn, lots of good photos. how did you find the Phantom handled a trip like that?

[Phantom200]

hello Captain Slash,

For the money, the Phantom is a decent choice. I get about 320 km on a tank of gas and I've had no problems with it after 19,000 kilometers. OEM parts are cheap and readily available. The handling is decent. There are a few drawbacks, however.

The power isn't there.

I have to take breaks every 45 to 55 kilometers because my but hurts too. - this could be me and not the bike...

the quailty out of the factory is horrible. e.g., rust and corrosion after only a few months.

no kickstand ignition cutoff safety feature

no RPM gauge

no oil warning lamp

NO RESETABLE ODOMETER

The guage console is on the tank. I have to bend my head down to see it and it deters me from using a tank bag

Overall it's a good deal. I bought it to travel around Thailand and it does just that. I've been to the North and have made a few circuits of the Northeast. The next trip will probably be down South.

cheers
Shawn

[Captain_Slash]

Shawn, read this post about solving the arse ache of riding long journeys, I can ride mine all day long in comfort now with the Airhawk seat cushion. http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorc ... t4634.html
Mines done 44000 in six months and been all over Thailand including right down south and into Malaysia, a great bike to travel the country on

[Marco]

Marco,

Do you know Andrew over there at Peppers Bakery in Ubon? I believe he made a call to you while I was at the Bakery. Well, it's nice to meet you and I'll catch up with you on my next trip to Ubon.

Shawn

Shawn

Ok ok you the man,, yes i know Andy very well,, droping to Peppers every time im in the town,,,

So i can see that my "online" consultation helped you,,,
and you had nice trip i can see

Please drop by any time and give me a bell when you are heading this way

[Captain_Slash]

http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorc ... t4634.html

The Airhawk seat cushion link is here

[Phantom200]

Captain Slash,

Thanks for the link. The airhawk looks like the solution to my seat problem.

Shawn

[TonyBKK]

Awesome report! Thanks for sharing!
Happy Trails,
Tony

[blackb15]

Really intesting report,how long did it take you to get to Laos from BK ? is it very difficult driving out of BK ,and whats the bike hire like in BK .I hired at Chaing Mai last year that was no problem and good trip but want to go to Laos this year.

Thanks
safe riding

paul