The Golden Triangle Rider

pee · Posted: 28.11.2008, 10:07 Post subject:

Crossed border at Chiang Khong-Houay Xay on the 26.11.2008. No problem.
1 Thai registered bike. 1 farang rider.
Cheers
_________________
Eric

jimoi · Biker Legend Joined: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 273 Location: Laos

Ansmania
Depends on what you are doing. If you are seeing southern Laos, the borders along the Thai side should be fine, even the bridge at Savanahket for a Singapore registered bike. If you get to this bridge and can't get in, call me. 020 238 5562 and I can try to sort it out as I know the chief of customs in Savanakhet.

Friendship 1, 50/50 to get in. As David points out, Beun Kan is the other option. If you get past the Thai customs and tell them it's not a problem and so on, then you are stuck with the Lao Customs and you may or may not be able to talk your way in.

jim
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Jim
http://www.remoteasia.com/Motorbike.php

Ride - Eat - Sleep - Repeat, what more can you ask for...

racingter · Posted: 16.12.2008, 02:30 Post subject:

looks like bung kan is another hot Pick by bikers across to laos..i will also try chiang khong next april when i make my way up from singapore..

Marco · Posted: 16.12.2008, 10:01 Post subject:

beddhist · Posted: 08.01.2009, 19:16 Post subject:

From the Department of Bad News:

The temporary export permit for Su's bike will expire soon, so I had the bright idea to try to get it extended or get a new one at the border near Pakxe. So, Su walks across to Thai customs and they drop a bombshell on her: not only will they not extend the permit, she can't export and import her bike here, because Thai bikes are not allowed to cross this border! Unfortunately, I had to stay in Laos to guard the bikes, so I couldn't ask pertinent questions. When we talked to Lao customs they first told us that bikes under 100 cc can't enter here, then it's under 150 cc. "Tourist bikes" are ok, meaning big bikes. But if the Thais let Su cross, then it's not a problem for them, as hers is a "big" bike. I decided not to push the matter, as we don't have any Lao paperwork anyway. Su is fairly certain that Thai customs were not aware that hers is a 'big' bike, as they didn't even look at the paperwork. We don't know whether they make any distinction, as the Lao do.

No "small" Thai bikes allowed to leave Thailand at Chong Mek.

On the Thai side a huge border post is being completed. Nothing to match on the Lao side. However, heading S out of Pakxe we unexpectedly crossed a brand new dual carriageway. A motorway to Vietnam? I think this is what this is all about: build highways for trucks which make money for decision makers. Keep the pesky locals on their Honda Waves away, too much work for the officials. I'm guessing...

Cheers,
Peter.
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http://beddhist.googlepages.com

beddhist · Posted: 11.01.2009, 13:14 Post subject:

I can confirm this now. We couldn't enter Cambodia (more in a separate post). So, we turned around and went straight to Vang Tao. We spoke to Thai customs about this and they confirmed the Lao version: small Thai bikes are not allowed in, but "tourist bikes" are, meaning > 150cc. Small foreign registered bikes are OK, too.

Checked out the new dual carriageway: it connects the Mekong bridge with H'way 13 South and the h'way to Vietnam, almost completely bypassing Pakxe.

pee · Posted: 28.01.2009, 12:48 Post subject:

Crossed the Thai-Lao border at Chong Mek-Vang Tao on O4.01.2009 with a Thai registered bike (DRZ SM).
Farang ownership.
Documents: Green book
No problem.
Pleasant and helpful staff on both sides.
Lao Visa available at the border.
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Eric