The Golden Triangle Rider

uss · Pedestrian Joined: 01 Mar 2007 Posts: 5

Hey, was just wonering exactly how impossible it would be to cross into China from Laos. Are there any other alternatives, the plan is tp ride from SE Asia back to Europe...

SilverhawkUSA · Posted: 01.03.2007, 20:07 Post subject:

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Hey, was just wonering exactly how impossible it would be to cross into China from Laos. Are there any other alternatives, the plan is tp ride from SE Asia back to Europe...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Seeing as you are a new member I will say welcome BUT I will add,please use the search capability on this forum, also read the New Members Forum. Your question has been answered and discussed many times.

To be brief and simple, NO you cannot ride into China. You will find some have managed under expensive and special circumstances but for the average person it is not easy or likely.

Do some more reading on this forum and you will find many of your questions thoroughly answered.

colesyboy · Pedestrian Joined: 09 Jan 2007 Posts: 1

Hi all, about 10 days ago I tried crossing the friendship bride (foreign bike) from Nong Khai into Vietaianne. No joy. Thai immigration / customs boss man said Laos imposed the restriction last week....something he said that has always been the law but not really enforced....

Anyway, we met a guy that crossed after us ....no probs, he showed his carnet and suspected that its the paperwork they dont like doing...maybe so, maybe not.

Cheers

Brian

Davidfl · Posted: 08.03.2007, 21:04 Post subject:

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by colesyboy
 Hi all, about 10 days ago I tried crossing the friendship bride (foreign bike) from Nong Khai into Vietaianne. No joy. Thai immigration / customs boss man said Laos imposed the restriction last week....something he said that has always been the law but not really enforced....

Anyway, we met a guy that crossed after us ....no probs, he showed his carnet and suspected that its the paperwork they dont like doing...maybe so, maybe not.

Cheers

Brian
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Brian
So where did you get in?
Any other info / tips?

Carrol · Pedestrian Joined: 30 Jun 2007 Posts: 2

Hi - we are planning on driving from Cambodia to Laos in our jeep - Cambodian built and registered. We have Cambodian drivers'licenses though I am Canadian and my husband New Zealand. I'm still not square on what exactly we need (after visiting the Laos Embassy and Thai Embassy who both shrugged and said just drive there, what is the problem). We'd prefer to go up through Anlong Vieng through Thailand to Nong Khi/Vientiane). Any info and/or help would be great!

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by goasia888
 06/03/2006 - However No problems to cross from Cambodia (route 7) to Laos with Malaysian registered bikes (Honda Dream 100cc). The custom officer quickly glances at the registration papers. He did not even take the time to read it.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Davidfl · Posted: 30.06.2007, 21:57 Post subject:

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Carrol
 Hi - we are planning on driving from Cambodia to Laos in our jeep - Cambodian built and registered. We have Cambodian drivers'licenses though I am Canadian and my husband New Zealand. I'm still not square on what exactly we need (after visiting the Laos Embassy and Thai Embassy who both shrugged and said just drive there, what is the problem). We'd prefer to go up through Anlong Vieng through Thailand to Nong Khi/Vientiane). Any info and/or help would be great!<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Carrol

1. ENTERING LAOS
http://board.gt-rider.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=441

2. BRINGING YOUR OWN BIKE (into Thailand)
http://www.gt-rider.com/bikes.html#BRINGINGYOUROWNBIKE
Thailand has its own vehicle temporary papers that are issued on arrival at the border. Subject to local insurance you are normally granted import for the length of your visa (one, two or three month), up to a maximum of 6 months. The overstay fine is 200 baht a day, with a maximum fine of 2,000 baht plus a stern warning not to do it again, or you will lose your bike. I've seen a few warnings given out to other riders over the years, & it's embarrassing to be around at the time!
Note also that the temporary import form, signed by you, stipulates a huge fine (more than the bike is worth) should you not take the bike out as agreed. Should you upset the apple cart by trying to be smart, they may threaten you with a massive fine & it is very scary. e.g. 420,000 baht for my Africa Twin valued at 140,000 baht!

3. FROM CROSSING BORDERS
http://www.gt-rider.com/crossingborders.html
CROSSING WITH A BIKE
To actually cross an international border with a motorcycle you need a passport and a bike. (Not as silly as it sounds.)
1. Passport: this should be valid & have the appropriate visa if necessary (if the rental shop has your passport as security for the bike then you can't cross the border.) Note: Entering Laos they like your passport to be valid for at least another 6 months, as one poor SQ tour leader found out in late 2005.
2. Bike: you need to prove it's "real", not stolen & have valid docs to support this = proof of ownership, the bike licence / registration, valid insurance. If you can't produce these then you're in for a tough time trying to get out of Thailand!
If the bike is not in your name or rented, then you need permission from the owner to legally export the bike. Click here for info on taking a bike out that is not registered in your name. Note that this works 99% of the time, but that remaining 1% is hard to take if you get caught short. You've been warned!
3. Motorcycle driving licence (although this is very seldom asked for.)

Whilst this info is for a motorbike, I don’t think there is much difference if it is a car.
The first question you should ask – who’s car is it? In whose name is it registered. You need the ownership papers.

DOCUMENTS DEPARTING THAILAND
http://www.gt-rider.com/crossingborders.html

You need to complete papers for both Customs and Immigration.
Do the Customs papers first. Get the temporary bike export approved, then clear immigration.

1. Ownership If the bike is not in your name then you need to provide permission from the owner to legally take the bike out of the country. See image 2 in the docs gallery.

2. Customs need a Temporary Export / Import form (Official name = Simplified Customs Declaration Form for a car and motorcycle temporarily imported or exported.) See image 7 in the docs gallery. You can get this from the customs office at the border. If you're leaving with a bike from o/seas then you just need to hand in the temporary import form you got at the border on arrival.
The temporary export is usually valid for just a month, and there is supposedly a fine of 200 baht a day, with a maximum of 2,000 baht if you come back late. However experience has taught me that enforcement is sometimes arbitrary and probably depends on the duty officers financial needs at the time. Some of them also like to threaten you with a huge fine as stipulated in the temporary import / export form. In my case this is 420,000 baht for a 1995 model Honda 750 Africa Twin. Personally I think it is all a bit of a game of bluff, but it can be a bit stressful at the time.

3. Immigration two forms are needed. These are (a) TM2 Information of Conveyance. See image 1 in the docs gallery. (b) TM4 Crew List. See image 8 in the docs gallery. Get these forms at the the border office.
These might seem a bit silly if you’re just riding solo on bike, but you do need them. The completed original of these forms is kept at the departure port and you are supposed to hand in copies of the same 2 forms at the arrival port when you come back in.
Experience has taught me that you are not always asked for these on your return, and often when you depart some slack immigration staff don't ask you to complete the forms!
But be warned there is a fine for not having the forms on your return and some immigration staff love it when you don't have completed copies with you. I've had several runs with border staff over this and either way you never seem to win - it's up to them & their mood of the day. Note too that I've yet to pay a fine, so I consider myself lucky.

This should be all the info you need, but I’m sure you will think of something else.

Carrol · Pedestrian Joined: 30 Jun 2007 Posts: 2

Davidfl,

Thank you so much for your response. I appreciate a lot of that info is scattered through the postings but the way you pulled it together makes more sense. I'm starting to feel calmer about this all and looking forward to the adventure.

Again thanks, Ciao for now, Carrol

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Davidfl
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Carrol
 Hi - we are planning on driving from Cambodia to Laos in our jeep - Cambodian built and registered. We have Cambodian drivers'licenses though I am Canadian and my husband New Zealand. I'm still not square on what exactly we need (after visiting the Laos Embassy and Thai Embassy who both shrugged and said just drive there, what is the problem). We'd prefer to go up through Anlong Vieng through Thailand to Nong Khi/Vientiane). Any info and/or help would be great!<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Carrol

1. ENTERING LAOS
http://board.gt-rider.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=441

2. BRINGING YOUR OWN BIKE (into Thailand)
http://www.gt-rider.com/bikes.html#BRINGINGYOUROWNBIKE
Thailand has its own vehicle temporary papers that are issued on arrival at the border. Subject to local insurance you are normally granted import for the length of your visa (one, two or three month), up to a maximum of 6 months. The overstay fine is 200 baht a day, with a maximum fine of 2,000 baht plus a stern warning not to do it again, or you will lose your bike. I've seen a few warnings given out to other riders over the years, & it's embarrassing to be around at the time!
Note also that the temporary import form, signed by you, stipulates a huge fine (more than the bike is worth) should you not take the bike out as agreed. Should you upset the apple cart by trying to be smart, they may threaten you with a massive fine & it is very scary. e.g. 420,000 baht for my Africa Twin valued at 140,000 baht!

3. FROM CROSSING BORDERS
http://www.gt-rider.com/crossingborders.html
CROSSING WITH A BIKE
To actually cross an international border with a motorcycle you need a passport and a bike. (Not as silly as it sounds.)
1. Passport: this should be valid & have the appropriate visa if necessary (if the rental shop has your passport as security for the bike then you can't cross the border.) Note: Entering Laos they like your passport to be valid for at least another 6 months, as one poor SQ tour leader found out in late 2005.
2. Bike: you need to prove it's "real", not stolen & have valid docs to support this = proof of ownership, the bike licence / registration, valid insurance. If you can't produce these then you're in for a tough time trying to get out of Thailand!
If the bike is not in your name or rented, then you need permission from the owner to legally export the bike. Click here for info on taking a bike out that is not registered in your name. Note that this works 99% of the time, but that remaining 1% is hard to take if you get caught short. You've been warned!
3. Motorcycle driving licence (although this is very seldom asked for.)

Whilst this info is for a motorbike, I don’t think there is much difference if it is a car.
The first question you should ask – who’s car is it? In whose name is it registered. You need the ownership papers.

DOCUMENTS DEPARTING THAILAND
http://www.gt-rider.com/crossingborders.html

You need to complete papers for both Customs and Immigration.
Do the Customs papers first. Get the temporary bike export approved, then clear immigration.

1. Ownership If the bike is not in your name then you need to provide permission from the owner to legally take the bike out of the country. See image 2 in the docs gallery.

2. Customs need a Temporary Export / Import form (Official name = Simplified Customs Declaration Form for a car and motorcycle temporarily imported or exported.) See image 7 in the docs gallery. You can get this from the customs office at the border. If you're leaving with a bike from o/seas then you just need to hand in the temporary import form you got at the border on arrival.
The temporary export is usually valid for just a month, and there is supposedly a fine of 200 baht a day, with a maximum of 2,000 baht if you come back late. However experience has taught me that enforcement is sometimes arbitrary and probably depends on the duty officers financial needs at the time. Some of them also like to threaten you with a huge fine as stipulated in the temporary import / export form. In my case this is 420,000 baht for a 1995 model Honda 750 Africa Twin. Personally I think it is all a bit of a game of bluff, but it can be a bit stressful at the time.

3. Immigration two forms are needed. These are (a) TM2 Information of Conveyance. See image 1 in the docs gallery. (b) TM4 Crew List. See image 8 in the docs gallery. Get these forms at the the border office.
These might seem a bit silly if you’re just riding solo on bike, but you do need them. The completed original of these forms is kept at the departure port and you are supposed to hand in copies of the same 2 forms at the arrival port when you come back in.
Experience has taught me that you are not always asked for these on your return, and often when you depart some slack immigration staff don't ask you to complete the forms!
But be warned there is a fine for not having the forms on your return and some immigration staff love it when you don't have completed copies with you. I've had several runs with border staff over this and either way you never seem to win - it's up to them & their mood of the day. Note too that I've yet to pay a fine, so I consider myself lucky.

This should be all the info you need, but I’m sure you will think of something else.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Davidfl · Posted: 01.07.2007, 20:30 Post subject:

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Carrol
 Davidfl,
Thank you so much for your response. I appreciate a lot of that info is scattered through the postings but the way you pulled it together makes more sense.
[quote<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Yeah well it's real easy if you start here
NEW USERS
http://board.gt-rider.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=555

Who's navigating on the trip?

Davidfl · Posted: 12.12.2007, 20:46 Post subject:

If you take a look at
http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycle-forum/warning----und-quotfriendship-bridges-und-quot-closed-to-bikes-t3268.html
it could now be tricky getting out across the bridge.
_________________
Davidfl
Keep The Power On

Davidfl · Posted: 04.02.2008, 01:48 Post subject:

UPDATE 3RD FEB 2008
Entry into Laos via either of the Friendship Bridges
1. Nong Khai - "Vientiane"
2. Mukdahan - Savannakhet
is still not possible.
Exit from Laos via the Nong Khai Friendship bridge was still ok in Feb 2008.

The new "all borders closed" warning in
http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycle-forum/border-closures-to-motorcycles---all-of-laos-t3495.html#18618
does not appear to true & other border crossings are still ok.
_________________
Davidfl
Keep The Power On

beddhist · Posted: 21.05.2008, 13:46 Post subject:

I take it that the situation at Friendship Bridge 1 hasn't changed? I need to go for a visa run next week.

The nearest border crossing is at Thakaek, then? Or is there another one closer to Vientiane?

I'm glad to hear that the borders haven't been closed to bikes. Let's hope it stays that way.
_________________
http://beddhist.googlepages.com

Davidfl · Posted: 21.05.2008, 14:36 Post subject:

Try Pakxan / Bun Kan the next one downstream from Nong Khai / the Friendship bridge.
http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycle-forum/sore-head-at-bung-kan-pakxan-crossing-t3896.html
_________________
Davidfl
Keep The Power On

beddhist · Posted: 21.05.2008, 15:56 Post subject:

Thanks David, that is a lot closer to VT. However, this crossing is not listed on your map: http://www.gt-rider.com/images/seasiaborders.JPG. The map also says it's ok to enter via the bridges...

Cheers,
Peter.
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Davidfl · Posted: 21.05.2008, 18:25 Post subject:

Davidfl · Posted: 22.05.2008, 15:08 Post subject:

beddhist · Posted: 22.05.2008, 15:48 Post subject:

Another correction for your map: Friendship Bridge 2 is closed for bikes in BOTH directions.
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Davidfl · Posted: 22.05.2008, 16:19 Post subject:

beddhist · Posted: 22.05.2008, 21:44 Post subject:

Yes, but the day before the man wasn't there and I don't think I would have been able to cross, had I wanted to. I suspected at the time that it won't work all the time and there is a US couple here in Mae Sot who rode a Minsak from Vietnam to here. They had several attempts at getting across, but were unsuccessful in the end. However, to more or less complete the info I also have to mention that their Lao documentation somehow wasn't in order and the head of customs made a big fuss over it and sent them to Friendship Bridge 1, where the paperwork could be corrected.

My vote is for marking the crossing as closed in both directions, which it officially is. Had I known about it at the time I would have stayed in Vientiane to get my Thai visa and crossed there.
_________________
http://beddhist.googlepages.com

beddhist · Posted: 22.05.2008, 21:45 Post subject:

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bonnyboy · Pedestrian Joined: 19 Oct 2008 Posts: 4

I crossed the border from Nakhon Phanon to Tha Khek today (28th October 2008), and thought Id share my experience.Getting through the Thai side only took a matter of minutes.I got my passport stamped, and handed over my temporary import certificate (my Triumph Bonny is UK registered).The fun started with getting on the ferry( more of a floating platform with a tug by its side).At the bottom of the ramp is a thick pile of mud, churned up by countless large trucks, watered by the Mekong, and mashed by the platform everytime its lowered.I negotiated this and made my way to the end of the deck.They only managed to get my bike and three artics on board.The platform doesnt sit very high above the water, so I doubt if they would have got another truck on.I asked before I got on about a ticket to cross, only to be met with blank stares from the thai customs.I found out soon enough how much it was going to cost.Halfway across the river I was tapped up for 200baht.This seemed like a figure drawn out of thin air,but I had no choice but to pay it.When I handed over the money there were howls of laughter from all round, so I guess the farang got ripped off again.Getting off the ferry was more stressful than getting on.After the trucks had got off it was my turn.The platform doesnt sit flush with the ramp, and the addition of a foot high wall which the platform sat on didnt help.There was a drop of about a foot and a half from the end of the platform into the river, before you made contact with the ramp.I gingerly lowered my front wheel into the water, only to see it going deeper and deeper into it.It finally hit the ramp, and it was then a matter of edging forward till the back wheel was on the edge.Then i opened the throttle and hoped for the best.Amazingly I kept the bike up and road throught the water and up the ramp.My heart was pounding, but I got some appreciative waves from a small crowd that had gathered to watch the spectacle.It was then into Laos immigration and customs to get my paper work sorted.After paying for and getting my visa, I showed them my carnet.I was asked to pay 43000kip for a reciept for the bike, then headed over to customs to get the bike sorted.It took about 45 minute to get my temporary import certificate, and was asked for another 30000 kip for "paperwork".I ignored this request for more money, and they didnt mention it again.Its nice being back in friendly Laos, although I dont think they see many fully loaded Triumph Bonnevilles down this part of the world, judging by how many people stop and stare as i ride by.

pikey · Posted: 29.10.2008, 11:29 Post subject:

bonnyboy · Pedestrian Joined: 19 Oct 2008 Posts: 4

Pikey.if you go to my website www.atriumphtonelson.co.uk I think there is one on there , if not I'll attempt to post one on this forum.Hit my first patch of dirt road today.I missed a turning out of Pakse heading for Tadlo falls.On the map there was a road further that connected the 16 with the 20.It was only when i got there I saw it was about 20ks of dirt, albeit dry and hard, but still rutted and lumpy.Riding in Turkey,Pakisatn and India stood me in good stead for riding poor roads, so it wasnt too bad.Heading off down to 4000 isalnds in a few days, then back up to Thailand.