The wait goes on: Thai - Laos border remains shut despite encouraging noises from the neighbor

 

Picture: Manager Online

 

Thai media Manager reported on the current situation between the countries of Thailand and Laos, specifically the largely closed border and the trade that has been going on between the two countries. 

 

Though nothing is decided yet there are encouraging signs coming from Thailand's reclusive neighbor amid hopes that the Thai Laos Friendship bridge might reopen soon. 

 

The border pretty much closed to all but special cases in March as Laos went into a complete lockdown due to the pandemic. 

 

Later restrictions were eased there but many laborers and people with families got parted from their jobs and loved ones on both sides of the border.

 

Some areas have been used for cross border trade but due to the fact that large dealers on both sides of the border had doubled their transportation prices this was creating particular hardship in Laos. 

 

In addition Laotians, used to buying supplies online from Thailand, were facing difficulties as they needed to use bank accounts in Thailand and were unable to replenish funds during the pandemic. 

 

There has been talk about opening river crossings in Nong Khai for trade purposes and also doing the same at the Friendship Bridge. 

 

Manager said that there were encouraging signs coming from Laos regarding the opening of the bridge but similarly to Thailand this is unlikely to be much use to the casual tourist.

 

Visitors who do manage to get the paperwork together to go to Laos face having to get a Covid-19 free certificate 72 hours before arrival and 14 day quarantine, identical to Thailand's current rules.

 

Source: Manager Online

 

 

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5 hours ago, webfact said:

Manager said that there were encouraging signs coming from Laos regarding the opening of the bridge but similarly to Thailand this is unlikely to be much use to the casual tourist.

But useful to traders as long as lessons have been learnt regarding drivers etc

6 hours ago, webfact said:

encouraging noises from the neighbor

 

Last month I was told by an IO that if I didn't want to deposit 400,000 for a marriage extension I could go to Laos, quarantine there for 15 days and then return to Thailand and quarantine for another 14 days. She said this with a straight face.