Hi everyone! I’m hoping someone can help clarify the current situation at the Chiang Khong – Huay Xai border (Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge IV). My flight lands in Chiang Rai at 18:40, so I’ll only be able to reach the border in the evening and I absolutely need to cross that night.

I’m seeing conflicting information: some sources say immigration for foreigners closes at 7 pm, others mention 10 pm. Has anyone crossed recently and can confirm what the real cut-off time is for non-Thai/Lao passport holders? Any tips on making it in time or recent experiences would be super helpful.

Thank you so much for help!

Do you have a visa for Laos, if you need one? Or do you plan to apply for a visa on arrival?

 

From reports at other bridges I've seen before, it's not uncommon that the visa on arrival counter closes before the immigration counters. So that could make a big difference. 

Last time I was there it closed 7 PM.

Why cant you cross the next morning ?

3 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Last time I was there it closed 7 PM.

Why cant you cross the next morning ?

Probably pushed it too late and will go on overstay.

4 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

Probably pushed it too late and will go on overstay.

 

   That would just be a 500 Baht fine , not something to get worried about  .

The taxi from the airport to the  border would cost more than that 

15 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

Last time I was there it closed 7 PM.

Why cant you cross the next morning ?

 

Huh? The bridge closes at 10pm. No difference if you're a local or a foreigner and why would there be? Now if you need a visa on arrival, they might close the counter earlier, probably around 8pm, but otherwise you can cross until 9.50pm allowing you to arrive on the other side by 10pm.

Just now, Tomtomtom69 said:

 

Huh? The bridge closes at 10pm. 

 

   What is that based on ?

11 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   What is that based on ?

 

All 4 friendship bridges open at 6am and close at 10pm. I have crossed as early as 6am on the dot and as late as 10pm. There are no 24 hour land border crossings between Thailand and any neighboring country and there probably never will be. Apparently not enough cross-border traffic to justify it. 

3 minutes ago, Tomtomtom69 said:

 

All 4 friendship bridges open at 6am and close at 10pm. I have crossed as early as 6am on the dot and as late as 10pm. There are no 24 hour land border crossings between Thailand and any neighboring country and there probably never will be. Apparently not enough cross-border traffic to justify it. 

 

   You have crossed at the Chiang Kong border at 10 PM 

When  was the last time you did that ?

5 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   You have crossed at the Chiang Kong border at 10 PM 

When  was the last time you did that ?

 

Yes I have crossed several borders that late. I can assure you the bridge closes at 10pm. Like I said, if you require a Lao visa on arrival, they might not allow you across after around 8pm as that's when the counter closes. Same thing on the Thai side, although few nationalities require it anymore, but they close the VOA counter at 8. If you are visa exempt for Laos or already have a visa you can definitely cross until the bridge closes and no idea why anyone would suggest otherwise. 

2 minutes ago, Tomtomtom69 said:

 

Yes I have crossed several borders that late. I can assure you the bridge closes at 10pm. Like I said, if you require a Lao visa on arrival, they might not allow you across after around 8pm as that's when the counter closes. Same thing on the Thai side, although few nationalities require it anymore, but they close the VOA counter at 8. If you are visa exempt for Laos or already have a visa you can definitely cross until the bridge closes and no idea why anyone would suggest otherwise. 

 

   I didn't ask whether you have crossed other borders at 10 PM

When did you cross the CK border at 10 PM ?

Last time that I was there crossing they closed at 7 or 8 PM 

 

 

12 hours ago, Arthuro said:

Hi everyone! I’m hoping someone can help clarify the current situation at the Chiang Khong – Huay Xai border (Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge IV). My flight lands in Chiang Rai at 18:40, so I’ll only be able to reach the border in the evening and I absolutely need to cross that night.

I’m seeing conflicting information: some sources say immigration for foreigners closes at 7 pm, others mention 10 pm. Has anyone crossed recently and can confirm what the real cut-off time is for non-Thai/Lao passport holders? Any tips on making it in time or recent experiences would be super helpful.

Thank you so much for help!

Why are you making it so difficult?

19 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

That's the Golden Triangle Border crossing, which does indeed close at 8pm. 

3 minutes ago, Tomtomtom69 said:

 

That's the Golden Triangle Border crossing, which does indeed close at 8pm. 

 

   Which border crossing is that ?

Chiang Sean ?

19 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   I didn't ask whether you have crossed other borders at 10 PM

When did you cross the CK border at 10 PM ?

Last time that I was there crossing they closed at 7 or 8 PM 

 

 

Nonsense. They have always closed at 10pm. The main issue is whether you need a Lao visa on arrival; if you do, then you might be prevented from crossing after around 730 or 8pm.

 

In that case, apply for an e-visa and use that to enter. You'll be allowed to cross until 10pm, though I'd recommend getting there by 9pm if you don't have your own vehicle.

 

Which is another catch 22 - it could be that there are no buses operating across the bridge after around 8 or 9pm.

 

I always travel in my own car, so I am not bothered by or interested in the bus schedule but that could be another issue for you. Since you're flying to Chiang Rai, you won't have your own car so you'll be using public transportation.

 

Therefore, to save yourself any trouble either book an earlier flight (making sure you reach Chiang Rai by 5pm at the very latest) and then catch a cab to the border crossing OR arrive even earlier and use the Chiang Rai-Bokeo bus, which will drop you off in Huay Xai. There are 4 buses a day but the last one leaves quite early so you'll want to arrive in Chiang Rai much earlier in the day. 

 

Otherwise, travel to Chiang Khong, spend the night then cross over the next day. 

Just now, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Which border crossing is that ?

Chiang Sean ?

yes

Just now, Tomtomtom69 said:

Nonsense. They have always closed at 10pm. The main issue is whether you need a Lao visa on arrival; if you do, then you might be prevented from crossing after around 730 or 8pm.

. 

 

   I was at the Thai side of the border about 7-8 PM and watched them close the border .

They pulled all the shutters down and locked up and all went home .

It was all closed by 8 PM , lights off and all 

On 5/28/2025 at 4:38 PM, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   I was at the Thai side of the border about 7-8 PM and watched them close the border .

They pulled all the shutters down and locked up and all went home .

It was all closed by 8 PM , lights off and all 

 

Not that border. You must be thinking about the Chiang Saen one, which does indeed close at 8pm. 

 

You're confusing Chiang Saen with Chiang Khong. Two different borders, located in the same province. 

8 minutes ago, Tomtomtom69 said:

 

Not that border. You must be thinking about the Chiang Saen one, which does indeed close at 8pm. 

 

You're confusing Chiang Saen with Chiang Khong. Two different borders, located in the same province. 

 

   I wasn't confusing the two .

I was on the friendship bridge in Chiang Kong , there wasn't a bridge across in Chiang Saen .

3 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   I wasn't confusing the two .

I was on the friendship bridge in Chiang Kong , there wasn't a bridge across in Chiang Saen .

 

Again, Chiang Khong closes at 10pm. The other one closes at 8pm.