Driving From Bangkok Via Ubon Ratchathani To Pakse, Laos

[vanbrit548]

Has anyone driven from Thailand to Pakse from Bangkok via Ubon Ratchathani? Is this do-able? On the map I see a border crossing but no idea how user friendly this is for me as a foreigner (Canadian) driving with my Laos partner in my own private vehicle - Isuzu Dmax 4x4 Pickup. I will obtain the necessary Purple book before I leave. I Want to extend the trip northwards to Savannakhet, Viantiane and Luang Prabang. I plan to return to Thailand at the Viantiane / Nongkhai Border crossing. Is it recommended to get my Laos Visa before I leave? Anybody any experience of this route? recommended or not? Alternatives? Do's and Don'ts? Safety Concerns. My Truck runs on Diesel...is this easily available in Laos? how does the cost compare to Thailand?

[samran]

so long as you have the purple book you'll be fine. Chong Mek, where you'll be crossing, has lots of Thai registered cars crossing each day. From memory, you can get a laos visa on arrival. Roads are good, have fun.

Just make sure you let the laos authorities know that you'll be crossing the border at different places.

Also leave some time after picking up the blue book to get a set of thai plates with romanised letters. When I went to get a new purple book earlier this year, they suggested I'd need romanised plates - but having said that from what I observed at the nong khai border, most cars didn't have them.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Diesel is available all over the place and about the same cost as in Thailand, NOT a problem.

Be very watchful on the roads! Two-laners all the way with fast drivers coming at you, passing you, motorcycles all over the place, along with kids, dogs, goats, slow movers, farm wagons, and no shoulders. DEFENSIVE driving is the key.

You'll be required to buy Lao liability insurance once you cross over to the Lao side, it's cheap. You should also check with your Thai insurance company to see if they cover your vehicle when in Laos, mine doesn't, unless I add an extra rider.

Get a copy of this GT-Rider map of Laos, it's quite good: http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycle-forum/gt-rider-maps-t4995.html If you've got the time, you can mail order it down from Chiang Mai, baht 250 including EMS. I've done this in the past.

The Rt 13 highway is mostly pretty flat all the way to about four hours north of Vientiane at Kasi, one hour north of Vang Vieng. From here on it's twists and turns and goes up and down, mostly up. See road profiles attached. Don't get in a rush if you get behind an 18-24 wheel truck and trailer, just follow along.

If you've got the time, and as long as you're going that far, you might consider a side trip to Phonsavanh on the PDJ, stay of a couple of nights and tour the jar sites, at least Sites 1 & 3, which are easy to do in one day. We usually stay at the NICE Guest House there, eats at the Craters Restaurant.

Good luck & have fun!

Mac

[vanbrit548]

Many thanks, this is excellent information and puts my mind to rest. Looking forward to a great Trip.

Best Regards

Van

[vanbrit548]

FYI here is the info needed to get your International Vehicle Permit (Purple book)

I obtained mine from the Chonburi Provincial Land Transport Office, Banglamung...First turning after the Regents School on Highway 36 towards Pattaya

1. Vehicle Blue Book

2. Up to Date Insurance

3. Certificate of Residence from immigration (Took 1 day at Jomtien Immigration Soi 5).

Immigration require the following to issue the certificate:

- Copy of Current Passport and Visa

- Current Utility Bill showing address or

Rental Agreement or

copy of Blue House/Condo Book

- Passport Photo

- Fee of 200 Baht

4. You will be given a form (in THAI ONLY) in which you are to enter your Name and Address and a brief description/purpose of your trip. Just entering 'Holiday by Car to Laos' worked for me.

5. Fee 285 Baht

You will be issued a 'Purple Book' valid for 1 year plus 2 (T) Stickers to affix to your vehicle indicating you are coming from THAILAND. Mine was issued on the same day as applying provided you have the correct documentation and arrive early enough.

Hope this is helpful

Thanks Van

[SantiSuk]

Very helpful thread to someone like me who lives closish to the Laos border and has been contemplating taking the car in after several backpacking trips. Let us know how you got on with the driving in Laos part vanBrit.

If you are going into Southern Laos then my view is that the highlights are See Pan Don (four thousand islands) in the lower Mekong and Tham Kong Lo 100k from Tha Kaek.

Good roads all the way to Chong Mek border from Bangkok (8 to 10 hours plus stops, so it's a reasonably tiring one day drive unless you have >1 driver). Four lane highway to Nang Roang and 2 lane, but quite fast, thereafter. No great places to stop to break that journey (Khao Yai would be, but that leaves you with a still long second day).