hey there,

what are the documents (if any) the cost (if any) and the capacity to cross at friendly bridge with my bike?

I may (or may not, depending of several factors) decide to spend some days in Laos, and I am supposing my bike would love the change of road.

Thanks for the advice.

N.B. I do not come here often, so I will not be able to address immediatly the usual abuse; thought the question is genuine and I am not a troll (usually people who do not answer immediatly are labelled Troll).

motorbike or push bike?

motorbike or push bike?

Honda Phantom 200 cc

motorbike or push bike?

Honda Phantom 200 cc

200cc might, just might, be OK. Best to check the GT-Rider forum before you give it a shot.

Here's most recent posting:

http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycle-forum/threads/26436-Laos-Friendship-Bridge-No-Entry/page7

24th November 2010 08:33 PM #137

Re: Laos Friendship Bridge No Entry

I think that a few guys have succeeded in riding in at the bridge this year.

BUT according to the boss & Miss Khampean in Room # 6 it is still officially no.

The Friendship Bridge at Savannakhet / Mukdahan is still a definite no. no.

If the Nong KHai Friendship Bridge does not work then use Bun KHan / Pakxan downstream from Nong Khai.

This works on regular working days Monday - Friday.

Note that Visa On Arrival may still not be available at Pakxan, but my guess it is is now; however one one tested the waters there of late.

Another option is the Tha Li / Kenthao land crossing , with a small bridge over the Nam Heung River.

Backdoorphil entered Laos here recently & got avisa on arrival, plus a temporary motorcycle import at the border.

Davidfl

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Mac

motorbike or push bike?

Honda Phantom 200 cc

200cc might, just might, be OK. Best to check the GT-Rider forum before you give it a shot.

Here's most recent posting:

http://www.gt-rider....-No-Entry/page7

24th November 2010 08:33 PM #137

Re: Laos Friendship Bridge No Entry

I think that a few guys have succeeded in riding in at the bridge this year.

BUT according to the boss & Miss Khampean in Room # 6 it is still officially no.

The Friendship Bridge at Savannakhet / Mukdahan is still a definite no. no.

If the Nong KHai Friendship Bridge does not work then use Bun KHan / Pakxan downstream from Nong Khai.

This works on regular working days Monday - Friday.

Note that Visa On Arrival may still not be available at Pakxan, but my guess it is is now; however one one tested the waters there of late.

Another option is the Tha Li / Kenthao land crossing , with a small bridge over the Nam Heung River.

Backdoorphil entered Laos here recently & got avisa on arrival, plus a temporary motorcycle import at the border.

Davidfl

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Mac

Thanks for a detailled and long post, I do appreciate that.

It is not really about driving over the bridge, I could not care less, but to have the bike legaly (make a point on it) with me in Laos that is my concern (and have it back with me too).

Would it be possible to put it into a truck or eventually the train? What is the point of contention in fact : Can not drive over the bridge? Can not cross the border with a vehicle? Insurance problems?

I do prefer to use Nong Kwai, because I also have the need to keep my passport (and the extension of stay) clean.

Thanks for a detailled and long post, I do appreciate that.

It is not really about driving over the bridge, I could not care less, but to have the bike legaly (make a point on it) with me in Laos that is my concern (and have it back with me too).

Would it be possible to put it into a truck or eventually the train? What is the point of contention in fact : Can not drive over the bridge? Can not cross the border with a vehicle? Insurance problems?

I do prefer to use Nong Kwai, because I also have the need to keep my passport (and the extension of stay) clean.

Not sure if the apply to motorbikes, but the international transport vehicle permit is available for most other vehicles. If you are going to take your bike across, you'll need one of these, which (for cars at least) are dead easy to get at your local Department of Land Transport office.

All the best.

I have crossed the Mukdahan / Savannakhet bridge 2 times with my thai registered motorcycle (Kawasaki ER6n) in 2009 and 2010.

the motorcycle is in my name, I have the required VEHICLE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE from the TRANSPORT OFFICE and everything went quite smooth on the bridge.

I am going to cross it again this year.

I am surprised that "The Friendship Bridge at Savannakhet / Mukdahan is still a definite no. no."

I will not try the Friendship Bridge at Nongkhai because I prefer to get my visa in Savannakhet, but I think it should be possible to cross the bridge with the same documents.

Claude

motorbike or push bike?

Honda Phantom 200 cc

200cc might, just might, be OK. Best to check the GT-Rider forum before you give it a shot.

Here's most recent posting:

http://www.gt-rider....-No-Entry/page7

24th November 2010 08:33 PM #137

Re: Laos Friendship Bridge No Entry

I think that a few guys have succeeded in riding in at the bridge this year.

BUT according to the boss & Miss Khampean in Room # 6 it is still officially no.

The Friendship Bridge at Savannakhet / Mukdahan is still a definite no. no.

If the Nong KHai Friendship Bridge does not work then use Bun KHan / Pakxan downstream from Nong Khai.

This works on regular working days Monday - Friday.

Note that Visa On Arrival may still not be available at Pakxan, but my guess it is is now; however one one tested the waters there of late.

Another option is the Tha Li / Kenthao land crossing , with a small bridge over the Nam Heung River.

Backdoorphil entered Laos here recently & got avisa on arrival, plus a temporary motorcycle import at the border.

Davidfl

xxxxxxxxxxxx

Mac