Mekong Bridge Crossing New Bridge And Area Info From Chiang Khong To Laos

[DonaldBattles]

The Vietnamese control the southern part of Lao and the Chinese control the northern part. This is because their communist brothers in Cambodia are there to help them.

[Tomtomtom69]

Most Thai truck drivers can't speak a word of English or Chinese but they are permitted to drive to China?. They are used to driving down the middle of the road so no problem in China. I think that you will find that the Lao frequently drive their vehicles to Thailand as Thais drive to Laos. IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THE CHINESE ARE GOING TO BE COMING IN MASS THEN YOU NEED TO TALK TO OTHERS. Their relatives own most of Bangkok now so they will be welcome there.

Yes, there is a cross-border agreement on traffic between Thailand and Laos which has been the case for many years and I have driven a Lao car to Thailand many times, but Thailand and Laos are direct neighbors, which is not the same as Thailand and China. However, in practice when it comes to Lao trucks, they DON'T drive very far into Thailand. There are NO foreign registered trucks hauling goods in and out of Bangkok or the Eastern Seaboard and even if there were, don't you think that logically, trucks registered in direct neighboring countries would be the first ones to be allowed to enter Thailand and proceed to Bangkok etc.?

I'm not doubting that Chinese travellers will continue to flock to Thailand but if you are suggesting that the Chinese truckers can bring their trucks down to Thailand while the Thais can drive up to China you are wrong, dude. Perhaps one day it may be allowed but that day is a LONG LONG way off. No way it will be allowed anytime soon.

[Tomtomtom69]

It is pretty obvious that the Chinese are controlling the northern part of Lao. Communist like to stick together. When you are looking for ethical people across from the Golden Triangle like here they may be hard to find.

King Romans is actually quite ethical in another area, apparently they provided some Lao villagers that were displaced by the casino some newly constructed houses and land. This doesn't make them saints, but it certainly goes a long way towards improving their image, particularly amongst displaced local villagers. If you are suggesting that the Chinese can just do anything they like in Laos just because "they are both communist" wait till you see the backlash towards the Chinese when the Lao start to feel they are foreigners in their own land. In Myanmar where the Chinese influence is much less, the Chinese are already facing a backlash...and it's a lot worse than what I initially thought (basically Chinese corporations are often mistrusted and often despised but as tourists and ethical businessmen they are welcome as long as they are respectful, which is the case for other foreign tourists/businessmen too). In any case, "communist ideals" mean nothing to the average citizen of either Laos or China, including rich businessmen. They only mean something to the two governments. However, I think what China is doing in Laos has little to do with "communist ideals" but a lot more with trying to build up the infrastructure of Laos for the mutual benefit of both countries, although more for the benefit of China than Laos. China is also a direct neighbor of Laos and is trying to use the country as a transit point for trade between China and SE Asia, particularly Thailand, which has access to the sea.

Chinese businessmen are therefore not all ruthless zealots with no sense of ethics. They know now more than ever that if they are to be accepted abroad (and even at home) that they have to act in an ethical manner and appropriately for the country they are in.

Edited September 7, 2013 by Tomtomtom69

[TwentyBaht]

Tomtomtom69,

Just to add some info, which hopefully is relevant;

The Thai 999 Bus Company (Government Bus) has already established International (Chiang Mai - Luang Prahbang) bus service. For several months now. Four days per week.

Until the Friendship IV Bridge is functional, passengers will continue to be ferried across the Mekong to a waiting Laos bus. And, onto Luang Prahbang.

When the bridge is functional, we are told the bus drivers will be certified for right lane traffic and the bus will continue onto Luang Prahbang? And, return.

But, going along with this, current passenger criticism is the quality of the Laos bus on the route.

The lane changer is on the Thai side of the bridge.

As to truck traffic, Chinese, or otherwise;

The area a few kilometers around the Thai side of the bridge is becoming truck centric. Repair shops, parking areas, and shipping companies starting up.

But, interestingly, warehousing services are not being built, as of yet. Don't know what to make of this?

And, the repair shop for refrigerated trailers is very busy. Trucking company complaining about the Laos roads breaking their trucks/generators.

And, the Green Bus Company is building a new terminal about half-way between Chiang Khong and the bridge.

So, just some general comment about the trucking. Containers/trailers have Thai/English/Mandarin lettering. Enough said,

But, I have seen Chinese trucks/Mandarin tags/windshield lettering, on the ferry coming across to Thaland. The driver? Don't know.

I will just say; Things are quite fluid here at this time. With, no staging areas for trucking on either side. And, ferrying system as it is. And high truck traffic. And, truck traffic running downtown through Huay Xai and Chiang Khong. Customs and trucking companies, both sides, having to work under difficult conditions.

So, it's probable a Chinese truck or two has driven the streets of Chiang Khong. To a staging area to drop/attach a trailer. Doubtful, any further though.

Looking forward to quieter streets when the new bridge opens.

Cheers

[Tomtomtom69]

Tomtomtom69,

Just to add some info, which hopefully is relevant;

The Thai 999 Bus Company (Government Bus) has already established International (Chiang Mai - Luang Prahbang) bus service. For several months now. Four days per week.

Until the Friendship IV Bridge is functional, passengers will continue to be ferried across the Mekong to a waiting Laos bus. And, onto Luang Prahbang.

When the bridge is functional, we are told the bus drivers will be certified for right lane traffic and the bus will continue onto Luang Prahbang? And, return.

But, going along with this, current passenger criticism is the quality of the Laos bus on the route.

The lane changer is on the Thai side of the bridge.

As to truck traffic, Chinese, or otherwise;

The area a few kilometers around the Thai side of the bridge is becoming truck centric. Repair shops, parking areas, and shipping companies starting up.

But, interestingly, warehousing services are not being built, as of yet. Don't know what to make of this?

And, the repair shop for refrigerated trailers is very busy. Trucking company complaining about the Laos roads breaking their trucks/generators.

And, the Green Bus Company is building a new terminal about half-way between Chiang Khong and the bridge.

So, just some general comment about the trucking. Containers/trailers have Thai/English/Mandarin lettering. Enough said,

But, I have seen Chinese trucks/Mandarin tags/windshield lettering, on the ferry coming across to Thaland. The driver? Don't know.

I will just say; Things are quite fluid here at this time. With, no staging areas for trucking on either side. And, ferrying system as it is. And high truck traffic. And, truck traffic running downtown through Huay Xai and Chiang Khong. Customs and trucking companies, both sides, having to work under difficult conditions.

So, it's probable a Chinese truck or two has driven the streets of Chiang Khong. To a staging area to drop/attach a trailer. Doubtful, any further though.

Looking forward to quieter streets when the new bridge opens.

Cheers

Yes, I agree with you that this is quite possible - this is similar to Thai trucks being allowed to drop off or pick up goods up to 10km inside Vietnam, but in practice the changeover occurs on the Lao side next to the border of Vietnam although I have only been near Lao Bao once so don't know if things have changed and Thai trucks are going into these border trade zones but one thing is for sure, Lao trucks don't handle much trucking in that corridor nor in the China-Thailand corridor. It seems that 99% of truck traffic between China and Thailand (i.e. from the Chinese border into Thailand) is handled by Thai trucks. At this stage there is little reason for this to change. The bridge will however make it more convenient for trade to occur between Thailand, Laos and China.

Also you have to look at the trucks very carefully to determine the origin of the trucks - trailers are often switched and plates of a particular country used depending on the country they are heading to - plenty of Lao trucks have Thai stickers etc. but Lao registration. I have noticed Malaysian trailers with expressway speed limit stickers etc. driving in Bangkok all have Thai number plates, meaning that there is some sort of agreement that means Thai registered trucks drive up to Bangkok but I'm sure that near the Malaysian border, i.e. Hat Yai there is no need for a changeover. I can imagine that having a switchover for some trucks in Chiang Khong, which is more modern, has more space and better roads than anything on the Lao side would make some sense but Thai familiarity with the Lao language/culture and the relatively short distance between the Thai and Chinese borders and existing situation means the current arrangement will continue to be most convenient. I am aware of an agreement between Thailand and China that allows Thai trucks carrying fruit only to drive up to Jinghong and make the switchover there, but last time I went to the area I spotted only Lao and Chinese trucks. Possibly what you have seen reflects the Thai end of the agreement which may allow some Chinese trucks to make the switchover in Chiang Khong.

For personal travel, while few people seem to know this (or could be bothered) if I were to travel between Thailand and northern Laos/southern China by car again like I did earlier this year, I will be using the Huay Kon/Muang Ngern crossing instead until the bridge at Chiang Khong is definitely open. Why? Well for starters, you don't have to pay 1000 Baht for the car ferry in each direction. Secondly, the entry/exit requirements on the Thai side are all streamlined in one place - currently in Chiang Khong you have to sign out your car documents 5km from the ferry terminal? Well that's how it was done for me and it was a pain because i had to return to the Thai side after already reaching Laos due to a "missing stamp" which is not required at any other Thai-Lao crossings. Not only this but the Thai customs authority there is greedy and will tax you or try to take bribes for goods leaving the country. What I also found was bizarre was the lack of Thai and Lao vehicles taking the ferry across - many Thais who had driven up to Chiang Khong from such places as the Thai-Malaysian border couldn't even be bothered paying the 1000 Baht to drive into Laos and would rather take public transport?! That's what I noticed when I was there. So despite being a border city I didn't spot a single foreign registered vehicle there except mine and that of my accompanying vehicle. Thai car caravans and Chinese ones are a regular sight but they seem to be the only regular crossings that occur with vehicles, except for left-hand drive vehicles intended to be sold in Laos, which I saw on our way into Laos. Likely the bridge will change this.

Truck traffic into and out of Chiang Khong is already heavy and will likely become heavier over time. But what I was surprised about is that the whole Chiang Khong-China border route is dominated by 20 and 40 foot container trucks. Very few small trucks do freight between the two border crossings. So Chiang Khong still has a long way to go to improving logistics and the efficiency of logistics companies in the area.

About the Chiang Mai-Luang Prabang cross border bus, I thought the Thai bus went all the way to Luang Prabang? That's what it says on the bus and it's what I heard from other travellers and I also thought the service was daily. As it stands, if a waiting Lao bus is brought over then it's not really a cross border service - even if that will change soon. Maybe you have the latest info because these things keep changing, but I was told that there is no bus change and that the bus goes on the ferry.

Also, bus services from Bangkok to Vientiane, Bangkok to Pakse, Khon Kaen/Udon Thani/Nong Khai to Vientiane and Udon Thani to Vang Vieng, Mukdaharn to Savannakhet, Ubon to Pakse, Nakorn Phanom to Tha Khaek (Muang Khammuan) all use Thai or Lao buses as through services. The longer routes such as Bangkok-Pakse and Bangkok-Vientiane (both daily services) I believe use only Thai vehicles, which makes sense since the Lao segments are very short anyway and so it is preferable to drive a vehicle with the steering wheel on the right in Thailand.

No idea why the Chiang Mai-Luang Prabang bus would be any different? Anyway, I think it would make more sense for that bus to travel via the Muang Ngern crossing - would be closer. However, I suspect that the current route that almost goes up to the Chinese border before coming down to Luang Prabang sees more passenger traffic, with touristy cities on route such as Chiang Rai, Chiang Khong, Huay Xai, Luang Nam Tha etc. hence why it was chosen.

[DonaldBattles]

No need to have warehouses in Chiang Kong because there is nothing to store there. It is all headed west and south. What people in Chiang Khong want in the way of fresh produce my friend tells me it is stolen off the trucks and sold in the local market dirt cheap. Great broccoli, carrots, potatoes and cauliflower fresh every day.

The Chinese have thought that the river freight was just an interim step until the highway and bridge is open. However, it will be a matter of economics.

Still disappointed that the Executive Boat has stopped running. It was a great trip.

I have found in the past that Thais can do things is good as anyone else can. They just have to make up their minds that they want to do it. However in many cases, they get bored quickly and start to slack off. Remember when a "Thai is working. he thinks he is playing and when he is playing he thinks he is working."

[Tomtomtom69]

No need to have warehouses in Chiang Kong because there is nothing to store there. It is all headed west and south. What people in Chiang Khong want in the way of fresh produce my friend tells me it is stolen off the trucks and sold in the local market dirt cheap. Great broccoli, carrots, potatoes and cauliflower fresh every day.

The Chinese have thought that the river freight was just an interim step until the highway and bridge is open. However, it will be a matter of economics.

Still disappointed that the Executive Boat has stopped running. It was a great trip.

I have found in the past that Thais can do things is good as anyone else can. They just have to make up their minds that they want to do it. However in many cases, they get bored quickly and start to slack off. Remember when a "Thai is working. he thinks he is playing and when he is playing he thinks he is working."

I found the Thai logistics companies in Chiang Khong including Doi Tung transport most disappointing. There may be Chinese language signs etc. there and a lot of anticipation about the future but take a closer look and only Thais with limited or no Chinese (and even English) ability will be working inside, despite the Chinese signs and all the hype. A few days before Songkran nobody was interested in making any shipments to the Chinese border despite Songkran not having started yet (and they could have been back in Chiang Khong before the start of festivities) but it seems that everyone was in wind down mode anyway. I inquired about Thai/Lao/Chinese pickups or larger trucks and in the end, nothing was done and nothing was available (apparently). Only after seeing me take action myself did one lady near the ferry spring into action and found me a waiting Lao truck on the Lao side - something I could have easily done myself and then she charged a bundle for it. My whole experience there was clouded by inefficiency and many hours of wasted time and in the end I regret not having crossed at Huay Kon/Muang Ngern where I originally intended to. The reason I didn't go there was because it is so isolated and I thought we would have trouble finding onward transport for my goods on the Lao side but I was probably mistaken.

But yeah if they get their act together a bit great things can be done, absolutely agree with you on that one.

[Tomtomtom69]

No need to have warehouses in Chiang Kong because there is nothing to store there. It is all headed west and south. What people in Chiang Khong want in the way of fresh produce my friend tells me it is stolen off the trucks and sold in the local market dirt cheap. Great broccoli, carrots, potatoes and cauliflower fresh every day.

The Chinese have thought that the river freight was just an interim step until the highway and bridge is open. However, it will be a matter of economics.

Still disappointed that the Executive Boat has stopped running. It was a great trip.

I have found in the past that Thais can do things is good as anyone else can. They just have to make up their minds that they want to do it. However in many cases, they get bored quickly and start to slack off. Remember when a "Thai is working. he thinks he is playing and when he is playing he thinks he is working."

Yes that's true - the dams being built further upstream in China and the lack of navigability during the dry season of course don't help matters.

The Kunming-Vientiane-Singapore high-speed rail link could be a real game changer if it is built - most freight would then be moved by rail, which is more efficient and less polluting anyway. But that is some years off and currently a whole lot of controversy is being generated by the proposed rail link, particularly the Lao segment.

Edited September 9, 2013 by Tomtomtom69

[TwentyBaht]

Tomtomtom69 & DonaldBattles,

Good reads. Thanks. Interesting perspectives.

Will add just a little info;

The Thai "999" International Bus to Luang Prahbang has always disembarked passengers on the Thai side, and then tuked/ferried them across to a waiting Laos bus about seven kilometers south of the Laos Immigration. This, much to the chagrin of many passengers. (And, a few have refused to board the Laos bus.)

But, that said, it would be almost impossible for the "999" bus to consistently load onto the ferry. Not enough wheel height. The loading/unloading surface of the ferry constantly broken. Battered by 200+ trucks per day. Watching the truck/car loading/unloading, especially during high Mekong levels, is entertainment in itself. Quite often, a horrified look on the Chinese drivers as they maneuver their new cars through the ruts and water.

Stolen fruits/vegetables? From, Chinese shipments? Well, no. But, yes. In, a way. But, limited. You see, Thai Customs requires agricultural samples? To, inspect? Five or six boxes from the back of each truck/container. And, I gather, inspection also includes consumption. To, determine quality. As yesterday, the smiling Customs Official pulling apple boxes into his office. And, it does seem, somehow, that fruits do require more inspection than vegetables. .... But, I don't see any looted, low-priced vegetables in the local markets.

As to getting things done? Songkran? Buddha, himself, couldn't hire a bamboo mat made during that time. Days before, or after.

Cheers

[TwentyBaht]

Yes, we hear locally that 11/12/13 will be the official opening day. Considered a lucky day.

The bridge was officially finished on 12/12/12. This was considered a lucky day, also.

Truck traffic is speculated to be the first use of the bridge. Ramping up other vehicles after that.

[DonaldBattles]

Now I see from government reports that there is a rail line planned from Chiang Mai To Chiang Khong. It is part of the big infrastructure package in work but this element will be far down the priority list.This makes sense as the Chinese cargo can be taken by rail to Laem Chabang.

[sceadugenga]

Wonder if they will do VIP passes for shoppers?

[sceadugenga]

Beer Lao?

[DonaldBattles]

Today I took a tour of the new bridge from the Lao side. There were no one working anyplace and one guard on the Lao side. If they are serious about opening they will have to get to work quickly. The bridge is 2 lanes but the entrance has lanes for trucks, vans and cars. The lations will have to get there as in gear if they plan on opening next month.

Brought back 2 cases of Lao dark wonderful beer. Porter arranged from the Lao side picked it up and took it to my truck. No pain no strain. Everything goes within the system.

[DonaldBattles]

The $35 cost of the visa will discourage a lot of people from going. There are a few interesting sites to see. We spent a bit of time at a local Lao Khao distiller. Very interesting and they offer you a drink as it comes out still warm.

[asiamaster]

Now I see from government reports that there is a rail line planned from Chiang Mai To Chiang Khong. It is part of the big infrastructure package in work but this element will be far down the priority list.This makes sense as the Chinese cargo can be taken by rail to Laem Chabang.

They would need to seriously upgrade the rail connection from Bangkok to Laem Chabang (and Pattaya) for that to work...

[asiamaster]

Also why would China be interested to transport to Laem Chabang? They have their own ports on the Pacific Ocean side.

Have you ever heard of the Chinese Two Oceans Strategy? Their main concern is to have a direct connection to the Indian Ocean -also bearing their "expansion" into Africa in mind.

So the following report is a far more likely option:

China Offers $20 Billion High-Speed Rail to Myanmar

October 4, 2013 • 11:37AM

A $20 billion high-speed railway project to connect the coastal town of Kyaukphyu, Rakhine State, Myanmar with Kunming, South China, is at proposal stage, according to a Myanmar government sources.

An official from the Myanmar Ministry of Rail Transportation, who requested not to be named, told the news service "11" in Myanmar that China will fully fund the project, providing easy access to the Indian Ocean trade routes through an 800-km high-speed railway network. It will also provide a tie to the work the Indian Government is doing on the port in that region.

The official stated, "We will only accept this if it offers opportunities for the country, and everyone — the public, the government, and the parliament — agreed to it." Myanmar has been under tremendous Western pressure to re-buff Chinese overtures for joint development, often under the guise of human rights and environmental concerns.

"We are still at the negotiation stage for the railway project at the moment. As we are still negotiating about it, nothing is definite. China has submitted the proposal, but [the project] can only be continued with approval from this side," said the official.

China plans to build and operate the railway and eventually hand it back to Myanmar after 50 years. High-speed trains will carry up to 4,000 tons of goods running at speeds of up to 170 km per hour, according to a report from Arakan Oil Watch, a rather ratty green NGO.

The proposed railway project is 868 kilometers long (539 miles) and will pass through Kyaukphyu, Ahn, Mandalay, Lashio, and Muse. The project includes 79 train stations, 409 bridges, and 101 tunnels and will connect with Kunming in southern China.

[DonaldBattles]

A friend now advises me that the rail line will be from Chiang Khong to Lampang. This makes a lot more sense as the containeres can get to Laem Chabang quicker.

[DonaldBattles]

If the Chinese can pull this off to Burma they don't have to bother with Thailand.

[Rotweiler]

According to the Post, "the opening of the fourth friendship bridge over the Mekong River .... linking Chiang Khong district of Chiang Rai in Thailand with Huay Sai town and Bokeo province in northern Laos " is finally supposed to really happen on the 11th. of this month.

Perhaps someone near there can check it out to see if it does in fact occur.

[RubbaJohnny]

yes 2 large imporatnt VIPs due ho will be purely ceremoial at 9.0 11/12/13

I feel they will be 14 seconds late theLao side isnt fully ready tho a well informed local said may actaully be open for loacls on Weds

I will keep you posted.

The rail line to Den Chai spur on mainline slated for 2015 looks like may be victim of budget 're-alignment'

ew highways nr C Saen will link t Chinese port then dual cariageway

The end of tourust traffic to China from Xheing Saen is due to violnec much misrported in XXinhua the real reasons cannot be posted by those who wish to remain living here but discrete inquiries in Shan and Banna will reveal why the slow boat to Chi'Li once a British port in Xishaunagbanna is no more and plane is only 'legal 'option of non holders of PRC residence

[kmar92]

Does anyone have anymore news on the status of the Friendship Bridge No. 4? I know that the bridge is ready to go and 2 weeks ago when I was there the infrastructure on the Thai side was finished and that Wednesday was slated as the opening day. Maybe the Laos side is still a problem?

[RubbaJohnny]

What passport do you have?

The lasses cut the tape this morning

[sceadugenga]

Sounds good Johnny.

I wonder if you will need a Lao visa or whether they will do a day pass?

[blueyeshk]

Now a year later- What's the status on this crossing - I am interested also on crossing by motorcycle (honda dream) into laos Any News on how Or when this will be possible ?

[RichCor]

Here's the latest ThaiVisa discussion regarding the Chiang Khong - Huay Xai border crossing

I believe you'll still need to get your bike's paperwork verified before being allowed to cross borders

Southeast Asia Forum

New road and bridge to drive from Chiang Khong to Luang Prabang?

Started by jaideeguy, 2014-02-15 11:30 -- 6 replies

phuketrichard Posted 2014-02-15 13:32:04

to take a single motorcycle across u first take ur motorcycle to the ferry point and arrange to have an agent get ur bike by small boat over to laos. You than travel to the bridge ( by Tuk Tuk or...) and clear the bike out of Thailand you then go across the bridge an enter Laos and clear ur bike thru Laos customs.

you than go back to the ferry point on the laos side and ur bikes shows up.

pain in the ass but the way ts done

for groups of 10 u need an agent /police escort and pay $$ to get the bikes into laos.

look at gt riders forum

you can use the bridge for the Huai Kon- Muang Ngeun (Nan) crossing

tomtaylor1 Posted 2014-03-28 23:09:51

I am pleased to hear that the bridge at Chiang Khong is now open for car crossings, before have used the ferry 1000 Baht or 1500 Baht on some Thai holidays.
Please note you will need a Pass Port for your car before you can cross over into Laos, this can be obtained at a Thai Land Transport Office, cost app 80/120 Baht.
Tom

tomtaylor1 Posted 2014-05-12 10:25:38

Hi All, I have recently crossed from Laos to Thailand on the newly opened bridgeat Chiang Khong, no problems.

On The Thai side you can fill up with LPG on the main road near to the bridge. You can drive with a vehicle with a decent ground clearance on the Hard packed dusty dirt road from adjacent to the bridge onto Dan, Pak Tha, Pa Udom,Phu Luang, to Pak Beng app 140 kilometers onto 2W, from there if you wish it is then possible to drive to Hongsa then Xayaboury to Luang Prabang.

Although the map does show a passable road, good weather from Hongsa to Luang Prabang, although as yet have not driven this route but will give it a try next time.The map is www.GT-Rider.com.

Tom

One entry on the GT-Rider Touring Overview / Border Crossing page mentioned that you can apply for a 1 or 2 week Bike Permit for entering Laos, and they started letting bikes use the bridge for 1000 baht a bike.

The GT-Rider Laos Forum website usually has more current information.

[Tomtomtom69]

Here's the latest ThaiVisa discussion regarding the Chiang Khong - Huay Xai border crossing

I believe you'll still need to get your bike's paperwork verified before being allowed to cross borders

Southeast Asia Forum

New road and bridge to drive from Chiang Khong to Luang Prabang?

Started by jaideeguy, 2014-02-15 11:30 -- 6 replies

phuketrichard Posted 2014-02-15 13:32:04

to take a single motorcycle across u first take ur motorcycle to the ferry point and arrange to have an agent get ur bike by small boat over to laos. You than travel to the bridge ( by Tuk Tuk or...) and clear the bike out of Thailand you then go across the bridge an enter Laos and clear ur bike thru Laos customs.

you than go back to the ferry point on the laos side and ur bikes shows up.

pain in the ass but the way ts done

for groups of 10 u need an agent /police escort and pay $$ to get the bikes into laos.

look at gt riders forum

you can use the bridge for the Huai Kon- Muang Ngeun (Nan) crossing

tomtaylor1 Posted 2014-03-28 23:09:51

I am pleased to hear that the bridge at Chiang Khong is now open for car crossings, before have used the ferry 1000 Baht or 1500 Baht on some Thai holidays.

Please note you will need a Pass Port for your car before you can cross over into Laos, this can be obtained at a Thai Land Transport Office, cost app 80/120 Baht.

Tom

tomtaylor1 Posted 2014-05-12 10:25:38

Hi All, I have recently crossed from Laos to Thailand on the newly opened bridgeat Chiang Khong, no problems.

On The Thai side you can fill up with LPG on the main road near to the bridge. You can drive with a vehicle with a decent ground clearance on the Hard packed dusty dirt road from adjacent to the bridge onto Dan, Pak Tha, Pa Udom,Phu Luang, to Pak Beng app 140 kilometers onto 2W, from there if you wish it is then possible to drive to Hongsa then Xayaboury to Luang Prabang.

Although the map does show a passable road, good weather from Hongsa to Luang Prabang, although as yet have not driven this route but will give it a try next time.The map is www.GT-Rider.com.

Tom

One entry on the GT-Rider Touring Overview / Border Crossing page mentioned that you can apply for a 1 or 2 week Bike Permit for entering Laos, and they started letting bikes use the bridge for 1000 baht a bike.

The GT-Rider Laos Forum website usually has more current information.

Can small bikes (less than 250cc) cross there? At the 1st Friendship Bridge, only 250cc and larger bikes can easily cross. Smaller ones either need to be loaded into the back of a pickup, go on a tour or may not be allowed at all. It's very confusing...maybe the 4th bridge is different? I did read a report about a Frenchman over on GT Rider who was driving a Honda Wave back into Thailand across the 4th bridge soon after it opened. But maybe it was a one-off due to being very new at the time (this was December last year). Hopefully however, the authorities there treat all bikes the same. I realise that many of you have big bikes so this question won't matter. But as I normally drive a car, which is on finance and therefore still can't leave the country until the loan is paid off, my only hope for bringing my own vehicle across to Laos would be my 125cc bike for now.

[blueyeshk]

So for the updated status on requested paperwork to bring my Honda dream from Thai to laos and back I understand it's just my green book and nothing else?? Is this right ? No international driving license or translation of green book or insurance ??

[siriweith]

same days ago i have my first experience

crossing the new bridge.

comparate with before when have only the possiblity of the boat

you get all the service at the same place.

samething to say about the time we spend for all document

was around 2 hours,but ok we enter with motorbike.....

until luang namtha we meet 10 chinese cars drive in direction of chiang khong

but from chinese border in direction of luang prabang we meet hundred of chinese truck.

the big problem is that the street is broken for 90 km

with truck pass every minutes and make visibility near zero.

they make big deforestation in the area

and buliding many big factory in the area of luang namtha.

we have no way for come back in thailand

i have appropiate motorbike because if not

for sure will be broken.

no choise for come back in thai from luang prabang

we pass from nan custom where we loose only 30 minutes....

accept to do off road for 117 km until hongsa without gps

and paved road for a total of 433 km from luang prabang until chiang rai

chiang khong luang namtha until luang prabang are 600 km one way.

anyway new record luang prabang chiang rai in a day without gps asking information and stop for eat relax and custom include

11 hours and 45 minutes.

we was 2 people in one motorbike and carry 3 big bags

may be alone can do much better

with gps may be also

we start yesterday 8 am from luang prabang arrive in chiang rai 19.45 pm.

be carefull if you thing to go in paved road to luang prabang passing luang nam tha because

will be an experience cannot forget about

and if i try to explain we also broken motorbike in a night time in a jungle in a mountain

with frozen and hill tribe people no help us.....

can to be much more serius problem

but all is well what finish well

and in town we are now.

the street is broken from after luang namtha 100 km

until 100 km before luang prabang

Edited December 22, 2014 by siriweith

[siriweith]

So for the updated status on requested paperwork to bring my Honda dream from Thai to laos and back I understand it's just my green book and nothing else?? Is this right ? No international driving license or translation of green book or insurance ??

you must to go office near immigraition in chiang rai

where the people get driver licence thai and also international thai driver licence

make paper with traslation in english language

you need to have your motorbike in your name and sow for do this and thai driver licence you need also yellow book

insurance for one week is 120 thai baht in laos

need international driver license

hope to say everythink you need to know about....

we see also tourist enter with rented motorbike

but they have much more papers than us.....

Edited December 22, 2014 by siriweith