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Driving through Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam with a Thai car and driving license.


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Posted

I was about to ask what is included in the US$ 1,500 - but since you imply it might not be legit (or you couldn't care less whether it is), I don't think I am interested any more. Risking to get arrested is not my idea of adventure.

Enjoy your trip.

just read my post before... coffee1.gif but for you here again...so you have not to scroll...

"just get today very good news - it is now possible to enter and exit to vietnam from laos and travel FREE - without guide - without leading-car - just free travel - with thai-car!

first offer i got today is us dollars 1500 valid for 1 month in vietnam!

"The permit and border services only. You can drive by youself non Tour guide, non car lead."

In the posting I replied to, you said "but is legal here in SEA...", indicating that legality was not something you were looking for.

So, now it is? That's good news then. Why is a permit and "border service" so expensive, and are there any receipts?

Posted

In the posting I replied to, you said "but is legal here in SEA...", indicating that legality was not something you were looking for.

So, now it is? That's good news then. Why is a permit and "border service" so expensive, and are there any receipts?

i NEVER said/wrote "but is legal here in SEA..." ...!!!

i said/wrote:

"first - what is legit here in SEA for travelling...?!"

with "questionmark"!!!

anyway - if i would know all already, i would not post questions in this forum... ;-)

just get in contact yourself as i wrote before...

if i have other news later - i will post it again!

enjoy your day whereever you are...! wai.gif

Posted

Suggestion - iff you are going to BUY a car (jeep/4WD) why not buy one in Laos....it will be LHD and then maybe you can take it into V/N?

Only if you keep it registered in Lao and have a Lao DL.

Aha so the Vietnamese now want a Lao DL to drive to Vietnam?

Maybe that explains why I was refused in 2012 when I arrived with a Lao car and a Vietnamese driver's licence. yes, a Vietnamese drivers licence was NOT accepted by the border guards to drive a Lao car in Vietnam, despite the fact it was OK a few months earlier and other foreigners have reported no issues crossing at other borders (and possibly this one too) since then.

Lao registrations can't cross directly between Cambodia and Vietnam though. A new rule means that they might be allowed but generally speaking, to travel from Cambodia to Vietnam, must first cross back into Laos and then from there into Vietnam.

Posted

They are not going to let the car into Vietnam, Pini.

now almost 2 years later - any news on this fact - there are new laws about ASEAN-countries - thanks to all - want still to drive our own thai-car-thai-numberplates with valid driving-license etc. etc. through laos into vietnam!

I have been told by a good friend of mine, former senior immigration official from Myawady, opposite Mae Sot in Kayin/Karen State of Myanmar that the Burmese are currently in the process of considering to open up their country to foreign registered vehicles (Thai and possibly other ASEAN), while a Cambodian travel agency told me that the car passport can now be used for Cambodia (which is not true).

If you had been following the news recently, particularly the Bangkok Post article from Mar 15, I wouldn't be surprised if those countries with which Thailand does NOT share an existing agreement on the exchange of traffic rights will be banned from driving on Thai roads soon, particularly Vietnamese (who haven't been allowed in all along anyway) and Cambodian, Burmese and Chinese, unless they have made pre-arrangements for driving here.

If this rule comes to affect Vietnamese, Burmese and Cambodian vehicles, then I can see those countries possibly tightening up the rules further for Thai vehicles. On the other hand, it could also be a catalyst to get them to sign an agreement with Thailand in which case everyone would benefit.

Of course China won't be signing any agreement with Thailand so Chinese vehicles will soon be off Thai roads, especially campervans/motor homes and motorcycles, but even cars won't be able to come easily anymore. Which is very fair, because Thai vehicles can't easily enter China and the Chinese have been abusing the easy entrance privileges for a long time.

Posted

They are not going to let the car into Vietnam, Pini.

now almost 2 years later - any news on this fact - there are new laws about ASEAN-countries - thanks to all - want still to drive our own thai-car-thai-numberplates with valid driving-license etc. etc. through laos into vietnam!

I have been told by a good friend of mine, former senior immigration official from Myawady, opposite Mae Sot in Kayin/Karen State of Myanmar that the Burmese are currently in the process of considering to open up their country to foreign registered vehicles (Thai and possibly other ASEAN), while a Cambodian travel agency told me that the car passport can now be used for Cambodia (which is not true).

If you had been following the news recently, particularly the Bangkok Post article from Mar 15, I wouldn't be surprised if those countries with which Thailand does NOT share an existing agreement on the exchange of traffic rights will be banned from driving on Thai roads soon, particularly Vietnamese (who haven't been allowed in all along anyway) and Cambodian, Burmese and Chinese, unless they have made pre-arrangements for driving here.

If this rule comes to affect Vietnamese, Burmese and Cambodian vehicles, then I can see those countries possibly tightening up the rules further for Thai vehicles. On the other hand, it could also be a catalyst to get them to sign an agreement with Thailand in which case everyone would benefit.

Of course China won't be signing any agreement with Thailand so Chinese vehicles will soon be off Thai roads, especially campervans/motor homes and motorcycles, but even cars won't be able to come easily anymore. Which is very fair, because Thai vehicles can't easily enter China and the Chinese have been abusing the easy entrance privileges for a long time.

"Of course China won't be signing any agreement with Thailand" - what makes you say that?

apart from anything China is responsible for building a load of road and rail links that hope to use Laos, Thailand and Burma to give western Chinese commerce access to ports on the andaman.

Western China is landlocked effectively and there is certainly a lot of benefits to them if they can get easy access through AEC/ASEAN countries.

Posted

They are not going to let the car into Vietnam, Pini.

now almost 2 years later - any news on this fact - there are new laws about ASEAN-countries - thanks to all - want still to drive our own thai-car-thai-numberplates with valid driving-license etc. etc. through laos into vietnam!

I have been told by a good friend of mine, former senior immigration official from Myawady, opposite Mae Sot in Kayin/Karen State of Myanmar that the Burmese are currently in the process of considering to open up their country to foreign registered vehicles (Thai and possibly other ASEAN), while a Cambodian travel agency told me that the car passport can now be used for Cambodia (which is not true).

If you had been following the news recently, particularly the Bangkok Post article from Mar 15, I wouldn't be surprised if those countries with which Thailand does NOT share an existing agreement on the exchange of traffic rights will be banned from driving on Thai roads soon, particularly Vietnamese (who haven't been allowed in all along anyway) and Cambodian, Burmese and Chinese, unless they have made pre-arrangements for driving here.

If this rule comes to affect Vietnamese, Burmese and Cambodian vehicles, then I can see those countries possibly tightening up the rules further for Thai vehicles. On the other hand, it could also be a catalyst to get them to sign an agreement with Thailand in which case everyone would benefit.

Of course China won't be signing any agreement with Thailand so Chinese vehicles will soon be off Thai roads, especially campervans/motor homes and motorcycles, but even cars won't be able to come easily anymore. Which is very fair, because Thai vehicles can't easily enter China and the Chinese have been abusing the easy entrance privileges for a long time.

Thailand is indeed a member of the Cross-Border Transport Agreement (CBTA) of the Greater Mekhng Subregion, along with Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, People’s Republic of China, Yunnan and Guangxi provinces, and Viet Nam).

See here: http://www.gms-cbta.org/

  • 1 month later...
Posted

ok;

to take ur thai registered car into Laso u need the purple book ( passport) for the car/truck ( obtained at the land transport office) its basically a copy of your cars Blue book) takes a day, here in Phuket, costs 50 baht/year to update. When you exit thailand they will give you a customs form and ALSO stamp the purple book. When you enter Laos they will issue you all your paperwork and stamp the purple book. Make sure they do!

Car MUST be in your name, as soon as you enter Laos buy insurance, for my honda civic it runs about 800 baht for 3 weeks . BUT your car only is allowed in for 14 days, you can extend that, i am told ( never have spent more than 14 days so)..... You get 30 day visa on arrival ( $25-40 depending on nationality).

Roads are ok but places ( like Udomaxi to Luang Prabang and around the plain of Jars ) can be very bad

Cambodia. Only two borders will allow you in with no hassles,

Osmach ( 40 kms or so south of Surin). Drive in . Visa for you on arrival ( $20) You only need your cars blue book for Thai customs. Cambodia does not care, Note you will not get insurance for Cambodia. I have driven 10,000 of kms in Cambodia all over an its no problem, dont drive at night an keep your eyes open as your driving on the "other" side from Thailand.

Dont bother with all those that say its terriable to drive in Cambodia or laos an cant be done, They have not done it., I have been doing it since 2006 an am heading back in June. Roads in Cambodia get worse each year so be prepared

Poi Pet, Pailin will not let your car in.

Koh Kong ( west of Trat) will allow you in but you tell them how long your staying and pay 100 Baht/day an they issue you a red plastic license plate your to put on your dashboard. They also tell you that you can only drive in Koh Kong Province. In reality no one cars once your in Cambodia

Although you cant enter at Poi Pet of Palin you can exit there (have done it)

Vietnam NO WAY

Suugest this route,

Thailand exit at Chiang Khong/ Houay Xai) an head into Laos,( cross the new bridge) up to Luang Namtha- Lunag Prabang- Phonsavan ( plain of Jars) Veng Vieng- Vientainne- Back into Thailand at Nong Khai- Surin- Osmach ( enter Cambodia) -Siem Rep- Phnom Penh- Kep/Kampot- Shv- Phnom Penh- Battambang- Palin ( back to Thailand)

Never owned an international driving permit ( i have a 5 year Thai license and a California license) and both are accepted in Cambodia an laos. If your stopped in Cambodia SHOW them your license but do not give it to them. They will ask for $20 but will quickly drop to $5. Had to pay twice in Cambodia ( $2 & $5) an once in Laos $10

Car repairs and painting are much cheaper in Cambodia than Thailand.

Safe travels

Useful post! Thx.

  • 3 weeks later...
Posted

You cannot enter Vietnam with a car which has the steering wheel on the right side , even your thai driving licence is recognize there .

In Cambodia there are no possibility of insurance for your car.

Posted

short update: we just tried to enter VIETNAM with our THAI-car from LAOS (NAM PHAO) - the laotian immigrationpeople let us over to walk to the vietnam-side - but no way! only pre-arranged with guided tour (caravan they call this). all very friendly!

then we try to cross the border SOUTH of PAXSE into CAMBODIA - NO WAY - need yellow paper from phnom penh! all very friendly - but not possible to "arrange" some temporary paperwork on cambodia side!

so back to thailand (CHONG MEK) and then exit in CHONG CHOM (THAILAND-SURIN) to CAMBODIA (O'SMACH) - all very very friendly - personal visa on arrival for 30 days (swiss) for 1500 baht - they do NOT accept E-VISA made online - money for nothing! gigglem.gif ! - check out our car with thai custom etc. - enter cambodia and drive on - not stop at immigration or custom for car! nobody will stop you! cheesy.gif ....insurance is NOT possible - nobody in cambodia have insurance with their own cars... clap2.gif

now good roads from border to SIEM REAP - going on to PNOM PENH and drive back via beach (sihanoukville) to thailand (TRAT) - will see....!

Posted (edited)

DO NOT drive ur car on Ekareaach street in shv,( main downtown street) with thai tags, you will be stopped and fined!!!

average fine $5-10/cop

i exited last trip ( nov ) at Hat lek ( had also entered there) i paid 100 baht/day when i entered but paid for 5 days and stayed 7, they charged me an extra 200 baht so be prepared to pay 100 baht./day u were in country.

Edited by phuketrichard
Posted

DO NOT drive ur car on Ekareaach street in shv,( main downtown street) with thai tags, you will be stopped and fined!!!

average fine $5-10/cop

i exited last trip ( nov ) at Hat lek ( had also entered there) i paid 100 baht/day when i entered but paid for 5 days and stayed 7, they charged me an extra 200 baht so be prepared to pay 100 baht./day u were in country.

tks pr - have english-plates - but will not drive there - is it not possible to drive just without a stop the cambodian customs in hat lek etc.? - nobody stops us in o'smach...! - will try anyway to get the "yellow paper" for our car in PP...if possible for longterm stay in cambodia (means entry several times...?) - any ideas?

Posted

NO: English plates mean nothing, take the front plate off when driving in Cambodia ( i do that as they cant see where the car is from when ur heading towards them)
there is a pole that blocks the road, ( sometimes u need pay 100 baht for them to raise it)

most u can keep a thai car out of country is 30 days

I am driving back in July

Posted

They are not going to let the car into Vietnam, Pini.

now almost 2 years later - any news on this fact - there are new laws about ASEAN-countries - thanks to all - want still to drive our own thai-car-thai-numberplates with valid driving-license etc. etc. through laos into vietnam!

I have been told by a good friend of mine, former senior immigration official from Myawady, opposite Mae Sot in Kayin/Karen State of Myanmar that the Burmese are currently in the process of considering to open up their country to foreign registered vehicles (Thai and possibly other ASEAN), while a Cambodian travel agency told me that the car passport can now be used for Cambodia (which is not true).

If you had been following the news recently, particularly the Bangkok Post article from Mar 15, I wouldn't be surprised if those countries with which Thailand does NOT share an existing agreement on the exchange of traffic rights will be banned from driving on Thai roads soon, particularly Vietnamese (who haven't been allowed in all along anyway) and Cambodian, Burmese and Chinese, unless they have made pre-arrangements for driving here.

If this rule comes to affect Vietnamese, Burmese and Cambodian vehicles, then I can see those countries possibly tightening up the rules further for Thai vehicles. On the other hand, it could also be a catalyst to get them to sign an agreement with Thailand in which case everyone would benefit.

Of course China won't be signing any agreement with Thailand so Chinese vehicles will soon be off Thai roads, especially campervans/motor homes and motorcycles, but even cars won't be able to come easily anymore. Which is very fair, because Thai vehicles can't easily enter China and the Chinese have been abusing the easy entrance privileges for a long time.

"Of course China won't be signing any agreement with Thailand" - what makes you say that?

apart from anything China is responsible for building a load of road and rail links that hope to use Laos, Thailand and Burma to give western Chinese commerce access to ports on the andaman.

Western China is landlocked effectively and there is certainly a lot of benefits to them if they can get easy access through AEC/ASEAN countries.

Anyone who knows anything about China knows very well they don't sign up to such agreements. The 2003 GMS CBTA was signed by China but not implemented in practice. It was all a meaningless "face" exercise so some Chinese officials could get their mugshots in the media.

All of this is meaningless now as the Chinese will be banned from driving to Thailand starting on June 27, unless they make prior arrangements, something which couldn't come soon enough.

It may be possible that an agreement for trucks and buses ONLY could come into force in the future, because it would greatly facilitate trade between Thailand and China but it would have to be 100% fair otherwise there would be no deal. The exchange of traffic rights for commercial vehicles in particular, is a politically sensitive topic in this part of the world. Disputes happen all the time.

However, private vehicles are almost certainly NOT going to be included for obvious reasons. The debauchery that was CNY this year when thousands of Chinese vehicles drove into Thailand, causing traffic jams, near misses and actual accidents is not something the Thais want to experience again, and similarly, I don't think the Chinese would be keen on seeing something similar with large numbers of Thai vehicles driving up to Sipsongbanna or Kunming. In the future, with more and more vehicles on the roads, environmental reasons alone will be enough to force governments to prevent large numbers of foreign registered vehicles from "invading" their countries. Already China has taken steps to make it more difficult for locals to purchase cars in Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing and other cities to control traffic and pollution - the system is somewhat similar to what Singapore has in place. In the future, such restrictions will likely become even more stringent and this makes it even less likely the Chinese government would tolerate holidaying foreigners bringing in their own cars, which would clog up their already congested roads further.

Similarly, the Thais are starting to think the same way - earlier this year the Bangkok traffic superintendent warned he would not tolerate foreign cars driving on Bangkok streets anymore and those that are caught would be subject to a 10,000 Baht fine along with forced towing to the border. Thailand has always had a very "mai pen rai" attitude towards these kind of issues but it is now starting to think and act in very much the same terms as it's neighbors.

Posted

NO: English plates mean nothing, take the front plate off when driving in Cambodia ( i do that as they cant see where the car is from when ur heading towards them)

there is a pole that blocks the road, ( sometimes u need pay 100 baht for them to raise it)

most u can keep a thai car out of country is 30 days

I am driving back in July

I drove through Hat Lek/Koh Kong to Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh and back again the same way last month. It was my third trip to Cambodia with my car this year and always through Hat Lek. Every time the guy manning the pole wants some money to open it but only when entering, never when leaving. 80 Baht or so may do it late in the evening, but it will be around 100 otherwise, sometimes an extra 10-20 Baht "tip" is requested along with that. Might need to bargain a bit, but don't be too forceful.

The daily "fee" is 100 Baht, though they managed to charge me 150 Baht in January, but it was 100 in March and April. None of these prices are set in stone, different officials might have a different "interpretation" of what they think is the right amount to charge. Then of course you also have to play the visa game and the touts like to fill out your arrival form so they can request 100 Baht (though in reality 20 Baht is enough). The quarantine scam is not practiced for car arrivals, only for pedestrians but even then you can avoid it by walking up the stairs rather than up the hill before the stairs.

Posted

DO NOT drive ur car on Ekareaach street in shv,( main downtown street) with thai tags, you will be stopped and fined!!!

average fine $5-10/cop

i exited last trip ( nov ) at Hat lek ( had also entered there) i paid 100 baht/day when i entered but paid for 5 days and stayed 7, they charged me an extra 200 baht so be prepared to pay 100 baht./day u were in country.

I remembered your advice and tried to avoid driving along Ekareach street but I couldn't avoid it altogether, so that's what I did. I drove along parts of Ekareach street and no problems. No police. Instead, the police set up a checkpoint along the beach road between Sokha and Independence beaches but only in one direction. To make sure I wouldn't be stopped on my way back I avoided that street and then used some backstreets to get up to Ekareach street.

Then on my way up to Phnom Penh I took route 3 via Kampot (big mistake, what a horrible road) and it was already dark by now, could barely see anything. Police set up a checkpoint somewhere around 75km south of PP, I drove straight through, they weren't interested in us.

I was stopped in Phnom Penh the next day though and fined $3. The police, speaking in Khmer made up some bogus story about me not driving around the roundabout correctly (or at least that's what I understood) but in reality once they saw the Thai number plates it was really just an opportunity to make some tea money. Officer said "mai pen rai" in Thai and had a big gleaming smile on his face. Interestingly, earlier in the day I accidentally drove straight from a left hand turn lane and saw police nearby but they didn't care. I might add it was during the Khmer New Year, which in Cambodia means nothing as I didn't spot one person throwing water. I was told that splashing water during the traditional new year is banned in Phnom Penh, but even in Koh Kong there was 0 evidence of it, ditto for Sihanoukville.

Moral of the story is you can be stopped and fined anywhere in Cambodia, though it's usually rare. Your experience may be on Ekareach street, mine is in Phnom Penh.

Posted (edited)

short update: we just tried to enter VIETNAM with our THAI-car from LAOS (NAM PHAO) - the laotian immigrationpeople let us over to walk to the vietnam-side - but no way! only pre-arranged with guided tour (caravan they call this). all very friendly!

then we try to cross the border SOUTH of PAXSE into CAMBODIA - NO WAY - need yellow paper from phnom penh! all very friendly - but not possible to "arrange" some temporary paperwork on cambodia side!

so back to thailand (CHONG MEK) and then exit in CHONG CHOM (THAILAND-SURIN) to CAMBODIA (O'SMACH) - all very very friendly - personal visa on arrival for 30 days (swiss) for 1500 baht - they do NOT accept E-VISA made online - money for nothing! gigglem.gif ! - check out our car with thai custom etc. - enter cambodia and drive on - not stop at immigration or custom for car! nobody will stop you! cheesy.gif ....insurance is NOT possible - nobody in cambodia have insurance with their own cars... clap2.gif

now good roads from border to SIEM REAP - going on to PNOM PENH and drive back via beach (sihanoukville) to thailand (TRAT) - will see....!

I remember reading about you driving from CAMBODIA to LAOS some years ago and it was OK. I have been told many stories about Cambodia customs at the Lao-Cambodia border crossing not allowing any vehicles across, or only with restrictions. This even applies to Lao vehicles. Cambodian customs have mentioned things like 1) need a Lao driver 2) can not drive further than Stung Treng 3) must exit at the same border.

Very wild west there. Leaving Cambodia by car tends to be OK, but not entering, unless of course, your car has Cambodian plates. I would be keen on hearing from anyone who has recently DEPARTED Cambodia for Laos by car at this crossing. Since the rules seem to be interpreted differently by each official, only recent reports from the past year or so, please.

Information online is almost non-existent. Tried googling this many times.

Edited by Tomtomtom69
Posted

now almost 2 years later - any news on this fact - there are new laws about ASEAN-countries - thanks to all - want still to drive our own thai-car-thai-numberplates with valid driving-license etc. etc. through laos into vietnam!

I have been told by a good friend of mine, former senior immigration official from Myawady, opposite Mae Sot in Kayin/Karen State of Myanmar that the Burmese are currently in the process of considering to open up their country to foreign registered vehicles (Thai and possibly other ASEAN), while a Cambodian travel agency told me that the car passport can now be used for Cambodia (which is not true).

If you had been following the news recently, particularly the Bangkok Post article from Mar 15, I wouldn't be surprised if those countries with which Thailand does NOT share an existing agreement on the exchange of traffic rights will be banned from driving on Thai roads soon, particularly Vietnamese (who haven't been allowed in all along anyway) and Cambodian, Burmese and Chinese, unless they have made pre-arrangements for driving here.

If this rule comes to affect Vietnamese, Burmese and Cambodian vehicles, then I can see those countries possibly tightening up the rules further for Thai vehicles. On the other hand, it could also be a catalyst to get them to sign an agreement with Thailand in which case everyone would benefit.

Of course China won't be signing any agreement with Thailand so Chinese vehicles will soon be off Thai roads, especially campervans/motor homes and motorcycles, but even cars won't be able to come easily anymore. Which is very fair, because Thai vehicles can't easily enter China and the Chinese have been abusing the easy entrance privileges for a long time.

Thailand is indeed a member of the Cross-Border Transport Agreement (CBTA) of the Greater Mekhng Subregion, along with Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, People’s Republic of China, Yunnan and Guangxi provinces, and Viet Nam).

See here: http://www.gms-cbta.org/

This agreement is meaningless, was never properly implemented by any country except Laos and Thailand.

It mainly applies to commercial vehicles and probably was never really intended to cover private vehicles anyway. Thailand and Vietnam now share an agreement on the cross border transit of trucks - meaning Thai trucks can cross into Vietnam at one Lao-Viet border crossing (probably Daen Savanh/Lao Bao) but this does NOT extend to private vehicles. Goods trucks only and there is a quota of 20 vehicles per day, all of which are owned by one company.

Posted

I remember reading about you driving from CAMBODIA to LAOS some years ago and it was OK. I have been told many stories about Cambodia customs at the Lao-Cambodia border crossing not allowing any vehicles across, or only with restrictions. This even applies to Lao vehicles. Cambodian customs have mentioned things like 1) need a Lao driver 2) can not drive further than Stung Treng 3) must exit at the same border.

Very wild west there. Leaving Cambodia by car tends to be OK, but not entering, unless of course, your car has Cambodian plates. I would be keen on hearing from anyone who has recently DEPARTED Cambodia for Laos by car at this crossing. Since the rules seem to be interpreted differently by each official, only recent reports from the past year or so, please.

Information online is almost non-existent. Tried googling this many times.

yes we did it about more then 2 years ago - exit cambodia north of stung treng into laos south of paxse (for some UTM...!)

but this time we tried it the other way - no way - only with the paper from PP - so i ask the guy in cambodia, if it's possible again to cross it from cambodia to laos? - no - no way - only with proper paperwork - no UTM anymore...! clap2.gif

Posted

I remember reading about you driving from CAMBODIA to LAOS some years ago and it was OK. I have been told many stories about Cambodia customs at the Lao-Cambodia border crossing not allowing any vehicles across, or only with restrictions. This even applies to Lao vehicles. Cambodian customs have mentioned things like 1) need a Lao driver 2) can not drive further than Stung Treng 3) must exit at the same border.

Very wild west there. Leaving Cambodia by car tends to be OK, but not entering, unless of course, your car has Cambodian plates. I would be keen on hearing from anyone who has recently DEPARTED Cambodia for Laos by car at this crossing. Since the rules seem to be interpreted differently by each official, only recent reports from the past year or so, please.

Information online is almost non-existent. Tried googling this many times.

yes we did it about more then 2 years ago - exit cambodia north of stung treng into laos south of paxse (for some UTM...!)

but this time we tried it the other way - no way - only with the paper from PP - so i ask the guy in cambodia, if it's possible again to cross it from cambodia to laos? - no - no way - only with proper paperwork - no UTM anymore...! clap2.gif

Sorry what does UTM mean? "Up to me?"

Anyway, I wouldn't trust what that guy told you about leaving Cambodia for Laos. Each official says something different and there's no proper, official procedure. Probably it is still possible to cross - just that hardly anyone has done it. As mentioned, entering Cambodia from Laos has been a problem for years, even driving a Lao vehicle. The only way to know for sure, is to try it.

Posted (edited)

When I first heard about ASEAN, I pictured a European Union type of freedom of travel – where private vehicles could cross borders freely (at most, flashing a passport) and drive anywhere – similar to the free travel between USA, Mexico and Canada.

This thread has sure dashed those illusions! I had great hopes of unfettered exploring with a newly-purchased pickup (after 10 years on a motor scooter). Instead, I feel like I'm reading travel memoirs from the turn of the century--that is, 19th to the 20th century. The area is relatively small also – like traveling from state to state in the USA.

Freedom of movement in SE Asia seems to still be held hostage by the paranoia and greed of governments, border officials and local police. There seems to be little vision as to the benefits of freer tourism, let alone normal cross-border commerce and greater interaction with neighbors. 

No wonder my university students still hate the Burmese because of wars 200 years ago, and none of them can speak a single word of greeting in any neighboring countries' languages.

Rant over. Sigh.

Edited by Fookhaht
Posted

just made it back to TH via KOH KHONG to HAT LEK without any hassel - 12 days - almost 2000 km through cambodia from O'SMACH - no probs at all - almost only good roads with not much traffic - passed about 50 checkpoints/police-checks - not one stopped us - everywhere only friendly people - cheap beer - good food - good accomodation! we feel very comfortable travelling with own car in cambodia! not went to SV...stay in KEP beach for 2 nights - nice place! diesel is very cheap (some petrol-stations sell countryside 1 litre for 2000 riel or 50 us-cents = 17,5 thai-baht! in PP 3050 riel! cheap travelling! and very safe travelling - almost 6000 km in laos and cambodia - not one accident! - cambodian drive very carefully (nobody have an insurance...! clap2.gif ) like also the city-traffic in PP - good experience! gigglem.gif and it seems to us that cambodians are very rich - almost more then 50 % of the cars are new LEXUS...! any model - then toyota - in PP also porsche cayenne and BMW and a lots more...! just wondering...!wai2.gif

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