Border crossing in Tha Li...not "friendship bridge" What's the deal?

[Smurkster]

I just visited Chiang Khan and Tha Li...really beautiful parts of the country..I noticed that there is a border crossing ( but I didn't see the bridge) to Lao via Tha Li but it isn't considered a "Friendship Bridge" (one of four I think that there are across the country). Is there a reason for this, is it not a very accessible crossing? Can Foreigners use it?

Also on a side note....jumping the Mekong from either Lao or Thailand to get to the other side is a piece of cake in so many locations...I'm surprised it isn't done more often, even as a means for falang to avoid their visa overstay fees!

[Smurkster]

Any answers....anyone.....Buehler???

[Rooo]

moved to the travel forum.

[CharlieH]

I have used the bridge crossing in Tha li for a border run, very quite all done and back in 15 minutes.

Huge structure on the Laos side butabsolutely no one around and no traffic either, like a ghost town.

Great and easy to use but I found the road leading down there looked like it had been a hand grenade test site.

Huge potholes everywhere.

Edited April 28, 2014 by CharlieH

[asanee]

Probably-not sure for 100%, is that the real other Friendship bridges were not paid by the Lao, but their generous friends, notably the Thai and the Japanese. It does not signify the eternal friendship between the Thai and the Lao.

BTW-has anyone noted how the arrangements are for those wanting to cross by feet? Any shuttle bus?

(would not make that much sense, as there likely is no transport for onward travel on Lao side)-thus one would be forced to use the single daily through bus (Loei-Luang Prabang)

[Cow San Load]

never bin there http://goo.gl/maps/XVQTw

use it? yeah right after the train line get built but i guess its another way to avoid vientiane and that in itself is worth long cross country hikes

aussies will be pissed off if you give their bridge to the japs

Edited April 28, 2014 by Cow San Load

[el jefe]

Probably-not sure for 100%, is that the real other Friendship bridges were not paid by the Lao, but their generous friends, notably the Thai and the Japanese. It does not signify the eternal friendship between the Thai and the Lao.

BTW-has anyone noted how the arrangements are for those wanting to cross by feet? Any shuttle bus?

(would not make that much sense, as there likely is no transport for onward travel on Lao side)-thus one would be forced to use the single daily through bus (Loei-Luang Prabang)

I crossed from Nam Heung, Laos to Tha Li a few months ago. There's no public transportation on the Lao side but I'm sure you could find someone willing to give you a ride. But where are you going?? Luang Prabang is about 300 kms away and there are probably easier ways to get to Vientiane.

A better question though -- Is there public transportation on the Thai side?

[NewlyMintedThai]

I'd think again before you consider exiting Thailand and entering Laos illegally in order to avoid overstay fees. Lao prisons are even less pleasant than Thai ones.

[sirineou]

I'd think again before you consider exiting Thailand and entering Laos illegally in order to avoid overstay fees. Lao prisons are even less pleasant than Thai ones.

Not a very well thought out plan,

ok say you exited Thailand by swimming the river, How will you then exit Laos, The last stamp in your passport will have you entering Thailand but never leaving.

won't the Laos immigration authorities wonder how you got there with out a visa?

Like NewlyMintedThai said, I hope you enjoy your stay in Laos jail.

[khwaibah]

Probably-not sure for 100%, is that the real other Friendship bridges were not paid by the Lao, but their generous friends, notably the Thai and the Japanese. It does not signify the eternal friendship between the Thai and the Lao.

BTW-has anyone noted how the arrangements are for those wanting to cross by feet? Any shuttle bus?

(would not make that much sense, as there likely is no transport for onward travel on Lao side)-thus one would be forced to use the single daily through bus (Loei-Luang Prabang)

I crossed from Nam Heung, Laos to Tha Li a few months ago. There's no public transportation on the Lao side but I'm sure you could find someone willing to give you a ride. But where are you going?? Luang Prabang is about 300 kms away and there are probably easier ways to get to Vientiane.

A better question though -- Is there public transportation on the Thai side?

Check out the photo. http://www.tatnews.org/new-bus-route-between-loei-and-luang-prabang-launched-ahead-of-aec/

[Smurkster]

you know what i love...these posters assuming because I asked a hypothetical question based on an observation about how easy something would be, they presume that I would actually do it...don't get your panties in a twist as I said merely an observation, I am not going to do it..

[stoneyboy]

I like Tha Li but only for its proximity to Phetchabun,it offers expats up here a slightly easier alternative to the much busier crossings.

Best used if you have your own transport,very little on both sides except for some beautiful scenery,they don't see to many foreigners but the service has always been good when I've been.

[khwaibah]

Check out this thread.. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/719814-thai-lao-nam-heuang-friendship-bridge/

[sirineou]

you know what i love...these posters assuming because I asked a hypothetical question based on an observation about how easy something would be, they presume that I would actually do it...don't get your panties in a twist as I said merely an observation, I am not going to do it..

You ask a stupid question and it is out fault for pointing it out?

Remember we did not flame you for that question, did not even call it stupid, only pointed out that if you tried it , it will not end up well for you, and stated the reasons why.

whose panties are in a twist now?

[Smurkster]

you know what i love...these posters assuming because I asked a hypothetical question based on an observation about how easy something would be, they presume that I would actually do it...don't get your panties in a twist as I said merely an observation, I am not going to do it..

You ask a stupid question and it is out fault for pointing it out?

Remember we did not flame you for that question, did not even call it stupid, only pointed out that if you tried it , it will not end up well for you, and stated the reasons why.

whose panties are in a twist now?

Actually Einstein, after looking at what I said, it wasn't even a question, it was a "side note." I never said "what will happen if" I simply said, it would be terribly easy for SOMEONE (didn't mention myself) to do it....

Edited May 1, 2014 by Smurkster

[sirineou]

you know what i love...these posters assuming because I asked a hypothetical question based on an observation about how easy something would be, they presume that I would actually do it...don't get your panties in a twist as I said merely an observation, I am not going to do it..

You ask a stupid question and it is out fault for pointing it out?

Remember we did not flame you for that question, did not even call it stupid, only pointed out that if you tried it , it will not end up well for you, and stated the reasons why.

whose panties are in a twist now?

Actually Einstein, after looking at what I said, it wasn't even a question, it was a "side note." I never said "what will happen if" I simply said, it would be terribly easy for SOMEONE (didn't mention myself) to do it....

Ok Copenicus

your surprise that it is not done more often is not very bright, for obvious reasons

[Smurkster]

no s*** there would be consequences. But when does that ever stop people desperate/idiotic people from doing something..I know for a fact it happened quite frequently during the Lao civil war with refugees swimming across under the cover of darkness to Thailand.... and from time to time, I have heard about it happening in recent times....It was just a simple observation ....

...and its " MR.COPERNICUS to you"

Edited May 1, 2014 by Smurkster

[sirineou]

no s*** there would be consequences. But when does that ever stop people desperate/idiotic people from doing something..I know for a fact it happened quite frequently during the Lao civil war with refugees swimming across under the cover of darkness to Thailand.... and from time to time, I have heard about it happening in recent times....It was just a simple observation ....

...and its " MR.COPERNICUS to you"

Sorry Mr Copernicus, no disrespect intended

But at the very least you should be thankful for my astute explanation, and that now you would not have to spend sleepless nights wondering why more more people don't cross the river to avoid overstay fines.

Seriously, no disrespect intended. just having a little fun with you

[my friend I]

Thailand doesn't recognize that it is the correct borderline there so no Friendship.

[harrry]

Probably-not sure for 100%, is that the real other Friendship bridges were not paid by the Lao, but their generous friends, notably the Thai and the Japanese. It does not signify the eternal friendship between the Thai and the Lao.

BTW-has anyone noted how the arrangements are for those wanting to cross by feet? Any shuttle bus?

(would not make that much sense, as there likely is no transport for onward travel on Lao side)-thus one would be forced to use the single daily through bus (Loei-Luang Prabang)

Well the one at Vientienne was built and paid for by Australia.

[wilcopops]

Lovely crossing open to foreigners and their cars.

It is now signed "Friendship Bridge".

[DavidMavec]

It is not a "Friendship Bridge" simply because it is not a bridge. It's a land crossing. Yes, foreigners can use it but it is out of the way from most places so most foreigners cross at a different location.

[harrry]

Probably-not sure for 100%, is that the real other Friendship bridges were not paid by the Lao, but their generous friends, notably the Thai and the Japanese. It does not signify the eternal friendship between the Thai and the Lao.

BTW-has anyone noted how the arrangements are for those wanting to cross by feet? Any shuttle bus?

(would not make that much sense, as there likely is no transport for onward travel on Lao side)-thus one would be forced to use the single daily through bus (Loei-Luang Prabang)

The first one to Vientiane was paid for by Australians who have to pay to cross it.

[wilcopops]

It is not a "Friendship Bridge" simply because it is not a bridge. It's a land crossing. Yes, foreigners can use it but it is out of the way from most places so most foreigners cross at a different location.

It is a bridge....and it is signed "Friendship Bridge". It doesn't cross the Mekong, it crosses the Heuang river....but it is a bridge!

[wilcopops]

Probably-not sure for 100%, is that the real other Friendship bridges were not paid by the Lao, but their generous friends, notably the Thai and the Japanese. It does not signify the eternal friendship between the Thai and the Lao.

BTW-has anyone noted how the arrangements are for those wanting to cross by feet? Any shuttle bus?

(would not make that much sense, as there likely is no transport for onward travel on Lao side)-thus one would be forced to use the single daily through bus (Loei-Luang Prabang)

The first one to Vientiane was paid for by Australians who have to pay to cross it.

The first one was funded by Australia partly to raise their profile as bridge builders in S.E.Asia.. Subsequently they haven't built any of the other Mekong bridges into Laos.

The Second had Japanese money.. Loans I think. The third by Thailand and the 4th involved Chinese money. I don't know who financed the Tha Li project.