Vientiane Inaccessible

[george]

A friend in Nong Khai near the Laos border called me, and tells that the road from the border to the capital Vientiane is closed, and nobody can reach the town by taxi or motorbike!

If you take a taxi you will be asked to walk the last 2 kms into Vientiane city. There is no way of "bribe" yourself in.

So no visa runs to Vientiane right now, folks. Border in/outs is ok according to our friend in Nong Khai.

[abdulrahman]

When did this happen?

I came back from Laos four days ago,driving my car,they were working on the road to the Friendship Bridge,lot of mud but no others problems!

By the way there is work ongoing in Vientiane itself,Satthatirat Rd. impassable.

[samran]

Hey Abdulrahmen,

just a quick question, one that has been asked many times here but with no definative answer as far as I can find...

What is the process for driving a Thai registered vehicle into Laos. What documentation does one need to bring along to the border. And...how easy/hard is it?

Of topic I know, but you seem to have done it!

[Thaising]

Hey Abdulrahmen,

just a quick question, one that has been asked many times here but with no definative answer as far as I can find...

What is the process for driving a Thai registered vehicle into Laos. What documentation does one need to bring along to the border. And...how easy/hard is it?

Of topic I know, but you seem to have done it!

Me too would like to know the actual procedures needed about driving into Lao. Abdulrahmen, would you care to share your experience with us .

[jdinasia]

you stop in the tax office at Nong Khai (or anywhere I guess) and get a "Passport" and sticker for your car. Took us about an hour on Dec 29th before driving over that day.

[samran]

you stop in the tax office at Nong Khai (or anywhere I guess) and get a "Passport" and sticker for your car. Took us about an hour on Dec 29th before driving over that day.

Do you need to bring along the blue ownership book and insurance details?

[jdinasia]

ooops ... umm I think so <know you need the insurance and 95% sure you need the book> We had it all with the manual in the car and just carried it in.

just assume you are gonna pay 3-400 baht a day in fines for traffic stops in Laos too

[samran]

ooops ... umm I think so <know you need the insurance and 95% sure you need the book> We had it all with the manual in the car and just carried it in.

just assume you are gonna pay 3-400 baht a day in fines for traffic stops in Laos too

Thanks mate. Just one more thing, a Thai DL is acceptable over there too? Or do they want an international license?

[rak sa_ngop]

The road into Vientiane from the Friendship bridge is being upgraded in different stages so some delays are possible. However I travelled back to Nong Khai from Vientiane yesterday lunchtime (Tues 18th) with no delays at all. We did take the new by-pass road (road 13 south) which allows entry into Vientiane avoiding the direct 'river road' into Nam Phu where the Samsenthai road is being completely dug-up!

Hope this helps

[abdulrahman]

To bring a Thai car into Laos I had to go to the Transport Office in NongKhai,car paper,in my name,driver licence(they wanted to see it,together with the insurance);they gave me a purple booklet and two stickers(T for thailand)to put on the car windows,time about one hour,but had to lose more time because of the lunch break.Cost 200 Baht+.

The booklet will be stamped when you exit Thailand,again before you enter Laos(about 200 Baht for Vientiane city,60 Baht more for Vientiane province,more if you want to drive farther on.

You need a car insurance in Laos,better not only the legal,cheap one,I pay about 250 Baht for a week,for a Pick-up.

So really they are doing a lot of road work,but one can go and come back from Vientiane!