Driving your own car to Laos - Mukdahan to Savannakhet

[manfredtillmann]

This is a step by step account of the required preparations and the actual process of crossing over at Friendship Bridge 2 – and back. Having researched the subject at length from various sources prior to my own first trip, I thought myself to be well prepared but still ended up with missing photo copies and a general lack of knowing what exactly to do, and where to go and when to do it.

Unfortunately, taking photos of the immigration area on either side is forbidden, it would have made some things easier to explain.

The subjects are: A small sedan with Thai registration, fully owned, a alien owner with Australian passport and Australian drivers license (Unlike car licenses, which are State specific, as in 'NSW' or 'Victorian' etc., licenses, heavy vehicle drivers licenses in Australia are issued by the relevant state but are labeled 'Australian') and a Thai passenger with Thai passport.

Preparation

Money: Thai Bath are ok on both sides of the bridge. Have at least one THB 1000 note, one THB 500 note and another THB 2000 in 100's, 50's and lots of 20's with you.

For the car you require:

1. The car's 'Blue' book and three photocopies EACH of Page 4 / 5 (if you are the first owner of the car or the relevant page showing you as the owner) and Page 16 / 17.

2. An 'International Transport Permit', also know as 'car passport', a smallish, purple book that the Land Transport Department will issue to the car owner at a fee of THB 50. You will NOT require photo copies of this one.

3. Check your car's boot and interior for anything that could possibly be declared to be a weapon, any old pills or other medication (check under the seats, too). Generally speaking, the less stuff you have in your car, the quicker you will get home on the way back.

For the alien car owner you require:

Valid passport with sufficient pages and validity left.

Completed TM6 Departure card

3 photocopies of the picture page of the passport (these need to be attached to the 3 copies of the earlier mentioned pages of your car's blue book to make 3 equal, individual sets, sign every page in blue).

1 recent passport sized photo

Blue pen (take spare one just in case)

Glue stick or similar

For the Thai passenger you require:

Valid passport with sufficient pages and validity left.

(The border crossing can also be done with a valid Thai ID card but I can not give you any details on this process)

Thailand to Laos

General business at the bridge starts at 08:30h, there appears to be a skeleton staff on duty earlier.

As you drive towards the immigration / customs area, follow the signs for 'cars' and park and lock your vehicle in one of the widened bays to the left and right of the lane.

All steps following have to be done on foot!

At the immigration office on the right side of the car lane, present your passport & TM6, the 3 sets of photo copies mentioned above, your car's blue book and your car's passport.

The Thai passenger will have to complete a new TM6 as s/he won't have one.

The passports get stamped, you receive your papers back and move on to customs. They are located behind the immigration in direction towards the bridge and are clearly marked.

Present all your papers, you will have to pay THB 100 and will be issued with another form with the receipt attached to it. They will retain one of the three sets of photocopies you have prepared earlier. Also, the car's passport will receive a departure stamp.

With all your paperwork walk across the adjacent lane immediately to the right to another desk where someone will inspect all your papers and sign off.

Return to your car.

Drive slowly along your lane, a immigration officer will check your passports again and you are free to go.

Before you get onto the bridge, a lane – crossover occurs, watch out, no clear rules of who goes first. After that, you are driving on the right side of the road.

Just before the bridge a toll collection point for the actual bridge crossing: THB 60

On the bridge, nothing much to see from a small car other than the balustrade.

As you approach Laos, make sure your car's windows are closed. You drive through a spray system, I don't know what one gets sprayed with but it certainly did not clean my car.

Charge: THB 60

Laos

Find a spot to pull over (similar to Thai side) and park your car. Take all your money, paperwork, photo, pens and the glue stick with you.

Car: To the left of the 'Visa on arrival' office and immediately left of the immigration booth are places that sell car insurance, THB 200 for 7 days, minimum charge, even if you leave again the same day.

This is a MUST as you will be asked for it at every traffic control in Laos – and there are plenty. We got checked 3 times in just one hour!

You will receive a 'Short term motor insurance schedule' with a sticky clear foil to attach it to the inside of your windscreen (just like the Thai tax label).

Alien driver: Line up at the window on the left marked 'Visa on arrival' an collect a visa application form and an arrival card (similar to the Thai TM6 but lots more colour).

A large table to the right to fill things in, glue on your photo and return to the same 'Visa on arrival' window again, hand in your passport, the completed forms and THB 1500.

Step aside, you will be called back to collect.

You will receive your passport back with a 30 day visa and the arrival card.

Go to the immigration booth on the left next to the car lane, present all your paperwork, pay THB 40 to have your passport stamped.

After, proceed to the customs booth behind the immigration booth along the same lane, present all your paperwork, they will retain the second of the 3 sets of copies you prepared earlier. They will also place an arrival stamp in your car's passport. Fee: THB 250.

With your completed paper cross the lane to the right and have everything signed off by the officer sitting there. (just as in Thailand before).

Thai passenger: Go to the immigration booth, pay THB 50, get 30 day entry stamp, visa exempt.

Back to the car, drive slowly along your lane, an immigration officer will check your passports again and you are free to go.

Remember to drive on the RIGHT side and watch out for free roaming cattle and goats! Even in the city!

Laos to Thailand

Park your car, do immigration and customs on foot as before. No fees. No vehicle checks, either.

Bridge crossing fee: THB 60, observe the 'Left hand steering – Right hand steering' signs so you end up on the correct side of the pay booth.

Bridge crossing as before, another spray session, another THB 60 to pay.

At the Thailand side, park your car and do on foot as before:

Immigration

The Alien driver needs to collect and complete a new TM 6. I did mine standing up in front of the immigration booth to avoid having to line up again. I could not even read what I wrote, it did not seem to matter.

Had my visa checked, the departure section of the TM6 stapled into the passport and received an arrival stamp with the required departure date entered.

The Thai passenger submits his/her passport and TM 6, pays THB 50 and receives an arrival stamp.

Proceed to customs, the car's passport will be stamped, the form you received from Thai customs on your way out will be collected. No fees.

Return to your car, drive slowly up to a heavily armed group of officers in black uniforms (who by the way were very friendly and helpful). Your car will get checked, boot, inside, under…

Nothing wrong, free to go.

The End

For all those wondering if it is worth while, my answer is a clear 'Yes'.

Most of the fees paid would have had to have been paid as well if we had done the trip by public transport. And not having to pay the overpriced Laos Tuk – Tuk's would have probably recovered most of my outlaying.

Having the freedom of movement in Laos, not being stuck in Savannakhet, being able to explore the hinterland and just for the pleasure of not having to sit in an open Tuk – Tuk in the pouring rain, a worthwhile expense.

The first time is always the most difficult, we will certainly go again and explore more of amazing Laos.

[MJCM]

Good report.

May I ask how long it took each way.

I met a guy in Savannakhet who took his car across and he said it took almost 2-3 hours, so that is why I am asking.

[manfredtillmann]

Good report.

May I ask how long it took each way.

I met a guy in Savannakhet who took his car across and he said it took almost 2-3 hours, so that is why I am asking.

thai out 30 minutes - after i got my copies sorted, laos in 30 minutes, laos out 10 minutes, thai in 20 minutes.

roughly on par with the public transport people judging by who we met where.

[MJCM]

Oke perfect.

Oke one more question.

Would it be easier or more difficult, or doesn't matter if the car owner is a Thai (my wife) ?

Edit: Regarding Weapons, you mentioned to get everything out, why is that. Would a Tyre Iron be looked at as a weapon ?

Edited June 12, 2016 by MJCM

[manfredtillmann]

Oke perfect.

Oke one more question.

Would it be easier or more difficult, or doesn't matter if the car owner is a Thai (my wife) ?

Edit: Regarding Weapons, you mentioned to get everything out, why is that. Would a Tyre Iron be looked at as a weapon ?

do not know either, but:

all documentation regarding my car is thai, in thai, thai rules, so, no, i don't think anything would be different if the owner of the car was thai.

as for the tyre iron - the thai guy in front of me had his car loaded up to the hilt, and the 'black' boys made him unpack the lot.

it's just from experience living and driving in germany during the 'baader - meinhoff' days that i prefer to do border crossings with an as empty as possible vehicle. safes time and hazzles.

i spent to many times with my arms up against a wall and a pistol aimed at my head in the 70', just trying to have a coffee in paris...

[MJCM]

Perfect ! Thanks a lot.

I am not due yet, but was thinking of either flying or take the car over or have a taxi from Thailand drive us across and pick us up, as that Bridge Bus is

Your detailed post helps us a lot and for sure also other people.

Really appreciated that you took your time to write it all down

[manfredtillmann]

Perfect ! Thanks a lot.

I am not due yet, but was thinking of either flying or take the car over or have a taxi from Thailand drive us across and pick us up, as that Bridge Bus is

Your detailed post helps us a lot and for sure also other people.

Really appreciated that you took your time to write it all down

a little gesture of appreciation for the massive amount of info i have been able to extract from the TV web page - totally free of charge.

thanking you all

[jonw8uk]

Good report, thanks.

I'm planning to do the same trip at the end of the month.

One question, I recently got the car passport, and now I'm currently waiting for some license plates from the DLT....

In the purple book, it shows my thai license plate number and ties it to another 'international' license plate, on which the text is in English.

You dont mention any need for this?

Did you get plates when you got the car passport?

Maybe its a new thing, as I've never heard/read anything about this??

[manfredtillmann]

Good report, thanks.

I'm planning to do the same trip at the end of the month.

One question, I recently got the car passport, and now I'm currently waiting for some license plates from the DLT....

In the purple book, it shows my thai license plate number and ties it to another 'international' license plate, on which the text is in English.

You dont mention any need for this?

Did you get plates when you got the car passport?

Maybe its a new thing, as I've never heard/read anything about this??

IMG_3589.JPG

no, i read about this in some other post before but this seems to be something 'up - coming'.

i live in half way between bridge 2 & 3, lots of border crossers here from both sides, have not ever seen one of these 'western language' number plates. my car passport does feature the 'translated' version, just like yours.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Manfred

"A large table to the right to fill things in, glue on your photo and return to the same 'Visa on arrival' window again, hand in your passport, the completed forms and THB 1500."

I sure don't remember this fee at Thannaleng, opposite Nong Khai. They give you an explanation? A receipt?

Mac

[MJCM]

So a handy tip also would be (when they give you the "translated" License plates) to have a screw driver in your car so you can change the license plates when entering Laos and changing them back when coming into Thailand

[MJCM]

Manfred

"A large table to the right to fill things in, glue on your photo and return to the same 'Visa on arrival' window again, hand in your passport, the completed forms and THB 1500."

I sure don't remember this fee at Thannaleng, opposite Nong Khai. They give you an explanation? A receipt?

Mac

MAC,

IMO that is the Visa Fee for Laos or ??

[manfredtillmann]

Manfred

"A large table to the right to fill things in, glue on your photo and return to the same 'Visa on arrival' window again, hand in your passport, the completed forms and THB 1500."

I sure don't remember this fee at Thannaleng, opposite Nong Khai. They give you an explanation? A receipt?

Mac

laos visa on arrival fee for aliens is thb 1500 for 30 days.

one of the few things i actually new for certain before i embarked on this venture.

read it on TV.

[manfredtillmann]

So a handy tip also would be (when they give you the "translated" License plates) to have a screw driver in your car so you can change the license plates when entering Laos and changing them back when coming into Thailand

where would you get those plates from? border will certainly NOT issue them.

i do get pulled over a lot as it is but with plates like that, driving here in issan - i'd be permanently parked!!!

[MJCM]

So a handy tip also would be (when they give you the "translated" License plates) to have a screw driver in your car so you can change the license plates when entering Laos and changing them back when coming into Thailand

where would you get those plates from? border will certainly NOT issue them.

i do get pulled over a lot as it is but with plates like that, driving here in issan - i'd be permanently parked!!!

You would get the plates from the DLT and would only have to change them to "translated" plates if you cross the border and change back to Thai plates when coming back into Thailand of course.

Look here what jonw8uk wrote

<snip>

One question, I recently got the car passport, and now I'm currently waiting for some license plates from the DLT....

<snip>

Edited June 12, 2016 by MJCM

[manfredtillmann]

So a handy tip also would be (when they give you the "translated" License plates) to have a screw driver in your car so you can change the license plates when entering Laos and changing them back when coming into Thailand

where would you get those plates from? border will certainly NOT issue them.

i do get pulled over a lot as it is but with plates like that, driving here in issan - i'd be permanently parked!!!

You would get the plates from the DLT and would only have to change them to "translated" plates if you cross the border and change back to Thai plates when coming back into Thailand of course.

Look here what jonw8uk wrote

<snip>

One question, I recently got the car passport, and now I'm currently waiting for some license plates from the DLT....

<snip>

i saw what he wrote but i know that i have never seen them around here (we are in the deepest sticks up here).

and i bet something that my dlt would not even know what i am on about.

for the purpose of this post: it was no issue during my crossing.

who knows what will be tomorrow?

Edited June 12, 2016 by manfredtillmann

[jonw8uk]

So a handy tip also would be (when they give you the "translated" License plates) to have a screw driver in your car so you can change the license plates when entering Laos and changing them back when coming into Thailand

where would you get those plates from? border will certainly NOT issue them.

i do get pulled over a lot as it is but with plates like that, driving here in issan - i'd be permanently parked!!!

I have to collect them from my local DLT - chatachuk in bkk for me.

They said they should be ready within in 15 days of getting the passport.

my plate holder uses clips, so swapping them is easy enough.

I'll take them along and install if they want, though it sounds as though its not a requirement just now

cheers

If you have dollars I think the visa fee is less, and all these 40b for a stamp fees are unofficial money grabs, though for a dollar a time, its maybe easier to just pay

Edited June 12, 2016 by jonw8uk

[MJCM]

@manfred.

I am also in the deepest sticks, but if one DLT starts using them it is just a matter of time before the next one is also doing it.

That's why "the handy tip" remark about carrying a Screw Driver just in case. Nothing more, nothing less.

Edited June 12, 2016 by MJCM

[manfredtillmann]

So a handy tip also would be (when they give you the "translated" License plates) to have a screw driver in your car so you can change the license plates when entering Laos and changing them back when coming into Thailand

where would you get those plates from? border will certainly NOT issue them.

i do get pulled over a lot as it is but with plates like that, driving here in issan - i'd be permanently parked!!!

I have to collect them from my local DLT - chatachuk in bkk for me.

They said they should be ready within in 15 days of getting the passport.

my plate holder uses clips, so swapping them is easy enough.

I'll take them along and install if they want, though it sounds as though its not a requirement just now

cheers

we obviously have not progressed to this level of sophistication up here. would be good, but, i always struggle doing the thai letters when i have to write down my number plate.

thank you for you patient input.

[Clamhua]

I cross the Malaysia/Thailand border in a Malaysian registered car. We have to provide a manifest of passengers travelling into Thailand and they MUST travel back in the same vehicle...according to your report this is not the case entering Laos?

[manfredtillmann]

I cross the Malaysia/Thailand border in a Malaysian registered car. We have to provide a manifest of passengers travelling into Thailand and they MUST travel back in the same vehicle...according to your report this is not the case entering Laos?

no, does not appear so, while the number of passengers gets noted, but.

outside my experience.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Manfred, MJCM

Ah, yes, the Lao visa fee for the PEOPLE, nothing to do with the vehicle.

Clear now, thanks.

Mac

[jonw8uk]

just returned from my trip to Laos.

thought I'd come back with my report.

The OP was very useful, allowing me to prepare the paperwork in advance, so thanks again

One slight difference was that I only required 2 sets of documents, but I guess this could vary, so, best to take 3 anyhow

I had the english plates with me, but no one mentioned it, so they stayed in the boot.

We stayed in Savannakhet 1 night, blew some cash in the casino, then the following day drove south to pakse. Its a 240km drive, took around 4 hours - road is mostly ok, some potholes/poor surface, and LOTS of buffalo, chickens, goats and pigs freely roaming across the road. Traffic is light, but its a 2 lane road.

Around pakse there are plenty of waterfalls to visit up on the bolevan plateau, which as I understand is where the Dao coffee is grown. The weather was pretty terrible most of the time we was there - one waterfall; tad fane is a 130m drop, it sounded impressive...but from the view point across the valley we couldn't see it at all due to the fog!

After 2 nights there, we headed back to savannakhet to apply for my visa, and then back to Thailand.

I didn't get stopped once by the police. Although if it wasn't raining I daresay I would've been stopped at the 3 checkpoints on the road to Pakse - I guess the officers were keeping dry somewhere.

It was good to have my own transport there, and the scenary is worth a look. I was driving a sedan - it you wanted to delve deeper you'd need a 4x4, especially this time of year, as, outside the towns, most of the side-roads are mud tracks.

[manfredtillmann]

thank you for your report, jonw8uk

glad things worked out well for you. agree with only needing two sets of copies but we were told to do three and keep one in the car. it's still there, for next time.

can you please tell me a bit more about pakse? were did you stay? did you have a map of the place or how did you navigate?

and i know it has been discussed before but: your arabic letters number plates, did you ask for them when you got your car passport or did they just 'happen'.

now that i know they exist i keep looking at every laos car and thai car with a 't' sticker, i still have not seen one.

cheers

mft

[jonw8uk]

thank you for your report, jonw8uk

glad things worked out well for you. agree with only needing two sets of copies but we were told to do three and keep one in the car. it's still there, for next time.

can you please tell me a bit more about pakse? were did you stay? did you have a map of the place or how did you navigate?

and i know it has been discussed before but: your arabic letters number plates, did you ask for them when you got your car passport or did they just 'happen'.

now that i know they exist i keep looking at every laos car and thai car with a 't' sticker, i still have not seen one.

cheers

mft

In Pakse we stayed one night at the paradise resort, which is on the banks of the the river (1500b). I wouldnt stay there again. Big but old rooms, slight sewage smell. Out of town, wifi that never worked. The next day we moved to athena resort (1800b) much better standard, in town near a few restaurants and coffee shops. Kinda expensive for Laos i know.

To navigate i used a combination of google maps (we bought a local sim for data (but much like laos internet in general the data connection was hit and miss) and i used a free mapping app where the maps are downloaded, so no need for a data connection) the maps have way fewer searchable locations as compared to google, but for a free app its excellent

MAPS.ME Offline Map with Navigation and Route Planner by MY COM

https://appsto.re/gb/A53BE.i

This is the apple store link, if android i would assume they make a version also.

Regarding the plates: yes they just happened when i applied for the car passport - i had no idea what they was talking about initially as id never seen nor heard of them. Like you, i didnt see them on any thai cars over there.

As you said previously i guess its something being rolled out, but as yet not a requirement.

[MJCM]

<snip>

did you have a map of the place or how did you navigate?

<snip>

If you have a Garmin GPS, you can download a Free Navigable Map of Laos from OpenstreetMaps and upload it to your Garmin

See this Screenshot of Garmin Basecamp of the Maps installed in my Garmin.

And here a Screenshot from the GPS itself

Link to maps: http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/

Edit: Added 2nd Screenshot

Edited July 2, 2016 by MJCM

[manfredtillmann]

<snip>

did you have a map of the place or how did you navigate?

<snip>

If you have a Garmin GPS, you can download a Free Navigable Map of Laos from OpenstreetMaps and upload it to your Garmin

See this Screenshot of Garmin Basecamp of the Maps installed in my Garmin.

basecamp.JPG

And here a Screenshot from the GPS itself

GPS_screenshot.jpg

Link to maps: http://garmin.openstreetmap.nl/

Edit: Added 2nd Screenshot

thank you very much for taking the time to respond in such detail.

be good

mft

[MJCM]

@MTL

If you need any help with this, just post in the GPS section !

Here a Screenshot of what ZVK looks like in Garmin Basecamp

[manfredtillmann]

thank you, MJCM

i do not own a navigation system for my car. i never needed one. but i am totally hopeless when it comes to navigating without guidance.

as a result, i am a devoted paper map friend, the things you can put on your bed at night and look at and marvel and plan and dream.

computer maps have never done it for me.

i have a german friend who will bring a paper map of laos with him when he comes here in a couple of months.

[Tomtomtom69]

I've driven across the this border a number of times now, only from Thailand to Laos, in the other direction I used different crossings. My vehicle was NEVER inspected on the Lao side. The key is to park as far away from the officials as possible while doing your paperwork.

While I wouldn't recommend smuggling any contraband, in my experience of dozens of crossings between Thailand and Laos by car, across most of the borders, never once was there a thorough inspection. Lao officers are more interested if you're carrying anything at the back of your pickup (if you own a pickup truck) and maybe a quick glance inside your luggage if it looks big or unusual, though generally they don't care. Thai officials do the same. Though generally more on entering than upon leaving but again this is random and depends on the border crossing.

Different borders charge different amounts. Generally the Thai side doesn't charge anything. I'm surprised the OP was charged - I have never been, except for maybe 25 Baht at some smaller borders. But that was considered to be an "overtime" fee. Lao cars crossing to Thailand are charged around 200 Baht though.