Crossing with motorcycle from Thailand to Laos (up-to-date info)

[howard ashoul]

In the last week I started atleast 3 threads about going on motorcycle to Laos. But nobody responded or give any useful info.

 

I crossed to Laos at Nong Khai today (June 2017). So there it is.

 

What is needed:

• bike above 300ccm (including 300ccm)
• original green book (not copy)
• translation of registration from local transport office
• thai driving ID
• if owner of motocycle is not crossing with motorbike - letter allowing exporting his motocycle

 

How much does it cost:

• leaving Thailand 30 Baht per person
• entering Laos 175 Baht per person
• insurance is 110 Baht per 7 days
• visa on arrival are now 1300 Baht (3 months ago it was 1500 Baht)

 

How long does it take:

• customs are closing at 16:00, not at 18:00 as many times mentioned at the internet
• it takes about 10 minutes, not 2 hours as many times mentioned on the internet (even if you entering for the first time with new bike)

 

Edited June 21, 2017 by howard ashoul

[Agusts]

Thanks for posting this useful info, with the exception of green book translation, did you have to do anything beforehand, or all insurance, visa and other fees were obtained and paid for at the border... !?

Edited June 21, 2017 by Agusts

[howard ashoul]

Beforehand you need green book & translation & thai driving license.

 

Everything else at the border - visa on arrival, insurance, paperwork for exporting bike from Thailand, paperwork for importing bike to Laos and filling passenger list.

 

10 minutes top at each border.

Edited June 21, 2017 by howard ashoul

[bramds]

so not possible on a KLX250 ?

[howard ashoul]

23 minutes ago, bramds said:

so not possible on a KLX250 ?

 

I was told 300 is minimum.

[Briggsy]

I am surprised about the translation. I have crossed into Laos 4 times and no translation (of anything) was required.

 

Also Thai driving ID is a new requirement. Nobody ever asked me for this. (I always use an IDP).

 

For entering Laos, the following checkpoints have long been forbidden :- Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan

 

For entering Laos, the following checkpoints may be problematic :- Beung Kan (no visa on arrival available), Chiang Khorng (may be banned or high fee for bridge escort), Nan (some political issues, situation uncertain).

 

 

Edited June 24, 2017 by Briggsy

[AllanB]

16 hours ago, Briggsy said:

I am surprised about the translation. I have crossed into Laos 4 times and no translation (of anything) was required.

 

Also Thai driving ID is a new requirement. Nobody ever asked me for this. (I always use an IDP).

 

For entering Laos, the following checkpoints have long been forbidden :- Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan

 

For entering Laos, the following checkpoints may be problematic :- Beung Kan (no visa on arrival available), Chiang Khorng (may be banned or high fee for bridge escort), Nan (some political issues, situation uncertain).

 

Quote

 

 

Last time we went you could return via Mukdahan, if you told them (booked it) at Non Khai. On the Laos side they told us 200cc was ok, but on the Thai side they said 250cc.

 

They change the rules more often than I change my underpants..........yes, for sure.

 

It also seems to matter what side of bed the guy got out of, we met up with a couple of Asian lads. near the Chinese border, who were riding 100/110 Waves, luggaged up like hobos, they were on their was to Nepal. They had dropped the guards only about 200baht and had no trouble.

 

What a bunch of wimps we are........................anyway I think it depends on what you look like, in a group you can even cross from Mukdahan.

 

Edited June 24, 2017 by AllanB

[Briggsy]

5 hours ago, AllanB said:

 

Last time we went you could return via Mukdahan, if you told them (booked it) at Non Khai. On the Laos side they told us 200cc was ok, but on the Thai side they said 250cc.

 

They change the rules more often than I change my underpants..........yes, for sure.

 

It also seems to matter what side of bed the guy got out of, we met up with a couple of Asian lads. near the Chinese border, who were riding 100/110 Waves, luggaged up like hobos, they were on their was to Nepal. They had dropped the guards only about 200baht and had no trouble.

 

What a bunch of wimps we are........................anyway I think it depends on what you look like, in a group you can even cross from Mukdahan.

 

Yes, I have used the Mukdahan bridge to come back to Thailand without an issue.

 

For me, the easiest crossing was Tha Li in Loei. Very quiet, very straightforward.

Edited June 24, 2017 by Briggsy

[AllanB]

8 hours ago, Briggsy said:

Yes, I have used the Mukdahan bridge to come back to Thailand without an issue.

 

For me, the easiest crossing was Tha Li in Loei. Very quiet, very straightforward.

Unless there is another another crossing in Loei that crossing was closed to all bikes (early this year) 2 guys on Harleys were sent packing to Non Khai.

 

 

[Briggsy]

3 minutes ago, AllanB said:

Unless there is another another crossing in Loei that crossing was closed to all bikes (early this year) 2 guys on Harleys were sent packing to Non Khai.

 

 

There you go, that is that one out the window then. As you said, ".....underpants...."

[AllanB]

4 hours ago, Briggsy said:

There you go, that is that one out the window then. As you said, ".....underpants...."

..................not necessarily, that was 6 months ago and it was a Friday.

 

This is a touch topic, you need up to the minute information...anyone got a phone number?