Laos/Thailand border crossings
 

We will be entering Laos overland in our 4x4 and want to drive into Northern Thailand.

Which border crossings into Northern Thailand are open and accessible to vehicles driving from Laos?

Thanks,
Andy
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Hi,

I used Chiang Khong last year with my motorcycle.
Fast and easy border.

All the international border crossings should be accesible in that direction.

You write "Northern Thailand" but be aware that in Thailand they are dividing up that area by northern and northeastern.

There are 8 interenational border crossings between Laos and Thailand.

In northern Thailand there are two provinces that borders Laos namely Chiang Rai and Nan.
Chiang Rai have one border crossing - the one Hemuli mentioned: Chiang Khong - Huay Xay. A much used border crossing.
Nan has also one border crossing to Laos namely Muang Ngeun/Huay Kon. A little used border crossing, but I have been using it once and it was completely hazzle free and easy.

In northeastern Thailand (very often called Isaan) there are 6 more border crossings.

Here is a list from Wikitravel of the different border crossings Laos - Thailand:

There are Eight border crossings open to all between Thailand and Laos. From north to south:

Huay Xai/Chiang Khong: Fourth bridge under construction. Usual route to/from Luang Prabang, easy bus connections to Chiang Rai and points beyond on the Thai side.
Muang Ngeun/Huay Kon: Visa on arrival. 40 km from Pak Beng.
Nam Hueng/Tha Li: Easily reached via Loei on the Thai side, but 378 km of dirt road away from Luang Prabang. No visa on arrival.
Vientiane/Nong Khai: The first Friendship Bridge and the busiest of crossing of them all. Direct trains from Bangkok now available.
Paksan/Bueng Kan: No visa on arrival.
Tha Khaek/Nakhon Phanom: Third bridge under construction.
Savannakhet/Mukdahan: The Second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge.
Vang Tao/Chong Mek: On the route from Pakse to Ubon Ratchathani

http://wikitravel.org/en/Laos

The Vientiane - Nong Khai bc is the main border crossing between these countries. Can be very busy at times.

In the south of Laos you have the Vang Tao/Chong Mek bc which also is a main bc between these two countries. Comes natural to use this one if you intend to drive Laos from north to south. But you will be entering Thailand at well....not exactly the most intersting spot.

Hi Andy,
also you might want to check gt-rider.com for that - it is basically a bike forum, but there is nothing with more info on Thailand / SEA, and I guess it might be helpful for 4x4, too. :thumbup1:

I haven't crossed the Huay Xai/Chiang Khong crossing for quite some time, but did cross it quite a few times in the past. From what I remember, there was nothing there to sail a 4WD across the water.
I believe there was a larger ferry terminal further upstream, but didn't see it myself.
Most likely, the place has changed beyond recognition since I was there though, but it may be something to check out.
As above, GT rider is worth checking out, or post a question in the Chiang Rai section of ThaiVisa forum. They're a friendly bunch.

The Vientiane crossing is the next obvious option if Huay Xai fails, and to be honest, it would be worth the drive down through Laos, and its not that far, in the wider scheme of things, to get back up to Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai.

Crossed over Chiang Khong-Huay Xay in february this year and there are quite big ferries there nowadays to freight even the biggest of trucks that are in the area. A 4WD would be no problem for these ferries...:D