Just denied entry into Thailand from Laos at Chong Mek. No TIP is done on the spot.
US citizen on US passport with my US-registered motorcycle.

I've found this FB group to have excellent contributions and be well moderated on the topic of Laos and environs:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/8708...819/?ref=share

"Adventure Riding Laos Vietnam"

Using the search function first on their group and develop your question from there more likely to illicit replies from the people who know.

Try this bordercrossing instead: https://maps.app.goo.gl/RpDRfar1zwZP...s.preview.copy Thakek-Nakhon Phanom. Its usually a much more relaxed crossing.

If not some bordercrossings seems to have started using this: https://www.thailand.go.th/issue-foc...ail/001_01_228 a foreign vehicle permit. It must be arranged in advance. I dont know much about it - but some borders seems to want this nowadays.

Great group for expats riding Laos and Vietnam on local plated bikes. Unfortunately not so much for foreigners entering these countries on bikes plated in EU/US etc.

...But still a very useful and *up to date* resource for the region, especially compared to this internet forum where virtually *nobody* (except you?) with any local knowledge visits any longer.

How exactly do you know the complete knowledge background of all the people who contribute there?

Because I am a member and contributer in that group and has been for quite a while. Again a great, useful and up to date group for expats and people from neighbor countries riding in those countries. Unfortunately not so useful for bordercrossing problems for EU/US plated vehicles into Thailand.

This group is most probably better and I have already asked for advise there: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/15n...ibextid=wwXIfr

Or this group, although it havent been a lot of activity there lately: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/15n...ibextid=wwXIfr

You really have no idea who I met there, including people who used to frequent the HUBB, but since its demise, don't bother. Or maybe them not bothering, caused the demise?

You've no idea as to the expertise people might or might not have there.

Had I relied on the HUBB for information regarding my most recent trips to that part of the world, I'd still be waiting and watching the tumbleweed blow through here.

In the public FB group I suggested above and via people's contacts I made there, I was able to successfully negotiate some quite tricky border and other logistical obstacles.

You edited your post to add the 2 links after I wrote my above reply. They're identical.

I'm aware of groups by the "Overland Association" that all have the word "Overland" as a prefix in their name. I'm a member of one or two, but only occasionally read stuff as I have nothing useful to add and other things to do. Friends who used to contribute on OA groups tell me enlightening things of what goes on there.

Yes I edited my post to add those groups. Appoliogies for double posting one group - this is the other: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/185...ibextid=wwXIfr

I have already asked for advise in the first of those groups - and the advise is to try at Savannaket or even go back to Chong Mek after staff change.
Other than that I still suggest Thakek-Nakhon Phanom, overlanders have usually crossed easily at that border.

If not there is Foreign Vehicle Permit (FVP) way to go. But that has to be arranged well in advance and is quite costly as well:

https://www.thailand.go.th/issue-foc...YttElRppa1D3xA

How is it going there? Have you been able to enter Thailand as of now?

Hello,
Thank you for the info & links.



I will attempt to enter Thailand from Cambodia in 2 days, at the Cham Yeam (KH)/Khlong Yai (TH) crossing. The iOverlander app shows someone in a similar situation crossing in early January 2025. I also know of a Polish couple attempting today. I'll post up what I learn & experience.

Good luck.

Hope to hear good news when you have entered the kingdom of Thailand.

:scooter::scooter:

I just read that on the Thai-Malaysian border (coming from Malaysia to Thailand) now suddenly most of the bordercrossings startet to demand the FVP - foreign vehicle permit. Its a bit of a nuisance and costly as well. And it must be arranged well in advance….

Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/157...ibextid=wwXIfr

@snakeboy,

That's not good.
From what I read they don't bother with Malaysian and Singaporean registered vehicles.

More paperwork for foreign vehicles other than MY/SG plates and when there is more paperwork involved, need moolah to smooth the process and expedite.

:(:(

Thailand, Singapore, Malaysian and Laos (I belive) have an agreement with eachother - so vehicles plated in these countries are excepted from this rule of FVP.

The main problem here - as I see it - is the total inconsistence and total accidental enforcement of rules in Thailand - and in other SEAsian countries. I mention Thailand especially since I know that country quite well. One bordercrossing enforces the rules, the next bordercrossing dont. The next week it could be opposite. Even a staff change at a bordercrossing could change the enforcement of a law. Its so meaningless! Its so moronic!

Have this FVP rule become known and well presented for overland travellers and made clear and understandable - AND BEEN UNDERSTOOD AND ENFORCED the same way at all bordercrossings into Thailand all this confusion and uncertainess could have been avoided!
Whatever the cost would have been - it would have been «money for nothing» but still it would have secured overlanders some piece of mind! But unfortunately it will never happen.

Helmets are mandatory for motorbike riders in Thailand. But is law this enforced? Not at all, and the same goes for most laws ans rules in Thailand.

Rant over….:oops2: