Yesterday we did the Thai/Laos border out and in with the identical paper work as every other time we have entered, no new papers to fill in,we completed in about 1 hour, we are getting quite expert at it now. We decided that Lesley would stay Thailand side and I would drive Plodd in and out without actually going into Laos, anyway it was all going great until the Thai customs officer said to me where are your Laos stamps in your Passport and where have you come from, so I had to say Thailand, then he said you must go in to Laos (leaving our vehicle at the Thai side)and get my passport stamped in then get stamped out (that meant I had to buy a Visa (Bt1500) anyway that was simple enough and then I return back to Thailand to collect Lesley and we are now on our way home, stopping off a couple of nights in hotels on the way.

There was absolutely no question of us not being allowed in to Thailand with our vehicle, the only thing the customs officer did ask for was a certificate of insurance, however, I am sure you can buy the Thai government insurance at the border, just ask the customs officer where you can buy insurance, the only thing with the government insurance it is the absolute minimum insurance and covers you for very little other than being able to show the Thai police the certificate should they stop you for any reason.

So all in the Bangkok Post just does not make any sense.

I hope this information helps anybody thinking of entering Thailand and gives you piece of mind.

Good luck to all entering Thailand

Dave
Plodd - A Trip of a Lifetime
Overlanders - Stellplatz stop over and tour Pattaya, Thailand
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So you actually dont have to leave Thailand with the vehicle? Or maybe leave Thailand but dont get into neighbour country, just get it stamped out and then stamped in again on new papers?

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

OK, my plan was to try and save some time at the border so I came up with this brainwave, I would leave my wife in Thailand, I would drive our truck out of Thailand handing in my temporary import papers and then when no one was looking I would do a u turn and join the vehicles waiting to enter Thailand, that way saving time entering Laos and exiting Laos, only when I arrived at the Thai customs office the Thai officer wanted me to show him the in and out stamp in my passport from Laos (which I did not have), he then told me I must leave our truck by his office and walk into Laos to get my passport stamped, so it did save me taking the truck in to Laos.

Dave

Great - so you actually dont need to take the vehicle into the other country? Just stamp it out and turn around and stamp in again - well fill out papers etc.

However - would have thought you yourself might needed a new visa for Thailand after six months in the country...

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

Hi,

Well I did not take the vehicle out. but I had to walk in to Laos to get my passport stamped in and out, I did not need to renew my Thai visa as I have a 1 year extention to my retirement visa (a 1 year retirement visa).
Hope this helps

Dave
Plodd - A Trip of a Lifetime
Overlanders - Stellplatz stop over and tour Pattaya, Thailand