Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > West and South Asia
Laos to Thailand Northmost border? Laos to Thailand Northmost border?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
West and South Asia From Turkey to Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Ladakh and Bangladesh
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree1Likes

Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 27 Dec 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Manchester
Posts: 121
Laos to Thailand Northmost border?
Hello;

I was wondering what the northmost border crossing do-able by bike is from Laos to Thailand. Will get 30 day visa in Laos for Thailand beforehand.

Looked at google maps and a list of borders and Chiang Khong seems to be town with a borderpost.I guess they'll have customs too. Google maps shows no bridges so cross by boat? Hope they take Africa twins.

Then I found this article:
Fourth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Does anyone know whether this is open yet? I'll also ask on GT rider.

Found my own answer, ah well at least it'll become and info post

http://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-mot...-Khong-Opening

Many thanks
Oli
__________________
Currently on the road.. suck it work
http://ctscholi.blogspot.co.uk/
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 27 Dec 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 62
yeah Chiang Khong is easy. I crossed there with no worries. There isn't a bridge but they have boats and a barge that take the trucks and bikes across.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 27 Dec 2013
Snakeboy's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Back into the hamster wheel again, in Oslo - Norway. Did a 5 year RTW trip/250 k kms, 2014-2019
Posts: 1,523
You answered Your own question pretty well. From Huai Xai in Laos to Chiang Khong in Thailand is the northernmost bordercrossing between Laos and Thailand. They just opened the 4th friendship bridge there a few weeks ago.

If you have the possibility - try to tour Northern Thailand on motorbike for some time. There are some amazing roads there, People are friendly, its cheap, food and accomodation is plenty and cheap. Amd many many sights.....
__________________
In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 27 Dec 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Manchester
Posts: 121
Thanks for the replies folks. I read on GT rider that the Thai side doesnt like letting bikes through and has also advised the Laos side. I'll just try ignorance and see if I can cross the bridge with no issues.

We will do a couple of weeks in northern thailand. Probably do some GT rider rec routes. Then want to get to Tao for a bit of beach life, before the visa runs out. Then onwards to Malaysia...
__________________
Currently on the road.. suck it work
http://ctscholi.blogspot.co.uk/
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 27 Dec 2013
Snakeboy's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Back into the hamster wheel again, in Oslo - Norway. Did a 5 year RTW trip/250 k kms, 2014-2019
Posts: 1,523
Quote:
Originally Posted by olionel View Post
Thanks for the replies folks. I read on GT rider that the Thai side doesnt like letting bikes through and has also advised the Laos side. I'll just try ignorance and see if I can cross the bridge with no issues.

We will do a couple of weeks in northern thailand. Probably do some GT rider rec routes. Then want to get to Tao for a bit of beach life, before the visa runs out. Then onwards to Malaysia...
Partly correct - the Thais dont like to get motorbikes through from the Thai side to Laos on these friendship bridges. From the Laos side to Thailand there should be no problem.....
__________________
In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 29 Dec 2013
RTWbyBIKE.com's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: on the Road, at the moment somewhere else
Posts: 289
We took our AT accross a 1.5years ago from Thailand to Laos at Chiang Khong. DO NOT GO SUNDAYS! They told us there is "a boat evry hour, every day MR. NO PROBLEM. So we arrived and they told us "Mr. it is Sunday, no boat!" They said a small boat is going and can take us, 3m long and 40cm wide... No way, but we had our visa stamed out allready so we waited till a huge bunch of bikers on a guidet tur came and rented the big ferry all together... So try to do not cross on a Sunday. (We always tryed not to do such things as border crossings, visa extensions etc. on a Sunday or public holiday... but we always failed! Murphys Law I guess)
__________________
Round the world by bike. www.RTWbyBIKE.com
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 29 Dec 2013
Snakeboy's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Back into the hamster wheel again, in Oslo - Norway. Did a 5 year RTW trip/250 k kms, 2014-2019
Posts: 1,523
Quote:
Originally Posted by RTWbyBIKE.com View Post
We took our AT accross a 1.5years ago from Thailand to Laos at Chiang Khong. DO NOT GO SUNDAYS! They told us there is "a boat evry hour, every day MR. NO PROBLEM. So we arrived and they told us "Mr. it is Sunday, no boat!" They said a small boat is going and can take us, 3m long and 40cm wide... No way, but we had our visa stamed out allready so we waited till a huge bunch of bikers on a guidet tur came and rented the big ferry all together... So try to do not cross on a Sunday. (We always tryed not to do such things as border crossings, visa extensions etc. on a Sunday or public holiday... but we always failed! Murphys Law I guess)
There is a bridge at Huai Xai - Chiang Khong now.....
__________________
In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 30 Dec 2013
RTWbyBIKE.com's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: on the Road, at the moment somewhere else
Posts: 289
Whow really? Hard to believe actually, it must be a big, long one Cannot see it with Google Earth, Maps etc... But obviously there is one:

Chiangrai Bulletin | Will Chiang Khong still be nice little town after construction of friendship bridge completed.

If this is good or not... will see. I think we have been lucky that we have been there some time ago. And when the Chinese finish the highway through Laos...
__________________
Round the world by bike. www.RTWbyBIKE.com
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 30 Dec 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: kuala lumpur, Malaysia
Posts: 138
Hi!,
The friendship Bridge #4 linking Chiang Khong, Thailand and Hua Xai, Laos was officially opened on the 11th December 2013. I knew a group of Malaysian bikers crossed from Laos to Thailand using this bridge but no bike is allowed to cross from the Thailand side. Dunno why.
However the normal ferry service both the passenger and vehicle ferry service runs accordingly. For your bike, you should go with the vehicle ferry. Cost you Thailand Bhat 500 one way.
In Chiang Khong there is a good hotel by the Mekong river (NanKhong Riverside Hotel). Good food and great drinks.
When you enter Malaysia and passing through the state of Perak, if you need a free lodging please drop by Batu Gajah town. Get in touch with me for details.

Amzah
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 31 Dec 2013
Snakeboy's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Back into the hamster wheel again, in Oslo - Norway. Did a 5 year RTW trip/250 k kms, 2014-2019
Posts: 1,523
Quote:
Originally Posted by RTWbyBIKE.com View Post
Whow really? Hard to believe actually, it must be a big, long one Cannot see it with Google Earth, Maps etc... But obviously there is one:

Chiangrai Bulletin | Will Chiang Khong still be nice little town after construction of friendship bridge completed.

If this is good or not... will see. I think we have been lucky that we have been there some time ago. And when the Chinese finish the highway through Laos...
If you have travelled around a bit you should have known that you cant always trust a map 100 %......and that includes Googles maps as we....
__________________
In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 20 Jan 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 62
Quote:
Originally Posted by Snakeboy View Post
There is a bridge at Huai Xai - Chiang Khong now.....

wow they built that quick. I was there mid year last year and there wasn't even any signs of a bridge being built. It's a pretty long way across too.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 20 Jan 2014
kevinhancock750's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: gone for a spin
Posts: 269
Crossed here s couple of days ago, the bike goes on boat and you go on bridge!
Get bike papers done at bridge then take it to boat where papers are officially stamped, I crossed with bike to make sure all was good and then came back on same boat leaving bike on port. Taxi to bridge and get yourself stamped out then over bridge on bus shuttle. Get stamed in the otherside and taxi to port for the bike, then back to the bridge for inport papers and insurance...
Then off you go
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 21 Jan 2014
Snakeboy's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Back into the hamster wheel again, in Oslo - Norway. Did a 5 year RTW trip/250 k kms, 2014-2019
Posts: 1,523
Quote:
Originally Posted by kevinhancock750 View Post
Crossed here s couple of days ago, the bike goes on boat and you go on bridge!
Get bike papers done at bridge then take it to boat where papers are officially stamped, I crossed with bike to make sure all was good and then came back on same boat leaving bike on port. Taxi to bridge and get yourself stamped out then over bridge on bus shuttle. Get stamed in the otherside and taxi to port for the bike, then back to the bridge for inport papers and insurance...
Then off you go
What? Are the bridge only for pedestrians? Or is it some stupid rules and practise from Thai/Laos governments?

The bridge are pretty far away from where the ferryboat goes I have heard - is that correct?
__________________
In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 21 Jan 2014
kevinhancock750's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: gone for a spin
Posts: 269
The bridge is for vehicles only but not bikes! The bridge and ferry port are about 4/5km apart so a taxi is needed 100 baht for taxi and to cross the bridge you cant walk but take bus shuttle which was cheap. Shame you cant cross ferry with the bike. Stupid but its the rules
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 25 Jan 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Manchester
Posts: 121
Quote:
Originally Posted by kevinhancock750 View Post
Crossed here s couple of days ago, the bike goes on boat and you go on bridge!
Get bike papers done at bridge then take it to boat where papers are officially stamped, I crossed with bike to make sure all was good and then came back on same boat leaving bike on port. Taxi to bridge and get yourself stamped out then over bridge on bus shuttle. Get stamed in the otherside and taxi to port for the bike, then back to the bridge for inport papers and insurance...
Then off you go
Hi Kevin;

Which way did you cross Thailand to Laos or Laos to Thailand?

Many thanks,
Oli
__________________
Currently on the road.. suck it work
http://ctscholi.blogspot.co.uk/
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Finding Freedom...World Wide Ride saralou Ride Tales 3565 3 Weeks Ago 18:23
Complete Central America/Mexico/Colombia Border Crossing Information sellheim Central America and Mexico 30 7 Mar 2023 00:33
Laos Visa on Arrival from Veun Kham border crossing? Hemuli West and South Asia 5 5 Aug 2013 16:19
From Laos to Vietnam with own bike. Possible problem at the border... Hemuli West and South Asia 9 9 Mar 2013 08:04
HondaVsTheWorld Alaska to Argentina on HOnda C90 SPDilley North America 3 9 Dec 2012 19:04

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:42.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top