entry to Laos

[m37charlie]

My carnet lady says officially: "no tourist vehicles allowed in Laos"
I know people drive thru Laos (she does also), I have a Unimog U500 camper and will be entering from Thailand about March 15 2012.
Can someone give me some knowledgeable experienced advice?

Charlie

[mark manley]

I was in Laos last year, with a bicycle so no problem getting in with that, but did see a few European registered vehicles including a German BMW and Brit Landrover so you should be able to get in with your Unimog.

[TurboCharger]

Originally Posted by mark manley

I was in Laos last year, with a bicycle so no problem getting in with that, but did see a few European registered vehicles including a German BMW and Brit Landrover so you should be able to get in with your Unimog.

+1

We saw an Austrian campervan in Laos when we were there on our motorcycle in 2009. I don't think you'll see any problem with your vehicle, keeping in mind that Laos isn't overly strict with the Carnet, you could do temporary import and you wouldn't even need your Carnet.

[m37charlie]

My carnet is officially only for Australia and Malaysia.
Anyone take a 4-wheeled vehicle themselves through Laos?

Charlie

[beddhist]

No carnet used in Laos, Thailand or Cambodia. That not withstanding, some people have been asked for carnets and had them stamped.

Your "carnet lady" doesn't know what she's talking about.

Officially, you need insurance and a "Laissez Passer". I strongly recommend you get insurance in all of these countries, except Cambodia (perhaps, never got in). The latter can cause problems, as you only get a week or so and then you have to somehow extend it. I rode into Laos twice without it and when i left pretended ignorance. No problemo.

For Thailand you must get a temporary import permit or you will run into big problems when leaving.

[Cassie2]

We entered Laos Oct 2010 from China (2 x 4wd - Land Rover Defender 110's). We had carnet but officials said they never saw one before (and we checked a couple of times). On exit to Cambodia, we were asked to present our carnet which we didn't have an entry stamp for. The official eventually let us exit but he didn't seem happy about it. Cambodia, we were not required to submit our carnet at any time.

[m37charlie]

Originally Posted by beddhist

No carnet used in Laos, Thailand or Cambodia. That not withstanding, some people have been asked for carnets and had them stamped.

Your "carnet lady" doesn't know what she's talking about.

Officially, you need insurance and a "Laissez Passer". I strongly recommend you get insurance in all of these countries, except Cambodia (perhaps, never got in). The latter can cause problems, as you only get a week or so and then you have to somehow extend it. I rode into Laos twice without it and when i left pretended ignorance. No problemo.

For Thailand you must get a temporary import permit or you will run into big problems when leaving.

I think she does know what she's talking about. She agrees, no carnet necessary in Laos.
I always buy insurance when I enter a country if not before.
I know about the temporary import permit thing for Thailand, but I gather it is a border thing? Requiring handover of some quantity of cash, hopefully to be returned upon departure? For a large expensive vehicle, can it be put on a credit card? I will be entering from Malaysia.

Charlie