Could someone please tell me what sort of issues I might be in for if I ride across and into Laos? Or alternatively if I were to drive my truck with bike in the back. I've been across many times, but not with a bike.
Mukdahan crossing?
- Thread starter gitchegumee
- Start date
For Mukdahan used to be the worst province to exit Thailand from.
The reason being you needed written permission from the governor himself to exit with a motorbike - or at least to ride across the bridge on one.
Does it apply if you put it in your pick-up, I don't know, but would think not, but then again this is Thailand.
I'd suggest you get the missus or a Thai speaking friend to ring customs at Mukdahan to enquire on your behalf.
Post covid I've heard they have had a change of governor at Muk, so maybe they've relaxed the policy?
See also
www.gt-rider.com
www.gt-rider.com
The reason being you needed written permission from the governor himself to exit with a motorbike - or at least to ride across the bridge on one.
Does it apply if you put it in your pick-up, I don't know, but would think not, but then again this is Thailand.
I'd suggest you get the missus or a Thai speaking friend to ring customs at Mukdahan to enquire on your behalf.
Post covid I've heard they have had a change of governor at Muk, so maybe they've relaxed the policy?
See also
Entering Laos - Some History
An attempt to summarize the history & issues that have cropped up over the years entering Laos. Friendship Bridge History: The 1st Mekong Friendship was opened on April 8, 1994, it was the first bridge across the lower Mekong, and the second on the full course of the Mekong. Funded by the...
www.gt-rider.com
Laos Border Crossings
See also: Entering Laos - Some History GTR first bike over the 4th Mekong Friendship Bridge, Chiang Khong - Houei Xai. Friendly Thai immigration at the Thai -Lao border crossing of Phu Du border from Uttaradit, Thailand. For info on border crossings check out the main GT Rider website...
www.gt-rider.com
Thailand - Laos - Cambodia - Myanmar Border Crossings: Motorcycle Touring | The GT Rider
All border crossings must be at a legal international crossing where you can get a passport stamped / visa validated and motorcycle temporarily imported. Legal international border crossings should not be confused with local border trading places
www.thegtrider.com
Please update us if you make it across. I am in Savannakhet tonight but had to pay an agent in Nong Khai to get my bike across there
OK, we tried this. Loaded up truck with bikes. Got truck "passport", motorcycle green books, 2x2 color glossy photos, copies of everything and made our way to the border at Mukdahan. We made it through immigration, got our passports stamped, and proceeded to customs where we were told that bikes cannot enter Laos. On a truck or not. It's not Thailand, but a Laos customs issue. Never noticed it, but NOBODY rides a bike across the border. We were told that we would require written permission from the Laos authorities to proceed to the Laos side. And that will likely include purchasing insurance in Laos. So this is why we need a travel agent from Laos to arrange this for us. We tried Deaw at Nong Khai, but he couldn't help us through Mukdahan. So we went back and had our departure stamps "Cancelled" and reinstated to the original stay length. We'll try again, but this time with even more papers in hand. I've toured across Laos 5 times so far on rented bikes. Love to ride my own gear. And this would get us a long day south of Vientiane to explore Southern Laos.
When I reentered Thailand at Chong Mek on December 22, 2022, I asked Immigration about crossing into Laos there. He said no problem Except need to be at least 3 bike group to do it. That gets you real close to southern Laos!
That would be great! We had no problem leaving Thailand. I was told that the problem is with Laos not allowing bikes in without extensive paperwork. Specifically an invitation from someone on Laos side to clear customs. If I don't join that Thailand/Laos/Vietnam group next time, I'll look for a Laos travel agent who can help us get across.
He did not mention needing an agent at Chong Mek. I did use Daew in Nong Kai to cross into Laos there
We had similar intel from Mukdahan, but it wasn't correct. I just don't trust to rock up there expecting to cross without a solid stack of papers and an agent on Laos side. We lost too much time that I could have spent on a bike instead of in a queue. Rather pay a bit to move it along quickly. I suppose that it's easy to cross back into Thailand once you're in Laos. You could choose any re-entry point?
Daew in Nong Khai asked me for my reentry point and said it would be a problem reentering anywhere else. Must be on the QR code you get to give immigration when you cross back.
That makes sense. I'll try a few travel agents and let you know how our next attempt goes. Thanks for the information!
Contact this gal in Laos & she should be able to get you across @ Mukdahan.
Anna does a lot of bike tour permits for S Laos.
The only issue at Muk may whether you still need permission from the Mukdahan governor to exit, however I understand there has been a change of governors.
BTW if it was me I'd be inclined to try & bluff my way out of Thailand.
Just say you're going to Laos & want the paperwork to exit, you can sort it out on the other side, the Laos side.
They tried saying no cannot go @ Nakhon Phanom twice, but I convinced them to let me go & it couldn't be easier entering @ Tha Khek.
For Muk I have never tried because you needed the Muk governor to sign off on the papers.
But I've ridden across all the bridges, even from Savan to Mukdahan 3 times, when they say you cannot. Patience & the "gift of the gab" sweet talk, in Thai, holding your ground helps.
www.gt-rider.com
There's an interesting story - 2013 - here for crossing at Mukdahan - Savannakhet
www.gt-rider.com
The only issue at Muk may whether you still need permission from the Mukdahan governor to exit, however I understand there has been a change of governors.
BTW if it was me I'd be inclined to try & bluff my way out of Thailand.
Just say you're going to Laos & want the paperwork to exit, you can sort it out on the other side, the Laos side.
They tried saying no cannot go @ Nakhon Phanom twice, but I convinced them to let me go & it couldn't be easier entering @ Tha Khek.
For Muk I have never tried because you needed the Muk governor to sign off on the papers.
But I've ridden across all the bridges, even from Savan to Mukdahan 3 times, when they say you cannot. Patience & the "gift of the gab" sweet talk, in Thai, holding your ground helps.
A Mekong Meander - A Savannakhet Visa Run & Return
Finally back & settled in after a 20 day meander - Chiang Khong - Chiang Mai - Nakhon Phanom - Savannakhet & return. Ex Chiang Khong 1st July & return to Chiang Khong 20 July. Total 20 days. Round trip 3,276 kms. The way Chiang Khong - Chiang Saen - Mae Chan - Tha Ton - Chiang Mai. Route 1290...
www.gt-rider.com
There's an interesting story - 2013 - here for crossing at Mukdahan - Savannakhet
Crossing the friendship bridge from Mukdahan to Savannakhet and back
Hi, was in Savannakhet/Laos last week on my bike. To cross the friendship bridge was a bit difficult, because not allowed for motorbikes. My bike is in Thailand on temporary import with german plate. Overstay was just 2 months so the fine was 2000THB (like usual :shh:) and no problem. But to...
www.gt-rider.com
Last edited: