Taking A Thai Motorbike From Cambodia To Laos

[Italianhawksfan]

I have a Thai-registered motorbike and am currently in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I am planning to cross the one and only border between Cambodia and Laos next week but am concerned because I have read that this border is very corrupt. I have already gotten my Laos visa from the Laos embassy in Phnom Penh just to play it safe. Have any of you ever crossed this border with a Thai-registered motorbike, or any motorbike? Any advice? Motorbike-related scams to watch out for?

I have read about one scam at this border where they trap you in the middle with your motorbike and prevent you from going forward to Laos or back to Cambodia and then offer to buy your motorbike for cheap. Is this scam still happening here? If so, what's the best way to avoid it?

Also, are there currently any restrictions on taking a Thai-registered motorbike into Laos? A one or two week import permit or anything strange like that?

My plan is to cross the border into Laos, ride up to Vientiane, get a 2-month tourist visa for Thailand at the Thai embassy there and then eventually cross back over into Thailand at that border. I plan to be in Laos for about one week.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Jimenator]

You should get 30 days for your bike when entering Laos as at the other borders. However, suffice to say that entering Laos directly from Cambodia is like Russian roulette - you may be able to enter, you may not. Just go there and see what happens, if you're refused you may have to go to O'Smach to exit for Chong Chom (Surin) then ride over to Phibun Mangsahan (Chong Mek) in Ubon Ratchathani province and enter Laos (Vang Tao) there, which is a huge detour for what would otherwise be only 180km.

I've read reports that entering Cambodia from Laos is much trickier than what you are planning on doing, so hopefully you'll be allowed to cross. Please update us and let us know how it goes.

Jim