This process started nearly 4 months ago back in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. Scouring the internet I was told that one could obtain the permit to enter Loas with a motorbike from the Lao Embassy in Kuala Lumpur so I paid a visit, prepared all the photocopy documents requested and obtained my permission letter within 3 days.
For info the documents required were :
1. Letter to Embassy Laos Requesting Permission to enter with motorbike
- Must indicate purpose, itenary, dates and port of entry/exit, motorcycle particulars, riders particulars
2. Passport Copy
3. International Driving Licence Copy
4. Vehicle Ownership Card Copy (Must be in name of Rider)
This was four months ago and I only had a rough idea of the trip, plus it was bound to happen anyway, a detour here and change of mind there, I knew somehow the letter content may not be exactly what I intended by the time I reached the border of Laos. I clarified with the officer at the embassy and do your best to explain at the border when the time comes and they will understand she said.
All the best on your travels she wished me as I scratch my head contemplating what she said.
Four Months later ....
At the small border town of Chiang Khong Thailand on the last day of my Visa on both my passport and motorbike, I had to leave Thailand regardless if Laos accepts me or not. 4 am in the morning and a thunderstorm hit Chiang Khong but in my mind it was great, best weather to sleep and if it starts raining now, by 10am all should be good and sunshine for me to cross the border.
For info the documents required were :
1. Letter to Embassy Laos Requesting Permission to enter with motorbike
- Must indicate purpose, itenary, dates and port of entry/exit, motorcycle particulars, riders particulars
2. Passport Copy
3. International Driving Licence Copy
4. Vehicle Ownership Card Copy (Must be in name of Rider)
This was four months ago and I only had a rough idea of the trip, plus it was bound to happen anyway, a detour here and change of mind there, I knew somehow the letter content may not be exactly what I intended by the time I reached the border of Laos. I clarified with the officer at the embassy and do your best to explain at the border when the time comes and they will understand she said.
All the best on your travels she wished me as I scratch my head contemplating what she said.
Four Months later ....
At the small border town of Chiang Khong Thailand on the last day of my Visa on both my passport and motorbike, I had to leave Thailand regardless if Laos accepts me or not. 4 am in the morning and a thunderstorm hit Chiang Khong but in my mind it was great, best weather to sleep and if it starts raining now, by 10am all should be good and sunshine for me to cross the border.
My traveling distance today was not far only 20 km from one hostel to another so I was not that concern.
By 11am after checking out the hostel in Chiang Khong the rain refuse to ease up and continue pouring on. Sometimes you just have to brave the motion and this was one of those times. If only I had another day on the Thailand visa, I would have definitely checked back in and sleep in for the day but as fate would have it, I had to move and cross borders on a rainy day.
I reach the Thailand side of the border before the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge IV and even with fully armed rain gear, it was soaking through my 3000mm resistant rain suit. Its only 10km more so even if I was soaking wet this crossing today will be a done deal.
Thailand side and I went to immigration and after some sign language I was escorted into the office for processing the exit with motorbike. The officer was very friendly and could speak good English, asking for the original copy of my Vehicle Ownership Card, TM2 form when I entered Thailand in Trat and if I had any permission letter in advance to enter Laos with a motorbike.
Your motorbike is less than 250cc!
The day before crossing the border, the hostel owner told me the same exact words. You cannot cross over to Laos with less than 250cc, its the rule and this was repeated again to me by the Thailand Immigration officer while he flip through my papers.
The other problem was the permission letter that I got a few months back from the Laos Embassy in Malaysia was not really relevant anymore. The letter stated point of entry from the Vietnamese side and date of entry to be 12 Jan 2019 but I was clearly a few days early before that.
I have to try anyway I told the Thailand Immigration officer, last day of Visa and last day legally for motorbike in Thailand. If Laos rejects me, I will just come back to Thailand and get a brand new 30 days stamp.
The officer wished me luck, and he photocopy the TM2 form and gave an exit stamp on the TM2 form with a few marks on it and handed it to me. This was new, since the last time I exit Thailand, the TM2 form was absorbed and I never got anything back.
By 11am after checking out the hostel in Chiang Khong the rain refuse to ease up and continue pouring on. Sometimes you just have to brave the motion and this was one of those times. If only I had another day on the Thailand visa, I would have definitely checked back in and sleep in for the day but as fate would have it, I had to move and cross borders on a rainy day.
I reach the Thailand side of the border before the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge IV and even with fully armed rain gear, it was soaking through my 3000mm resistant rain suit. Its only 10km more so even if I was soaking wet this crossing today will be a done deal.
Thailand side and I went to immigration and after some sign language I was escorted into the office for processing the exit with motorbike. The officer was very friendly and could speak good English, asking for the original copy of my Vehicle Ownership Card, TM2 form when I entered Thailand in Trat and if I had any permission letter in advance to enter Laos with a motorbike.
Your motorbike is less than 250cc!
The day before crossing the border, the hostel owner told me the same exact words. You cannot cross over to Laos with less than 250cc, its the rule and this was repeated again to me by the Thailand Immigration officer while he flip through my papers.
The other problem was the permission letter that I got a few months back from the Laos Embassy in Malaysia was not really relevant anymore. The letter stated point of entry from the Vietnamese side and date of entry to be 12 Jan 2019 but I was clearly a few days early before that.
I have to try anyway I told the Thailand Immigration officer, last day of Visa and last day legally for motorbike in Thailand. If Laos rejects me, I will just come back to Thailand and get a brand new 30 days stamp.
The officer wished me luck, and he photocopy the TM2 form and gave an exit stamp on the TM2 form with a few marks on it and handed it to me. This was new, since the last time I exit Thailand, the TM2 form was absorbed and I never got anything back.
I was also asked for 200 baht for the paperwork done and an official receipt was given for the payment. I did not think much, paid and just pocketed the TM2 paper.
Immigration done, I walked up to customs to surrender the TIP form. A few seconds later the officer said OK .... You can go.
Ride over to the Laos side and first up was Immigration. Have to say, I am truly enjoying the ASEAN pact now that I am travelling. No Visa, no fees just passport, fill up arrival cards and I am in.
At the customs window, they asked for the Thailand TM2 form. Interesting I thought and now it made sense why this time I had a copy. I gave them the Thailand TM2 form with the exit stamp, original copy of VOC and passport.
Immigration done, I walked up to customs to surrender the TIP form. A few seconds later the officer said OK .... You can go.
Ride over to the Laos side and first up was Immigration. Have to say, I am truly enjoying the ASEAN pact now that I am travelling. No Visa, no fees just passport, fill up arrival cards and I am in.
At the customs window, they asked for the Thailand TM2 form. Interesting I thought and now it made sense why this time I had a copy. I gave them the Thailand TM2 form with the exit stamp, original copy of VOC and passport.
The letter from Embassy of Laos in Malaysia was shown to them but they barely glance at it before putting it aside. I doubt they even read it based on how fast it was put aside.
The officer typed in all the particulars of the motorbike and printed out the Laos TIP form and asked for my sign. Wait a moment she said and went off to get stamps and approval from the higher officer. 100 Baht payment for TIP form and I received the official temporary import permit for Bluey.
Insurance was next and I follow the sign to the second floor and bought 1 month insurance for 500 baht.
Barely 15 minutes processing paperwork at the Laos border and I was set to enter Laos with Bluey legally. No mention whatsoever of the 250cc rule.
Traveled on: Jan 2019
#Blurtravels #bordercrossing #motorbikebordercrossing #chaingkhongtohuayxai
The officer typed in all the particulars of the motorbike and printed out the Laos TIP form and asked for my sign. Wait a moment she said and went off to get stamps and approval from the higher officer. 100 Baht payment for TIP form and I received the official temporary import permit for Bluey.
Insurance was next and I follow the sign to the second floor and bought 1 month insurance for 500 baht.
Barely 15 minutes processing paperwork at the Laos border and I was set to enter Laos with Bluey legally. No mention whatsoever of the 250cc rule.
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| Laos Huay Xai Border - Immigration & Customs |
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| Huay Xai after a Rainy Border Crossing. |
#Blurtravels #bordercrossing #motorbikebordercrossing #chaingkhongtohuayxai
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