Friendship Bridge Laos/Thailand
 

NOt a hughe deal, but I was not aware as I was stamped out of Thailand headed for Laos, that the friendship bridge boarder crossing is not open to motorcycles. I only learned this after in countries where motorcycles outnumber the mosquito population 5 to 1 I didn't see a single one but mine. After talking witht he head customes guy it turned out the reason is political between the DOT of Laos and Thailand. The Customs offical didn't agree with the decsion cause it was "making turists worry" so he let me through because my plates are Australian, not Thai.
Anyways, just an update for anyone interested.

No-one batted an eyelid when we rode accross either - I think the days of forcing peolpe to truck or boat their bikes across are long gone..

Hi
I am not really sure about that. last month the friendship bridge was still closed. and that for almost 3 months and for no reason. Probably now they opened again but for how long you never know in these countries. always check in advance and plenty of other (more adventures) possibilities...

greetz
niels from laos and heading to cambodia..

As far as the informaton that I was givin was that the Friendship bridge was still closed to motorbike travel. It is possible ot enter Laos via other border crossings, but as I mentioned, the head customs offical let me go cause he didn't agree with the descsion of the closeure of the bridge. Can't say others would have the same luck. Mabey luck plays a part of it. The customs just let me into Vietnam after a 15min disscussion with it starting out " You go Vietnam, the bike stay Laos" Call it luck or whatever.

This bridge has always been a problem......once upon a time they made you put your motorcycle on a truck to get over the bridge, then when that stopped you had to 'grease a palm' so to speak. This is not unusual in this part of the world. Any way to make an extra dollar. Dont think you would ever really be refused permission to cross, you just have to put up with their way of doing it. It was especially frustrating to us as we were Aussies riding Australian registered bikes and the Govt of Australia paid for the bridge 100% !!!!!!!!!!!!!

No problem for me last december either. Didn't even know that this was an issue...

Regards

Lars