Still can enter Laos from Chiang Khong/Houay Xai
 

Hi all, just alleviating fears. You can still cross into Laos in the north west from Thailand at Chiang Khong. Will cost you about 500 baht for the ferry or less if you can fit into a longtail boat. No one asked for any paperwork on the Laos side and I had to ride into town and find the passport office to get stamped in. Very lax up here in other words. Road up to Boten and Chinese border is excellent though showing needs of repair already in places but great fun and a little twisty in places.

Cheers.
Duncan

Dunc... sounds like ur travelling well!
 

Chris here mate,
Great to hear the update... keep us all informed on the China expedition...