Laos/Thailand: New Limits to Vehicle Border Crossing
 

This just through on Lonely Planet's email newsletter,
"Laos/Thailand: New Limits to Vehicle Border Crossing

A three-day limit on private vehicles crossing the Thai-Laos border was announced recently by customs officials at the Friendship Bridge. The regulation requires cars to return to their native soil within 72 hours.

The move has caused some disruptions to overland tours: local tour operators and self-drive tour drivers are supposed to get their cars back before their planned visits are over." Not sure what effect this will have on travellers, but check carefully.

After the 3 days,the vehicle permits can be extended for 200 bahts/day.This can be done at the customs at the Friendship Bridge itself.
As the permit is only valid for Vientiane province,I'm directed to Ministry of Communication(??)office at Vientiane to get endorsement for the rest of the provinces I'll be passing through.Unfortunately,I was told by their officer that they endorse only cars/trucks but not bike.

They directed me to a travel agency that's just beside the Laos Tourist Office.I was told I must take up their package deal in order to ride the bike up.It cost 3000bahts but the catch is I must exit Laos first & enter again with their visa which I must pay separately,upon which I'll be issued a officially typed permit with particulars of the bike.

On returning,I was told by another customs officer that with the documents I've paid for earlier(600bahts),I can ignore what the rest told me & just proceed on without any problem.

BTW,I was allowed to ride across the Friendship Bridge on returning,instead of being transported on the back of a pickup(600bahts).

Since the above massages are from April I want to say that a couple of friends entered Laos and travelled more than 3 days there with bikes without troubles after that date.

see also: http://www.geocities.com/bkkriders/

daniel

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http://www.geocities.com/dvet