Laos to Cambodia border crossing

[Snakeboy]

Hello folks

I am halfway into my Laos travel from north to south and my plan was to cross directly from Laos into Cambodia at the only border crossing there is between these two countries namely the Nong Nok Khoen - Dong Kralor border.

But lately I have heard one confirmed and another unconfirmed story that motorbikers are turned down at that border. Thats a big PIA as one have to go into Thailand again and so into Cambodia from Thailand.

Anyone crossed or tried crossing this border lately?

Thanks in advance!

[Laura73]

We heard the same rumour...something about the border guard insisting on the carnet, so if you have one you should have no probs.
We decided to take the short-cut through Thailand, absolutely no problems at either border. Now in Siem Reap )))

[wolferl69]

Hi,

we had to drive back from this border in Oktober. "Only with Carnet you can pass", so the 2 Trainees at the Cambodian border. Back to Pakse and through Thailand to Choam border, south of Surin, into Cambodia. No problems there and within 20 minutes the Thai and Cambodian border was done.
At Otres beach/Sihanoukville we met a german overlander, who could pass at the Lao/Cambodian border without Carnet... Not proofed!! He told me - and i didn´t checked his Carnet ;-)

Wolfi

[DouglasJ]

Im heading to Cambodia later this week with a Thai Phanthom... any problems anyone havining inside of Cambodia... such as with Police?

[Snakeboy]

First of all - thanks to everybody who answered me. Much appriciated!

I didnt even try to cross the border between Laos and Cambodia as I have heard tha other travellers have been turned back. Instead I headed to Thailand and spent some days the in the northeastern region. And then I crossed into Cambodia at the border crossing in Surin province of Thailand, the Chom Chok - O Smack border. No problems and very easy border crossing. The cambodian customs didnt even give me any temporary import papers and insisted that I didnt need any paper at all to leave the country. I hope they are right!

To DouglasJ: I have passed many police checkpoints already and have just been waved through. Nothing have been checked. The only thing I have heard from other motorbike travellers who has been riding in Cambodia before is that it is prohibited to ride with your headlights turned on at daytime. And thats a PITA as many bikes nowadays automatically turns on the headlight when you start the engine. If you can turn off the headlights on your Phantom - its probably best to do so to avoid any cops who wants to earn some extra teamoney....

Be also aware of that "The law of the strongest and biggest" is more practised here than in Thailand. Be aware of trucks, buses, Toyota Landcruisers V8 Prado, Lexus LX 470 and other similar vehicles. Theyre out to kill.....

[DouglasJ]

Hey thanks for the update! Are you saying that the Thais didnt want to issue a Temp export permit at the CHONG CHOM crossing? Whst plates are on your bike?

Im heading off from BKK tomorrow. As for the headlight, i would have to disable it... so I guess i will just wait and see if i get hassled first. Paying one bribe will likely be less trouble than disabling the light!

Any riders talking about the HAT LEK / KOH KONG border crossing near Sihanoukeville in the far south? From BKK i hsve many choices and want to avoid POIPET as some have suggested that one gets directed to Cambodian Customs... which I could use without. I can head to Surin or to Chantaburi via Pattaya .

[Snakeboy]

Originally Posted by DouglasJ

Hey thanks for the update! Are you saying that the Thais didnt want to issue a Temp export permit at the CHONG CHOM crossing? Whst plates are on your bike?

Im heading off from BKK tomorrow. As for the headlight, i would have to disable it... so I guess i will just wait and see if i get hassled first. Paying one bribe will likely be less trouble than disabling the light!

Any riders talking about the HAT LEK / KOH KONG border crossing near Sihanoukeville in the far south? From BKK i hsve many choices and want to avoid POIPET as some have suggested that one gets directed to Cambodian Customs... which I could use without. I can head to Surin or to Chantaburi via Pattaya .

My bike are on european plates so it isnt the same as if youre bike are on thai plates. Sorry about the confusion.

I am planning to head back to Thailand next week at the Ko Khong - Hat Lek border. I will end my round trip of Cambodia at Sihanoukville so that border suits me well. Also I think smaller border crossings usually are better, faster and more conveniant compared to bigger ones.

If youre going to Siem Reap the bc at Chong Chom - O Smack are very conveniant. Its not busy, just a bunch of thais going to the nearby casino, didnt see any other foreigners while I was there. And its just 160 km from Siem Reap and the roads are good by cambodian standards.

[DouglasJ]

Snakeboy hope you hsve a grest trip. Are you travelling with a CARNET? And did yiu show it during crossing?

[ta-rider]

Hi,

We were turned around with our Vietnam registered motorcycle. Even we offered 100 Dollars bribe we were not allowed to enter Cambodia with it so my friend sold it and I entered on foot and rented a motorbike later on:

http://schoene-motorradreisen.de/?re...dscha_siemreap

No real problems with the police but with big trucs overtaking each other and coming towards me on my lane not caring or trying to kill motorcyclists

Enjoy your trip

[Snakeboy]

Originally Posted by DouglasJ

Snakeboy hope you hsve a grest trip. Are you travelling with a CARNET? And did yiu show it during crossing?

I have a carnet but I havent been using it so far. I am heading towards Australia later so the carnet is for Malaysia, Indo and eventually Oz.....

[DouglasJ]

Snakeboy - hopefully however when all is fine... its not the end! Safe travels.

Ta-Rider - was the Vietnam bike ownership in your name? Crossing borders without ownership is a no go just about everywhere...

[ta-rider]

Originally Posted by DouglasJ

was the Vietnam bike ownership in your name? Crossing borders without ownership is a no go just about everywhere...

I know but they did not care. When they saw the vietnamese plate they said no

[davidsmith]

Can anyone say what is perfect time for travel in Laos,Cambodia?I have plan a Laos Adventure Tour.So please give me answer.I have searched about my query only one site give me some information,But I need more information.From Which Site I get information and the site is

http://www.purelaos.com/laos-tours.html

[Snakeboy]

Originally Posted by davidsmith

Can anyone say what is perfect time for travel in Laos,Cambodia?I have plan a Laos Adventure Tour.So please give me answer.I have searched about my query only one site give me some information,But I need more information.From Which Site I get information and the site is

Visit Laos with travel packages from Purelaos.com

If you mean what time of the year is the best for travelling in these two countries I would say from october/november to march/april/may.

The rest of the year it is rainy season and even though during the rainy season many days will see no rain at all and many days will only see a short shower or two you will never know. It can really poor down in these countries. Which again can destroy roads and make them slippery or wash then totally away.

Cambodia will hot anytime but you might avoid the worst heat by travelling there in december/january. Laos, northern Laos tend to be a little cold december/january/february. Daytime its usually ok and above 20 degrees celcius but at night it can be quite cold.for example I was in Phong Sali, the northernmost province of Laos in the middle of january and a night it was only around 5-6 degrees. And no hotel or guesthouses seemed to have heaters in the rooms thus it was as cold inside as outside. Also places like Luang Namtha, Oudomxai, Nong Khiaw and Sam Neua was almost as cold as Phong Sali. Then it warms up gradually as one move south.

Ideally - Camodia in december/january and Laos february/march.