I could not cross Huai Kon - Muang Ngeun (Nan) with motorbike

A

al-klx

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Joined
Jan 16, 2012
Bikes
KLX 250 Thailand,KLR650 Alaska, Harley Davidson Road King in USA
I did try and cross from Nan to Lao on Christmas day with my bike.
All went well on the Thai side all paperwork done in about 30 min.
Same on the Lao side, Customs,VOA and Immigration all done in about 30 min.
I walk back to my bike at the gate show the guard my paperwork, ok you go.
I stoped to buy my insurance at the LAP booth and 2 immigration guys ride up on motorbikes,OK now what?
Sir, please come back to immigration whith us.
I ride back the 150 meters from the insurance shop to immigration and go to the window.
The immigration guy wants to see all my paperwork again.
After asking me many questions, such as have you ever been to Lao before?
He tells me I cannot ride my motorbike to Lao.
You can take a Car,Bus,join a Lao motorcycle tour with a Lao guide.
But you cannot take your motorbike.
I talk with the man for several minutes asking him questions.
Is my paperwork ok? Yes.
Last week motorbikes could pass here? Yes.
Why can I not cross here today? My boss tell me no motorbike.
Is there anything I can do to cross here today, such as pay extra? No cannot take motorbike.
I told him that I had done everything including stamping into Lao and being let into the country with my bike.
You want to leave your bike here and take bus to Luang Prabang or go back to Thailand?
Can you cancel my Lao visa so I can try at Chiang Khong? No.
Can I speek with boss? He not here.
I get stamped out and go back to Thailand, all the Thai immigration are asking me questions and say you go to Chiang khong.
I cannot believe this.
They let me into Lao I even bought my insurance and wasted a visa.
Total let down.
(Photo of my bike in front of immigration in Lao after being stamped out of Lao)
Al
Al
 

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Wonder if would have made any difference if there had been two of you, but by the sounds of it the immigration guy's had been given the hard word from the man upstairs.
 
The incident at Chiang Khong a few weeks back that seems to have triggered this change in the Laos Governments attitude towards foreign motorcycles entering Laos on temporary import has now reached a critical level. Single rider's being refused entry.


We really appreciate you keeping us informed on this, it's very valuable information for all of us & i'm very sorry to see you were refused entry in Laos, with the exciting plans you must have had we can only imagine your disappointment.


Did you then try and enter through Chiang Khong/ Huay Xai? We have had no reports of foreign motorcycles being refused entry there in groups of less than 4 in the past 2 weeks, currently this seems to be the safest point of entry into Laos.

Keep us informed if you can.
 
Very sad indeed, years back I got rejected too at several borders, but at the end could enter at Bung Khan. Too many unprofessional tours running with insufficient paperwork make this thing harder and harder, I can understand the Lao Side, everyone wants to have a piece of the cake, why should all the benefit go to Thailand and foreigners running companies there.
 
Moose and Husref from malaysia bothe made it into and out of Cambodia with no problems.
They also got into Laos two days ago and are on their way to Luang Prabang.
Around the same time two of our Malaysian friends rode their bikes across Chiang Khong with no problems, although they had to engage an agent there.
In Vientiane they also met another 3 Malaysian Bikers and they had no issue as well.
Our group of 19 bikes were refused entry at the same Nan border, but we entered Laos through Nong Khai and it only took us 1 hour to cross both sides. It was pretty easy, but then i had to call upon the Malaysian Ambassador to help.
 
We entered Laos at the Huay Khon/ Muan Nguen international border crossing 2 weeks ago with 1 bike in a pickup. I've never been interrogated about the bike entering Laos before, this time the Laos immigration office asked us where we were going, were we part of a tour etc.... He then called someone, presumably the chief immigration guy to find out if he was allowed to let us in & he got the green light.
 
Yes, this is getting ridiculous as it looks like that the rule they had of no motorbikes over the bridge at the border now also applies to the land border crossing or at least at the Huay Khon/Muang Ngeun crossing. Did the guys in Vientiane who were asking for info from the ADB Tourism project get any reply on their request for clarifications?
 
I did not check at Chiang Khong because I am on a tourist visa and when Lao stamped me in at Nam Ngoen it was my last Thai visa.
It would have been easy if they just told me before I stamped in.
I did show them all my paperwork and told them I had a motorcycle.
Al
 
Martin61 said:
Today I had the same experience i Tha Li !!! Martin DR 650 driver
Click to expand...

Did they give a reason why you could not enter? It seems to get more and more difficult to enter Laos by bikes. However, as long as we do not have the reason why we as individual riders (not a tour group) can not enter by bike it is difficult to approach the right people to see what can be done about it (if any).
 
Today, 2013 January 15, we were rejected too. Singaporean, ASEAN country, traveling on one bike. same border.
 
Lone Rider said:
Did they give a reason why you could not enter? It seems to get more and more difficult to enter Laos by bikes. However, as long as we do not have the reason why we as individual riders (not a tour group) can not enter by bike it is difficult to approach the right people to see what can be done about it (if any).
Click to expand...
Customs officials in Laos say that since 1 January, it is prohibited to enter with motorcycle. Customs officials in Thailand dont know the reason exactly. They tell me sometimes motorcycles can go to Laos and sometimes not. At least I had to make any entry into Thailand. The emigrate from Thailand was canceled and I did not lose my reentry visa.Sorry my english is not perfect, cheers
 
Between Laos and Cambodia both becoming unpredictable.. Its becoming a bit of a pain in the arse to plan anything.
 
Contacted a friend in Laos and got this reply with regard to motorbikes being able to cross the border:

==========================================================================

The Cross Border Transportation Agreement with ASEAN does not allow motorcycles to cross borders and this is over 6 years old. The fact riders were getting across for so long is just lucky as is. RTW riders and non ASEAN bikes, I'm thinking they just went a little too far but it's a blanket policy by customs and easier to say all than only this and ok on that.

For riders entering, I'm not offering any advice. It's too hit or miss on the borders. The Thai border seems to be shut, again not all the time.

Caravan permitted tours are the correct and legal way for bike groups to get in and while more expensive, it is cheaper than the alternative for the big bike groups when they are not allowed to cross the border.

I think in the end, this is just enforcement of the CBTA and little can be done.

==========================================================================

For those who are not familiar with the CBTA, here is a brief explanation of what it entails:The Cross-Border Transport Agreement (CBTA) was originally a trilateral agreement between and among the governments of the Lao People's Republic, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam signed on November 26, 1999 at Vientiane. The Kingdom of Cambodia acceded to the CBTA in 2001, the People's Republic of China in 2002, and the Union of Myanmar in 2003.
The CBTA provides a practical approach to streamlining regulations and reducing nonphysical barriers in the GMS. It covers the following areas:

  • single-stop/single-window customs inspection
  • cross-border movement of persons (i.e., visas for persons engaged in transport operations)
  • transit traffic regimes, including exemptions from physical customs inspection, bond deposit, escort, and agriculture and veterinary inspection
  • requirements that road vehicles will have to meet to be eligible for cross-border traffic
  • exchange of commercial traffic rights and
  • infrastructure, including road and bridge design standards, road signs, and signals.
The CBTA is now formally known as The Agreement between and among the Governments of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the People's Republic of China, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the Union of Myanmar, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam for the Facilitation of Cross-Border Transport of Goods and People.
 
Well, I'm shocked about Tha li. I've crossed that border many times and they were always great. This is really starting to suck.
 
We entered Cambodia through OSmach and cleared both borders in 45 minutes. 6 GSAs on the N4TION Trip.
 
A friend in cambodia told me that since the ASEAN summit last month, the law had changed( or the enforcement of it) regarding leaving cambodia on a cambo bike. ie before, you could leave cambodia before you got your bike registration card, now it is not possible.
Anyone know otherwise?
Maybe other laws changed at the same time
 
Goh from Singapore said he got refused entry into Laos at the Muan Nguen, Laos (Nan, Thailand) border crossing a few days back on a Singapore registered bike, so it's not just specific to Thai registered bikes.
 
This CBTA stuff will effect import runs on foreign reg temp import bikes then, yes?
 
For as far as I know the CBTA basically deals with removing border hassles for freight traffic for instance like being able to drive a truck with its load over the borders to other countries in ASEAN instead of having to unload the freight at the border and load it onto a truck from the other country for onward transport to yet another country. Not sure if I have read the whole CBTA but from what I did read I have not seen anything in it which would prohibit bringing a bike in for own use by tourists while visiting another ASEAN country.
 
If CBTA covers:

◦ requirements that road vehicles will have to meet to be eligible for cross-border traffic

And, 'does not allow motorcycles to cross borders' is a true condition of it, looks like there will be (and already are) problems. Bikes aren't going to be considered as freight traffic...

There's been some mention that border crossings are more of a problem for Thai-plated bikes - but, there's also reports about bikes from other countries being turned back too. Maybe they'll end up blocking Lao, Cam, Thai bikes from crossing borders but letting bikes reg'd outside that region, accompanied by tourists, through. Maybe they won't give a toss about bikes from anywhere with anybody passing through in a month or so. But, all looks a bit unsure for now.

Depends how valid this 'does not allow motorcycles to cross borders' statement is and how exactly it is to be applied...
 
Hi Phil,
Am in Pai really want to try to cross to Laos from the Huai Kon Nam Ngoen Border. We are four Chinese riding four Chinese bikes, we came in Thai from Chiangkhong border. I knew a group of Chinese BMWs made the crossing to Laos at Nam Ngoen border on Jan. 10th, or 11th. 2013. Any suggestion? Thanks!!!
View attachment 14258
 
Jah ...the Laos officials at this border have told everyone no motorcycles can enter Laos at this international border crossing, surprised to hear some Chinese registered motorcycles were allowed to enter Laos here, did they have permits?

activechina said:
Hi Phil,
Am in Pai really want to try to cross to Laos from the Huai Kon Nam Ngoen Border. We are four Chinese riding four Chinese bikes, we came in Thai from Chiangkhong border. I knew a group of Chinese BMWs made the crossing to Laos at Nam Ngoen border on Jan. 10th, or 11th. 2013. Any suggestion? Thanks!!!
<img src="http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=14258"/>
Click to expand...

Never sent from an I-Phone
 
Hi Phil,
Yes they did cross from Nan, a group of 6 bikes and one van, about 8 members. I asked someone from the group but she hasn't answer. They came in Thai from chiangkhong, exited from Nan to Louangphrabang. Maybe they had already been in Laos?
 
activechina said:
Hi Phil,
Yes they did cross from Nan, a group of 6 bikes and one van, about 8 members. I asked someone from the group but she hasn't answer. They came in Thai from chiangkhong, exited from Nan to Louangphrabang. Maybe they had already been in Laos?
Click to expand...

Find out if they had permits in advance if you can

Never sent from an I-Phone
 
I'll be crossing into Laos at the Nan-Huay Khon border crossing soon with my truck and see if I can find out something - it looks like a kind of hit and miss affair at the moment.

It may well be that ActiveChina is right with "Maybe they had been into Laos before" and are on their way home which may make the difference.
 
Hi Phil, We arrived at LPB at 3 AM, so it's been a 20 hour trip from Phayao to LPB. The Lao officials allowed us to come in with our bikes. I believe the agreement between china and Laos worked. The Thai officials told us many other nationalities were rejected to cross with motorbike. So both officials of Thai and Laos are friendly enough, while at houyxay the Lao border control is very corrupted.
 
Interesting that you were allowed to enter Laos there Jah, you seemed to be right about the China/ Laos close relationship. I'm going to head down there on a foreign registered (not Thai registered) bike and see if they'll let me enter Laos there. Thanks for the info very useful.




activechina said:
Hi Phil, We arrived at LPB at 3 AM, so it's been a 20 hour trip from Phayao to LPB. The Lao officials allowed us to come in with our bikes. I believe the agreement between china and Laos worked. The Thai officials told us many other nationalities were rejected to cross with motorbike. So both officials of Thai and Laos are friendly enough, while at houyxay the Lao border control is very corrupted.
Click to expand...
 
Hmm... This is bad news. I was planning to cross the border at either &#8203;Huai Kon - Muang Ngeun or Chiang Khong/ Huay Xai with a Thai registered 125cc bike soon. Does anyone have any recent information on this border crossing?

And does anyone know if it is possible to bring a 125cc bike on the slow boat to Luang Prabang?
 
Chiangkhong to Huayxai should be no problem if you are alone or in a small group of 2-4 people but the Huaykhon to Mueang Ngeun crossing most probably will give problems.

In the past you could take a bike on the slow boat but you will probably have to pay some extra for it and I assume that it is still possible. I know of people who have done it from Huay Xay to LPB and about a year ago also from LPB to Pakbeng. Getting the bike in and out of the boat may need some extra manpower but there are always people around who are willing to help.
 
Sounds great! Thanks for the quick response. I had originally planned to cross at Huai Kon, then drive up to Pakbeng and catch the boat to LP there... but in light of this new information I think I will rather cross at Chiang Khong.

I travel alone and will happily help getting the bike on and off the boat as long as they'll transport it for a reasonable fee. :)

Worst case scenario (if they wont let me bring the bike aboard) is that I'll make a trip of it and take the long way to LP via Luang Namtha...
 
It's a fantastic ride from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang, I think you miss some great riding putting the bike on a boat.



B.Desalmado said:
Sounds great! Thanks for the quick response. I had originally planned to cross at Huai Kon, then drive up to Pakbeng and catch the boat to LP there... but in light of this new information I think I will rather cross at Chiang Khong.

I travel alone and will happily help getting the bike on and off the boat as long as they'll transport it for a reasonable fee. :)

Worst case scenario (if they wont let me bring the bike aboard) is that I'll make a trip of it and take the long way to LP via Luang Namtha...
Click to expand...

Never sent from an I-Phone
 
Have to agree with Phil the tracks from Houay Xai to Hongsa and then to LPB are fantastic check out my boom boom post in the Laos trip reports for map details.
 
Am having to do a border run within 3 weeks. As based in Sak Lek, was thinking border crossing at Mukdahan / Savannakhet and staying at Na overnight.
What do people think?
 
Should be OK but you may have problems as they may not allow bikes on the bridge. If it only a border run for your self then you can take the International Bus from Mukdahan to Savannakhet and back. In case they don't allow you to take your bike over to Laos then the Nongkhai to Vientiane or the Bungkhan to Paksane or the Ubol Ratchathani/Chongmek to Pakxe border crossing is probably better. Remember that for the Bungkhan to Paksane boder crossing there is no Visa on Arrival so get a visa at the Laos consulate in Khon Kaen
 
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