Thailand - Laos - Cambodia - Myanmar Border Crossings: Motorcycle Touring

Thailand – Laos – Vietnam – Cambodia – Malaysia – Myanmar Border Crossings

GENERAL
All border crossings must be at a legal international crossing where you can get a passport stamped / visa validated and temporarily import a motorcycle.

Legal international border crossings should not be confused with local border trading places, where residents cross the border on their ID cards or local day passes.

Take a look at the low-resolution borders map, which provides a guide to the legal international land border crossings in the area.

Warning Local border crossings: At local border, trading passes, it is sometimes possible for foreigners to cross, but remember that you are not legally in the country and are free to continue. You are in the country illegally, both personally and with your bike, leaving yourself wide open to serious trouble.
I’ve seen it a few times in both Thailand and Laos – riders who thought they were clever in sneaking into the country, but when they tried to leave the country, they could not produce any papers to show that the bike was legally imported. The customs officials were not impressed, nor was the rider, who had to pay a hefty fine to leave. I know of another case in Vietnam where a rider foolishly snuck in from Cambodia without papers & it cost him a couple of thousand US dollars to leave with his bike from the North. Silly boy & don’t do it! So, play it wise & safe – make sure all your border crossings are at legal international crossings where you get your bike import papers properly stamped.

An unfriendly Lao – Vietnam border crossing at Lalay

CROSSING WITH A BIKE
To cross an international border on a motorcycle, you need a passport and a bike. (Not as silly as it sounds.)
Passport: This should be valid for at least six months and have the appropriate visa if necessary (if the rental shop has your passport as security for the bike, then you can’t cross the border).

Bike You need to prove it’s “real” and not stolen, and you must have valid documents to support this: proof of ownership and the bike licence/registration.

For a Thai-registered bike, this means the original green registration/ownership book with up-to-date registration (not expired). No copies, original only!

Thailand Permission To Export: If the bike is not registered in your name, you need permission from the owner to export the bike temporarily. Otherwise, as far as the officials are concerned, you could be stealing the bike from the finance company you have not yet paid off or your estranged wife/girlfriend/boyfriend / ex-mate who no longer cares about you. Permission from the owner = a written consent Permission To Export form with both your & their & bike details + signed copies of their valid (not expired) ID card & house registration.

Thailand International Transport Permit – NO longer required for motorbikes.
A bit of history: The ITP is a small booklet that is basically a passport for your vehicle. Blue is issued for cars, and purple is issued for motorcycles; however, it is no longer issued or required for motorbikes, although some misinformed border staff may sometimes think so and try to cause trouble. The cost was a mere 100 baht, and if you have one, they can make your international border crossings easier.
In December 2007, the ITP for motorcycles was replaced by a Vehicle Registration Certificate. Certificates of registration are basically English language translations of your bike’s registration book & are valid for one year – the length of registration = you need a new one each year. These are still issued by the Land Transport department & can be helpful, but are not always asked for.
ITPs are compulsory for cars crossing international borders but are no longer issued or required for motorcycles. You can get a Certificate of Registration if you can, but they generally don’t ask for one either.

Rent & ride across international borders. Only a few shops will let you take their bikes out of the country. You can try these shops.
In Chiang Mai
Pop Motorcycle Rent
In Chiang Rai
ST Motorcycle Rent
Chiang Rai Big Bikes CR Big Bikes also provides a drop-off & pick up service.

The Thai – Lao border crossing at Nakraseng

DOCUMENTS DEPARTING THAILAND
First, do Immigration, then Customs.
If you’re on a foreign registered bike, all you need do is hand in the copies of the Customs & Immigration documents you got on arrival.
If you’re on a Thai registered bike you need to complete the papers for both Immigration and Customs.
First, do Immigration, then Customs.
With a Thai registered bike have four photocopies of your documents – bike rego/ownership book + copies of your passport to hand over. Usually, on the Thai side, the Immigration keeps two & Customs one set. Then, sometimes, they will ask for another set on the Laos side.

Completed documents to exit Thailand at Chiang Khong.

1. Bike Ownership Documents

Ownership/bike Registration Book (see above). Ensure your tax is up to date & the rego has not expired!
Permission to export from the vehicle owner if it is not registered in your name (see above).
Owners ID = passport / ID.

2. Immigration Two forms are needed, these are;

TM2 Information of Conveyance.
TM4 Crew List.
TM3 Passenger List, only if you’re riding two-up with a pillion passenger

The original completed forms are kept at the departure port, and you must hand in copies of the same two forms at the arrival port when you re-enter the country.

Thai immigration forms are here.

Some border immigration may ask for 200 baht to complete the forms, & you don’t always get a receipt.

Experience has taught me that you are not always asked for these forms on your return, and sometimes, the immigration staff don’t ask you to complete all the forms when you leave.
But, be warned, there is a fine for not having the forms on your return, and occasionally, you get a bad egg official who likes to make trouble if you don’t have all the copies & / or completed correctly. I’ve had several run-ins with border staff over this, and either way, you never seem to win – it’s up to them & their mood of the day. Note, too, that I’ve yet to pay a fine, so I consider myself lucky. Stand your ground; be firm but polite.

3. Customs need a Temporary Export / Import form (Official name = Simplified Customs Declaration Form for a car and motorcycle temporarily imported or exported). You get this from the Customs office at the border. Customs is organized and computerized. They will complete the form for you. Your data goes into the computer, and the form is printed for you to sign.
Your data should still be in the computer if you have been out and in before. If your information and the bike are still the same, it is easy to bring it up.
If you’re leaving with a bike from overseas, you need to hand in the temporary import form you got at the border on arrival.

The Thailand Customs Export/ Import Form

Customs Temporary Import / Export Validity is usually for just a month, and there are two fine options for an overstay on the temporary import/export permit. For a Thai-registered bike, the fine is 1,000 baht maximum. The fine for foreign registered bikes is 1,000 baht a day with a maximum of 10,000 baht. Import & Export time limits are the same – the fines are the same! It is possible to get an extension on both the export & import, but these must done at your local customs office.

Completing these forms on departure is relatively easy provided your bike papers & passport are in order.

ARRIVING IN THAILAND
The documents are the same as above.
Immigration: TM2 Information of Conveyance & TM4 Crew List + TM3 Passenger List if you have a pillion.
Customs: Temporary Import / Export Form. You usually get a month on arrival and no longer than your visa. Get a visa extension, and you can extend the bike import. With your visa extensions, the bike import can be extended to 6 months.

Rule change June 2016: the Thai Land Transport Department has enacted new rules to curb the thousands of Chinese vehicles pouring into Thailand in a hard clamp down. Unfortunately, motorbikes have been caught up in the crackdown; & Customs have been told to enforce the new rules strictly. If you are not on a bike registered in Laos, Malaysia or Singapore, countries with cross-border transport agreements with Thailand, you need prior approval to enter Thailand. The rules are the same as those for entering China, Vietnam, or Myanmar, where your trip needs to be approved in advance by a registered tour company. In 2023, post-COVID, it seems this policy has fallen, by the way.

You can read about it on GTR here.

In a nutshell, you need

Passport valid for six months
Medical certificate
Drivers licence recognised in Thailand. If not, you must apply for a local driver’s licence.
Vehicle Inspection Certificate
Thai motor Vehicle insurance covering 1,000,000 baht in damages
Approved itinerary with details of accommodation & route.
Entry & departure ports must be designated.

Import is valid for 30 days, with no extensions & a maximum of 60 days in a calendar year.

Thailand Visa Issues – New Policy 1st December 2016: you can only make 2 (30 days) “visa exempt arrival” entries into Thailand in a calendar year. For more than two entries & you must have a visa – tourist visa – Non-O, Business, or student visa, but it must be a visa issued outside Thailand! You cannot just rock up & enter; if you have already done that twice in a calendar year, you won’t get in without a visa in advance in your passport. There are Thai embassies/consulates in the neighbouring countries of Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Myanmar should you be there & need to get a visa. Riders from Malaysia & Singapore who come regularly should be aware of this! Click here for more info.

Entering Laos @ Muang Ngeun from Huay Kon Thailand.

THE CROSSINGS
Thailand / Malaysia / Singapore are relatively easy and hassle free, provided your passport, visa, bike registration and ownership papers are all in order. Allow 3/4 – 1 1/2 hours to clear the borders on both sides.

Singapore / Malaysia, the legal “land border” crossings are:

The Causeway: Woodlands (S) / Johore Bahru (M)
The Second link: Tuas (S) / Tanjong Kupang (M)
Of these two, the Second link is faster and easier.

Thailand / Malaysia, there are seven legal land border crossings:

Ban Ta Ba / Tak Bai (T) – Pengkalan Kulor (M).
Buketa / Waeng (T) – Bukit Bunga, Kelantan (M).
Sungai Kolok (T)- Rantau Panjang, Kelantan (M).
Betong (T) – Pengkalan / Keroh, Perak (M).
Don Nok / Sadao (T)– Changloon / Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah (M).
Padang Besar (T) – Padang Besar, Perlis (M).
Khuan Don / Wang Prajan (T) – Wang Kelian, Perlis (M).
Satun (T) – Kuala Perlis (M) – sea crossing.
Ko Lipe (T) – Langkawi (M) – sea crossing.
Satun (T) -Langkawi (M) – sea crossing.

Thailand / Laos, there are eleven legal international ones:

Chiang Saen, Golden Triangle (Chiang Rai T) / Golden Triangle – Sam Liam Kham (Bo Keo L). Mekong River boat crossing. Pax only, no vehicles.
Chiang Khong (Chiang Rai T) / Houei Xai- FB4. Friendship Bridge 4(Bo Keo L). The 4th Friendship Bridge opened on 11.12.13. Crossing the bridge – exiting from Thailand, you used to need an escort vehicle, which cost 500 baht, but this is no longer required. In 2020, on the Laos side, there was an over-friendly Lao policeman offering his services for 2,000 baht a bike for independent non-tour riders- This is not required if you are not a tour group, so be firm and stand your ground- If you lose, please get a receipt and send a copy to GTR to report him again.
Huay Kon (Nan T) / Nam Ngeun – Muang Ngeun (Xayaboury L). Land crossing. Closed to motorbikes – entry & departure – in September 2016. Then, on 1st October 2017, “open” again for exit & entry (only if you enter via a Lao tour company.) No eVisa & No Visa from 1st January 2020. Check the latest Xayaboury info here.
Huak (T) / Pangmone (L) opened on 1st February 2020. Exit from Laos is ok. No Visa on Arrival. No eVisa. Entry by motorcycle without a tour permit may be an issue. For a wee bit more info, see on the Huak crossing, see Laos Motorcycle Ride East of Phu Chi Fah & On The Road With Destination Thailand TV
Phu Du (Uttaradit -T) / Phu Dou (Xayaboury – L) No eVisa & Lao visa on arrival, but exit from Laos is ok. Closed to motorbikes – entry & departure – in September 2016. Then, on 1st October 2017, “open” again for exit & entry (only if you enter via a Lao tour company.) Check the latest Xayaboury info here. For more info see: Chiang Mai – Luang Prabang via Phu Du & Hongsa.
Thai Li – Nakraseng (Loei T) / Nam Hueang – Kenthao (Xayaboury L) Local bridge crossing Nam Heuang River. Closed to motorbikes – entry & departure – in September 2016. No eVisa & Lao visa on arrival. The most arduous Thai / Lao border crossing, where the Lao sometimes won’t let you out at Kenthao, even if your Laos exit permit says Kenthao! Work that one out? Entry may be possible via a tour company. Check the latest Xayaboury info here.
Nong Khai (Nong Khai T) / Tha Dua Friendship Bridge 1, Vientiane (Vientiane L). Friendship Bridge 1. The FB1 gets extremely busy on weekends & holidays. It is easier to cross mid-week if you can. In 2022, entry into Laos is tricky without an agent. The Thais won’t let you out unless you have a pre-approved entry. The fee for this is 2.000 baht & someone on the Laos side is running a nice little racket. On the Thai side, you are advised to contact this agent if you are not far from the bridge.
Bun Kan (Bun Kan T) / Pakxan (Bolikhamxai L). No bridge. Mekong River crossing by ferry. No eVisa & No Visa on arrival. Motorbikes are ok on working days, Mon – Friday only.
Nakhon Phanom (T) / Tha Khek (Khammouane L). FB3. Friendship Bridge 3 = Entry into Laos is not always guaranteed, but be polite, patient & firm. You may have to use a pickup to transport your bike across the bridge. Exit ok.
Mukdahan (T) / Savannakhet (Savannakhet L). ). FB2. Friendship Bridge 2 = Riding across the bridge here is difficult. Getting out of Thailand requires a permit from the Mukdahan governor = you need to use a tour company to complete this process. If you get this, then entry into Laos should be okay. Exiting Laos is not straightforward forward & the Lao prefer you don’t ride across the bridge but use a pick-up to carry your bike across. However, with persuasion, GTR has ridden across this bridge to exit from Laos 3 times now.
Chong Mek (Ubon Ratchathani T) / Vang Tao, Pakse (Champasak L). Land border crossing. The Thai Chong Mek Thai staff always seems to be the friendliest, happiest, easiest, and most efficient border officials to deal with on the Thai border anywhere! In March 2018, Laos stopped private bike entry at Vang Tao—tour groups only. More info on GTR is here. In 2023, riders seemed to be able to enter Laos again if there were at least three in the group.

GTR on the road with Destination Thailand TV.

The land & bridge crossings are open seven days a week.

Getting AGL Insurance on arrival in Laos.

The Mekong river ferry crossing – Bung Kan / Pakxan is usually only open regular working days Monday – Friday. No Lao visa on arrival.

Xayaboury province There are four international land border crossings between Thailand & Xayaboury province in Laos, but the province has a history of being problematic for motorcycle entry. The Xayaboury border crossings were all closed to motorbikes – in and out – in August 2016. Then, in October 2017, they were opened to exit, & entry, but only if you enter via a tour company seeking approval first. Exit is a no-go from Kenthao. The last border crossing opened was on 1st February 2020 @ Pangmone (Laos) with Huak (Thailand). There are no eVisas or Visa on Arrival for Xayaboury province.

Crossing the FB 3 from Nakhon Phanom in Thailand to Tha Khek in Laos.

Lao Visas in July 2023, there was no VoA, no Visa on Arrival entering Laos at the following ports.

Pang Hok (Phongsaly Province) bordering China.
Nam Soy (Huaphanh Province) bordering Vietnam.
Nam Kan (Xieng Khouang Province) bordering Vietnam.
Lay Lay – Lay Lay bordering Vietnam.
Dak Ta Ok – Nam Giang vordering Vietnam.
Nam Ngeun (Xayaboury Province) bordering Thailand.
Nam Heuang (Xayaboury Province) bordering Thailand.
Pang Mone (Xayaboury Province) bordering Thailand.
Phu Du (Xayaboury Province) bordering Thailand.
Nam Phao (Khammouane Province) bordering Vietnam.
Na Phao (Khammouane Province) bordering Vietnam.
Savannakhet International Airport.
Phou Keua (Attapeu Province) bordering Vietnam.

Laos eVisa Laos has an eVisa service that can be applied for online. eVisas can only be used at the following border crossings.

Wattay International Airport (Vientiane Capital).
FB1 Lao – Thai Friendship Bridge I (Vientiane Capital).
Luang Prabang International Airport (Luang Prabang).
FB2 Lao – Thai Friendship Bridge II (Savannakhet Province).
Pakse International Airport (Champasack Province).
FB4 Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge IV (Bokeo Province).
Boten International Checkpoint (Luang Namtha Province).
Boten Railway Station (Luang Namtha Province).

Laos Visa on Arrival is available at

Chiang Saen – Ton Phueng Golden Triangle.
FB4 Chiang Khong – Houei Xai, Chiang Rai to Bokeo Province.
FB1 Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I, Nong Khai-Vientiane Capital.
Tha Naleng train station in Vientiane.
FB2 Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge II, Mukdahan-Savannakhet Province.
FB3 Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge III, Nakon Phanom-Tha Khek Khammouane Province.
Dene Savan – Lao Bao, Savannakhet province.
Chongmek – Vangtao, Ubon Ratchathani to Champasak Province.
Veun Kham – Nong Nok Khian. (Cambodia).
Boten – Mohan (China).

Laos – China (No Visa arrival, No eVisa).

Lantui (Phongsaly) – Mengkang (China). International for Chinese / Lao, locals only?

Laos – Myanmar no visas on arrival.

Xieng Kok – Kenglat. Locals only.