Thai registered vehicle - entry to Laos

Hi,

I am planning a road trip into Laos from Nakhon Phanom and would like to know what documentation is needed for the Thai registered vehicle and what lead time is required when making the crossing. If anyone has done such a trip l would appreciate your advice. I have been offered the use of a family member's car and if an entry approval to Laos for the vehicle is positive it will help add a new dimension to our travels.

Thanks in advance,

trekkertony wrote:Hi,

I am planning a road trip into Laos from Nakhon Phanom and would like to know what documentation is needed for the Thai registered vehicle and what lead time is required when making the crossing. If anyone has done such a trip l would appreciate your advice. I have been offered the use of a family member's car and if an entry approval to Laos for the vehicle is positive it will help add a new dimension to our travels.

Thanks in advance,

of caurse you can take the care for Laos if...you have the proper paper for that issue...talk whit the imigration officers in Udonthani . they will help you!

The car needs a 'passport' in order to take it out of the country.
I have no idea where you get one of these in Udon, it is a document that is issued by Ministry of Roads & Transport.
I believe that its official title is a 'CARNET'.

This site contains a pretty detailed account of the physical crossing, which sounds length, but not too onerous.
http://www.laos-guide-999.com/border-cr ... ArrivalCar

Thanks Bob

1. you'll need the "purple book" vehicle passport. I think the Land Transport office can provide that. In a string a few years back, it was said the Land Transport office in Non Soong where you get your license can provide it.
2. You'll need Lao liability insurance and the sticker that comes with it.
3. When you stamp out of Thailand the Customs booth will put an exit stamp on the vehicle passport, there may be a small fee.
4. When you stamp into Lao, the Lao Customs booth will put an entry stamp in the vehicle passport and there will be a small fee.
5. Coming back it is the same..

trekkertony wrote:Hi,

I am planning a road trip into Laos from Nakhon Phanom and would like to know what documentation is needed for the Thai registered vehicle and what lead time is required when making the crossing. If anyone has done such a trip l would appreciate your advice. I have been offered the use of a family member's car and if an entry approval to Laos for the vehicle is positive it will help add a new dimension to our travels.

Thanks in advance,

If nothing has been changed, traveling to foreign country with a vehicle needs the vehicle owner to be present when crossing the border. Family member will get a holiday also. Even if vehicle is owned by your wife and she has same surname, she still nedds to be with you etc. Blue book or purple book is not enough. I believe we all know that a copy of vehicle owners ID card with signature must be with all the other vehicle papers, if owner does not join the journey even here in Thailand.

You can get the purple vehicle passport from the DVLA place on the kon kean road, it's the same place that old cars get checked and licences made. Costs less than 100 baht, from memory I paid 60 baht last time i got one, they even throw in the TH bumper sticker. Very easy to get, just take all your vehicle docs with you.
Crossing the border for the first time is a bit of a hassle because they register you into the system, plenty of form filling and stamping and then you are on your way, take all the documents relating to the vehicle and someone who understands Thai to help with the form filling.
Every time you go after that it gets easier and quicker. Worth doing IMO even though they drive on the wrong side of the road in Laos, same as the Americans and French.

OT...............