Chiang Khong border run and the new bridge

[KTMphil]

Chiang Khong border run and the new border crossing bridge into Laos


It was time to renew some temporary imports of some foreign motorcycles that were in Thailand on temporary import, so a good excuse to head for Chiang Khong and check out the progress of the new Chiang Khong - Houay Xai international bridge crossing.



As usual, there's always some drama on the highway here, looks like they'll be some free omelets around as the sun gets higher in the sky from this loss of concentration

The red broken egg cartons made excellent accident road cones

It looked like this guy was the driver & it seemed he still wasn't sober enough to figure out what had happened.

 

[KTMphil]

In Chiang Khong, the Customs ladies in the Chiang khong main Customs office (in town, not at the wharf) are lovely people, helpful and polite, a real pleasure to deal with.

Then off to the Wharf deal with the rest of the temporary import procedure

Beautiful bright day, Houay Xai, Laos, across the Mekong looked beautiful

Hadn't noticed the large building going up on the hill in Houay Xai, Laos before, Auke will know what it is

 

[KTMphil]

One of the many long boats that take the tourist's normally down the Mekong. From Houay Xai, the boat stops in Pakbeng for the first night (the boats don't run at night too dangerous) & then the second day run down to Luang Prabang.

Late lunch at the 999 Bar in Chiang Khong

Guy, the owner is a really nice "guy" and a great cook

Chicken Wiener schnitzel was superb

6pm in Chiang Khong, everything grinds to a halt, the ferry drivers go home & Custom amd Immigration shut their doors

The moon was even high in the sky

 

[KTMphil]

Checked-in at the Ruan-Thai Sophaphun resort, 500 Bht

It's off the main high street down towards the Mekong river on the same soi as the Tammila Guest House which seems pretty run down now - the Ruan-Thai Sophaphun resort is a much better choice.


Great views from the terrace of the Ruan-Thai Sophaphun resort over the Mekong

We couldn't find a bottle opener at the resort, luckily one of our team had an "unusual" one with him

500 Bht overlooking the Mekong river, it's good value

 

[KTMphil]

Sophaphun, the owner is a very prominent member of the Thai, red, political party and there is evidence all across her resort.

Several photo's of her with the current Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra

& with the previous Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra

It's quite a display

Her car even has a political statement as to her position the the red party on its back window

Even the water tanks are painted red

 

[KTMphil]

About 5km south of Chiang Khong is where the new international border bridge into Laos (Houay Xai) is being built.


This is looking east at where the Thai border checkpoint buildings before the bridge are being constructed

The bridge pillars furthest away from the river on the Thai side of the Mekong river

Looking east across the Mekong river in bridge construction zone

 

[KTMphil]

There must be a reason this ornate area had been finished 1st

The Chinese generator from a diesel truck engine - 800 volt

Looking west at the road that will lead to the bridge

 

[KTMphil]

On the way back, we spotted a pretty amazing, bright green Buddha

then some great views on a clear day of Phrao from R 1150

More views from R 1150

 

[Captain_Slash]

Where was that green Buddah Phil?

 

[KTMphil]

Colin - The green Buddha is on the road SW of Chiang Khong, SW towards Chiang Rai on that nasty pot-holed road, I'll get the road number.

 

[KTMphil]

Colin - The green Buddha is on R 1174 SW of Chiang Khong, co-ords are:

 

[Captain_Slash]

Cheers Phil

 

[_Polar_]

Phil
Has anyone documented the Houay Xai side with photos for the Customs and Immigration buildings?
Is the Customs office in Chiang Khong along the river side of main road in town?
How long does it normally take to clear customs and immigration on both sides and get on with the ride?

Dale

 

[KTMphil]

Dale -

When you get to Chiang Khong, you first have to go to the main Thai Customs office in the center of town (down by the Mekong River its sign posted) & pay the 2,000 bht overstay penalty (up to 6 months). Then go to the main ferry ramp at the north end of Chiang Khong to the Thai customs office there. If you talk to them nicely, maybe no need to take the bike across on the ferry and they will re-issue a new Thai temporary import. If you are going across to Laos then you will need to clear out with Thai immigration on the ferry ramp.

Below is a map of where Laos Customs and Immigration are in Huoay Xai, Laos

Phil
Has anyone documented the Houay Xai side with photos for the Customs and Immigration buildings?
Is the Customs office in Chiang Khong along the river side of main road in town?
How long does it normally take to clear customs and immigration on both sides and get on with the ride?

Dale

 

[_Polar_]

Haha! Phil.....you go the overstay penalty right,all good thanks. Dee and I need to have a bit of a ride in Laos so we will take the bike across.

 

[KTMphil]

Photo from Mai Bailey yesterday - coming along nicely.

 

[TravellingStrom]

As of today the bridge has nearly touched the other side.




Cheers
TravellingStrom

 

[KTMphil]

I think you'll be the first rider to see the bridge as a complete structure Richard, congrats.

 

[TravellingStrom]

Two things. One is the guest house has cured the bottle opener problem







The other thing is the lady here, the young one, said I do not need to go to the customs house in the town centre. Even though I have overstayed my visa she said I can pay at the ferry area when I get checked out

Let you know if this is correct later. Apparently there are photocopies needed also can anyone confirm this?

 

[KTMphil]

I think you have to go to he main customs house in town Richard to pay any overstay fine for the foreign bike (if you're over the 30 days), if they've changed that procedure please let us know.

www.RideAsia.net

 

[TravellingStrom]

Sure will, I have the time so I will go to the ferry atelier first and see what happens

The lady here offered to be a fixer for 200B but I declined on principle, it is part of the adventure

 

[2wheels]

I think you'll be the first rider to see the bridge as a complete structure Richard

And those ferry bandits who have been charging us 500 baht (more than a days wages) for years to cross the river
wont be drinking so much 'Farang' sponsored whiskey for too much longer. :kat

 

[TravellingStrom]

I think you have to go to he main customs house in town Richard to pay any overstay fine for the foreign bike (if you're over the 30 days), if they've changed that procedure please let us know.

www.RideAsia.net

Well I did not have to go to the main in town office

I went to the one on the ferry ramp and whether they noticed it was a day late and ignored or they did not notice, the bike was stamped out

I did have to pay 500baht for being one day over the limit for myself though