Giving the Phu Doo, Thailand / Phakeo, Laos Intl border crossing a try

[KTMphil]

With the new, Thai, customs, overstay, penalty laws in place, for foreign motorcycles on temporary import into Thailand (see link below):


http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-...iegn-reg-mbike-into-thailand-3.html#post40731



We had a couple of motorcycles that needed to go for a holiday in Laos.



Chiang Khong, with all the crossing headaches (you might be able to use the bridge or you might not etc...), we headed for the Nan border (Houy Khon, Chalam Praket, Thailand / Muan Nguen, Laos).



Very smokey out there now, burning off is in full force before the SW monsoon starts

Post Office on R 1148

 

[KTMphil]

R 1148 smokey or not is one of the best rides you can do in SE Asia.


View attachment 27955




After the fun part take the left turn onto R 1097 is a huge short cut to the Nan international border crossing with Laos. On the western end there's a couple of KM of construction on R 1097.

 

[KTMphil]

3km off R 1097 is the Tat Man Waterfall

It still flows in the dry season and has a great swimming pool

 

[KTMphil]

Up to the Nan international border with no drama's, overstay fine all sorted out

Through into Muan Nguen, Laos, the Laos soldiers all excited as usual

 

[KTMphil]

4.45pm - looks like we'll be able to make Hongsa, the coal fired power station taking shape

The Souphaphone GH in Hongsa behind the main market in town is always a safe bet for 400 Bht (100,000 Kip) including aircon. & wifi

With the power station well underway, Hongsa is exploding with construction

The market is always fantastic

 

[KTMphil]

From Hongsa, R 4A SE to Xayaboury is a beautiful, windey, ride & has been all paved for the last 3 1/2 years

There's a cool hilltribe village every 20km or so, one of the most interesting road rides in Laos

 

[KTMphil]

Not the most ideal motorcycle for this ride, but the straight through Screaming Eagle pipes certainly stop the wave's pulling out on you

 

[KTMphil]

Lunch in Parklay, some beautiful old houses with beautiful, ancient carpentry

There was a fairly good chance that the Phakeo, Laos / Phu Doo, Thailand international border crossing ( west of Parklay) was not yet fully international, being so close we thought we'd go give it a try


A big, windey, new fun tarmac road takes you westwards from Parklay to the Phakeo, Laos, propsed, international border crossing

Alas - It was a no go, we tried everything, including tea money and it was still a no, not yet international. This point below is about 10km from the actual Thai border, its as far west as you currently can get here.

A couple of threads concerning the same border crossing below:



http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-...uttaradit-province-paklay-laos.html#post40171


and here: http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-...pment-road-construction-laos-4.html#post38519





Getting some local info from the Laos border police

 

[KTMphil]

We knew it was just over 50km south to the Kenthao, Laos / Tha Li, Thailand international border crossing, so no real drama

A little bit of red tape confusion with entering Thailand again, a few phone calls and all fixed, off westwards towards Chaing Mai, how far can we get by 5pm.

 

[KTMphil]

Both tired after a long hot day, 4.30pm we called it a day and surrendered to Dan Sai. Stay away from the border road west of Tha Li / R 2195, it has been destroyed by the trucks and doesn't look like it will be fixed any time soon










Usually downtown Dan Sai has horrendous accommodation, we managed to find this awesome brand new hotel for 500 bht, highly recommended



The Ruk Loei Hotel

Ill get the co-ords later

 

[KTMphil]

Lots of KM's in just a couple of days, a little exploring too. We pulled over in Thailand for a break and low and behold the sign right next to us, it gave us quite a chuckle.

Lastly, an interesting speaker system, looks like there won't be many ear drums left when that gets cranking

 

[alexuk]

What did the overstay cost you?

 

[KTMphil]

What did the overstay cost you?

1,000 Bht each total

 

[Captain_Slash]

Phil all the women at the markets appear to be wearing cold weather clothing, is that early morning or is the temperature cooler there?

I am getting 38C everyday here in Kanchanaburi

 

[KTMphil]

Phil all the women at the markets appear to be wearing cold weather clothing, is that early morning or is the temperature cooler there?

I am getting 38C everyday here in Kanchanaburi

Was chilly, we left with jackets on....probably 18c