Laos to Cambodia with a Thai registered bike

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From a friend who tried a few days ago to cross into Cambodia from Laos: Veunkham border crossing from Laos to Cambodia is a No Go with a Thai registered bike. Not even a Ninja, ergo it is impossible. Written permit from Phnom Phen is required. Only local People are permitted. However, the Laos side let you through without stamping so you can try to negotiate with the Cambodian authorities.

Source: Stig Robert Parow
 
Havent this border always been a PITA to cross?

I saw some french guys living in Cambodia offering permit services for Cambodia, I think the price was 75 €. cambo.tis.contact@gmail.com
 
From a friend who tried a few days ago to cross into Cambodia from Laos: Veunkham border crossing from Laos to Cambodia is a No Go with a Thai registered bike. Not even a Ninja, ergo it is impossible. Written permit from Phnom Phen is required. Only local People are permitted. However, the Laos side let you through without stamping so you can try to negotiate with the Cambodian authorities.

Source: Stig Robert Parow

It's difficult even for Lao registered cars. A friend of mine who runs a car rental business in Laos has been telling me for years that getting into Cambodia from Laos is next to impossible with a vehicle. On the few occasions his vehicles have been allowed through he was told - drivers must be Lao no westerners. Even then permission is granted only to drive to Stung Treng. Must return through the same border crossing.

Exceptions are Cambodian cars (and motorcycles) which seem to be allowed into Laos no problem. I was at Veunkham some months back - it's a very quiet border, most traffic consists of cross-border buses with the occasional truck going through. Very few private vehicles crossing, I didn't see any during the time I was there.

Crossing from Cambodia to Laos may however be an option.
 
Info I have as an Aussie living in Malaysia is that you need a letter from the Cambodian Embassy indicating proposed entry dates, etc. Apparently easy to get and free.
 
Info I have as an Aussie living in Malaysia is that you need a letter from the Cambodian Embassy indicating proposed entry dates, etc. Apparently easy to get and free.

OK good to know will try this route for a future trip. Hope it works.
 
OK good to know will try this route for a future trip. Hope it works.


Scratch that info...talked to the Cambo embassy...massive run around getting letters from the Malaysian authorities before you can submit the request...the embassy themselves admit that the letter carries no weight and its your luck on the day.
 
Scratch that info...talked to the Cambo embassy...massive run around getting letters from the Malaysian authorities before you can submit the request...the embassy themselves admit that the letter carries no weight and its your luck on the day.

That's what I thought - seems too easy just to get a letter from the Cambodian embassy. If it were that straightforward, everyone would be doing it.
 
That's what I thought - seems too easy just to get a letter from the Cambodian embassy. If it were that straightforward, everyone would be doing it.


I'd probably do the running around if it actually guaranteed anything. It doesn't do diddly squat...just another BS bureaucratic waste of time.
 
As I understand, the only entry into Cambodia with Thai registered motorcycle, hassle free, is at Surin border. At other point of entry, you need authorized travel agent to escort you and vehicle.
 
Koh Kong works too but there you will be told not to go further than Koh Kong province and you have to go back the same way you came. Also, a 100 Baht fee for each day your bike/car stays in Cambodia will be charged and your documents (registration) held at the border. I think Chong Chom-O'Smach in Surin province is the best point of entry because no documents are held and there is generally no charge to enter either.

It is said that Pong Nam Ron (Ban Pakkard) works too, at least for cars, but again with the distance restrictions that Koh Kong poses.
 
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Have an acquaintance that crossed into Cambodia at Sa Ngam with a thai plated bike last year and he reported no trouble whatsoever using that border to entry Cambo.
 
Have an acquaintance that crossed into Cambodia at Sa Ngam with a thai plated bike last year and he reported no trouble whatsoever using that border to entry Cambo.

That's good to know. Also last year, a Cambodian friend from Siem Reap reported he has been able to cross into Thailand with his car (Cambodian plated) at Sa Ngam over the previous 2-3 years without issues. I was a bit perplexed at the time - why would Thailand allow entry to Cambodian vehicles, but not the other way round (as has been reported on and off over the years in various places)? Surely Thai customs couldn't allow such a double standard to operate, particularly since Thailand is the more powerful country out of the two?

Well thanks for confirming that Sa Ngam is an option (I see no reason why it should ever have been difficult) but if for some reason, there is ever trouble, Chong Chom is a mere 100km away. For me, Chong Chom is closer anyway, so Sa Ngam is more for people coming from eastern Isarn. I have no idea why my Siem Reap friend even bothered with Sa Ngam when Chong Chom is about the same distance away (he did mention he was heading to Ubon Ratchathani, but even then, it makes little difference to go via Chong Chom).
 
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