Northern Thailand and Northern Laos trip 13 Dec 14 to 18 Jan 15

[Capss]

Flights booked and provisionally booked a rental bike in Chiang Mai (trying to be in Chiang Mai for the 11th or 12th Dec) to take me over the border. I am hoping to be in Northern Thailand over Christmas and hopefully in Laos for New Year. Planning a rough route. If anyone is doing the same, or is static and fancies a beer let me know and we can see if we can meet up, also if you know of any places well worth a visit, again, let me know. I am looking at the Laos and Thailand sections of the forum.

Thanks

Wayne

 

[KTMphil]

Welcome Wayne, you'll have a great trip.

 

[2wheels]

Wayne, be aware of these bank holidays in The Land of Smiles.

Banks get five-day New Year holiday | Bangkok Post: business

 

[Capss]

Thanks guys
I best get enough cash out to last me then, what currency am i best using in Laos, Kip, Baht or Dollar?

 

[Lone Rider]

There is quite a bit of info on the RideAsia site and in case you have particular questions I am sure that members will be able to help out with info. In Laos you can use any of the three currencies but the exchanges rates are often slightly in favor of the people who are doing the selling and in particular in the more remote areas they may not be very familiar with it. Petrol station often have a paper sign showing the exchange rates they are using. Personally I am using the Kip but the stack of Kip notes (the largest note is 100,000 Kip or about 12-13 USD can get a "bit daunting" as the change you get is often in small denomination. Best bet is Lao Kip followed by the Baht.

 

[Capss]

There is quite a bit of info on the RideAsia site and in case you have particular questions I am sure that members will be able to help out with info. In Laos you can use any of the three currencies but the exchanges rates are often slightly in favor of the people who are doing the selling and in particular in the more remote areas they may not be very familiar with it. Petrol station often have a paper sign showing the exchange rates they are using. Personally I am using the Kip but the stack of Kip notes (the largest note is 100,000 Kip or about 12-13 USD can get a "bit daunting" as the change you get is often in small denomination. Best bet is Lao Kip followed by the Baht.

Yeah loads of info thanks, looking forward to exploring both places. Which border crossing would you recommend for a rental bike?

Cheers
Wayne

 

[2wheels]

What bike will you use Wayne?

 

[Forest]

Could also consider the Myanmar bike week in dec. Check an earlier post here on RA
Or on facebook

 

[Lone Rider]

Yeah loads of info thanks, looking forward to exploring both places. Which border crossing would you recommend for a rental bike?

Cheers
Wayne

Depends a bit on where you want to go in Laos (see also http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/laos-information/105-laos-international-border-crossings-3.html for border crossing info. In the north of Thailand there are two crossings of interest - Chiangkhong to Huayxai and the Nan to Mueang Ngeun crossing. The Chiangkhong to Huayxay is over the bridge and at the moment it is not sure if they will allow you to drive over the bridge and most probably they will insist on providing an escort which you will need to pay (rumored to be about 1000 Baht)

However, you can only cross into Laos if you have written approval of the owner of the bike (in your case the rental company) - more info here: http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/red-tape-border-crossing-requirements/898-thai-reg-bike-border-crossings-bike-not-your-name.html

 

[Capss]

What bike will you use Wayne?

I am renting a CRF 250L, i have a XT600E at home

Wayne

 

[Capss]

Depends a bit on where you want to go in Laos (see also http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-...05-laos-international-border-crossings-3.html for border crossing info. In the north of Thailand there are two crossings of interest - Chiangkhong to Huayxai and the Nan to Mueang Ngeun crossing. The Chiangkhong to Huayxay is over the bridge and at the moment it is not sure if they will allow you to drive over the bridge and most probably they will insist on providing an escort which you will need to pay (rumored to be about 1000 Baht)

However, you can only cross into Laos if you have written approval of the owner of the bike (in your case the rental company) - more info here: http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-...bike-border-crossings-bike-not-your-name.html

Thanks for the info, really looking forward to it

 

[Capss]

Update.....Bike booked in Chiang Mai and the train booked from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, 1st Class overnight, 2000 bht not bad. Getting close now


Wayne

 

[CraigBKK]

Update.....Bike booked in Chiang Mai and the train booked from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, 1st Class overnight, 2000 bht not bad. Getting close now


Wayne

Wayne, I'm on the same train on Sunday night but I travel 2nd class (froze the last time in 1st) and will be taking my CRF with me. 2nd class sleeper is a little less than 800 THB

 

[Capss]

Wayne, I'm on the same train on Sunday night but I travel 2nd class (froze the last time in 1st) and will be taking my CRF with me. 2nd class sleeper is a little less than 800 THB

Craig
I am booked for December 11th, i take it there is a restaurant car??
Enjoy your trip

Wayne

 

[CraigBKK]

Craig
I am booked for December 11th, i take it there is a restaurant car??
Enjoy your trip

Wayne

Yes, up the front of the train. You can sit and have coffee etc. in the morning before you arrive. For food, a paper menu is distributed with a couple of set menu options. You don't have to go to the restaurant car to eat, food and drinks will be brought to you.

If I didn't travel with my bike on the train I'd probably fly; a more cost and time efficient mode of transport now.

 

[Capss]

Yes, up the front of the train. You can sit and have coffee etc. in the morning before you arrive. For food, a paper menu is distributed with a couple of set menu options. You don't have to go to the restaurant car to eat, food and drinks will be brought to you.

If I didn't travel with my bike on the train I'd probably fly; a more cost and time efficient mode of transport now.

Thanks for the info, I just fancied a different mode of transport, I flew up in March (the last time I was over) when I went up to do some Enduro.