What are the requirements and experiences for taking a car from Thailand to Laos at the Nongkhai border?

Nongkhai Border Laos Visa Run Car Travel to Laos Driving Over Borders Vehicle Insurance Thai Vehicle Passport Border Crossing Procedures Expat Travel Tips

Feb 8, 2018

7 years ago

Jon **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

RE: take a car into Laos at nongkhai border

Planning to drive up to nongkhai next week and drop by vientiane for a SETV 

Has anyone taken their car over at this border? Ive done it previously at mukdahan so know the general requirements; anything different here? Relatively painless?

Insurance available?

If its a multihour ordeal id skip it and go over on foot. 

Cheers

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion revolves around crossing the Nongkhai border from Thailand into Laos with a vehicle for a visa run. Participants share their experiences, noting that while driving can involve significant paperwork and potentially tedious processes, many recommend parking the car at the border and crossing on foot for ease. Key requirements include having a blue book in your name, a ‘car passport’ obtainable from the DLT, and adequate insurance on the Laos side. Several users highlight that parking facilities and bus options may provide a more straightforward and cheaper alternative for short visa trips.

Kurt ********

I don't know what everyone's on about.. we didn't have any issues crossing into Laos to do a visa run in Savanakhet. Have your bluebook in your name and some photocopies, the car passport which you can get from DLT. No dramas.

7 years ago

Ian ***************

There is a bunch of secure parking near the bridge where you can leave your car for about 120b/day. A lot simpler than bringing your car over if all you're doing is getting a visa then coming back.

7 years ago

Andy ********

That’s good to know . Would be leaving for five days . So no concerns ?

7 years ago

Reply to

Andy ********

Jon **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks for that, yeah I'm leaning towards that option

7 years ago

Laurence **********

Yes done it at three Laos borders. Same same but personally it's not worth the expense and aggravation. Just park right at the border by

****

and walk through and the bus is cheap and easy. That's what we did a few months ago and it was perfect.

7 years ago

Jon **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I have the car passport. But u say it expires? I didnt know that

7 years ago

Laurence **********

It's a small purple book you apply for at the Land Transport Office. Can't go outside Thailand without it. Takes a few days to a week. You renew it every year. It's cheap to get. You're actually exporting your vehicle out of Thailand then importing it back. As strange as that sounds.

7 years ago

Abhirama *****

I have a blue book. what is passport book?

7 years ago

Laurence **********

If you have the passport book for the car and it is all in your name including the blue book, it's fairly easy but lots of paperwork. Insurance is a must have on the Laos side easy to buy and don't forget to tell them you will be exiting at a different border if that is the case. Drive on the other side and enjoy the people.

7 years ago

Abhirama *****

yeah, bus is cheap if you go only to Vientiane, but I plan to go and travel in Lao for a few weeks with my own car instead of renting it there. Can you please give some guidance, how to do that properly?

7 years ago

Reply to

Abhirama *****

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