Driving in Laos,Cambodia and Burma

Driving and riding in Hua Hin and Thailand, all topics on cars, pickups, bikes, boats, licenses, roads, and motoring in general.
bsdk1960
Ace
Ace
Posts: 1471
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2012 2:21 pm
Location: hua hin/frederiksberg DK.

Driving in Laos,Cambodia and Burma

Post by bsdk1960 »

Does anyone have some recently experience with driving in these countrys,and what paperwork needs to be done ?

:cheers: :cheers:
Norseman
Rock Star
Rock Star
Posts: 4665
Joined: Tue May 10, 2005 12:13 pm
Location: Hua Hin

Re: Driving in Laos,Cambodia and Burma

Post by Norseman »

In Laos you will need a car passport issued by Amphor.
I'm in Laos right now and since I did' not know about a car passport I had to rent a car and driver to show us around.
'
moater
Specialist
Specialist
Posts: 161
Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 4:20 am

Re: Driving in Laos,Cambodia and Burma

Post by moater »

Car passport is issued by DLT.
HHTel
Hero
Hero
Posts: 10806
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:44 pm

Re: Driving in Laos,Cambodia and Burma

Post by HHTel »

Initially the car passport takes a day and costs 50 baht. It's aligned with the road tax. Subsequent renewals take around 15 mins and 50 baht.
You will need your blue 'car' book and passport copy.
Norseman
Rock Star
Rock Star
Posts: 4665
Joined: Tue May 10, 2005 12:13 pm
Location: Hua Hin

Re: Driving in Laos,Cambodia and Burma

Post by Norseman »

L.O.L. + T.I.T.
The information given to me by 3 Nong Khai Immigration Officers yesterday: Issued by Amphur.
You simply don't know if you should cry or laugh.
bsdk1960
Ace
Ace
Posts: 1471
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2012 2:21 pm
Location: hua hin/frederiksberg DK.

Re: Driving in Laos,Cambodia and Burma

Post by bsdk1960 »

Thanks for the answers,how is the road up there and do someone know how safe it is to bring your own car,and before
europrat suggest to google it myself,I prefer some opinion from the allways helpfull members at HHF.
All suggestion about what to see would be nice too.

:cheers: :cheers:
Norseman
Rock Star
Rock Star
Posts: 4665
Joined: Tue May 10, 2005 12:13 pm
Location: Hua Hin

Re: Driving in Laos,Cambodia and Burma

Post by Norseman »

I'll let you know about Laos in a few days.
(After visiting the Plain of Jars).
The distance from Vientiane to the Plain of Jars is (for me) unknown, but I'm told by my driver that it will take some 5 to 6 hours because of bad roads).
That means you'll need to find a place to spend the night before going back to Vientiane and Thailand.
The Plain of Jars was and still is, a very well known and bombed out piece of land to Air America and the US Air Force during the Vietnam war.
bsdk1960
Ace
Ace
Posts: 1471
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2012 2:21 pm
Location: hua hin/frederiksberg DK.

Re: Driving in Laos,Cambodia and Burma

Post by bsdk1960 »

thanks Norseman,looking forward to hear more

:cheers: :cheers:
Norseman
Rock Star
Rock Star
Posts: 4665
Joined: Tue May 10, 2005 12:13 pm
Location: Hua Hin

Re: Driving in Laos,Cambodia and Burma

Post by Norseman »

I'm right now in a town named Phonsavan, some 6 - 7 hrs driving from Vientiane.
The roads in Laos are fine and just like the rural Thai Roads.
No motorways though but far fewer potholes than in Thailand. And far fewer cars!!
One lane roads in each direction which may make it difficult if your'e in a hurry.
My best advise : relax and take it easy and no need to hurry, because you're on vacation.
The food here is excellent, and if you are fed up with Thai food you will be happy to see you can easily get Western food, even in remote areas where I'm right now.
User avatar
buksida
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 22475
Joined: Tue Dec 31, 2002 12:25 pm
Location: south of sanity

Re: Driving in Laos,Cambodia and Burma

Post by buksida »

Envious Ole ... envious.

Enjoy mate - life is only lived when you're on the road!
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
User avatar
Big Boy
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 44953
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2005 7:36 pm
Location: Bon Kai

Re: Driving in Laos,Cambodia and Burma

Post by Big Boy »

I'll be quizzing you when you get back. I've not been to Laos, and I'm feeling that I should go. Things like the hired driver and car interest me, plus what to do, where to go, whats to see.
Championship Plymouth Argyle 0 - 1 Preston NE :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

Points 41; Position 18
User avatar
Nereus
Hero
Hero
Posts: 10869
Joined: Tue Jan 02, 2007 3:01 pm
Location: Hua Hin and Bangkok

Re: Driving in Laos,Cambodia and Burma

Post by Nereus »

There have been a couple of threads about taking your car to Laos, but I cannot find them now.

This may help:

How to cross your car from Thailand to Laos

http://isaan.com/how-to-cross-your-car- ... d-to-laos/

As far as I know a Thai drivers licence is acceptable, an IDP is not required.

Don't know about Cambodia, and unless it has changed, not permitted into Burma.
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
User avatar
barrys
Legend
Legend
Posts: 2281
Joined: Fri Sep 23, 2005 1:52 pm
Location: Enjoying the sea air on a boat around Pak Nam Pran

Re: Driving in Laos,Cambodia and Burma

Post by barrys »

My understanding is that a licence issued in an Asean country can be used to drive in another Asean country for 1 month. At least that's what I was told in Cambodia (by the Government Driving Licence Authority) when presenting my Thai licence.

I'd also be interested to find out the cost of a car and driver in Laos.
bsdk1960
Ace
Ace
Posts: 1471
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2012 2:21 pm
Location: hua hin/frederiksberg DK.

Re: Driving in Laos,Cambodia and Burma

Post by bsdk1960 »

Thanks again,we are in no hurry at all,and will combine the trip to visit the family in Khorat, and some thai friend northeast,go to Lao and extend my visa,go back through nortthailand and then back to HH.

Enjoy it up there and looks forward to hear more from you, or anyone who has something to ad.

:cheers: :cheers:
HHTel
Hero
Hero
Posts: 10806
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 7:44 pm

Re: Driving in Laos,Cambodia and Burma

Post by HHTel »

I was in Laos last year. Drove there crossing the border at Nong Kai. Quite a delay filling all the paperwork for the car and getting insurance. Stayed a couple of nights in Vientiane then took the drive through the mountains to Luang Prabang. Interesting drive though quite hairy at times. Once into the mountains, there is a hairpin pretty much every 100 yards. The road takes you to some incredible heights and sometimes above the clouds. I for one enjoyed the experience.
Although there is very little traffic, one thing to remember when navigating these hair pins is that you drive on the right. Easy to forget when there's no traffic!
Luang Prabang is a beautiful town/city that although touristy, hasn't lost it's culture. Well worth a visit.
Post Reply