
It is June 2022 and the past few days did look beautiful, dark clouds over the mountains but no rain. And in the early morning not too hot with 24℃, so ride motorbike I must! As excuse I used the idea to check-out the International Thai-Lao border at Huai Kon in Nan province. Since begin Juni 2022 it should be open again after a closure of 2 years due to corona. It is a easy ride, just route 101 from Pua to Chiang Klang, Thung Chang and some other small villages and then Ban Huai Kon and the road to the border. Starting from Thung Chang there were low hanging clouds and the air was cool, it was probably raining in the nearby mountains. Never mind I had my rain-coat with me. In Thung Chang I stopped at the last 7-11 to buy me a breakfast and I always plan to eat that somewhere along the road with a stunning view. It was a great ride with stunning vista's and the last 30 km goes into the mountains with curves. From Pua to Huai Kon border is 80 km and from there to Luang Prabang in Laos is another 155 km.
About the current situation of the border
The border is open for both Thai, Lao and other foreigners. Both Thailand & Laos still have some corona safety measures for entering their country. You can enter Laos with your car but for motorbikes it is another story. Solo-riders (1 motorbike) can not cross the border into Laos, you can only enter Laos with a motorbike group tour with a Lao company. But you can exit Laos into Thailand with your motorbike. Example you could ride from Nong Khai to Vientiane, Luang Prabang and then to Hongsa and then cross the border at Huai Kon into Laos. And ride to Pua in Nan province.
A local travel company said that in Laos is available a Visa On Arrival, but I doubt that as the Lao government stopped with that at many land borders. And as far as I know at this moment you can not use a Lao E-visa at this border.
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Sunset along route 101 in Nan province, North Thailand |
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Route 101 near Huai Kon in Nan province, North Thailand |
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The International Thai-Lao border at Huai Kon in Nan province, North Thailand |
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The International Thai-Lao border at Huai Kon in Nan province, North Thailand |
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