Laos - Border Crossing

Crossing over to Laos from Thailand

January 2024

Thai-Lao Friendship bridge 4

Laos is a landlocked country and borders Thailand, Myanmar, China, Cambodia and Vietnam. My plan was to enter Laos from Thailand through the land border. Since this was the first time I was crossing a land border, I was a little nervous and not sure what to expect.

I started off from Chiang Rai in Thailand and the bus took me up to the border at Chiang Khong. There we underwent immigration clearance from the Thai authorities before crossing over to Lao through the Thai-Lao Friendship bridge 4. We were a motley crew of a few foreigners, local Thai and Laotians and I also saw a few Indians at the Lao immigration counters probably there for trading. 

Youngsters from Netherlands at border with their cycles

At the Lao immigration, dollars are preferred over Thai Baht or Laotian Kip. I had read about it and was prepared. I brought out a $100 note and $60 was returned back by the authorities with the visa stamping done immediately. Entry was efficient and I was quickly over the border. There was a group of young adults with bicycles and on checking with them found out they were from Netherlands. A few friends came together and decided to cycle across South East Asia and they were now planning to cycle across Laos!

On crossing over to the Laos side, I took a bus to Huay Xai, the nearest town. From the bus station, it was a short ride to the Oudomphone Guesthouse, which was where I planned to stay before leaving for my next destination. 

Initial impression of Laos

Laos looked very much like India. The roads were not as well made like Thailand and didn't have lane marking nor drains at the side for storm water. The Mekong river served as the border between Thailand and Laos for most of the country. 

I was expecting to see a small town with mainly locals and language challenges, but was taken aback when I reached my guesthouse. The road was teeming with foreigners and the host spoke very good English. The room was well maintained and bathrooms clean. The overall experience was very good.

Sunset over Huay Xai

Food was rice based and similar to Thailand. I figured out the differences in food over a period of time as I travelled through the country. The local beer is called Beerlao and available across the country. I was also inexpensive and costs about a dollar for a bottle. Fruits and juices are readily available. 

I went ahead and booked the Mekong cruise for the next day. In the evening took a stroll down the road and to the river. The sunset was beautiful with a great view of the river, the boats and the Thai border across the river. 

The next day after having a hearty breakfast, we went down to the river front to board the slow boat to Luang Prabang.