Below are the forms you’ll need: one for immigration and two for the customs department. Most of them are in Thai, so you might want to call upon your trusty Google Translate or ask a Thai-speaking friend for some help. They’ll probably be glad to lend a hand! 😄 The power of attorney is only needed if the bike is not in your name

 

This is the power of attorney (download form here : https://www.dlt.go.th/th/e-form). This form is used in case the owner of the bike is not present with you and permits you to use the bike, including the original (green book) bike registration document. This form requires two stamps (05 baht each), which are attached as shown in the picture. These stamps can be bought at the Department of Revenue in Thailand: https://www.rd.go.th/region/08/chiangmai1/75.html.

Please note: Don’t forget, the power of attorney needs the vehicle owner’s signature, plus a photocopy of their ID. Make sure the signature matches — the Thai government is like a hawk when it comes to that!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This document is the annual Tax record, which you can find on nearly the last page of your motorcycle registration book or the “ greenbook”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the registered owner’s name from the green book. You’ll need to have 2-3 copies ready to attach to the forms when required, which must match the bike model and correct plate registration.

 

These forms are the Crew List (TM.4 )  and Passenger List (TM.3). The Crew List should put the name of the person in charge of the vehicle, while the Passenger List should include the names of the passengers. Simple!
Please note: All these forms can be obtained at the immigration border. Except for the power of attorney, which you need to prepare in advance.checkpoint.

This is the conveyance information form (TM.2), which is used for arrival and departure to/from Thailand.

 

To summarize, be ready at least with 2 sets of the following documents to hand over to immigration and customs:

1. 1. Power of Attorney (Hand over the original to immigration and keep a photocopy of the completed form for your reference).
   2. Vehicle owner’s signed document attached to the Power of Attorney.
   3. Photocopy of the green book (with bike model and owner’s name). Make sure to bring the original green book for inspection.
   4. Photocopies of your and the passenger’s passports.
   5. Forms: Conveyance Information Form (TM.2), Passenger List (TM.3), and Crew List (TM.4).

 

Hitting the Road

 

We did the trip to Loas in one day but if you have time I recommend staying overnight in Laos as it takes any time pressure away. If you go straight to the border it was about 250 THB from Chiang Mai to the border crossing, on a 155 Aerox.

The journey to Loas started just after 8am. It’s good to start early if you are going all the way to Loas in a single day,as there is a lot of driving and you don’t want to arrive at the border too late. However be aware it can be quite cold on a bike earlier in the day so dress warmly if you do leave early. Here is the route we followed

The ride to Chiang Rai is pretty much just a long highway journey. Although you get some nice scenery and the road is good, there isn’t anywhere I would really recommend stopping. There are a lot of little coffee shops and places to grab food along the way, you’ll probably want to stop at least once before chiang rai as it’s a long way on a bike. You’ll also want to get petrol at about the halfway point here is a gas station that we stopped at.

There is a more scenic route to Chiang Rai but it would mean an overnight stop there. It’s definitely worth it if you haven’t been there before. The Blue, Black and White temples are definitely worth a look. Also Shinga park is a great spot to eat and relax.

We stopped in Chiang Rai for lunch at Central Festival, it’s simpler to the one in Chiang Mai and has plenty of places to eat. Once you have topped up the gas, then head off to the Loas border. It’s about another 1 and a half hours and the road is decent. Once you reach the immigration park your bike in the right entry lane

Once you reach the border it’s time to present the forms, Find the office in the above picture, its just to the left of the atm machine. They do have copies there but I highly recommend you pre fill them out. Once they check over the forms to see they are correct. You will need 3 (2 for customs and 1 for immigration) copies of each form to present to the various booths

Then it’s time to head through the booth. You basically go through 3  booths in a straight line. There were no charges on the Thai end for us but I cannot guarantee it will be that way for everyone. I do know after 4pm there are after hours charges. The whole process on the Thai side took about 1 hour.

That completes the Thai side, once you ride across the bridge into Loas you will need to get a visa 

Getting a visa in Laos is pretty straightforward, you just fill out the forms there and provide 1 passport photo (if you don’t have one dont worry, I think they charge 80THB). Once you have your visa then you go through with you bike

 

 

At booth 1 I was charged 200 THB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Booth 2 was 40THB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Booth 3 was 110 THB

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once you have gone through this process you are free to head into Laos. Once in Laos head to Houayxay town, but be sure to download the offline maps on google before heading across and remember they drive on the right side of the road in Laos. In the town there isn’t much to do other than chill out. If you want to stay longer then just 2 nights you could go on an overnight boat trip, or the overnight zipline.

I just chilled out and went for a bike ride for a couple of hours. I really enjoyed the ride.Laos is a little less developed than Thailand and it reminded me of my bike tour of India. The roads were really good and there was some beautiful scenery. Just be sure to keep an eye on your petrol as there isn’t much around once you get up in the hills.

On the way back it is more simple, there were no charges on the Laos side and no forms, on the Thai side you just get your passport stamped, I think we were charged 30 THB as it was the weekend but other than that it was smooth sailing.

Then the long ride back to Chiang Mai, it went pretty smoothly but I did find I was pretty tired when I got back home.