The International Border Crossing is about 2 km from the village Huai Kon, so the border is sometimes also called Chaloem Phra Kiat (name of the district). On the Lao side the nearest village is Muang Ngeun. The border crossing is about 140 km north of Nan town. This is the gate-way to Luang Prabang, Laos. For more information about Nan province have a look at Destination Travel Guide Nan.
Crossing the border from Thailand to Laos
The border is open from 8:00 - 12:00 and from 13:00 - 17:00. You will first have to go to the Thai Immigration to exit Thailand. Then you will have to cross a part of no-man'ss land in between Laos and Thailand. If you are not with your own transport you can walk or take a motorbike-taxi. Sometimes there is an shuttle service.
June 2023 : If you are not visa-exempt for Laos you will need a visa for Laos. Pre-Corona pandemic you could get a Visa On Arrival (VOA) here but since the reopening of the border in 2022 there is no VOA anymore. And E-visa is also not (yet) accepted. Both status could change any day or any year, so check the official website of the Lao government.
June 2023 : If you are not visa-exempt for Laos you will need a visa for Laos. Pre-Corona pandemic you could get a Visa On Arrival (VOA) here but since the reopening of the border in 2022 there is no VOA anymore. And E-visa is also not (yet) accepted. Both status could change any day or any year, so check the official website of the Lao government.
Visa-exempt or with visa you will have to go Lao Lao immigration to enter Laos.
Once on the Laos side there are Song-Theauws to Muang Ngeun, the first village after the border. From here you can continue traveling to Hongsa, Sayaboury and Luang Prabang. Or to Pak Beng to take the boat to Luang Prabang.
June 2023 : It seems that there is also a but going straight from the Lao side of the border to Luang Prabang.
Crossing the border from Laos to Thailand
Crossing the border from Laos to Thailand is about the same. If you do not have a visa for Thailand already then you will get an Visa Free entry-stamp.
June 2023 : As far as I know there is no Thai Visa On arrival and also no E-visa accepted.
Crossing the border with a motorbike
Although in the past it was no problem to cross the border by motorbike (both in & out), for about more as 1 year all borders from Sayaboury province (Laos) were closed for motorbikes.Update November 2017 : It is possible again to cross the border by motorbike, but you will need a Lao Travel Agency booking. Conveniently it seems that at the border there is a office where you can book that.
Update 26 January 2018 : The current status is that all motorbike that want to cross the border at Huai Kon to Laos will need to buy a Tour booking and that is NOT cheap. Does not matter 1 motorbike or 10 motorbikes, you will need a Tour booking. This booking needs to be pre-arranged and it takes 2 or 3 days to get it (but money might speed up this process). Crossing the border from Laos to Thailand is no problem. This new rules is valid for all border crossings in Sayaboury province of Laos (3 international border crossings).
Update 28 June 2019 : The previous situation in regards to motorbikes crossing the border seems still be valid.
Opening times of Huai Kon International Border Crossing
The border & immigration is open 7 days a week from from 8:00 - 17:00, with a lunch break between 12:00 and 13:00. Not that the border is then really closed but you will have to pay some extra fee.How to get to Huai Kon International Border Crossing?
- With private car from Nan, just follow route 101 to Tha Wang Pha, Pua, Chiang Klang, Thung Chang and then into the mountains. You will see signs for Huai Kon International Border. It takes about 90-min to 2-hours.
- From Den Chai there are mini-van's (and once a day 1 big bus) going to Huai Kon International Border. They will be passing Nan and Pua. They leave early in the morning. You can not make reservations for it, and times and schedules changes. So better go a day before to the bus-station and check it. Then come back the next day very early.
- From Nan there is a big bus going to Huai Kon International Border, it leaves at 7:00am. You can make reservations for this bus.
Ban Bo Suak - Ban Huai Kon - Ban Pak Nai - Ban Pa Klang - Ban Sakad - Ban Sapan - Ban San Charoen - Ban Kew Muang - Ban Luang - Ban Manipruek - Ban Nong Bua - Ban Wen - Bo Klua - Chiang Klang - Mae Charim - Na Noi - Pha Tub - Phu Phayak - Pua - Santisuk - Sila Phet - Song Khwae - Tha Wang Pha - Thung Chang - Wiang Sa
Disclaimer : All information is created in good faith and is an expression of fair comment.
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