Bad news for me today as I crossed the bridge at VTE from Thailand. I have a Cambo reg bike and cross about every 3 weeks no problem and have had the bridge director's signature on the entry/exit form until today. I follow what rules have been set up for me, get all the documents signed and do not overstay, pay my weekly fee and so on.
I was told this by the bridge director in room #5:
- All border points will close to motorcycles no matter what country the are from. He said the closure at the VTE bridge started on the 15th of Jan 08. - The Ministry of Transportation has been turned into the Department of Public Works, roads, entry by vehicles, communications and so on. This happened on 01-01-08 and a new director was appointed, a Mr. Viengsavat Sipandong (spelling may be incorrect). He informed the VTE bridge that according to Lao regulations, all motorcycle AND bicycles are banned from entry to Laos. - I was informed that this ban will apply to all border points of Laos: China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar. - I was informed that the decree is signed to make this a Lao Law. - I was informed that the decree was created from a 6 nation agreement that is not a part of ASEAN in general, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia were the signatories of the transportation agreement. - I was not able to extend my bridge paperwork but was issued a 2 entry extension on my current papers valid for 1 month. - I was told that I should draft a letter to the director of Public Works here in VTE and explain the situation of mine as well as the loss of tourism revenue to Laos but that there was little chance of it being effective. - I was told to have a nice day.
How this filters to the borders is not clear. If the ban was to start on Jan 15, then Hoiue Xai is not following and neither is Dong Krolor down on the Cambo border. I would imagine that the Vietnamese that roll in on the loaded down shopping centers on step thrus will be able to cross with a little extra fee paid.
So, the thing is that I don't want to sound the panic that the sky is falling at this time, only what was related to me.
It sucks but that's the way it is. We'll see what happens and maybe it's going to be ignored in the hinter regions as it is an income reduction policy.
Well, things rarely filter down from Vte in any kind of orderly fashion, so it may be enforced in some places and ignored in others. In any case, it will allow border officials to make a bit more money. It is silly though, it just discourages tourism. Laos never changes.
