Can one take a Thai registered (in my own name) across into Laos. If so, how easy is it and what papers would I need for a few days in Vientiane?

Have a look at this thread:

Vehicle Into Laos -- Roman Alphabet License Plate Required?

You need to get an International Transport Permit ("passport" for the car) and you need to put "T" for Thailand stickers on your back bumper and front windshield. You get both at your local Land Transport Office (where you registered the car).

At this time, you do not need English language license plates.

If your driver's license is the old Thai language only version, you might want to exchange it for one of the newer, bilingual (Thai & English) versions.

When you cross the border the Thai customs officer will complete the export permit for you. Another officer will stamp the car out of Thailand.

On the Lao side you will need to complete and submit a vehicle import declaration, have the car stamped in and buy auto insurance that is valid in Lao. All of this is rather tedious, but not time consuming.

Your first time will be confusing as it is not immediately apparent where to go first, what to do next, etc. Although the bridges are designed for drive-through service, the bureaucrats have defeated this by locating their "services" all over the place. As a practical matter it's best to just park your car and walk the papers through. That's what everyone else seems to do.

From my understanding (my partner inquired about this at the Mukdahan/Savannakhet bridge) you must own the car. That is to say you must be holding the title (car book) and the bank doesn't have it. Car registration papers are not enough... you must prove you own the car with original title. Our car is not completely paid off yet so we were told we could not take it over the bridge into Laos. Oddly they said a rental car is different and you can take that into Laos (but I'm sure the car rental company would not agree to that!). I believe you must also prove you have an insurance policy with coverage in Laos. I believe the car crossing fee is about 300 baht.

It all seems too much a hassle and risk to bother if you ask me. Unless you want to drive around the country there's really no point as the tuk-tuks are plentiful. A Thai neighbor of mine was touring Laos a few months back and because he was driving a RV (camper imported from the West) he was held up by authorities (somewhere in the mountains) under the suspicion he was a 'spy'... not until he paid 40,000 baht would they release him.

Indecently driving into to Malaysia was like driving from the US into Canada. We just got our passports stamped and drove on through... no questions at all about the car.

Exactly right:but it may be time consuming,the traffic is expanding every year,and on the Thai side you have to stay in the queue,2 times,in between you fill the export and custom forms.On the Lao side,they can use a computer for that!

We had a lovely week driving through south central Laos. We went over the bridge at Mukdahan into Savannakhet, drove to Tha Khek, explored the Mahaxai caves and the stunning Kong Lor cave and then drove on to Vientiane for a couple of days, returning via the Friendship Bridge at Nong Khai. Lots of photos here:

Laos Road Trip - Februrary 2009

I'd hate to have done the whole thing by tuktuk.

Yes, I'm just learning something here... taking the car into Laos isn't so hard after all and many others do... having crossed into Laos 2 dozen times (via bus) I rarely noticed any private vehicles passing through so just assumed it was a rare occurrence or very difficult. I need to learn to get the facts before making these types of assumptions. I'm really glad to hear otherwise... I've been itching to explore Laos beyond Savannakhet! Ratsima... thanks for posting the details on your trip... looks wonderful!

Things get easier as the years go by....

My first attempt to visit Laos was in 1977. I had planned to take the train from Bangkok to Nong Khai. When I inquired at Hualumpong about a ticket the agent took out a big map of Thailand and drew a very black X through all of Isaan and simply said, "No". I went to Chiangmai instead.

My second attempt was in 1991. A friend and I took our mountain bikes to Nong Khai and crossed into Laos by ferry. Although we each had 15 day visas, the customs officials were furious that we brought the bicycles and gave them three day permits! We used portraits of President Lincoln to extend this to seven days, but we were not permitted to ride the bikes out of Vientiane, or take them on a bus or plane. We were stuck with mountain bikes in the city for a week!

Now, taking in a bicycle is no problem and a motor vehicle is almost as easy.

Definitely recommended.

Good thing the 'Morals Police' didn't see you

I knew something didn't quite look right... never trust a spell checker!

Many thanks for the information & great photos.

We where at the same Bridge less than a week ago while waiting for someone to do his border run, my wife asked the customs guy the process where the cars were passing through, we mentioned finance he said a letter from your bank is needed & that banks are fine with this as long as they know, no letter from bank you don't have the log book no go.

We have yet to ask the bank for confirmation of their policy on this,the car will be cleared of finance before we take the trip at this rate anyway.

A quick call to your finance company will clear this issue if you really want to take the car now.

Your Provincial Transport office is where you get the other paper's as required.

The Lao Insurance ? anyone know the minimum charge for that?

I believe we paid 350 baht for 7 days.