Taking a car to Malaysia and neighbouring countries
Taking a car to Malaysia and neighbouring countries
I recently got the "car passport",complete with "T" stickers front and rear, and my wife and I are keen to go and visit the neighbouring countries. Does anyone have any idea what's involved with the red tape involved in taking self, Thai wife and Thai registered pick-up into say, Malaysia and Singapore? I chose those 2 countries as I figure they'll be a little more westernised (logical) than our neighbours to the East, although, ultimately I would like to drive to every neighbouring country plus Vietnam. Is it possible to drive to multiple country's without returning after visiting just one? For example, could we go to Laos, Vietnam Cambodia then back to Thailand in a single clockwise circle, or would we have to return from Laos then hit Cambodia and forget about Vietnam? Thanks.
Re: Taking a car to Malaysia and neighbouring countries
I guess that your "car passport" is referring to a "Carnet"? Where did you get it in Thailand? I am not up to date now, but a few years ago it was just not worth the effort. The biggest problem is obtaining an acceptable form of insurance.
The recent invasion of Thailand with Land Rovers from both Singapore and Malaysia, was all arranged through the car club in Singapore. In the link attached they say that it is not possible for China, but I know for sure that has now changed. Malaysia has strict conditions on window tinting, but other that that it should not be a problem.
For the other countries to the east I have no idea, except that with reference to the paper work, the book used to have multiple pages, one of each being removed on entering each country.
http://www.landcruisingadventure.com/carnet-de-passage/
Good luck, and I would be interested in hearing how you get on.
added the following:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia/cr ... p-2014.cfm
The recent invasion of Thailand with Land Rovers from both Singapore and Malaysia, was all arranged through the car club in Singapore. In the link attached they say that it is not possible for China, but I know for sure that has now changed. Malaysia has strict conditions on window tinting, but other that that it should not be a problem.
For the other countries to the east I have no idea, except that with reference to the paper work, the book used to have multiple pages, one of each being removed on entering each country.
http://www.landcruisingadventure.com/carnet-de-passage/
Good luck, and I would be interested in hearing how you get on.
added the following:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia/cr ... p-2014.cfm
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Re: Taking a car to Malaysia and neighbouring countries
There is an undated point by point guide to driving from Thailand into Malaysia here: http://andthreetogo.com/travel-tips/tha ... ia-by-car/
As an aside, in the last week we have seen cars from Qinghai, Szechuan and Yunnan in Hua Hin and as far south as Sam Roi Yot. So coming and going to China and Thailand's immediate neighbours seems do-able.
As an aside, in the last week we have seen cars from Qinghai, Szechuan and Yunnan in Hua Hin and as far south as Sam Roi Yot. So coming and going to China and Thailand's immediate neighbours seems do-able.
Re: Taking a car to Malaysia and neighbouring countries
My wife and I have done several road trips through Lao. It has been a delight. As you now know, getting the car "passport" is easy. It's just as easy to cross the border into Lao. Although it's no problem to get the English language license plates, you don't need them in Lao.
If your wife is a driver, let her take the car through Thai exit customs and Lao entry customs while you get your visa. The first time you do this the Thai authorities will enter the details into a computer and print out the exit permit. The next time they will have the data and just print it out. If you plan to return from a different point than your exit, be sure to notify both the Thai and Lao authorities. You can purchase the minimally required Lao vehicle insurance right near the Lao customs post.
One advantage of driving in Lao is that the main highways are pretty good and mostly empty. The secondary roads range from good to awful. We just have a little Vios and have had to turn back now and then because of bad conditions.
We have driven from Korat to Luang Prabang, and extensively in southern and central Lao.
Here's a blog post from central Lao in 2012: Central Laos 2012. Toward the end are road photos.
If your wife is a driver, let her take the car through Thai exit customs and Lao entry customs while you get your visa. The first time you do this the Thai authorities will enter the details into a computer and print out the exit permit. The next time they will have the data and just print it out. If you plan to return from a different point than your exit, be sure to notify both the Thai and Lao authorities. You can purchase the minimally required Lao vehicle insurance right near the Lao customs post.
One advantage of driving in Lao is that the main highways are pretty good and mostly empty. The secondary roads range from good to awful. We just have a little Vios and have had to turn back now and then because of bad conditions.
We have driven from Korat to Luang Prabang, and extensively in southern and central Lao.
Here's a blog post from central Lao in 2012: Central Laos 2012. Toward the end are road photos.
-
- Specialist
- Posts: 134
- Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2014 9:03 pm
Re: Taking a car to Malaysia and neighbouring countries
Ratsima wrote:My wife and I have done several road trips through Lao. It has been a delight. As you now know, getting the car "passport" is easy. It's just as easy to cross the border into Lao. Although it's no problem to get the English language license plates, you don't need them in Lao.
If your wife is a driver, let her take the car through Thai exit customs and Lao entry customs while you get your visa. The first time you do this the Thai authorities will enter the details into a computer and print out the exit permit. The next time they will have the data and just print it out. If you plan to return from a different point than your exit, be sure to notify both the Thai and Lao authorities. You can purchase the minimally required Lao vehicle insurance right near the Lao customs post.
One advantage of driving in Lao is that the main highways are pretty good and mostly empty. The secondary roads range from good to awful. We just have a little Vios and have had to turn back now and then because of bad conditions.
We have driven from Korat to Luang Prabang, and extensively in southern and central Lao.
Here's a blog post from central Lao in 2012: Central Laos 2012. Toward the end are road photos.
Great pictures, thanks for sharing. You look too young and happy to be using this forum
- Bristolian
- Deceased
- Posts: 3128
- Joined: Fri Nov 09, 2012 1:38 pm
- Location: Hua Hin & Bangkok
Re: Taking a car to Malaysia and neighbouring countries
^ Maybe not to young but certainly much too happy for any poster on this forum. What happened to you since 2012?
"'The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why." - Mark Twain
Re: Taking a car to Malaysia and neighbouring countries
I joined this forum right after that trip. It's been all downhill since then....
- Bristolian
- Deceased
- Posts: 3128
- Joined: Fri Nov 09, 2012 1:38 pm
- Location: Hua Hin & Bangkok
Re: Taking a car to Malaysia and neighbouring countries
Boy do I understand thatRatsima wrote:I joined this forum right after that trip. It's been all downhill since then....
Great pictures bye the way. Keep smiling
"'The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why." - Mark Twain
Re: Taking a car to Malaysia and neighbouring countries
What the heck is a car passport? We drove into both Laos and Myanmar without any special paperwork for the car (that I remember). Both times we just got a day visa at the border crossing and just went.
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
Re: Taking a car to Malaysia and neighbouring countries
You can't cross the border without it….hhfarang wrote:What the heck is a car passport? We drove into both Laos and Myanmar without any special paperwork for the car (that I remember). Both times we just got a day visa at the border crossing and just went.
Re: Taking a car to Malaysia and neighbouring countries
So where do you get this "passport"?
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Re: Taking a car to Malaysia and neighbouring countries
From the Land Transport office; the same place you register your vehicle. It's easy to get and not expensive. My wife did it for our current vehicle, but I think it's less than 100 baht. The "T" stickers come with it. You might have to pay extra to get the English language number plates.Nereus wrote:So where do you get this "passport"?
Re: Taking a car to Malaysia and neighbouring countries
Ok, thanks very much!Ratsima wrote:From the Land Transport office; the same place you register your vehicle. It's easy to get and not expensive. My wife did it for our current vehicle, but I think it's less than 100 baht. The "T" stickers come with it. You might have to pay extra to get the English language number plates.Nereus wrote:So where do you get this "passport"?
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
Re: Taking a car to Malaysia and neighbouring countries
What about insurance and breakdown cover? Is this additional cover expensive?
Championship Stoke City 3 - 0 Plymouth Argyle
Points 48; Position 20
Points 48; Position 20
Re: Taking a car to Malaysia and neighbouring countries
We've never bought more than the minimally required liability policy. That seems to be all they offer at the border. At each border we've crossed there have been offices for a couple of insurance companies that offer liability coverage for a day, a week, etc. We've asked a couple times about additional coverage and they seem to know nothing.Big Boy wrote:What about insurance and breakdown cover? Is this additional cover expensive?
If it were up to me I'd try harder to get more comprehensive insurance. But, not everything is up to me.