Overland Thailand Travel
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Contents
- 1 Visiting Thailand
- 2 Entering Thailand with a Car or Motorbike
- 3 Driving in Thailand
- 4 Gas price in Thailand and Diesel price in Thailand
- 5 Safety and Security Considerations
- 6 Camping in Thailand
- 7 Navigation
- 8 Special Overland Travel interests
- 9 Vehicle Maintenance
- 10 Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Thailand
- 11 References
- 12 Helpful External links
Visiting Thailand
Give a brief overview of what it's like to visit. How easy is the border, how safe is the country, are there great things to see and do, etc.
Entering Thailand with a Car or Motorbike
Correct as of: (date last confirmed correct)
Required Paperwork
- Passport of registered owner (original and 1 copy)
- Drivers license of registered owner (original and 1 copy)
- Vehicle registration (original and 1 copy)
Process at border
(To check if you need a travel Visa for Thailand, application instructions and fees see: Thailand Visa online application at VisaHQ.com)
Briefly describe the process at the border to enter with a vehicle
Following stamping passports are some forms of vehicle documents completed before obtaining the temporary import permit for the vehicle. However, you sign on the temporary import permit, that in case of exceeding the allowed time frame, you have to pay a huge fine. The vehicle is not registered in the passport. Entry takes about one hour.
Cost of entry
The vehicle is free. The entry per person costs 200 THB at the Tha 2 Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge Checkpoint[1].
Permitted length of stay
30 days
Extension of stay
For the vehicle the temporary import permits one month duration. Before the time limit extend in a custom office. This is free of charge and can be given for another montah, but not over the end of the visa. Running simultaneously from the visa, it must first be renewed before the vehicle papers may be extended. Customs stations are available in every district, but also at ports.
For the extension the following documents are required
- Passport with valid visa
- temporary import permit
- vehicle documents
Storing a vehicle and temporarily leaving the country
Describe if/how a vehicle can be stored, and for how long.
Also mention if the owner / temporary importer can leave the country while the vehicle is in storage.
Exiting with a vehicle
On exit, the temporary import document is stamped and the vehicle from the computer (if available) discharged. To be safe and to avoid problems when re-entry, you should ask nicely for a copy of the stamped document. For a new entry, the data are already stored in the computer and the entry is much faster because only the paper must be printed and signed.
Driving in Thailand
Insurance requirements
Not required but recommended. At Checkpoint Tha 2 Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge, you can buy insurance for 200 THB (30 days). At other border crossings, this was not possible. Long-term insurance (1 year) can be completed in almost any TESCO.
Cost of insurance
State the price of insurance and a time period.
Where to purchase insurance
Describe where insurance can be purchased.
Driving license
State the kind of driving licenses required. i.e. International Driving Permit.
Driving side of road
Left side of the road.
No Problems with LHD vehicles.
Mandatory items in vehicle
State any mandatory items that must be carried in the vehicle. (i.e. safety triangle, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, etc.)
Roads
General Road quality
Give a brief description of the general road quality. Mention if one way streets are common.
The road network in Thailand is very good and paved. Even the most minor roads are in good condition. Many four-lane roads pass through the country. The only exception to this is the extreme northeast and northwest of the country. In the mountainous regions of northern Thailand, the streets are narrow and twisted.
Road signs
Briefly describe the overall quality & existence of road signs for directions and hazards.
Toll roads
Only in the metropolitan area of Bangkok are toll roads.
Bribery in Thailand
Briefly describe how common bribery is and whether it should be expected, and the best way to deal with it.
Checkpoints
describe the frequency of checkpoints (police or military and what to expect.
Traveling with pets
List the entry requirements and anything else required to travel with a pet.
Gas price in Thailand and Diesel price in Thailand
Last updated: (19.10.2014)
Currency and unit to display:
Modify the table below as required.
| Gasoline Grade | Price |
|---|---|
| Regular (87) | $0.00 USD per Gallon (US) |
| Super (88) | $0.00 USD per Gallon (US) |
| Premium (90) | $0.00 USD per Gallon (US) |
| Ultra (95) | $0.00 USD per Gallon (US) |
| Diesel | $3.50 USD per Gallon (US) |
Link to external websites with price & quality information, if available.
Gas and Diesel Availability / Frequency
Briefly describe if gas shortages are known to occur.
Also state the approximate average distance between gas stations. This is a very rough estimate.
The station network is very well developed.
Gas and Diesel Quality
Discuss if gasoline / diesel considered "clean" or "dirty", and generally high or low quality.
State the sulfur content of diesel, if known.
Safety and Security Considerations
Driving at night
Discuss driving at night and if it should it be avoided. Mention why.
Vehicle parking
Discuss if vehicles can be parked on the street, if they are considered "safe" at night. If vehicles can not be parked on the street, list the other options that exist.
Special driving considerations
A List of special things to be careful of (i.e. Unsigned speed bumps, abnormal road rules, people or animals on the road, etc.).
List any roads that are not recommended to drive for safety or other security reasons.
Security advisories and information
- Country Specific Information - U.S. Department of State
- Travel Reports and Warnings - Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
- Travel advice by country - Foreign and Commonwealth office (U.K.)
- Travel Advice for Thailand - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Camping in Thailand
Describe if organized "pay" camping is common. List the facilities commonly found at these campsites.
List the approximate average price range of camping in organized campgrounds.
Also discuss the possibility of "wild" or "roadside" camping. How common is it? Is it considered safe, or a bad idea.
Camping is surprisingly very popular with the Thais. There are official campsites, usually located in national parks, but also wild camping, for example on beaches is common. The Thais have recognized the potential of campgrounds and there are now an increasing number of private campgrounds. The equipment limited to showers and toilets, sometimes there is electricity and sun shelters.
Wild camping and informal camping (at gas stations, parking lots) is not a problem.
Camping guide books
List and link to books specifically for camping.
Drinking water
Describe if the regular tap water is safe to drink. If not, describe where safe water can be purchased and the approximate average price range.
Taps can be found everywhere. However, the water is not drinkable in all of Southeast Asia. For drinking water production a special filter system or the purchase of everywhere available 20 liters water dispenser for little money is recommended.
Paper maps
Reise Know-How are amoung the best paper maps. Purchase paper maps before arriving in Thailand
GPS Maps of Thailand
Review different GPS companies, quality and coverage (Tomtom, Garmin, OSM, Tracks4Africa). (with links to each).
GPS co-ordinates for camping, propane, gas, repairs, etc. in Thailand
Link to sites that have a list of GPS co-ordinates (or directions) for camping locations (including "wild" campsites), propane filling, gas stations, repair shops, places of interest, etc.
Special Overland Travel interests
List any special items / places that are popular with Overlanders
Travel Guide Books
Vehicle Maintenance
Dealers
4x4s / Trucks
- Toyota Global Dealer Locator
- Land Rover International Dealer Locator
- Mercedes Benz International (select country on bottom right)
- Jeep International site locator
Motorbikes
Local Garages
Add known good mechanics here.
Buy or sell a car or motorbike in Thailand
Buy
Describe how a foreigner can buy a vehicle.
List any difficulties or limitations on where the vehicle can be driven.
Sell
Describe how a foreigner can sell a foreign-plated vehicle, or list not possible.'
References
Links to the source of any information - blogs or discussion forums, etc.
Helpful External links
Add any helpful external links here.
- Thailand: Visa and Passport requirements | World Travel Guide
- Health Information for Travelers to Thailand - Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Thailand travel guides at wikivoyage
- Thailand - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
