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: March 2016
Required Paperwork
(To check if you need a travel Visa for Thailand, application instructions and fees see: Thailand Visa online application at VisaHQ.com)
- Passport of registered owner (original and 1 copy)
- International Drivers License of 1949 *) of registered owner (original and 1 copy)
- Local Vehicle registration (original and official verified translation into English or Thai and 1 copy of each)
- Vehicle Insurance for Thailand (local, any international Insurance is not accepted). Your agency will take care about that
- A Carnet de Passage is NOT mandatory to enter enter Thailand.
*) If you do not own the one from 1949, you need a verified translation of your local driver license into English or Thai as well. Further information about that can be found in the section Driving license
Remember: Mobile homes or trucks looking like that are NOT allowed to enter Thailand any more!
Process at border
After stamping passports your guide will take care of the process for 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. Depending on the crossing entry can take up to one hour.
Cost of entry
The vehicle is free. The entry per person costs ฿200.00 THB at the Tha 2 Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge Checkpoint[1].
Permitted length of stay
30 days
Extension of stay
Usually it is not possible to extend your permit. If you have leave your predefined itinerary for special reasons (illness, breakdown, etc), your guide will contact your agency and they will act accordingly.
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 whole process have to be done again, but it will a bit faster because except for the new itinerary your agency already confirmed all required documents from you.
Driving in Thailand
Recommended books for Overlanding in Thailand
Travel insurance for Thailand
World Nomads offer the most flexible Travel Insurance at the best prices for multi-country / multi-year trips. You can buy, extend and claim online, even after you've left home.
Vehicle insurance requirements
When you sent your agency all the documents for the permit, they will need no additional papers for the insurance.
Cost of vehicle insurance
At Checkpoint Tha 2 Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge, you can buy insurance for ฿200.00 THB (30 days).
Where to purchase vehicle insurance
Due to this is mandatory now, your agency will take care about that process and will hand over the papers when you meet
If you are able to convince them, that you will take care about that yourself, the old information might be helpful:
At Tha 2 Thai - Lao friendship bridge.
At other border crossings, this was not possible.
Long-term insurance (1 year) can be completed in almost any TESCO.
Driving license
International Driving License from 1949. National Driving License or International Driving License 1929 or 1956 are NOT accepted any more (even though rental shops don't care). If you are from a country, which did not sign the 1949 treaty, then you have to make a temporary Thai Driver License at DLT (valid for 30 days, not extendable).
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
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
Only when entering from Laos the officer has tried instead of 200THB entry fee to swindle 500 THB. Among the Thais bribing is spread by officials.
Checkpoints
Only in the politically unstable region on the border with Myanmar, there is a chance to get stopped by the military. Usually foreigners can go on immediately.
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: October 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) |
Gas and Diesel Availability / Frequency
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. There is a new for 2016 a purpose built overlanders stop with all facilities (example showers toilets and safe parking over night) 100 km south east of Bangkok not fare from Pattaya called Plodd Stop in banglamung Thailand Google overlanders Thailand.com for directions or Plodd stop.
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
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
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
- iOverlander is a website and iPhone application designed by Overlanders, for Overlanders. It contains GPS co-ordinates and reviews for camping, hotels, propane, water, mechanics, borders and much more.
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
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
If you are driving a LandRover, get in touch with the LROCT (Land Rover Owners Club Thailand) before you enter Thailand and they will be more than happy to help you with ANYTHING. Their huge network lasts even to Malaysia. Definitely consider to meet those guys! 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
