Overland Thailand Travel

From WikiOverland, the encyclopedia of Overland travel
Revision as of 22:45, 19 October 2014 by Herr Lehmann (Talk | contribs)

Jump to: navigation, search


Currency to display:

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.

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

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.

Navigation

Paper maps

Reise Know-How are amoung the best paper maps. Purchase paper maps before arriving in Thailand

Thailand
Thailand
by Reise Know-How Verlag
From $6.99 on Amazon
Thailand (national Geographic Adventure Map)
Thailand (national Geographic Adventure Map)
by National Geographic Maps - Adventure
From $8.28 on Amazon
Thailand (national Geographic Adventure Map)
Thailand (national Geographic Adventure Map)
by National Geographic Maps - Adventure
From $8.28 on Amazon
Lonely Planet Bangkok (travel Guide)
Lonely Planet Bangkok (travel Guide)
by Lonely Planet, Austin Bush
From $12.88 on Amazon

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

Lonely Planet Thailand (travel Guide)
Lonely Planet Thailand (travel Guide)
by Lonely Planet, Mark Beales, Tim Bewer, Joe Bindlos...
From $15.25 on Amazon
Work Less To Live Your Dreams: A Practical Guide To Sa...
Work Less To Live Your Dreams: A Practical Guide To Sa...
by Dan Grec
From $click on Amazon
Overlanders' Handbook: Worldwide Route And Planning Gu...
Overlanders' Handbook: Worldwide Route And Planning Gu...
by Chris Scott
From $22.49 on Amazon
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook: A Route & Planning Gu...
Adventure Motorcycling Handbook: A Route & Planning Gu...
by Chris Scott
From $click on Amazon
Thailand Handbook, 7th: Travel Guide To Thailand (foot...
Thailand Handbook, 7th: Travel Guide To Thailand (foot...
by Andrew Spooner
From $56.83 on Amazon


Vehicle Maintenance

Dealers

4x4s / Trucks

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.