Taking a car to Malaysia and neighbouring countries

[av8er]

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.

[Nereus]

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

[limbu]

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.

[Ratsima]

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.

[falanglongtime]

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]

^ Maybe not to young but certainly much too happy for any poster on this forum. What happened to you since 2012?

[Ratsima]

I joined this forum right after that trip. It's been all downhill since then....

[Bristolian]

I joined this forum right after that trip. It's been all downhill since then....

Boy do I understand that

Great pictures bye the way. Keep smiling

[hhfarang]

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.

[Ratsima]

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.

itp_cover.jpg (63.26 KiB) Viewed 3554 times

You can't cross the border without it….

[Nereus]

So where do you get this "passport"?

[Ratsima]

So where do you get this "passport"?

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]

So where do you get this "passport"?

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.

Ok, thanks very much!

[Big Boy]

What about insurance and breakdown cover? Is this additional cover expensive?

[Ratsima]

What about insurance and breakdown cover? Is this additional cover expensive?

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.

If it were up to me I'd try harder to get more comprehensive insurance. But, not everything is up to me.