Travelling By Car To Se Asian Neighbours

[LivinLOS]

Now I have some reliable wheels (purchased specifically to do more travelling) and done a dry run from Chiang Mai to Phuket, I am thinking about broadening my adventures a bit.

Am I able to take a vehicle thats Thai regged into and out of the above countries ?? I assume I am but also assume insurances or taxes may exist ?? Also maybe short time limits ?? Looking to suss out which ones are possible and / or easy to start planning some road trips and finding sites of interest and things I want to get to.

I am looking mostly at the countries neighbouring the north so Myanmar, Laos, Cambo and especially Vietnam (Would love to do the coast from Hanoi to HCM) More than heading to Malaysia.

Any info or anecdotes welcome, even if its simply good links to look for more info. Even simple stuff (are they RHD or LHD countries)..

[LivinLOS]

Surely someone has driven into Laos Cambo etc ??

[samran]

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/lofiversion/.../t81936-50.html

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...p;#entry1136626

[LivinLOS]

Thanks

OK so it seems I can get a car passport for Laos.. But I cannot get one for Cambo !!! Whats up with that ???

I have driven all over the world, almost always it was a case of simply showing the car is mine (sometimes there are concerns and insurances required to make sure you can afford to get the car out if theres an accident so its not left incountry / imported).. I know for a fact that a UK regged car was brought to Thailand via Cambo..

Any idea on Burma or Vietnam ??

[LivinLOS]

The above kinda bummed me out but looking around

http://www.amazing-thailand.com/Kohkong.html

If you own your car then you can drive across the border with a minimum of fuss. You will need the registration book for the car, which must be in your name. Contact the Immigration desk on the Thai side and tell them you are taking your car, complete a simple form and pay 50 Baht. The Thai Customs office will then stamp the paper. After completing normal immigration formalities drive across the border and clear Cambodian Immigration. Then proceed to the Cambodian Customs post, which is located on top of the small hill. They will issue a temporary laminated card number plate to be displayed at the front and back of the vehicle. They will also levy a small fee of 150 Bahtfor a one week stay. You are limited to driving in the immediate area which is Koh Kong province of Cambodia with your car. On the most recent trip we were required to report to the Customs post every day. This appears to be an effort to stop people travelling to far from the border with a car and is the result of a memo from the Deputy Prime Minister' office. However the customs officers did not seem to be too clear on the matter.

Still not enough for what I want to do tho.. Must be some avenue for overland adventure.. Otherwise it would be buying or renting a car in each country.. Totally not what I wanted..

[samran]

Thanks

OK so it seems I can get a car passport for Laos.. But I cannot get one for Cambo !!! Whats up with that ???

I have driven all over the world, almost always it was a case of simply showing the car is mine (sometimes there are concerns and insurances required to make sure you can afford to get the car out if theres an accident so its not left incountry / imported).. I know for a fact that a UK regged car was brought to Thailand via Cambo..

Any idea on Burma or Vietnam ??

No idea about Burma, VN I believe from memory that foreigners aren't actually allowed to drive there, but I could be wrong.

Cambo, well there is no way that you can get the type of pass that exists for laos or malaysia (which is actually a leter). But, you may want to explore the idea of getting a Carnet for the car which allows it to be taken anywhere in the world. It requires a substantial bond to be placed though before you can get it. Now, in Thailand, I have no idea on how that would work as I never asked, but you may want to ask at the international transport divusion at Mor Chit.

They are on the top floor of the same building that issue the licenses. They'll either know, or will be able to tell you who you need to speak to. And, as I said in my other posts, for the Laos and Malaysia passes, the farthest desk on the second floor of the car registration building.

[LivinLOS]

Vietnam embassy (in UK) have replied that that there is a form of transit permit.. But asked me to contact BKK vietnamese embassy for it..

Basically I guess I will just submit a form letter to each of the embassies and see how they respond.. Didnt expect such hassle tho.. I mean how are goods delivered cross border ?? Roads gho there.. Roads continue I just expected that (with paperwork and hassle) that you just drove on them.. Silly me !!

[samran]

Vietnam embassy (in UK) have replied that that there is a form of transit permit.. But asked me to contact BKK vietnamese embassy for it..

Basically I guess I will just submit a form letter to each of the embassies and see how they respond.. Didnt expect such hassle tho.. I mean how are goods delivered cross border ?? Roads gho there.. Roads continue I just expected that (with paperwork and hassle) that you just drove on them.. Silly me !!

just read a tidbit in a journal that there is an agreement that was signed by China, Thaland, Laos, Cambo and VN to have mutual recognition of vehicles for both trade and movement of peoples. Also, the proposal was to integrate the checking of customs proceedures. (As I've explained, Thailand and loas already have a bilateral agreement, so this new one has a bit of overlap).

Problem is, with all these things, is that it is being 'phased in'. What I read, the first phase was for Laos and VN vehicles to cross as the Lao-Bao border only. Who knows what phase two will be??

So for the moment, as you say, while the roads continue, it appears that goods still have to be unloaded, inspected, and put on new vehicles before they can continue the trip beyond the border post (at least according to the article which I read).

[wilko]

I made several posts trying to get info about driving into Cambodia, specifically Sian Reap, and I have never heard of anyone actually doing it....I got loads of moaning minies telling me I shouldn't do it because of bad raods etc, but absolutely no real advice whatsoever.....so that's what I'm giving you! - Sorry!

[samran]

I made several posts trying to get info about driving into Cambodia, specifically Sian Reap, and I have never heard of anyone actually doing it....I got loads of moaning minies telling me I shouldn't do it because of bad raods etc, but absolutely no real advice whatsoever.....so that's what I'm giving you! - Sorry!

I thought I replied to one telling you that according to the department of land transport there is no agreement to allow Thai vehicles across the border, and vice versa.

I'd still recommend though finding out about how Thailand issues Carnet's. If you do find out if it is possible, it is likely that you are going to have to put down a financial guarantee to get the carnet.

[asiaworld]

if u live in the north,short drive to Mae Sai border is another good dry run,for the car;) & with luck it can even take you upto China border, which is some 200km away . in my experience, u can get away with blue book only ! even in places like malaysia & S'pore,as long as your name is in english & car make as well., i was in S'pore twice, this way. they gave warning, had 2 sign, few months later..oupss.. u've been told, oh SorrY me forgot .. still got in , no worries, justextra 15min. it took.. Yeah Cambo is nice,but with total disregard for the law there is, driving is not such a problem, is just if u want 2 putup with it !!

law says no right hand drive allowed, ha ha 70% ofCambo crs ARE RHD ! number plates dont get me started not more than 50% cars got'em . ok.. PAPERWORK none , insurance NONexistent ,, just drivein , keep plenty of small us$ bills to pay off any 'enqueries' . when leaving THAi need to show 'tabien rot' blue book fill customs form, turn it back on ur return. thats all. dunno anythin abt VN yet, but highly reccomend www.driveindochina.com , it'll cost u thou