150cc motorbike into cambodia at Hat Lek - advice please

[iantvc15]

The Thai motorbike is in my name, insured and taxed and I have a thai licence as well as IDP and UK licence (I am UK national). I am travelling alone so I dont have any 'strength in numbers' leverage. I thought it would be a do-able exercise but I have read some things on the internet that give me concerns - these are

 

1. Cambodia does not recognise IDP. My motorbike is 147 cc and I dont want to have an open ended Police liability - the potential for regular 'fines' and threats to hold the motorbike. Is this a real concern or have I been reading rubbish

2. The crossing into Cambodia - I read on GT Rider this is a smooth and easy task, but I also read about car owners (on this forum) being asked for money and the border officers wanting to hold documents.

 

I want to go to Sihanoukville, PP and the Siem Reap (might not be in that order). Leave the bike at a hotel I stayed at before in SR (less the bike on my previous visit) whilst I fly to Vietnam for TET, then back to Siem Reap and leave Cambodia via Poipet.

 

Bike will be in Cambodia for about 6 weeks total which should not be an issue

 

Any feedback from people who have recently done the land crossing and driven in Cambodia is gratefully received

[phuketrichard]

first u can ONLY get a temp export from thailand for 30 days

Entering at Koh kong with a small bike is no problem, If ur stopped by a cop u will pay a fine, regardless if u have a license or not.

THAI INSURANCE is NOT valid and u cant buy any for ur bike

Crossing at Osmach is better ,easier and much less hassle ( south of surin)

[iantvc15]

2 hours ago, phuketrichard said:

first u can ONLY get a temp export from thailand for 30 days

Entering at Koh kong with a small bike is no problem, If ur stopped by a cop u will pay a fine, regardless if u have a license or not.

THAI INSURANCE is NOT valid and u cant buy any for ur bike

Crossing at Osmach is better ,easier and much less hassle ( south of surin)

Thank you for this Richard. I did not realise the Thai export limited me to 30 days. I plan a trip through malaysia and into singapore later this year - I had anticipated this taking longer than 30 days - biking is all about the journey and I dont rush around. I clearly need to rethink or drop the planned trips.

 

When you say small bike I am guessing this will mean 125cc or less. This is the cut off for the A1 licence in Cambodia (I believe)

 

I did find out about the ommision of insurance in Cambodia....... I guess this is why so many flee the scene of incidents there.

 

Thank you for informing me of Osmach - I will spend some time looking at this. I have thought of entering at Koh Kong only because I will travelling on from Koh Chang.

 

Thank you for your time and information, it is a great help

 

[phuketrichard]

125 or less in Cambodia, you are not required to have a license. BUT not sure this applies to foreign bikes.

They flee, so they dont get beat up and killed  :-), ( happens more than it should)

Your required to have insurance in Cambodia, ( on Cambodian  tagged vehicles), BUT on a thai bike, you cant buyit, ( unlike Laos an Malaysia where you buy it at the border).

Most people leave their bikes in Malaysia rather than deal with all the hassles to take a bike into Singapore.

Edited January 10, 2018 by phuketrichard

[iantvc15]

5 hours ago, phuketrichard said:

125 or less in Cambodia, you are not required to have a license. BUT not sure this applies to foreign bikes.

They flee, so they dont get beat up and killed  :-), ( happens more than it should)

Your required to have insurance in Cambodia, ( on Cambodian  tagged vehicles), BUT on a thai bike, you cant buyit, ( unlike Laos an Malaysia where you buy it at the border).

Most people leave their bikes in Malaysia rather than deal with all the hassles to take a bike into Singapore.

thank you once again.

 

 

[my friend I]

Make sure you always wear a helmet.Cambodian police are having frequent roadblocks. They keep the bike for a few days.