New self-drive tourism manual for ASEAN countries available for tourists

[webfact]

 

Free-downloadable guidebook contains need-to-know information on driving in 10 ASEAN countries, along with suggested tour routes.

 

TAT Newsroom

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to advise that a new self-drive tourism manual for ASEAN is now available containing important details and need-to-know information on driving in each of the region ’s member countries as well as suggested tour routes.

 

Available for free download via this link, the guidebook was collectively produced by the 10 ASEAN countries, and is an initiative under the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan (ATSP) 2016-2025, with Thailand – through the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports – being the main coordinator.

 

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said “The self-drive tourism manual for ASEAN aims to provide self-drive tourists with everything they need to know about driving in ASEAN countries. We hope it will serve to inspire people to explore the many diverse cultures, attractions, and landscapes of this fascinating region, both intra-ASEAN travellers and tourists from across the globe like Europe and America who could, for example, combine a visit to Thailand with visits to Lao PDR., Myanmar,

Cambodia, or Malaysia to be enjoyed at their own pace, along their own routes.”

 

The self-drive guidebook is aimed at encouraging those tourists who would like to explore any or all of the ASEAN countries – Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR., Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam – by driving themselves, to do so and to do so safely and enjoyably.

 

The guidebook collated information and ideas from ATSP-related seminars on self-driving tourism in ASEAN and covers various topics, rules, and regulations.

 

There is per-country information and sections on visa and entry requirements, vehicle permits, border details and cross-border procedures, documentation requirements, COVID-19 situation and vaccine passport website links, speed limits, code of conduct, and dos and don’ts for self-drive tourism, emergency and contact numbers, and useful links. There is also a map showing which countries are left-side driving and which are right-side driving.

 

Recommended self-drive routes are provided for each country covering major highlights and second-tier destinations, and cross-border routes combining different countries. The information and details in the guidebook are also designed to help self-drive tourists create their own itineraries.

 

For Thailand, for example, there are around 20 suggested routes that link the kingdom with either Myanmar, Cambodia, Lao PDR., or Malaysia. These routes include:

 

For Thailand and Myanmar: Tak-Mae Sot-Myawaddy, Chiang Rai-Mae Sai-Chiang Tung-Sipo, and Ranong-Myanmar Island;

 

For Thailand and Cambodia: Chanthaburi-Battambang, Aranyaprathet-Tonle Sap-Angkor Wat-Angkor Thom, and Sea of Trat-Sea of Cambodia;

 

For Thailand and Lao PDR.: Udon Thani-Vientiane-Luang Prabang, Ubon Ratchathani-Southern Lao PDR.-Khone Phapheng-Liphi-Wat Phou, Nakhon Phanom-Mukdahan-Savannakhet-Thakhek, and Loei-Luang Prabang;

 

For Thailand and Malaysia: Hat Yai-Sadao-Kuala Lumpur-Melaka, Satun-Padang Besar-Perlis-Langkawi, and Hat Yai-Pattani-Yala-Betong-Pengkalan Hulu-Penang-Kedah.

 

There are also 25 suggested routes within Thailand itself. Enticingly named, these include:

 

‘An Adventure-Packed Trip at the Andaman Sea (Krabi-Satun-Phang-nga),

 

‘View the Mountains and Drive Straight to Prachuap (Phetchaburi-Prachuap Khiri Khan),

 

‘Wander through the Embrace of the Mountains’ (Nakhon Ratchasima-Nakhon Nayok),

 

‘Road-a-Palooza to Southern Isan!’ (Buri Ram-Surin-Si Sa Ket),

 

‘The Route of Dharma and Nature’ (Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai),

 

‘The Mae Hong Son-Chiang Mai Loop and Sea of Mist’ (Mae Hong Son-Chiang Mai).

 

Source: https://www.tatnews.org/2022/10/new-self-drive-tourism-manual-for-asean-countries-available-for-tourists/

 

-- © Copyright TAT NEWS 2022-10-11

 

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[Gknrd]

Print it in Chinese and the India language. 

[ThailandRyan]

Hopefully they put in all of the EV charging station locations for the green travelers, and then all of the associated fees for crossing borders if driving and what is needed, oh wait this is for tourism, not folks that live here, how silly of me.  Just found out by accident that you can not drive a under 250cc motorbike into Laos without permission and only through using an agent can you possibly take a 125cc into the country.  I also wonder if the listed routes were not paid for by businesses who wanted the travelers to travel those routes instead of those wanting to drive/ride off the beaten patch.

[mikebell]

The Thai section of this helpful manual has a chapter entitled 'Road to Suicide.'  There's a section on the correct way to run a red light and, in the unlikely event of being stopped by a Thai policeman, the correct amount of on-the-spot fines for the offence of driving with a foreign face.

[Sparktrader]

9 minutes ago, mikebell said:

The Thai section of this helpful manual has a chapter entitled 'Road to Suicide.'  There's a section on the correct way to run a red light and, in the unlikely event of being stopped by a Thai policeman, the correct amount of on-the-spot fines for the offence of driving with a foreign face.

Never been fined. Most of Thailand easy driving. Isaan is flat dead easy. Pai rd is windy but ok. Chiang Rai easy. Krabi is easy. Kanch is easy. Pkk is easy.

 

Only bkk, pattaya no good.

 

Great way to enjoy

[Sparktrader]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

For Thailand and Lao PDR.: Udon Thani-Vientiane-Luang Prabang, Ubon Ratchathani-Southern Lao PDR.-Khone Phapheng-Liphi-Wat Phou, Nakhon Phanom-Mukdahan-Savannakhet-Thakhek, and Loei-Luang Prabang;

Car hire places dont let you drice over boarders

[Spilornis]

Self drive holidays in Thailand are great. I often mention it to tourists but most are too fearful to try it.

The small tourist hotels designed for locals are good quality and great value

Driving in Malaysia is even easier but I find the off route hotels okay but not as good as Thailand.

Border crossing is a pain with the car permits etc

[Aussieroaming]

Another issue with self drive through asian countries is left versus right hand drive vehicles.

 

On a lighter note...did they standardize the bribe rates between countries after factoring in currency exchange rates.

[hotchilli]

The section on Thailand says: 

Take out adequate accident insurance, keep ready cash in your back pocket for road side tips, do what your're told not what Thais do.

 

 

[vandeventer]

Most of the tourist I have talked to don't want to drive here. A book of the rules of the road is one thing, but when you see scooter drivers driving on your side of the road going in the opposite direction and on the sidewalks it says there are no rules here.

[jacko45k]

14 minutes ago, Road Hog said:

Most of the tourist I have talked to don't want to drive here. A book of the rules of the road is one thing, but when you see scooter drivers driving on your side of the road going in the opposite direction and on the sidewalks it says there are no rules here.

Bloody car coming at me going the wrong way on the Railway Line Bypass yesterday!

[Artisi]

Is suicide insurance available for driving in Thailand, just asking for a friend? 

[OneMoreFarang]

How about a self-walk manual for tourists?

Rule #1: Be very careful when you cross the road, even with zebra crossings and even if your light is green.

Rule #2: This is nature, and the rule of the bigger things are active. If you see a big truck, don't be so stupid to think he will stop for you. And even if the truck is not so big, don't make that mistake! 

[SatEng]

34 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

How about a self-walk manual for tourists?

Rule #1: Be very careful when you cross the road, even with zebra crossings and even if your light is green.

Rule #2: This is nature, and the rule of the bigger things are active. If you see a big truck, don't be so stupid to think he will stop for you. And even if the truck is not so big, don't make that mistake! 

Excellent suggestion

This week I am in Singapore and enjoying walking around

 - all roads have pavements/sidewalks

 - Pavements/sidewalks are in good condition, no raised drain covers or loose bricks to trip up on

 - no billboards, signs, street tables, hanging wires or other obstacle course 

 - traffic stops at zebra crossings

 - no stray soi dogs to bite you

Just wish I could afford to live here full-time

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, SatEng said:

Excellent suggestion

This week I am in Singapore and enjoying walking around

 - all roads have pavements/sidewalks

 - Pavements/sidewalks are in good condition, no raised drain covers or loose bricks to trip up on

 - no billboards, signs, street tables, hanging wires or other obstacle course 

 - traffic stops at zebra crossings

 - no stray soi dogs to bite you

Just wish I could afford to live here full-time

You shouldn't go to these other places. Because maybe you get used to the fact that things work.

And then you return to Thailand and you somehow assume that you can just walk without looking much and then accidents happen... 

[Ralf001]

4 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Bloody car coming at me going the wrong way on the Railway Line Bypass yesterday!

I still get scoots coming at me the wrong way between Khao Noi and Nernplubwan.

 

Stupid <deleted> have red headlights,  missed one by a cats whisker 2 nights ago...

 

I'll review my dash can footage, if it is clear footage at night I think next time I wont swerve to avoid.

[Gknrd]

On 10/11/2022 at 7:34 AM, ThailandRyan said:

Hopefully they put in all of the EV charging station locations for the green travelers, and then all of the associated fees for crossing borders if driving and what is needed, oh wait this is for tourism, not folks that live here, how silly of me.  Just found out by accident that you can not drive a under 250cc motorbike into Laos without permission and only through using an agent can you possibly take a 125cc into the country.  I also wonder if the listed routes were not paid for by businesses who wanted the travelers to travel those routes instead of those wanting to drive/ride off the beaten patch.

I am in Laos, I just finished one of the loops here sponsored by tourism. Total wast of money and a huge disapointment.