Wheels Over The Border

[Rooo]

From The Nation Newspaper Wheels over the border

Driving your car around SoutheastAsia is easier than you think,but there are somethings to remember

Travelling on wheels always brings with it a certain sense of magic that you can never get when you're up in the air looking down on the distant countryside.

On wheels you get to interact with the people, smile at the pretty women, drink the local alcohol, help people, eat the local food and finally see the changes of culture and the weather as the number of kilometres on your odometer increases.

Travelling on wheels from one country to another comes most easily for residents of the European Union. Passport-holders from any country can simply drive into any other country within the EU. The possibilities are vast and the convenience even greater.

But what about our part of the world? What about Asean and a desire to drive across Thailand's borders and visit the countries of our region on you own wheels, rather than flying into a capital city?

Thanks to Toyota, I've done quite a few cross-country trips. One began in Bangkok and ended in Tibet. Another started in Chiang Mai and led to the Jade Dragon mountains in China. It was with a sense of despair that I tried to record all those experiences in words, and I failed miserably. So this time, when Toyota invited me along on a driving trip to Da Nang in Vietnam, I decided to write not about Vietnam, Laos and the trip itself, but rather about how you can do it.

Below is the most basic information you need to prepare yourself and your vehicle, if you think you've got what it takes to make it to the coast of the western Pacific on four wheels.

Documents

There are two sets of documents you need to prepare before starting out on the trip. The first is your own documents to enter the countries you wish to visit, and the second set comprises documents relating to your vehicle.

If you are a Thai national you do not require a visa for Malaysia, Singapore, Laos or Vietnam. However, foreign nationals will need to get visas for all of those countries. Visits to the Embassies of each country may be necessary. Obviously, you need to take your passport along, and precise travelling plans will probably also be required.

The next document is your driving licence. Once again, thanks to Asean agreements, you can have your Thai passport translated into English and use that as a licence within the region. Another option is to request an International driving licence from the Land Transport Department. This will cost Bt500 and will allow you to drive in many countries of the world, but it expires after only one year.

Like yourself, your car will require a passport, and this can also be obtained from the Land Transport Department in the province in which your car is registered. However, this document can only be obtained if you have the car's registration book, or "blue book". If you're still paying instalments and the blue book is held by the finance company, then that's bad news for you.

When arriving at every border you have to request entry into the next country. Most neighbouring countries have booths for this purpose at the border, and the formalities don't cost too much. To drive into countries that do not have a common border with Thailand, you will need a special permit from the local equivalent of the Land Transport Department in each country, and you have to contact them directly. (See further information in the sidebar.) Vietnam will not allow right-hand-drive vehicles to enter Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh Cities because of the danger they present to local road-users. However, right-hand driving is permitted in the middle regions of the country.

Things you need to take

There are things that you cannot travel without, and the most basic of these are an up-to-date map and, if possible, a GPS navigation system. Although GPS maps are available for Thailand, they are not available for any of our neighbouring countries, except maybe for Malaysia. But a GPS system will at least guide you back to the spot you started from in case you get lost.

Travelling by road beyond Thailand's borders isn't a very expensive affair - but it isn't cheap either. It's always recommended that you carry a reasonable amount of cash in case of emergencies like a mechanical breakdown or if you have to pay for a cow you hit in Laos. Small and easily changeable banknotes in US dollars are best.

It also helps to have a guide with you during your drive through each country, to help with communication and to arrange for things you may need. You can arrange to meet a guide at the border or hire a guide at the border itself. Contact a travel agency to sort out the details. Having a guide definitely saves you time, but if you're the more adventurous type and have plenty of time on your hands, then it's not too hard to do it all by yourself.

Always carry food and water for one day, in case you get lost and have to spend a day in the vehicle. It's better if the food is something that does not need preparation and does not spoil easily - like power bars.

Always carry a flashlight with you in case you're still on the road after dark.

Preparing the vehicle

The most important aspect of driving across countries by car is obviously making sure the vehicle itself is in first-class condition so that the journey goes smoothly. First, it's recommended that you drive a 4WD, or at least something that has high ground clearance.

Major roads in Laos and Vietnam are all tarmac, but to venture off main roads for a little more fun will require more than a sedan. If you plan to stick rigidly to the main roads, a car is fine, but it requires a little extra planning to make sure that all the roads you plan to travel are sealed.

Most importantly, the vehicle needs proper servicing to ensure it is running smoothly. Check the spare tyre for leaks and make sure it's roadworthy.

Take a fuel can with you in case you run out of fuel, although this is unlikely unless you're wandering aimlessly. Also take along basic spare parts like an oil filter, lamps for your front headlights and a basic toolkit.

Things to remember

When driving in right-hand-drive countries, always avoid unnecessary risks like overtaking when you're not sure what lies ahead.

Before deciding to drive always read as much as you can about the driving habits you need to follow on the road ahead. For example, in Laos you're bound to encounter a lot of animals on the road. Slow down, keep calm and remember that sounding your horn will only make matters worse.

It's recommended that you keep speeds below 60kph and be very aware of small moving objects on the road in the distance. They could turn out to be buffaloes. If you are unlucky enough to hit an animal, you will most probably have to pay for it before leaving the scene.

In Vietnam, the roads are crowded with bicycles and motorcycles, and many riders simply don't care about the presence of bigger vehicles. Always blow your horn to let them know you are overtaking. It is also important to follow the speed limit of 40kph to 60kph within cities and 80kph on the highway. You'll commonly find that people park their vehicles on the road itself.

In Singapore and Malaysia, the vehicle you drive must not have UV-blocking film with a density of more than 50 per cent. Singapore also requires that cars be fitted with Electronic Road Pricing devices when they enter the downtown area, because drivers must pay to use certain roads during peak periods.

A travel guide for longer than he can remember, Suchat Pansuwannakee's advice is invaluable to travellers through our region. His opinions are added as guidelines to help those who are keen to drive through the region and do it correctly.

Suchat works with Trans Asia Route Co, which organises convoy driving trips to any part of the world. The company also handles documents for those who wish to travel the region. Trans Asia can be contacted at (02) 926 1503 or visit their website at www.driveindochina.com.

"The most important aspect of travelling is to respect the culture of each place you pass through," Suchat says. "As a traveller, you need to keep your mind open and see with your inner eye at times. Remember the basic rules, like avoiding littering and trying to use public bathrooms whenever possible.

"Always carry a book with you about the country you're visiting, its culture and its people. There are certain do's and don'ts that you need to follow. For example, always ask people before you take their photograph, because it can be offensive in some cultures. Some people believe that taking their picture captures their spirit.

"In terms of travelling by road, it is best to have a fixed destination and to know which road you plan to take. Always plan at least one day ahead and make reservations so you don't end up having to sleep in the vehicle.

"Although travelling by road has its risks, it is not as risky as many imagine. In all the years that I have been a travel guide, there have barely ever been problems while travelling through the region. The only major one is that people are not used to driving on the right-hand side of the road, which means you always need someone sitting with you in the passenger seat if you want to overtake.

"Then there are differences in people's driving habits. Remember that what might sound like something perfectly normal for you to do on the road can be something that is never done in a less-developed country, and vice versa."

Vijo Varghese

The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/07/01...to_30038621.php

Edited September 23, 2007 by Rooo