Driving From Suratthani To Singapore

[kevdulounge]

We might do it in April... you know how long it'd take ?

[chameleon1977]

We might do it in April... you know how long it'd take ?

Not quite the same but similar distance. I've been driven in a pickup truck from Phuket to Chom Pon Buri near Sutuk in North east Thailand. It took about 24 Hrs and was very exhilarating. We started off very early in the morning and arrived early in the morning the following day. I thought the driver was going to fall asleep at times. I spent the first few hours in the rear seat of the pickup but the soft cushion on the seat wasn't quite thick enough to stop the intense pain (endured for several hours) from the metal bar that ran under the seat. I decided during a gasoline stop to switch to the back of the pickup where I had a blanket and pillow and could lay down. I thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the 18-19Hr journey, supping on cans of Chang, watching the countryside go by with the warm Thai breeze blowing on my face. Night-time was just as good, going past lines of heavy construction and delivery trucks outside Bangkok and seeing the millions of stars that can only be seen when your in the middle of nowhere in Northern Thailand. An unforgettable experience. I can only imagine that driving from Sarat Thani to Singapore would be just as gratifying.

In answer to your question. According to a quick look at Google Earth and Google Maps, the distance is between 650 and 700 Miles which is about the same as what I did. So I think 24Hrs with Gasoline breaks, depending on your right foot and whats underneath it would be a good estimate.

Edited January 16, 2008 by chameleon1977

[roamer]

Did similar trip in reverse, Johore Baru just over the causeway from Singapore, to Haad Yai. About 16-18 hours as I recall, two drivers in no particular hurry. One thing, I drive long distances in LOS and generally have no problems finding decent food at roadstops, not so in Malaysia as much, I did this in a Malaysian registered car some years ago....not at all sure what the reverse journey is with respect to insurance or customs bonds.

[Guest Reimar]

I done that trip many times with car from Samut Prakarn to Singapore and back in the past.

First at all and very importand is that you need an Insurance for Malaysia and Singapore. You can do that with your insurance company by applying for an extension (Endorsement) until Singapore and for the period of time you want be on that trip.

One other think is that the malaysian authority didn't allow "tinted" windows in the car which is done with film.

Keep in mind that the malaysian Police has a lot speedcontrols on Highways and the fine is much more high than in Thailand.

On the Singapore Border you need to pay Roadtax for Singapore, there is a special Lane for Car's wich come to Singapore without paid Roadtax. That procedure need 30-60 min and you should have a copy of you Car Registration Book with you.

In Singapor itself you should pay for to enter "Restricted Zones" but with an Car with Thai Number you can ignore that, and if they stop you just point that you're from Thailand. I never paid for that and they never stopped me and I was more than 40 times with car in Singapore!

Cheers.

[kevdulounge]

Thank you very much guys that was really helpful. Chameleon's Jack Kerouac like experience sounds like lots of fun. We might do that kind of road trip up north next time (I mean after singapore)...

We have tinted windows, but not film tho. Is it ok ? Do we have to "tip" cops in Malaysia, like in Thailand ?

Cheers

[RueFang]

Hat Yai to Singapore by bus takes 14-15 hours, so I would think from Surat Thani it would be about 18-19 or so. Good luck!

[thaihome]

I done that trip many times with car from Samut Prakarn to Singapore and back in the past.

First at all and very importand is that you need an Insurance for Malaysia and Singapore. You can do that with your insurance company by applying for an extension (Endorsement) until Singapore and for the period of time you want be on that trip.

One other think is that the malaysian authority didn't allow "tinted" windows in the car which is done with film.

Keep in mind that the malaysian Police has a lot speedcontrols on Highways and the fine is much more high than in Thailand.

On the Singapore Border you need to pay Roadtax for Singapore, there is a special Lane for Car's wich come to Singapore without paid Roadtax. That procedure need 30-60 min and you should have a copy of you Car Registration Book with you.

In Singapor itself you should pay for to enter "Restricted Zones" but with an Car with Thai Number you can ignore that, and if they stop you just point that you're from Thailand. I never paid for that and they never stopped me and I was more than 40 times with car in Singapore!

Cheers.

You forgot to mention that virtually all the trip through Malaysia is on roads through palm oil plantations...

If caught speeding (and you will speed, purely out of boredom) You can pay the Malaysian police not to write the ticket just like in Thailand.

TH

[geevlus]

Not directly related to the op but.. I once flagged down a taxi meter in BKK and asked him to take me to Phuket - no meter of course, I think he charged me 8000 bhat. Get this....halfway he asks me to drive, and I did