Hi,

any friends in here can advise? I am planning to drive a Singapore registered car to Thailand (Chiang Mai) for leisure purpose. But I do not have experience how would it be like? Hereby there are a few questions hoping that someone in here had the experience and need some clear advice before I proceed. I have a total of 24 days for this plan.

First, I would want to start from Singapore, to Malaysia and hit up North to Thailand and finally reach Chaing Mai. It is so easy just to type but this long distance really need a very careful plan. Here it goes.

1. From Singapore using the North South Expressway, what is the recommendation to stop for a night before entering Thailand.

2. Which Malaysia - Thailand border is the most appropriate (safe)

3. What MUST I do before entering Thailand border, what must I prepare, what documentation must I have, how to buy the insurance for my car

4. After entering Thailand, what is the best recommendation for me to rest a night before heading up. I will skip Hatyai.

5. Which Expressway in Thailand must I travel?

6. I will like to drive comfortably, slowly because I am the only driver. So time isn't the issue.

7. I would prefer not to travel more than 500km at a time meaning when I hit 500km, I will want to have a break.

8. Is it dangerous

9. What is the advice if my vehicle broke down half way ( either in Malaysia or Thailand)

Thank you for reading and I apologize for some noob questions because I really want to plan this trip, it's kind of adventurous. Appreciate if any friends in here could give me advise.

Edited December 13, 201015 yr by sunnyhor

I can advice driving from Singapore through Malaysia to Thai border.

Use the North South Expressway - head towards KL (approx 4 hours drive from JB ) then after KL look for the North - Ipoh...stop over at either Ipoh or Penang for the night.

Ipoh (2.5 hours drive from KL) is a more leisurely place to stay the night, town is not too big and easy to find cheap, tasty food. Laid back kind of town, dont forget to pack some of the famous Ipoh coffee. Hotel rates should be very much affordable.

Alternatively, stop over the night at Penang.(approx 3.5 hours from KL)

Penang island is quite congested with traffic especially peak hours, finding your way around town could be troublesome. Plus point to stop the night at Penang would be its more cosmopolitan, extremely extremely tempting wide array of food to stuff up before proceeding to the border the next day.

Head towards Bukit Kayu Hitam(Malaysian border) (approx 2 hours from Penang)

The other side will be the small ish cowboy town of Danok (Thailand)

You can get your insurance from the 2-3 duty free stop-over shops(look out for it on the left) about 5 minutes before the border.

I cant remember clearly about the insurance - it should range from few days and Ive only bought it most for 1 month.

Further up the road on the right will be a petrol station for you to fill up your car tank before entering Thailand, its expensive in thailand! If I can remember properly, it should be a Shell/Esso petrol station.

A word of advice, always walk direct to the counters at the Immigration - be it Malaysia or Thailand to ask any questions or get any forms.

Do not be fooled by fellas touting around seemingly giving out advice - you dont know what you might attract.

I have only driven furthest to Hatyai, guess from the Danok point, I just followed the Hatyai signboards in English.

Hope the above helps!

Have Fun!

Thank you mate. This piece of advice is so valuable to me. many thanks!

I can advice driving from Singapore through Malaysia to Thai border.

Use the North South Expressway - head towards KL (approx 4 hours drive from JB ) then after KL look for the North - Ipoh...stop over at either Ipoh or Penang for the night.

Ipoh (2.5 hours drive from KL) is a more leisurely place to stay the night, town is not too big and easy to find cheap, tasty food. Laid back kind of town, dont forget to pack some of the famous Ipoh coffee. Hotel rates should be very much affordable.

Alternatively, stop over the night at Penang.(approx 3.5 hours from KL)

Penang island is quite congested with traffic especially peak hours, finding your way around town could be troublesome. Plus point to stop the night at Penang would be its more cosmopolitan, extremely extremely tempting wide array of food to stuff up before proceeding to the border the next day.

Head towards Bukit Kayu Hitam(Malaysian border) (approx 2 hours from Penang)

The other side will be the small ish cowboy town of Danok (Thailand)

You can get your insurance from the 2-3 duty free stop-over shops(look out for it on the left) about 5 minutes before the border.

I cant remember clearly about the insurance - it should range from few days and Ive only bought it most for 1 month.

Further up the road on the right will be a petrol station for you to fill up your car tank before entering Thailand, its expensive in thailand! If I can remember properly, it should be a Shell/Esso petrol station.

A word of advice, always walk direct to the counters at the Immigration - be it Malaysia or Thailand to ask any questions or get any forms.

Do not be fooled by fellas touting around seemingly giving out advice - you dont know what you might attract.

I have only driven furthest to Hatyai, guess from the Danok point, I just followed the Hatyai signboards in English.

Hope the above helps!

Have Fun!

Edited December 13, 201015 yr by sunnyhor

Try to get a road map of Thailand, maybe from the Thai embassy at Orchard Road....

Once you reach Hatyai with the map you can easily drive up to Bangkok...Nakon Sawan..then Chiangmai..

On the way to Chiangmai they are other smaller towns too..we have driven from Chiangmai to Hatyai before without any problem, but we stopped at most places for leisure....if have problem finding a highway just ask the local folks there, they are very friendly..happy driving.

Thanks bros in TV...I made it, this is the trip report.... http://roadtriptothailand.blogspot.com/2011/07/driving-from-singapore-to-thailand.html

Try to get a road map of Thailand, maybe from the Thai embassy at Orchard Road....

Once you reach Hatyai with the map you can easily drive up to Bangkok...Nakon Sawan..then Chiangmai..

On the way to Chiangmai they are other smaller towns too..we have driven from Chiangmai to Hatyai before without any problem, but we stopped at most places for leisure....if have problem finding a highway just ask the local folks there, they are very friendly..happy driving.