Malaysian Visa

[Sydneycraig]

Must be here but searched but can't find!

1 on oz passport what visa do I get on arrival overland from Thai to Malaysia or do I need to apply ... Looking at being there 3 weeks

2.. Taking my 125cc pcx with me ... Just the green book needed? Can get all other forms (insurance?) at border ?

3. Where to ride to??? What to see??

4 can I go over at sado? Need to avoid the 4 unsafe states as my insurance from oz will be invalid

Thanks

[Albacore]

Travelers from most developed countries and the Middle East (Israel being the exception) should get a 90 day stamp upon arrival in Malaysia. No need to apply for a visa in advance as your entry stamp will give you plenty of time.

[Tomtomtom69]

1. 90 days. Malaysia provides OZ and most other passport holders much longer entry than Thailand does. 90 days is what you get both when you arrive by land or by air.

2. I don't have any experience taking motorcycles across the border; only cars. Back in December 2003, returning January 2004 I took my Mitsubishi Lancer across to Malaysia. Needed the green ownership booklet and a letter from the Department of Land Transport office in Mo Chit. I believe a purple international travel document may be required these days, but this is generally for Laos. Since the last time I travelled overland between Thailand and Malaysia was 8 years ago, things may have changed but probably if anything, simplified. Also, you need to get a translation of the vehicle's Thai number plate affixed to be able to enter Malaysia. This is essentially a Malaysian temporary number plate in the form of a sticker, costing around 50 Baht back in 2003, maybe more now. You can get this done in Bangkok or at the border; however, when I crossed at Padang Besar, Songklha province (60km south of Had Yai and west of Sadao) it took 2 hours to get this sticker made. Insurance is indeed done at the border. Shouldn't cost much for just a few days. Can't remember how much I paid, but it wasn't much.

3. Langkawi or Penang; KL and Melaka, Perentian Islands etc. if you are going to spend 3 weeks. Even Singapore might be a possibility.

4. Sadao is fine, as it's the main border crossing between Thailand and Malaysia and where the main north-south expressway linking Thailand with Singapore starts. Padang Besar is another alternative crossing, as is the jungle crossing between Satun and Perlis state and I believe you can travel directly from Satun city to Langkawi by ferry. Make sure that the ferry is a car ferry that allows you to take your vehicle across though. Any other crossings, including all crossings east of Sadao are in the unsafe part of Thailand. Despite the violence, I believe Thailand does not restrict foreigners (whether Malaysians or any other foreigners) from using those crossings but obviously it would be a very bad idea to take risks, not just from an insurance perspective but from an obvious safety perspective. There is a good reason why the Australian government warns against all travel to the 3 main violence affected provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani. Additionally, adjacent eastern areas of Songklha are also not recommended, but anything west, north or south of Had Yai should be fine. This includes the border crossings I have mentioned.

Edited September 20, 2012 by Tomtomtom69

[samuijimmy]

In regard to taking your motorbike over, you needed to go to your local MVB here in Thailand first and get the license plate translated into English .... then when you cross the border at say Sadeo, there is an office just a few hundered metres on right side of road, where you will be given a English version of your plate. They will stick it on the "wind shield" .... I cannot remember the fee but it not too bad...

They will insist you buy Malaysian insurance too.... (not that much that I remember, good for three months).

As for places to see, well it depends on which area.... Penang is OK, you have a choice of a ferry or going over the bridge .... You pay a toll one way... free to get off, whether you ferry or drive across the long bridge....

Cameron Highlands is good, for something different... but have a jacket as it does get cool.... especially if you driving in evening.... road is a bit narrow in spots... getting to the towns in the Highlands....

KL is a nightmare to figure your way around! Melaka is interesting if you want to drive that far south.....

Driving to the east side is a day of seeing Palm oil fields,... the big difference in Malaysia is the coast lines are not that well developed for tourists. Make sure to fill your gas tank.... some gas stations are far apart, especially in the middle or east coast....

There are numerous Toll points, which you can by-pass in the special lanes.... When you buy gas down there you have to pay in advance, you should fill up... give the cashier more than needed they will give you the change.

Highways except for first few kms across the border from Sadeo have good motorbike lanes...

If you do choose to come back via Kota Bhuru (sp) driving through the three provinces is a bit a a weave through road blocks.... up to Songklha ... but I took the attitude of the likelihood of a bomb going off being as much as a chance of being hit by lightening....

You won't see PCX's in Malaysia, actually you won't see many in southern Thailand either.... That could be a problem in case of needing parts...

You'll find that most people speak good English .... more so on the west side.... and I always found everyone to be very friendly and helpful ... everywhere....

Hope that helps... have a good trip! (..... oh you might want to get rid of the seat hump before leaving! and be prepared for knumb bum!) also a carry box on the back of the bike is better than having a back pack!

You must wear a helmet too, also a passenger... 100%

Many Hotels charge more on week-ends too... even if you are there during a week day.... 80 MR will get you a fairly decent place... in most areas.

Edited September 21, 2012 by samuijimmy

[Tomtomtom69]

In regard to taking your motorbike over, you needed to go to your local MVB here in Thailand first and get the license plate translated into English .... then when you cross the border at say Sadeo, there is an office just a few hundered metres on right side of road, where you will be given a English version of your plate. They will stick it on the "wind shield" .... I cannot remember the fee but it not too bad...

They will insist you buy Malaysian insurance too.... (not that much that I remember, good for three months).

As for places to see, well it depends on which area.... Penang is OK, you have a choice of a ferry or going over the bridge .... You pay a toll one way... free to get off, whether you ferry or drive across the long bridge....

Cameron Highlands is good, for something different... but have a jacket as it does get cool.... especially if you driving in evening.... road is a bit narrow in spots... getting to the towns in the Highlands....

KL is a nightmare to figure your way around! Melaka is interesting if you want to drive that far south.....

Driving to the east side is a day of seeing Palm oil fields,... the big difference in Malaysia is the coast lines are not that well developed for tourists. Make sure to fill your gas tank.... some gas stations are far apart, especially in the middle or east coast....

There are numerous Toll points, which you can by-pass in the special lanes.... When you buy gas down there you have to pay in advance, you should fill up... give the cashier more than needed they will give you the change.

Highways except for first few kms across the border from Sadeo have good motorbike lanes...

If you do choose to come back via Kota Bhuru (sp) driving through the three provinces is a bit a a weave through road blocks.... up to Songklha ... but I took the attitude of the likelihood of a bomb going off being as much as a chance of being hit by lightening....

You won't see PCX's in Malaysia, actually you won't see many in southern Thailand either.... That could be a problem in case of needing parts...

You'll find that most people speak good English .... more so on the west side.... and I always found everyone to be very friendly and helpful ... everywhere....

Hope that helps... have a good trip! (..... oh you might want to get rid of the seat hump before leaving! and be prepared for knumb bum!) also a carry box on the back of the bike is better than having a back pack!

You must wear a helmet too, also a passenger... 100%

Many Hotels charge more on week-ends too... even if you are there during a week day.... 80 MR will get you a fairly decent place... in most areas.

Regarding the translation of the number plate, that's what I told the OP to do already. I recall doing it at the border, but it's better to get it done at the Department of Land Transport, Mo Chit. It saves time and hassle.

Langkawi, Penang and the Perentians are very well developed for tourists. Just as touristy as Thailand. Most of the Thai coastline is also "undeveloped" for tourists. Look at the east coast south of Hua Hin/Chumporn all the way to the Malaysian border (only islands such as Ko Phanngan, Ko Samui and Ko Tao are touristy, but the mainland coastline is not). Locals will look and smile at foreign tourists that swim in say Nakorn Sri Thammarat, as they'll be the only foreigners there. Additionally, as the OP already knows and every normal Thai or foreigner would know, you don't go into the three southern Thai border provinces. Even if it were safe, it's every bit as traditional there as on the east coast of Malaysia, which I agree, except for the islands is not really very touristy, but then again, neither is most of the east coast of Thailand. I think that's what you probably meant, but Malaysia receives even more tourists than Thailand, and especially the west coast is very much set-up for tourists. The east coast, like in Thailand is much more traditional and features few visitors.

[Tomtomtom69]

"If you do choose to come back via Kota Bhuru (sp) driving through the three provinces is a bit a a weave through road blocks.... up to Songklha ... but I took the attitude of the likelihood of a bomb going off being as much as a chance of being hit by lightening...."

That was dumb. The OP has already clearly stated that his insurance is invalid for that part of Thailand and nobody in their right mind goes through that part of Thailand these days - he has also stated that he has to avoid that part of Thailand so he won't go there. The train might be OK, but I wouldn't even recommend that, just to be safe. The chance of a bomb going off is very much higher than getting hit by lightning - it happens virtually everyday and if it's not a bomb it's a drive by shooting or beheading. The insurgents could also decide to target the next lone idiot foreigner that decides to risk it by driving through that part of Thailand. OP, don't do what this poster has done. Avoid the troubled southern provinces.

I think the Thai government should follow the Myanmar government's lead and ban foreigners from travelling to, or through those border provinces until the situation improves. Exactly why it hasn't done so remains a mystery to me.

Therefore, don't suggest something risky like that. It's fine to go up to Kota Bahru, but to re-enter Thailand, you must go all the way back to the western north-south highway.

Edited September 21, 2012 by Tomtomtom69

[samuijimmy]

Well I don't totally disagree with you... TomTom! ....but after three weeks of driving around Malaysia I really did not want another day of driving back to Sadao from K B. !

I did think hard about it.... and made that choice.! I realize the OP has been warned off ...

Yes bombs go off, but still I say the likely hood of one being in the spot where one is is still unlikely... not wanting to argue here! But Visa run companies use this crossing all the time...(not that is a justification to do it)....

One spot the OP should stop at is Thali Noi Lake between Pattalung (Sp) and Ranot (20 kms to the village of Thali Noi, it's a beautiful spot... there are a few places to stay there now. If doing a long tail ride do in the morning only as lily flowers close up by noon. (mostly Malaysian tourists there... on day trips) ...

Agreed most of the coast line is not tourist at all, mostly just fishing villages... still it's a nice drive down the east coast, pretty quiet traffic wise.... even the road pretty much misses Had Yai, when you drive from Songkhla city... (Hotels in Songkhla city or Had Yai, nothing that I have noticed in between from NS Tammerat unless one detours off to Thali Noi. (from Ranot).... there are a few Home Stays, popping up, both in southern Thailand and Malaysia, but really caters more to the "non farang" market...

Just to give an idea of time .... my last trip back from Penang took about 8 hours to Donsak .... going down I was caught in rain, but did make it to within 100 kms or so of Penang.... Rain is your worse enemy!

Gas stations on east coast road of Thailand, are nicely spread out... PTT and all have 7 -11 stores for a "pit stop"

Try to avoid the border crossing on a Sunday afternoon, that can be a long wait!

Make sure to have a re-entry visa from your Thai local Immigration (that could vary to your Visa you have for being here... but check first before you leave ! )

Enough said! Unless weather is against the OP it should be a good trip!

[theoldgit]

The question has been answered regarding the visa requirements and is now veering way off topic, so I will draw a line under it and close it.

I will not move it to the SE Asia forum, but feel free to open a thread there if you are looking for travel advice.