Can we drive Thai registered cars and motorbikes across the borders into Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia or Malaysia?

If so, what is needed?

Cars - Laos, yes, Malaysia, yes, Cambodia yes Myanmar, not really.

You need to be the owner of the vehicle or have an affidavit from the owner authorising you to take the car abroad

All the usual documents - blue book, insurance etc.

Laos - you need a "purple book" - car passport - available from local DoLT - buy insurance at the border

Malaysia - No purple book - although you need a translation of your blue book car details into English (From DOLT) buy number plates and insurance on border - they don't like heavily tinted windows.

Cambodia - Restrictions are vague - will leave that to others who have done it.

Myanmar - Not yet - there are "convoys" - tours you can join, that are accompanied by police - but regular cross-border driving is not yet in place - coming soon??

Motorbikes are a bit different and you'll have to wait for the specialists on that one.

Laos doesn't appear to let motorcycles cross the Friendship bridges, but land crossings seem to be acceptable.

See lots of big Malaysian motorbikes touring Thailand so maybe that is reciprocal?

I d be interested to know about crossing Cambodia(poipet) with my own car, i plan a road trip to Siam Reap but not sure if i can do it and also find insurance to be covered for a 5 days trip, thanks in advance

I have driven into Laos on many occasions, over many different border crossings, as stated above you will need the passport for your car and permission from the vehicle owner if not belonging to you.

Insurance at the border crossings Laos side, are not open on Sundays, I have never found them to be open on that day..

Myanmar, let me into The Country at Mai Sai, but would not allow me to venture further than the border town Tachilec without an official guide.

Regards Tom

Is the car passport different from the car blue book?

See post 2 - "Laos - you need a "purple book" - car passport - available from local DoLT"

It's purple and takes about one hour to get....you need proof of address, blue book and anything else related to your car......your passport etc.

It costs abput 50 to 250 baht....I think a first issue is 250 baht.....