Singapore to Yangon Drive trip

[Varmaa]

i'm very interested but i'm Malaysian and i own malaysian register car. I'm new to this forum also.. Kindly advise..

[Ah_Lau]

You are most welcome to join in.

 

Where will you be setting off from?

 

Have you crossed the Bukit Kayu Hitam CIQ before?

 

What is the furthest you have driven in one day?

[Boyboy]

From what I have heard,

 

for the LCV to enter MY, you only have to pay the malaysia road tax for your van, and perhaps plus an inspection at JPJ.

 

Its a definite can do, as the landrovers defenders from the landrover's club have been doing that.

 

thanx for the tip. i think i ask them how they do it better... hee hee.. cos they've been doing it for quite some time already.

 

and yes, it's a question of price. hope it's not more than abt $500 SGD. but i hear from my van forum that there's annual fees to be paid as well. also, there's still one loophole to be plugged, which is malaysian commercial vehicle license...

 

i wasn't planning on taking my van up to malaysia, really, that's why i got a van in the first place, but this trip is too tempting.

[Seaweed]

from my understanding...u need a malaysia company to write some kind of a sponsor letter...then bring vehicle for inspection then pay malaysia road tax...but i do not know why my company's malaysia agent is very relunctant to assist the company i work for in doing so....their reason is that even if we get thru everything....we will get stop on the road very often by JPJ...so it will be create alot of inconvenient...that's what i know...

[Varmaa]

The futhers i drive was to penang (2 drivers) but for one day is only up to KL.

 

Since i'm Johorean and currently working in Singapore i can join you guys at Singapore itself or at Johor.

 

I never been to Thailand thru Bukit Kayu Hitam, only by ships.

 

I'm very much interested in the road trip and also looking fwd for it.

[Ah_Lau]

OK thanks for the replies.

 

It's probably easier for you to join us at the Tg Kupang RSA or one of the RSAs along the way instead of coming to Singapore.

 

I'm not sure what the entry procedure is for Malaysian cars at the Thai border, could well be the same as for Singapore cars.

 

Although we have a lot of time before going, to use this time and prepare now is not too early.

 

Would you like to search the Internet for the border crossing procedure for Malaysians in Malaysian cars?

 

You may also like to check what the visa application procedure is like for Malaysians wanting to visit Myanmar.

[Seaweed]

up again for those whom have not yet noticed it

[Ah_Lau]

Thanks buddy for upping the thread.

 

I think by now most of the regular MCFers should have seen this thread. I'm not disappointed by the lack of response.

 

It's quite natural having taking part as participant as well as crew in many long range road trips that the response isn't exactly red hot, especially when crucial facts like timing are missing (my fault). The distance and time committment is another factor. Most important is the recce trip, the trip report of which will make or break this whole idea.

 

Apparently there is a 40km stretch inside Myanmar which is just west of Mae Sot which is bad. But bad is a relative word.

 

From my experience in 2004, even a Mitsubishi Lancer made it in 4WD country:

http://www.aseanrally.com/Photo%20Essay/Ke...ng/enlfr.htm?15

 

In India there was a 50+km stretch of such "4WD only" roads:

http://www.aseanrally.com/Photo%20Essay/Kohima/enlfr.htm?5

 

But a Honda Accord made it:

http://www.aseanrally.com/Photo%20Essay/Kohima/enlfr.htm?7

 

In the meantime I'm quietly doing homework making enquiries and waiting for them to percolate through the hierachy. Asking questions also must slowly do, cannot just anyhow sut e-mail.

[Wanderer]

Heads up for this trip too!

 

It's every driver's responsibility to ensure that his/her car is in good condition before setting off. If something happens along the way, is there any backup plan or do they have to source for workshops/tow trucks themselves?

[DonAdzhar]

Hi Ah Lau,

 

I'm all game for this trip!

 

In fact, I was actually been scouting around and planning for my dream overland drive trip from Singapore all the way through M'sia, Thai, Cambodia, Laos, China til the Bering Straits in Russia. However, most people have been scoffing at my idea for being too adventurous and out of my mind as my normal sedan car will face problems such as diplomatic issues, travel documents, car restrictions, insurance coverage etc...

 

Hence, while scanning and searching the internet to find out more about my wayward dream, i chance upon this forum and your wonderful topic/idea!

Without any doubt, it would be my pleasure and an honour to join you and be part of the team to travel up north to Myanmar so as to gather more experience on these types of long-distance travels using my car.

 

Anyway, i'm driving a Nissan Latio and even though the furthest rugged place i have been is to the summit top of Gunung Brinchang in Cameron Highlands, I am sure my ride is in need of another challenging journey to Yangon.

 

Once again, do include me with all the updated details for the trip as i am now beginning to reserve n book my leave for 20 days next yr mid of March til Apr 2010 onwards.

 

Kudos to this planning!

U can kindly email me at [email protected] or [email protected] as well. I am really anticipating updates about the trip planning!

 

[Ah_Lau]

Hey thanks for showing interest. If and when this idea turns to reality we can use your enthusiasm and energy especially after a long day on the road.

 

For sure the kids would love to see a magic show or be entertained by a balloon artist. Anyone here with such skills?

 

Gunung Brinchang - that brings back happy memories. Here's one from the scrapbook on the way back from a Phuket drive in Sep 2002:

 

[Ah_Lau]

OK here's the brutally honest answer to your question.

 

No.

 

I don't expect more than 5 cars to actually make the drive. That is too small a number to arrange embedded recovery facilities. We will really have to take it as it comes.

 

Having said that, preparation is the key. Not merely scheduled maintenance, but preventative maintenance is essential. Here is some background reading; see which points apply.

 

How to prepare:

http://www.carspace.com/guides/How-To-Prep...for-a-Road-Trip

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/0....roadtrip.prep/

http://autorepair.about.com/library/weekly/aa052403a.htm

http://www.ehow.com/how_2001352_prepare-road-trip.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_6071_prepare-car-road.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_4424560_prepare-long-road-trip.html

http://cars.about.com/od/adviceforowners/a...preparetrip.htm

http://www.carspace.com/guides/How-to-Prep...ur-Car-or-Truck

http://mustangs.about.com/od/autoshows/a/roadtrips.htm

 

Emergency kit:

http://www.carspace.com/guides/How-to-Crea...ur-Car-or-Truck

 

Video:

http://www.howcast.com/videos/465-How-To-P...For-a-Road-Trip

[The_Bear]

dats my ex-dream car in the pic. you ex?

[Tarzan666]

Oh man..dat time i drive to Koh Samui, my butt was already damn sore although got 3 relief drivers...

Respect to those with iron butt..

[Ah_Lau]

Yup.

 

That's what got me hooked on long range car trips. 2 weeks after getting the car it was SG - Kota Bahru - Penang - SG. Just anyhow go.

 

Learned about the value of preparation from that trip. Eg:

 

1. Bring your driving license. Saves much money and talking at road blocks.

 

2. Never leave the country if the tyres have been patched (I didn't know what the previous owner did). Before Kota Bahru 3 tyres became donut shaped because the heat of the drive caused the plies to blister and separate. They were previously plugged with those rat-tail tubeless repair kit. Had to get 4 new tyres in Penang. Ouch. Luckily the existing tyres did not shred.

[Ah_Lau]

Actually after my first long road trip I fitted a Recaro Millenium. After that no more sore butt or back. The OEM seats on the my old car were just not meant for long haul driving.

[Seaweed]

oh...this just suddenly pop into my mind...maybe while you are checking out the place...maybe you could take some pictures...it will come in handy when the need arise to gather donation funds...at least people can see from pictures who they are helping etc etc

[Ah_Lau]

Thanks for your ideas. For sure there will be photos. I will also log the trip on paper and on GPS so that a meaningful average speed can be worked out. And I've just sent out an e-mail this afternoon asking for permission to do the recce.

 

What is mentally OK for me to drive through may not be as comfortable for you guys. After all, I've been "acclimatised" to Yangon road conditions. Amazingly I've seen 5 different Skylines (R33) and also 1 R34. If these cars can survive here, I'm sure my Toyota can.