Thailand : Driving trip - Singapore to Chiang Mai

[Shor]

LOL

Patience required when I had a stand-off with a cow in the middle of the East Coast Highway. She cross first or I continue on my way. I decided better ladies first (laugh)

 

[NightWind]

can i ask what car u r driving up in? and who r u going with?

 

Is it a convoy or just 1 car? Just curious....

[Shor]

PM you friend.

 

can i ask what car u r driving up in? and who r u going with?

 

Is it a convoy or just 1 car? Just curious....

 

[Shor]

I was told that if you have passengers in car leaving Malaysia into Thailand border, you must need a passenger manifest. Can any bro tell me what is that? Thanks!!!!!!!!!

[Red3]

You can do SG to Hadyai in a day, since it's just highway.

 

Clearing Bukit Kayu Hitam is easy, just like JB customs, would be helpful to grab a new immigration card for your return leg.

 

Insurance could be purchased on at the "Zon" duty free area in between the 2 customs, one the left hand side of the duty free store entrance.

 

Entering Thailand, you need to prepare a copy of the log card which could be printed off onemotoring.com.

 

Upon arrival in Thai Immigrations, you should first clear the passport control, please remember to stuff 1RM into each passport, standard practice. There's a saying when in Rome, do as the Romans, don't ask me why. Then bring your log card to the customs department, the grumpy female officer will take your passport and log card to prepare a temp import permit, you then proceed to the next window to sign on it in front of the officer in charge, he is normally very chatty and speaks good Thai-lish. You will be granted a 30day permit for the car, but as you are entering Thailand overland, all passports will be granted only 14 days permit, again don't ask me why. There is a fine per day for overstaying, but you could easily sign up to do a visa run in most backpacker's hostel. Quick note, customs is not 24hours, opens 7am till around midnight.

 

Stay a night in Hatyai, and try to hit Huahin the next day, about 700km. Took me 6 hours by bike.

From Hua Hin, you can bypass Bangkok unless you wanted to go in, else, hit Kanchanaburi, about 300km.

Next day, you can try to hit Mae Sariang, nothing much to do in the town but nowhere else in between you can go.

Following which you can do the Mae Hon Son loop, you might want to set aside 3 days to cross the 1864 curves. They can be pretty tricky. Layover in Mae Hon Son and Pai before heading Chiang Mai.

 

If you have a month to spare, you might want to consider entering Laos from Chiang Khong, all the way to the China Border, roads have just been paved and is in excellent condition, it's even better than the MHS loop. Roads heading back to Vientiane (highway 13) is a joke but your car should do just fine. Entering Laos would be great way to do your Visa runs, procedure is the same for the temp import of your car, customs official will gladly guide you thru if you approach them with a friendly face.

 

Return leg you can stop by Bangkok, Phuket and/or Krabi to chill out.

 

For north Thailand and Laos maps, I would highly recommend GT rider's map, they are very detailed with personal comments included. However downside is you can only purchase them in M-Technic at UBI or Chiangmai. Go google GT Rider, their website will be able to advise you in detail. Although mainly catered for bikers.

 

PM me if you need more info.

Edited May 21, 2011 by Red3

[Red3]

Name, IC No, PASSPORT No, DOB, Address.... blah blah. Bring along a few pieces of blank paper and a pen, if they required just scribble in on the spot.

 

I've never done that before but if unsure ask the customs officer.

 

Oh yes, be reminded that insurance will only cover 3rd parties, and cost about $50 bucks for a month I think.

[Red3]

Thailand uses E-10 ethanol mix a.k.a. Gasohol.

 

"Can my Nissan vehicle run on fuel containing ethanol?

 

Nissan vehicles manufactured from 1 January 2004 onwards are capable of operation on ethanol blends up to E10 (10% ethanol), providing the following conditions are met:

 

The fuel used (including ethanol-blend) meets the requirements of the Australian Fuel Quality Standards,

A credible history of servicing as per Nissan's recommended service schedule can be shown, and

Blending of the ethanol component to the petroleum component of the fuel has been properly made for example at a fuel refinery (ie there is no "splash"-blending of the fuel).

 

For Nissan vehicles manufactured prior to 1 January 2004, although capable of operation on ethanol-blended ULP, Nissan does NOT recommend the use of ethanol-blended fuel in these vehicles."

 

http://www.nissan.com.au/webpages/owning/S...-Questions.html

 

All Fuel Injected cars can use gasahol ron95, 41baht per liter currently, you will notice that it burns up much faster than normal gas and have less power, else every thing is the same. If the italiano ferrari and lambos can take it, why not. Alternative, you can op for ron91 at 46baht per liter. In additonal, octane booster would come in handy. However do note that petrol is more expensive in Thailand than Singapore.

Edited May 21, 2011 by Red3

[Shor]

Thank you bro. I printed out this, very useful indeed! PM you!!!

 

 

 

You can do SG to Hadyai in a day, since it's just highway.

 

Clearing Bukit Kayu Hitam is easy, just like JB customs, would be helpful to grab a new immigration card for your return leg.

 

Insurance could be purchased on at the "Zon" duty free area in between the 2 customs, one the left hand side of the duty free store entrance.

 

Entering Thailand, you need to prepare a copy of the log card which could be printed off onemotoring.com.

 

Upon arrival in Thai Immigrations, you should first clear the passport control, please remember to stuff 1RM into each passport, standard practice. There's a saying when in Rome, do as the Romans, don't ask me why. Then bring your log card to the customs department, the grumpy female officer will take your passport and log card to prepare a temp import permit, you then proceed to the next window to sign on it in front of the officer in charge, he is normally very chatty and speaks good Thai-lish. You will be granted a 30day permit for the car, but as you are entering Thailand overland, all passports will be granted only 14 days permit, again don't ask me why. There is a fine per day for overstaying, but you could easily sign up to do a visa run in most backpacker's hostel. Quick note, customs is not 24hours, opens 7am till around midnight.

 

Stay a night in Hatyai, and try to hit Huahin the next day, about 700km. Took me 6 hours by bike.

From Hua Hin, you can bypass Bangkok unless you wanted to go in, else, hit Kanchanaburi, about 300km.

Next day, you can try to hit Mae Sariang, nothing much to do in the town but nowhere else in between you can go.

Following which you can do the Mae Hon Son loop, you might want to set aside 3 days to cross the 1864 curves. They can be pretty tricky. Layover in Mae Hon Son and Pai before heading Chiang Mai.

 

If you have a month to spare, you might want to consider entering Laos from Chiang Khong, all the way to the China Border, roads have just been paved and is in excellent condition, it's even better than the MHS loop. Roads heading back to Vientiane (highway 13) is a joke but your car should do just fine. Entering Laos would be great way to do your Visa runs, procedure is the same for the temp import of your car, customs official will gladly guide you thru if you approach them with a friendly face.

 

Return leg you can stop by Bangkok, Phuket and/or Krabi to chill out.

 

For north Thailand and Laos maps, I would highly recommend GT rider's map, they are very detailed with personal comments included. However downside is you can only purchase them in M-Technic at UBI or Chiangmai. Go google GT Rider, their website will be able to advise you in detail. Although mainly catered for bikers.

 

PM me if you need more info.

 

[Dwoon]

How long did you take from Hatyai to Hua Hin? Might be planning for a trip there.

 

Thanks

[Shor]

As far as I know, Hua Hin is in Petchaburi.......head the road you will be there. Cha am & Hua Hin

 

 

How long did you take from Hatyai to Hua Hin? Might be planning for a trip there.

 

Thanks

 

[Dirtbike]

I was told that if you have passengers in car leaving Malaysia into Thailand border, you must need a passenger manifest. Can any bro tell me what is that? Thanks!!!!!!!!!

 

Just came back 2wks ago.

When clearing the Thai border, you need to park the car one side and settle everything by foot.

Stamp your passport, get insurance for your car and do up the export license for your car.

No passenger manifest need to be done.

[Shor]

Thanks bro, very useful information since I doubt it long ago!!!

 

 

 

Just came back 2wks ago.

When clearing the Thai border, you need to park the car one side and settle everything by foot.

Stamp your passport, get insurance for your car and do up the export license for your car.

No passenger manifest need to be done.

 

[Saggi]

hello brother.. i have tried Spore to Bkk alone in 25hrs with 3-4hr break in hatyai.

 

if you want to get cheaper insurance , you get a short one 7 day from the border , then u get a new insurance and local town insurance that cover up to 6month for only few hundred baht...under 3rd party.

 

if you have stamina .. i suggest the following

 

Spore to Hatyai - 12 hrs

hatyai to chang ann

chang ann to BKK

from bkk u can decide to go east , isan , west or up north..

bkk - pitsanulok/korat 5hr

 

basially the stop over depend on your stamina.. and travelling if u are doing it at night or day time..

just look out for those old truck at night as sometime no lighting from them as they cover in black sheet .. you can see them only when u are 10m from them..

sometime certain part of the road is misty too..

 

just enjoy yr drive and no rush... is great !! and sense of achivement..!! whenu reach bkk !!

 

I suggest you do a fasfer trip to your destinationa nd take more break when on way back..

but since u got whole month of jul... then ... take it slowly

 

 

enjoy the trip !!

 

 

 

[Shor]

Thanks bro.

 

I doubt my stamina . Won't be stressing myself and my wheel. Will ONLY drive in the day. Meaning start early in the morning around 7am and stop to seek for accommodations latest 6pm.

 

By the way, where is Chang Ann ?

 

 

hello brother.. i have tried Spore to Bkk alone in 25hrs with 3-4hr break in hatyai.

 

if you want to get cheaper insurance , you get a short one 7 day from the border , then u get a new insurance and local town insurance that cover up to 6month for only few hundred baht...under 3rd party.

 

if you have stamina .. i suggest the following

 

Spore to Hatyai - 12 hrs

hatyai to chang ann

chang ann to BKK

from bkk u can decide to go east , isan , west or up north..

bkk - pitsanulok/korat 5hr

 

basially the stop over depend on your stamina.. and travelling if u are doing it at night or day time..

just look out for those old truck at night as sometime no lighting from them as they cover in black sheet .. you can see them only when u are 10m from them..

sometime certain part of the road is misty too..

 

just enjoy yr drive and no rush... is great !! and sense of achivement..!! whenu reach bkk !!

 

I suggest you do a fasfer trip to your destinationa nd take more break when on way back..

but since u got whole month of jul... then ... take it slowly

 

 

enjoy the trip !!

 

[Aaron_soh80]

Anyone know which country is the furthest that we possible drive from spore? after Thailand?

Edited May 23, 2011 by Aaron_soh80

[Aaron_soh80]

Think is at bangkok..

[Raymondism]

Anymore bros or sis can comment on this?

 

there is a certain association that is organising driving trips to chiang mai... the name of the association starts with A

 

[Shor]

Ya it's AA

But their timing don't suits and they go Convoy meaning many vehicles going in a big group.

 

I personally think going in a Convoy can be fun, but too many vehicles, not so freedom. My schedule it's free & easy, no booking of accommodations before hand, drive till tired then rest!!

 

there is a certain association that is organising driving trips to chiang mai... the name of the association starts with A