Ok, starting this thread and I will moderate it.

Objective of this thread is experience sharing of riding in Thailand.
Any special location request with some ahem ahem ending please don't ask here but welcome to PM me


Border Crossing Matter

I will consolidate matters pertaining to border crossing such as insurance, telco roaming, required paper work, petrol stations and etc. here.

[Updated 22-Dec-22]
Documents: (Reference post link here)
- Original vehicle grant, or certified true copy.
- Owner of vehicle must be present. If not, need owner’s authorisation letter.
- Driver license.
- International license not required for ASEAN license (e.g. Malaysia, Singapore)
- Passport with minimum 6 months validity.
- Insurance (refer to below section for details)

[Updated 22-Dec-22]
Border Crossing Point / Time: (Reference post link here)
- Wang Kelian (Perlis) [0800h - 1900h]—> Khuan Don (Satun aka. Wang Prachan)
- Padang Besar (Perlis) [0600h - 2200h] —> Padang Besar (Songhla)
- Bukit Kayu Hitam (Kedah) [0600h - 0000h] —> Sadao (Songkhla aka. Dannok)
- Kota Putra aka. Durian Burung (Kedah) [0800h - 1800h] —> Ban Prakob (Songhla)
- Bukit Berapit aka. Pengkalan Hulu (Perak) [0600h - 2300h]—> Betong (Yala)
- Bukit Bunga (Kelantan) [0600h - 1900h] —> Ban Bucket (Narathiwat)
- Rantau Panjang (Kelantan) [0600h - 2200h) —> Sungai Kolok (Narathiwat)
- Pengkalan Kubor (Kelantan) [0600h - 1900h] —> Tak Bai (Narathiwat)

Note:
Operating hour in Msia time UTC+8.
Thailand time is UTC+9.

[Updated: coming soon]
Insurance:

... coming soon ...


Point of interest

View points, food points, katoey citing points, all preferably with google map locations.


Resting place

Recommended places friendly to bikers.


Will keep this section organize as it goes.

This post has been edited by WH4CockcooBird: Dec 22 2022, 09:28 AM

.. reserved ..

Interested

Anyone tried ride to Thailand using low CC bike like bellow 250 cc?

haha...

would like to join small convoy if any... But mine is only 250cc

same same

ok la... me only 200 CC... haha...

but keen to join... already planning to have a short trip back to hometown...

i have a friend who ride untill MHS and back with his Nmax

i'm planning for Betong on a 150cc

This post has been edited by kllam: Dec 20 2022, 10:58 AM

i used to do it on 249 cc with my R25, only until Betong.

and i highly discourage especially if you're one who rides on the edge - the engine just couldn't take prolonged heat and abuse.

Ah true also... hahaha... tot wanna follow like a convoy... have stops along the way... haha...

riding on the edge means revving near to redline ? or riding without stops in-between ?

Near? I mentioned on edge, right?
Pinging rpm limiter 14500 on 6 gear top speed 19x+ km/h

Ride until fuel nearing empty only stop, but of course when needing to stop, need 30+ minutes to cool down lap.

It didn't end well for the engine needless to say.

Interesting.. parked for learning purposes..

190 km/h from kl to dannok 3 hours plus. good time

I see, that's an extreme way to ride for me

wah... cannot la... i wont go as fast as 19+ kmh... haha... imagine the pain when a single bug hit u... hahaha...

full leather.
and the bug will feel more being dead. or maybe less, i don't know.

Anas dan Fairuz is a recommended place to get your Thailand insurance from.
Anas and Fairuz Asia Services
019-670 3107
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DYyXb76tZBQsp8G59

They also have branch in KL so you can get insurance before coming up north.

Most people traveling with personal vehicle would cross border at bukit kayu hitam since PLUS highway directly end at that border crossing.
Be prepared to spend 3-4 hours there especially at the Sadao Customs House for the import permit if you cross during school holiday.

A better option (during high season/school holiday) is to ride further north from Changlun and cross at Padang Besar.


Nobody is at Songkhla Customs when there's hundreds of people at Sadao.

The most recommended telco simcard for us tourist is DTAC.
There's a few option ranging from AIS and Tru.

But most people would recommend DTAC. I also only use DTAC when I'm in Thailand.

Current DTAC tourist package is 7 days at 15mps unlimited usage for 150 baht.

You so eager to Thailand want to do what

Single bug hit you is still ok

But crashing/accident at 190kmh and then tongtongchiang ninamo ninamo amen.... That's more painful ( for you family members).

Good luck.

True not bad.. I got full 4G reception even at the border side of Myanmar from Maesot to Mae Hong Soon, nowadays 5G tower had already been constructed near those rural borders these days..

in the nutshell, does not matter what telco you choose, 80% of signal coverage is good in Thailand..

This post has been edited by ajaibman: Dec 20 2022, 05:51 PM

Or, Durian Burung and Ban Prakop if you willing to add 30 km more of your journey to Hatyai..

Here most of Thai Immigresyen and kastam officer can speak Southern Thai Malay slang..

https://goo.gl/maps/Fr24HLPjjFHnHP528

If die2, want to cross BKH-Sadao..

Start your journey so when reach there after 8 PM, (The BKH - DAnok border closes at 11 PM Thai time or 12 PM Malaysia Time)



This post has been edited by ajaibman: Dec 20 2022, 05:45 PM

A guy in FB say DTAC prepaid can be extended to 365 day validity for 10 baht.

Gonna try that. Don't need to keep on buying new number everytime cross over.

Anyone wanna plan convoy next year sometime?

cc Strike Eureka

This post has been edited by iambryan1234: Dec 20 2022, 08:43 PM

how? please do share when you know how.

Will update once I have further info.

you're from pg right? where u wanna play?

Yeah durian burung crossing is really empty.

Nice scenic road leading to the border house.
And its closer if you're heading towards Pattani.

Wut r PG? Penang?

I'm in Cheras, moving to Cyberjaya next month

different timezone - when reach there, it's 1 hour early, but when come back, it's 1 hour late.

This post has been edited by alexei: Dec 21 2022, 03:42 PM

interested, although im riding 250cc only, ninja 250, from penang

Wah piang eh..

This sabai sabai thread moving so fast...
I need to find some time at setarbak sit down consolidate

Service spark plug loh.

Bike has certain mileage liao, need servicing.

please plan

same same 250cc here but urs can go alot faster than mine so please bear with me

This post has been edited by Voopoo: Dec 21 2022, 12:12 PM

Oh Cheras... Me also cheras... lol... just started to ride bike... now wanna go convoy if possible...

better get a TT session fixed for the Siam Kaki..


Advise wait after CNY due to now heavy flood at Songkhla and the rest of southern Thai provinces. (Songkhla, Pattani, Naratthiwat, Yala, Nakhorn Sri Tamarat, Surathani)

And don't speed on Thai roads even though looks clear and no traffic.

Beside it slippery even during dry.

Those siamese speed trap cameras are autonomous these days, no more manual tembak like in Malaysia.

Speeding summon, 500 bht pay on the spot.

bigbikes can lane filter? last i read they dont allow or something, would like to clarify

Wife & I riding our bikes to Thailand next year maybe.

Not sure when, depending on my postgrad & work schedule.

Wife now competent enough to ride to Wang Kelian & Langkawi. Riding to Penang for Xmas this Fri. So it's time to attempt to cross the border.

Well, considering I am at betong now with bike, I will chime in.

Documents.
You need your ori grant (or certified true copy, or if a borrowed bike, you also need the owners authorization letter), drivers licence (no one asks here) and insurance.

Border crossing Malaysia
Make sure you have your grant. Malaysia side will ask for it before you cross into Thailand.
Malaysia immigration is simple enough, just give passport. Takes less than 1 minute if no queue.

Once approaching Thai immigration, park your bike and walk to the immigration building.

Thai side a few things you need to do.
1) fill out the visitor entry card
2) fill out the "information of conveyance" form TM2 (2 copies)

You can get them to fill up for you at the counter outside the passport room, for 2rm and 3rm respectively, just pass them your documents. I can't be bothered, for 5rm I just ask them to fill for me. They speak Malay.

Then go to passport control room and hand your passport and the above 2 forms.

Thai immigration will hand you one copy along with your passport.

Take your bike and ride to Thai customs checkpoint (about 20m) and park. Take your grant and pass to customs officer. Fee is 3rm. Once you get your temp vehicle import permit, you can go get your bike and ride in. All done. Don't loose the temp vehicle import permit. You need to return it to Thai customs on the way out.



As for insurance, you can get it before exiting Malaysia or after you get into Thailand. I paid 140 for 1 year for bike >150cc (60 for 3 months, 90 for 6 months). It is easy..you will see signs.


Do note, roaming will not work here at yala province due to Thai government ban. You will have to get a local SIM. However, you can download Google maps before entry for offline navigation so you can still get navigation from border to Betong town if you only intend to get a SIM in town or not at all and depend on wifi.


Those who are riding in, please note Thais ride very slowly and at speeds we are not accustomed to. The roads are also slippery when wet, with speed limits down to 30 kmh.


Well , cheap good food, good climate, cheap and good massage. Those who like camp, many scenic places like Punapa, Gunung Silipat, Larnmork...etc

I did a half hotel, half camp trip this time for a week. Got rained out though.

This post has been edited by jaycee1: Dec 21 2022, 08:55 PM

Do you know if this is restricted to roaming from Msia phone or generally roaming from any country is restricted in Yala?

[Update]
Found my answer. It's for Malaysia mobile phone only
Article from Thestar in 2006 -->
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2006...uthern-thailand


This post has been edited by WH4CockcooBird: Dec 22 2022, 12:31 AM

Sure sure... but my bike low cc nia... haha...

You can split lane in most of South East Asian Countries.

Just for Thailand keep an eye when reaching Greater Bangkok area (starting from Ratchaburi just after Hua Hin) , bike are not allowed to enter Toll paying roads and certain road stretch. (Like those near Don Muang Airport) and also only 1 bridge (Thaksin bridge) bikes are allowed to cross the chao praya river.

In the summary, try to avoid entering Bangkok (Krueng Thep) if can.

Back in 2005 I rode a Modenas Elegan 150cc to Phuket in .. that is a 1000+ km journey towards Patong beach, with only a Nokia phone and no google maps assistance.

Seen many middle ages unker in same cc scooter or kapchai reaches China border.

Cc is not an excuse not to ride to land of Smile, you can't speed anyway while in there.. (legally)

Okok... hahaha... lai lai then... haha...

It's not the bike CC, it's the rider.

once you tuned in to biker groups especially Thai-going ones, you'll hear many info, including cases of accidents involving Malaysian riders

Rider must be comfortable with the bike, and the gears (riding gears, navigation, comm etc), and all those come with experience.

When going into Thai, and if the bike behaves differently, the rider can tell immediately and make necessary adjustments. For example, if at traffic lights in Malaysia, you can easily pull a wheelie, but in Thai, you're more likely to spin the rear.

Difference:
- timezone
- road surface, corner treatments, corner camber, oily, slippery, sandy etc
- a lot of right U-turns, so despite being the 'fast lane', it requires attention
- many kapcai, scooter, animal pull carts
- fuel (ethanol based, check your bike manual on allowed ethanol level)

And, the purpose of going there is to enjoy... scenery, food, hospitality, so best is to go slow. Some hilly rides are actually better with lightweight bikes.

But, mess with their interest (accident, destruction of property, violation of laws), things can get messy.

Phuket and Krabi is sunny and nice weather with not a single drop of rain.

Going back to Malaysia later today hopefully can pass. No more money haha

Compulsory insurance?
Or compulsory insurance + voluntary insurance?

Usually Thai kastam will ask for the insurance cover note before approving the import permit. So insurance must do before we cross the border.
You got the import permit approved with no insurance note?

Compulsory + voluntary insurance thailand + extension 101 is a MUST.

Another thing ppl tend to neglect, personal Travel Insurance. SIAM medical fees is not cheap.

IF you want to rent small cc scooter while in Thailand ensure yiu have International Driving Permit (IDP) and take note most of the bike rental they didnt have proper bike voluntary insurance since its expensive.

More than 250cc bike 1 year around 450Rm , cheaper if below 250cc. For voluntarily + compulsory insurance (Por Bor Bor)

Buy at reputable agent in Malaysia such AnF since i knew En. Fairuz personally since 2017 when he starting this business.

Yes accident do happen but with the proper insurance coverage it should be sufficient.

Double post

This post has been edited by ajaibman: Dec 22 2022, 11:54 AM

Lol Ivan

I'll add in: slippery even on fully sunny day dry.

Their road LOOKS smooth, but it isn't grippy for tires. More rubbery content than small stones/pebbles for tires to adhere towards.

So those Twisties after customs towards Betong town, totally not advisable to speed/have fun. It'll quickly turn into brown pants moments or touch wood outright crash.

To all reading this page, please x3 take note of this.

Will include this to the summary page on my next update.

Compulsory.

It's hit or miss with that one. They didn't ask for it in my case, in fact I don't know if they ever asked for it. But anyway I got mine done before crossing over so no Biggie if they did ask.



But for betong,they don't care, because many often only buy insurance after they get in. Or don't buy at all if they just want to go betong town and not ride/drive anywhere.



I paid 140 which seems a little much since the actual premiums was for 650thb. So maybe other agents inside betong will be cheaper. But what the heck.... It's for 1 year.

*I have my own travel insurance.

This post has been edited by jaycee1: Dec 22 2022, 06:25 PM

Yes indeed, but dry still ok I felt...but then I wasn't like gung ho Malaysian style blasting 100kph on small roads.

But when wet, going up to Gunung Silipat twisties...holy cow, were the roads slippery....even at 30kmh.

Big bikes max is 100kmh or lower as indicated on local speed limits.

So any TT planned for kaki Thai Riders?

https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanp...om-some-nations

This post has been edited by ajaibman: Jan 7 2023, 02:21 PM

Your favourite topic

Haha… lets do TT… driving to Thailand for cny le… ride bike will have to wait… haha…

Waiting for the TS to organize

.

This post has been edited by toos99: Jan 29 2023, 05:37 PM

This

wanna ask if anyone knows, if we ride our bike to thailand, our driving license is good enough right?
but if we rent a bike(thai registered) can we still use our license or need to apply for IPD?

don't need international license. just use your malaysian license is enough.
well thai approach is that no license is needed, until you get into an accident.
if you rent a bike they normally won't even ask for a license.

do note that most (if not all) of these bike rental doesn't have voluntary or compulsory insurance for the bike.
so if you get into an accident you need to pay for the people that you hit, the vehicle that you hit and the bike that you rent.
they want cash so best to have some land that you could sell quickly.

Thais also don't " require" a helmet until you crash. LOL

This post has been edited by jaycee1: Jan 9 2023, 02:36 PM

went to thailand again last weekend.
visit triumph dealer there to get pricing for some parts


enquired a DTAC center at lotus hatyai.
they dunno about the 365 days validity.
bought a new local simcard. tried topping up. no option for 365 days validity.


registered my tourist sim that i bought previously.


tried topping up.
still no 365 days option.
only thing that i get is 10 baht for 30 days validity.
topup 20 baht get 60 days validity.

at least now i can access the sims using the app and make sure it's active when i go there.
sekian laporan

+1 also the bail bonds and loss of life - including any roadkills if they should dispute you for killing their beloved pet, which can involve local courts, and then will involve bail bonds, and vehicle being impounded

Voluntary insurance covers ~900k Baht of the above, ~RM120k

after topping up 20 baht to get 60 days validity, can still use the internet or need to top up to purchase data?

Validity is different compared to data package.

Topup and get sim validity for the number.
Then use the topup to subscribe data package. Data package also have data validity.
Same approach as malaysian prepaid sims.

Eg. you topup 20 baht and get 60 days validity. Sim is valid for 60 days.
Then you use the 20 baht to subscribe 1 day data package for 18 baht. So you're left with 1 day data package, valid for 1 day and 2 baht left and 60 days sim validity.

Insurance shop in dannok was closed when I arrived there at 8pm.
Will visit again to compare insurance prices in Changlun and across the border.

Judging from the price printed at the insurance cover note, should be a lot cheaper across the border. Maybe.

Never had an accident since early 2000 when starting to cross the border.. fingers are crossed, but I have been buying Voluntary and compulsory insurance since they were introduced by AnZ. My Logic was and still is, that Thailand is not my country and anything fucked up in there is not worth comparing to saving a few hundred Rm.

Beside, hobby kite kan Mahal.. x kan x mampu beli insurance jew...

For IDP is needed or not, this has been questioned many times by many people.

IDP act as the universal translator of your own driving license in those foreign countries since the road traffic rules are different from one to another.

Yes, some will say, IDP does not need for traveling between ASEAN countries (SOME not ALL) due to the agreement signed back in 1985.

However,

Not all the Police officers of those foreign countries knew about that ruling, and MANY of them does not know how to read English.

And imagine you are in some remote rural area in Thailand and trying to explain that ruling in English with some native Thai-speaking officer who has never even seen "Farang" in their life. What would be the outcome?

That's why IDP comes in a pocket-size book instead of just another card. They do know it's IDP even though they don't know what the content, is because.. there are pictures to explain.

In my own experiences, from Border until BangCock, the Thai Police seem familiar with Malaysia Driving Licenses, but after Bangcock to the north, they will ask for IDP even if it's just a random roadblock, yes you can get away by paying 300 bht of fines but then.. its money and you need it for your massage session.

In the event of an accident.. again touch wood, IDP is crucial, you will be at default in the wrong even though it's not your fault. Since in their eyes, you don't have a valid driving license and commandeer a vehicle on the road.

fun Fact: if you really fucked up and end up in jail, a common bail bond for you to walk out is a Thai land grant.

Of all the karangan that I wrote up here, why believe me, I am not Thai.

This post has been edited by ajaibman: Jan 9 2023, 09:33 PM

Just balik from horneyday.. let me check what's been posted

Going Thai... the food and relaxing sessions are the rewards.
Be well prepared.

Bail bond, no joke. Just buy the voluntary insurance.

food, its all about to food

@ajaibman i suppose you have IDP all the time when you cross border? its rm 150 per year right?

This post has been edited by Voopoo: Jan 10 2023, 04:45 PM

Yes, it's 150 rm per year, I learned a hard way about IDP in Siam before..

care to share your story please.

BangCock I Laugh

It was a roadblock at the beginning of Route 12 from the junction to Phu Tub Berk back in 2017.

I rode down towards BangCock Central Railway station from my China Border trip via Laos Vientiane border exit towards Thai.

The Thai Police with their tight fit uniform stopped us (2 bikes), then check the license plate (at the back),then he realized that we are foreigner, then try to communicate in Thai asking for everything (Passport, Thai custom form, License). So we use hand signal to communicate + Google Translate (earlier edition many error),

I got IDP, but my riding buddy does not hand being hard headed he insisted that MY driving license is valid and trying to explain in English to a person who did not even knew the Latin alphabet.

Cut the story short, we paid them 300 bht of summon because my friend didn't have valid IDP according to the officer,

..... and a bullet hole in his top box ..

I can share this story because of that incident he (my riding buddy) decided to forgo the biking lifestyle, sold off his bike and avoiding Thailand.

now.. another info for Thailand, in LAND OF SMILE firearms are rampart can be obtained legally and/or illegally.

So if you are in the Touristy area, you are safe because the Tourist Police will protect foreigner, but when you in the rural areas, control your emotion, be humble and don't fall into their provocation even though you think that your right, Remember its not your country.

This post has been edited by ajaibman: Jan 12 2023, 09:46 PM

You guys were in the Golden Triangle. Do not cincai press horn, gun threat there is real. Not just Thai, the other neighboring countries as well... just remember, the Golden Triangle is real.

So far I have only pass thru 2 borders (numerous times).. Betong border, insurance is not compulsory, they will never check.. If photocopy geran or you're not owner of vehicle, need to verified at police station first or else they won't accept..

For Bukit Kayu Hitam border, yes they will check the insurance, so need to purchase before entering.. Photocopy geran or not owner of vehicle no need to verify..

cross golden triangle border. get a thai agent do the paperwork. They can communicate with other side of border agent. Do yourself, confirm all the bullshit from the officer will try hard penalize u

Which one? Chiang Kong- Hua Xai? my experience with Laotian "Tourist" Police was chased till Luang Namtha and they knocked on the door of our hotel room.. asking for 100 USD bike tax.. after they can't bargain higher..

This happen even though we are not riding in the group, or small cc Thai registered bike and a letter from PDR - Lao embassy in KL.

laos. There is agent in thai do all the paperwork both side. Save all your hassle.

Nice, during my time we didn't encounter the such luxury, so all by ourselves.

sry, newbie question. do ppl carry a can of chain lub for long distance travel? such as those that ride to phuket (900 km) and relub once reach the destination? or even hatyai?

Don't think most of us bother..since unless you have a centre stand, doing a chain lube is a PITA.... Might be easier to just take the bike to a bike wash and have them clean the chain and lube it for you..... Those that do ultra long distances would be better served with an automatic chain oiler.

That said, if you are doing trails and in dusty and sandy roads where you have to do chain cleaning mid trip then yes. Bring some chain lube.

My take on chain lube, correct or not, is that modern chains are sealed up o ring or X ring...and therefore doesn't need as much lube as previous chains. I only re-lube it after bike wash/chain cleaning which is about every 2-3 weeks..or after an off road ride...... About 1.5- 2k km. My stock chain lasted 30k doing it this way. My current X ring chain has 10k on it and shows no sign of wear.

This post has been edited by jaycee1: Jan 13 2023, 01:24 PM

use scottoiler solve all your headache.

I am not sure about chain oil, so far my chain seems to be ok even after i wash my bike… anyway… TS bila… lol…

advisable to bring...it doesnt take that much space and it isnt hard to apply if u have a center stand or if u have a friend to help. and itll help prolong ur chain as well.

i see the act of spraying lube on the chain as not only to lubricate, but the spraying may even help to blow off the dust n sand that could tear the o rings apart.


depends on ur distance and if ur bringing the scottoiler oil. my friends and i are on scottoiler and we still bring chain lube instead of the oil coz the can is just more robust and less likely to leak. well start using the lube once our scottoiler finishes.

Hmmm… i never lube my chain since i took my motor and now 1.5k km ald… not sure if needed… but have been goinf thru heavy rain a few times…

U should so it lasts longer...the lube in the rollers is just for the rollers internal itself....external areas n ur sprockets r still susceptible to wear...lube can help reduce wear n make it last longer....

Im on scottoiler and my factory chain is at 56k km n still running strong...sprockets front n rear also still looks good n not sharp