philippines - thailand

[tig-87]

Hi all.

I wanted to travel from the philippines to thailand via indonsia and malasia. i was going to buy a bike in the philippine and get rid of at the end. i was told by the rac that i would have to either ride the bike back to the philippines or permanently import it into thailand.

not wanting to ride back over where id been. has anyone done this trip or similar or know about permanently importing a bike into thailand.

Cheers

Tig

[roadhawk]

I also want to ride through the Philippines but on a foreign motorbike. I have read from Forwood's story that it can't usually be done. Anyway to find out more info guys? To the original poster, why don't you just dump the bike somewhere - if it's a cheap one that is?

[Chris of Japan]

Originally Posted by roadhawk

why don't you just dump the bike somewhere - if it's a cheap one that is?

For one thing, a temporarily imported bike will usually require a bond, carnet, or other promise to re-export it (stamp in passport, etc.). Just dumping it can result in loss of bond, inability to leave the country, blacklisting for future visits, waterboarding (OK, maybe not waterboarding). But make sure you know the situation with the country you are going to. Just dumping a foreign registered vehicle is usually not a viable option.

[roadhawk]

Hi Chris,

I meant losing the bond might not be a big deal but if it means a black list I guess there's no other way than to reexport the bike or pay the duties.

Seeing as you're in Japan do you know a way of getting from Japan to Indonesia by going south. I thought ferries going Japan - Korea - Taiwan - Philippines - Brunei Might be a go? But I read on Forwood's story that you can't easily ride through the Philippines even with a carnet.

Got any local knowledge I could use mate? Have you done a similar route before?

Thanks.

[beddhist]

If you hand over your bike to customs you should be able to get your bond back, with the appropriate document from customs. It happens, for example, when a vehicle is written off. You do need a carnet for Indonesia and for shipping into Malaysia.

There is a car ferry from Zamboanga (Philippines) to Sandakan (Borneo/Malaysia). PM or email user dogito66. Darius and Jane took this, then continued on to Pontianak, from where there are ferries to Several destinations in Sumatra. After that Bob's your uncle.

For advice on selling your bike try gt-rider.com and thaivisa.com forums. It will only be possible if you have an "interesting" bike, as nobody will want to tackle the bureaucracy for a bike you might want to dump.

Cheers,
Peter.

[loverboy181]

Just noticed your thread and perhaps its too late.
There is a place in Angeles City Philippines where you can hire a decent bike to get around on.
Do a search for Nice Bikes.
Roland is a very pleasant guy and you can hire a Honda 400 steed or CB 400 for around $25 Aust. a day.
Im pretty sure he has bigger bikes too, but being a new rider, I was pretty weary of a 400.
Angeles City is the Hub of the Red Light district, so if you have your wife or girlfriend with you, and prefer not to get to close to it, there is a Holiday Inn on the old base or stay up on the Perimeter Road.
Clarkton is clean and comfortable as is Oasis. Both should cost you around $50 Aust for a decent room.
Rates are running at around 41p to Aust. 45p to US
If I can help you in any other way about the Philippines I will try my best.
Regards
Lb