Leaving bike to Thailand/Laos/Cambodia?
 

Hi,

Is it possible to leave a bike to one of these three countries (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia) for few weeks if I need to fly to europe to take care some things?

I do not know yet if bike is marked to a passport and this way not allowed to leave country without it.

-Hemuli

Your bike TVIP is the same length of time as your passport, which is usually 90 days, there is a stamp and a piece of paper in my passport with my motorcycle details on it. It basically says the bike has to leave before the TVIP runs out.

This stamp was placed in my passport after I got the bike through customs. I reckon it may be possible to 'remove' that bit of paper(stapled in) and leave then return but it would have to be within that window of 90 days.

I myself would not do it, but I am sure others have done so or thought about it.

Cheers from Bangkok
TS

I was told by the original customs man that I would need this seperate form to hand in on leaving Thailand at the expiration of my 90 day visa. But, somewhere along the line in the heat of the day, they TOOK that piece of paper and I have only just checked today to look for it and I don't have one :( The only thing I have is that stamp and and stapled paper. I will still be here in Bangkok for a few more days so will call customs tomorrow and see whether I need to go back to the airport and get it back. It was a confusing day for me

Hi Wuming!
Yes, remember you from Tbilisi!
I am at the moment in Kathmandu. Will fly to Thailand in less than 2 weeks from now.

-Hemuli

I guess all previous information is for Thailand only?

Yeah, Bangkok is the major hub for shipping in SEA, so most info will relate to this country only

Leaving a bike in SE Asia
 

Thailand has the most established and organized rules, by far, of the mentioned countries. Much of the information is available on the web, in English (and Thai). There's been a tremendous amount of computerization of forms, registrations. etc here over the past few years and those who still treat it like their own private 'wild west' are often chagrined.

Laos and Cambodia are an entirely different kettle of fish but most just alot less predictable than the LOS (Land of Smiles).

I think you'll be told it's okay to leave without the bike "for a good reason" but that it MUST be out before the 90-day expiration. People used to overstay Visas here regularly and get not even a slap on the wrist. Now, a few days over gets a fine and stern lecture. Repeat offenders find they are not welcomed.

In Thailand and Laos you get a temp. import permit. Only in cambodia I did not get any papers for my bike. So I recoment cambodia for a long time storage. Info from 12/2011.

Greetings Heiko

Hi Heiko,

Thanks for this info!
If I need to fly back to Germany for few weeks, then Cambodia could be the place to store the bike.

Where are you at the moment?
I am in Katmandu still few more weeks and then fly to BKK.

-Hemuli

Hi Hemuli
You will find if you are bringing the bike into Thailand as a Temp Import, the length of the permit will be as per your Tourist Visa in the passport either 30 or 60 days, you will only get a 30 day Visa when you fly into Bangkok unless you have sourced a longer Tourist Visa from a Thai Embassy outside Thailand.
You are in Kathmandu now so you could get a longer Tourist Visa there at the Thai Embassy!
Your Temporary Import Permit can be extended at any Thai Customs office at their discression.
I have recently brought my bike to Thailand and just extended the Permit here in Mukdahan for a further 60 days with no problems.
You are more than welcome to leave your bike here in Mukdahan for what ever period. we are only a 5 min ride into Laos to get a double entry tourist visa giving you 120 days here in Thailand. bier

Thanks Revenue!

So, you are saying that it is possible to leave bike to Thailand and fly to europe for few weeks?

-Hemuli

I wouldnt try to leave my bike in Thailand at all...

But I left mine in Cambodia and went into Vietnam for four weeks and things were fine. You can either park it in scure parking or find a nice ex-pax to store it for you or ask at OK guesthouse, they use to have a lot of spare space for parking...

Hey,

I just left my bike in Cambodia for a year and will fly back in November. It wasn´t a problem, not at all, bringing the bike in. No stamps, no asking no hassle on the southern border with Thailand (Hat Lek). If they would ask to stamp, just give them some dollars... I´ve crossed there last year. Also when I crossed through the border of Poipet it looked as it could be easely done to enter without any stamp in your Carnet. The custom in all of those countrys do not care about your passport...

Have fun
bernhard

Did the thai custom changed the rules?

When we crossed the border Laos to Thailand in December 2011 we (4 Bikers) hat all two month Tourist Vias. At the Border it was not possible to get a Temp Import for two month. We only got one month, and had to extend the Temp Import later at a Thai Custom Office (Airport Chiang Mai). Someone told us that the extend is only possible two weeks befor the actual Temp Import expires.

Have that in mind.

Greetings und Grüsse Heiko

I am in Bali/Indonesia now, getting ready for the "Bormeo Adventure"