....HHHHMM,,, well here's my contribution....I got off the plane last friday in Bangkok....sunday I walked into the greasy biker shop next to the hotel and bought a used..37,000 km Yamaha Fino, 110cc 4-stroke scooter for 14000 baht, includes a years insurance....and tax..(a lovely tidy yellow scooter. Guys, this is UNDER 300 QUID) ...I have the papers under the seat..the cops stopped me for no helmet, just told me to go to the shop and buy one, which I did. The little scooter zips about great. Speedo cable snapped and bulb gone in the speedo, were the only things needed, me and the guy in the shop sorted it in 15 mins. The locals are pretty crazy, and Bangkok has horrendous traffic. After always being sure I would take my r850r bmw with me, this scooter is making me re-think. Petrol is cheaper here and it costs 3 pounds to fill the tank...I am riding round town all day for 3 days with this. I put two new tyres on it today, (14inch wheels), and get this, a lovely Thai girl did the spanner-work with a smile !, Honda branded tyres, made here...about 10 pounds each, with fitting. A new shock costs 16 pounds!!....ok the Fino is made here, but need I go on with how cheap things are?? It seems as if up to 125cc bikes are ok crossing borders in the area, I am going to be doing this soon, so will keep you posted............my advice...jump on a cheap ticket flight, bring your stuff, get a small local bike, and twist that throttle, boy!!!!

I have to take back my above comment about Malaysia.

Malaysia is very much a Carnet country. Make sure you get your Carnet stamped when you enter. They did a temp import when I entered, I asked about carnet and they said no at the border.

Anyway, It caused problems for me when I left.

Great post Bobby!
Can you recommend a specific neighborhood in Bangkok where good used bikes would be available? Or ... best area for finding good rental bikes?
I've been to Bangkok 3 or 4 times but never really learned it well, staying only 3 or 4 days each visit.

Or ... is Chiang Mai the better place to find a bike?

Have not been to Chiang Mai yet, but plenty on offer here..try Craigslist if you are unsure about a bike shop and there are ads there for rentals, about 3 pounds a day I believe!!!!, Westerners also sell on there....but there is a scooter shop on just about every street! Grabbed another bargain today...a place that sells all the panels new for scooters...I stopped and they had 4 different colours on offer, I took a nice red and check one....just point and two guys strip the scruffy, faded or scratched panels off your bike, including the front mudguard.... 25 MINS later, you have 8 all NEW panels on your scooter, making it look like a million bucks..including a new headlight. Price including labour...? 5O Uk pounds!!!! (They keep the old panels, clean them and sell them to others that have broken plastics....)