Planning a 2 month trip to SE Asia - best way to cross borders?
 

A better way to say this is that within 2 months, I'd like to see Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore. And maybe cross for a day bike-free into Myanmar.

I'll most likely be flying into Bangkok. I'm not sure after researching this whether its better to rent or buy and what borders Ill be able to cross. I do know that I can rent in Vietnam and visit Laos and Cambodia according to Tigit in HCMC.

I also know that I'll only be able to cross back into Thailand twice by land. I'm thinking of getting a bike or scooter in Bangkok, heading north and possibly crossing into Myanmar for a day off the bike when I'm in the Chang Mai area. Then down south into Malaysia, Singapore (off the bike) and back into Thailand where I will return/sell the bike. Then bus to HCMC, rent there and head north to Hanoi, then back to HCMC through Laos and Cambodia. It would be nice to then bus back to Bangkok, but I will have already used my 2 land crossings for the year so I'm thinking I may have to fly back in order to catch my flight back to the States from Bangkok.

Does this sound doable within my timeframe? And are there a bunch of things I'm not thinking about, legally/borders or otherwise?

Thanks for any insight!

-Ben

First of all - is not that easy to buy a bike as a foreigner in Thailand. For example you will need a «Certificate of recidency» to get the bike in your name and the registration process can take months. You will be able to ride the bike in Thailand in the meantime but I dont think you will be able to cross any borders with it before it is in your name.

There are many other points to be aware of, one is that reports say that Laos has brushed the dust of an old rule and started enforcing that that only bikes over 250 cc will be allowed into the country. As always this rules might or might not be enforced at different bordercrossings. Theres also reports saying you need a permit to get into Cambodia nowadays, although I dont think that goes for thai plated bikes, and quite sure not at the most remote and relaxed bordercrossings.

With only two months I think you will be far better off renting a bike in each country you want to ride a bike in. Crossing borders in SEAsia can be a real PITA and theres no point riding around for days trying to find a bordercrossing let you through. Rent in each country youre going to and problems with crossing borders and buying and selling will be eliminated. You can for example rent a scooter for as low as 3000 baht pr month, less than 100 USD. Why bother buying and selling then?

Another thing - not that it is any business of mine but you want to see 7 different countries in two months? It sounds quite a lot to me and if somebody asked me about it I would have suggested max 3 countries for that timeperiod. Its like a week in each country, and an awful lot of travelling! But we are all different and maybe that pace suits you. But I wouldnt have done it.

Anyhow - good luck with your trip.

Thanks Snakeboy, I keep reading mixed messages about renting vs buying. I think I may have to play some of this by ear. Renting in every country might be a bit too time consuming and require a lot of strategizing. I couldnt just get to a border and drop off one bike, cross and rent another obviously. I think I would definitely lose time returning a rented bike to home base and then traveling from there.

I did mention 7 countries - but 5 is more accurate. I would likely just spend a couple of days in Singapore and cross into the tourist friendly zone in Burma for a day up north.

Renting seems like the way to go, just need to figure it out I guess and keep it to a minimum - perhaps one rental in Thailand and one in Vietnam (especially if I can go to Laos and Cambodia on a Vietnamese bike as I have been told.)

When you rent in for example in Thailand the best place to rent is Chiang Mai (cheapest and many rental agencies) and planning a loop to ride in northern Thailand is very easy and by far the best place to ride a bike is the northern parts of the country. Not much point going south of Lampang/Pitsanulok, just straight roads for many 100s of kms. So doing a loop and return to start is actually the best option if you ask me and there will be absolutely no need to backtrack yourself. The same goes for Laos, rent in Vientiane and do a loop of the northern parts of the country - by far the most interesting bike roads, and come back to Vientiane. And no need for backtracking there either.
In Vietnam they offer reasonably priced services sending a bike back to origin by train either you start in Hanoi or Hochimin.

Buying and selling a bike takes time and energy. I bought a bike in Thailand in 2016 and it took 2,5 months before the registration was in my name. It might be a bit better in different provinces but it will still take time. And it will be impossible to cross any borders in the meantime. And you have 2 months for the whole 5-7 countries...

Many travellers have previously posted that Vietnam does not allow foreign registered bikes to be brought in. That would seem to be a showstopper for your plans?

I can confirm that you can take a rented Vietnamese bike into Cambodia and Laos. No idea about Thailand.

If you rent, you will have to pay a substantial deposit, probably the whole value of the bike. That's because you need to take the original registration card, which would open the door for you to sell the bike.

cheers
Colin (Sydney)

If you plan on bouncing to different countries then I would go with the renting a bike in the different countries. Yes, it may take a little more research before you go, or you can look when in country...but it will save you time and stress getting across some of the more awkward borders.
When I did my trip I rented through C&P bike in Chiang Mai and they did all the paperwork for me to take it into Laos but that was a few years ago now so I dont know if they are still doing it. Also I believe the borders are a bit tighter to cross now than they were.
2 months travelling on your own sounds good to me...there are always people to meet.
Whatever you decide, Enjoy it

Wayne

Not true.....

Very easy and only takes 1 day, but if a bike is new, yes new plate could take up to 30 days to come.
In the meantime, the dealer will give you a RED plate to ride about on legally
until such time as the new plate is ready.
now in you buy a second-hand bike from the same area you live or stay then the paperwork and change off name can be done in 1 day with the green book in your name.
Have 2 bikes in Thailand in my name and I stay in Thailand with a tourist visa.

:oops2:

With a Thail plated bike at hand.?


Laos...... Can do very easy if Green book in your name.


Myanmar...... Need to be on a guided tour.



Vietnam...... Same as above


Cambodia..... yes and no depending on what border you try and how the border control people are on that given day.
50/50 chance.


Malaysia ......... Easy green book in your name, and need to purchase motorbike insurance from inside Malaysia.?

Which can mean you leave the bike at the border and pass into Malaysia to buy insurance?

Just 1 other point.

I got a Thai Car and motorbike licence in Thailand in 1 day and cost 305 THB for both.
This was on Tourist Visa but is only valid for 2 years.
My personly reason to obtain a Thail license was that I ride and drive on my Chinese C1E license, which strictly is not legal in Thailand.
And this year I need to obtain an IDP to ride to OZ.
So now with the Thail DL, I can now obtain a Thail IDP.

Rent in Chiang Mai ????
Most CM rental shop will not allow their bikes to leave Thailand?
Now TALK to Brain from.....Chiang Rai Big Bike Rentals | Reserve your Chiang Rai Transportation

Based in Chaing Rai which is very close to the best and most easy border crossing to get over to Laos (Chiang Khong)
He will rent you a motorbike with all the correct paperwork to allow you and the bike into Laos.
Also can sort out the correct paperwork for you to ride in ALL the other places on your list,?
But need to talk to Brain for details and cost.?

Well it took 2,5 months to change the rego papers when I bought a bike in Thailand. And to get a recidency certificate was also a PITA. The place I lived said they couldt give me the required document I needed to have when you go to the Immigration office to get the RC. All in all i wouldnt call this easy. But as always in these countries it depends of who you meet, their mood of the day, their interpretation of rules etc etc.

If you read above you can see that Lonerider rented from a CM rental and was allowed to ride into Laos. But of course - you need to get this clear from the rental agency before you rent it. Chiang Rai rentals are more expensive than Chiang Mai ones probably because of less competition.

Mostly correct but Laos seem to have brushed dust of the old 250 cc rule and they wont let bikes smaller than 250 in. There have been several reports of this lately.

Very true.
But what I have posted is the "Lie of the Land" in Chiang Rai just now,
Also here is a link that maybe be off intrest IF you wish to rent in each countries

Link....Renting my way through Asia | Adventure Rider

Yes.... but it comes down to numbers..... not C.C. ok
1 to 3 bikes yes ok.
4 to 5 you need a tour guild?
6 or more need a tour guild and police escort.
I said most CM rental will not allow you to take the bike into Laos by your self.

Best if you ask "POPS RENTAL" whois the biggest rental shop in CM.
Will he rent you a bike to ride into Laos by yourself.?

You need the green book which is the ownership book for the bike?
A big risk for a rental shop to allow you to leave Thailand with the BIKE AND GREEN BOOK.?

A few years ok ????

I am posting this from CR Thailand, and this year have been over to Laos 2 times on my motorbike.