South-East Asia on motorbikes
 

Hello!

I hope that you reader are good today and I wish you a Happy New Year! :)

I'm currently struggling to understand what I really need to do to get this thing down. :confused1:

I want to buy a motorbike in Thailand, ride it on the territory for approx. 3 weeks, then cross to Cambodia, ride there for approx. 3 weeks, then cross to Laos, ride there 3 weeks, and finally to the same in Vietnam.

Now, I knew already that I couldn't cross the border into Vietnam with a Thai motorbike, so I would have to sell my bike in Laos, cross on foot, and then buy a bike again (or rent it, 'cause only 3 weeks)

But more I look into all the others issues, more I got confused... Rules changes, some advices you find in the net are working but are illegals, etc... doh

I will add details so you will see I searched before and I'm not just an asshole waiting for you to bake my cake.

Apparently, in Thailand, I can not buy a bike without a "Certificat of Residence", but some people that you can.
Also, If I leave the country I will be given a document "Temporary Export" that means that I need to bring back the bike before 30 days, otherwise I need to pay a fine
Then I need various document when crossing the border (but those seems pretty easier to get)

Now I understand why there is so many agencies offering motorbike tour for tourists, because it's a bloody hell of paperwork, damn'!


So, basically, could you please :helpsmilie: me with the situation I just described? If you're in Bangkok we can share a beer :]

Fabzil

Hi, and welcome to the HUBB!

Did you notice that there is already a quite similar thread about buying bikes in SE Asia:
“Buying a bike in SE Asia that can be taken accross borders” ?

I´ve ridden in that region quite a bit, and once I even owned a scooter in Thailand, and went to Cambodia & Laos with it, so it should be do-able (Vietnam may be a problem, though). But my experience from there is almost 10 years old, so is probably badly outdated by now, I´m afraid. But I´ve definitely had some of the best riding trips in my life in that region, and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did!

Fabzil - have look at what is written about this over at GT-riders.... it will hopefully give some answers to your questions.

Buying a Motorcycle in Thailand - The Motorcycle Purchase Issues | GT Rider Maps

As you can see - the only thing thats 100 % sure about Thailand is that nothing is....