lipmeng wrote: Hi Muzz
Maybe some of my past experiences on riding thro Thai-M'sian boder and M'sian-S'pore causeway(border) maybe useful to you.
As for Thai-Msian border crossing @ Sadao (Thai side) to Bukit Kayu Hitam (M'sian side). You need the necessary paperworks as Rustic Charm indicated. The correct booth on the Thai side at the border will be the Customs booth which is usually located at the last booth after the immigration booth (ie. stamp your passport and then get the appropriate forms from the Customs booth). Do observe that you may need to alight your bike before stamping you passport. Whereas at the Customs booth, you need to present the documents of bike for them to issue the letter/form and may not need to check physically on the bike. But it may not be the case as for cars......as the Thai customs insisted me to drive up to the Customs booth when I exit to M'sia during my recent trip on 28 Nov 08 (of which I'm driving my M'sian registered car). Not much hassle for the Thai side.
The M'sian immigration ie even more lenient so are the customs as for bikers....bigger capacity bikes......not even need to alight from the bike but ride thro the booth to stamp your passport...should be the same for non-m'sian bikers.....just look for the bike lane. The customs will most unlikely to check on you if you're riding big bikes and behave confidently. Should be a breeze to get it done within reasonably short time. No need to pay any "coffee money" on M'sian side.............it is not legal or permitted as compared to Thai side where I need to pay 20 baht for each passport to be stamp...overtime money.
The S'pore boder crossing via the main causeway may be more strict or perhaps I should say "more organised" paper works.....Take note of the time of crossing over...avoid peak hours as there are many daily travellers on bikes at the causeway.
You need to show them the insurance and registration card or Green book of your bike that you are the owner. You have to ask for directions on where to purchase the" AUtoPass Card" for your bike and you need to pay for the fees as well...not expensive but it is compulsory as the republic of s'pore ahve tolls along the expressway and the "autopass card" will faciltate the payt of charges upon your exit from the country but you must ensure that there is sufficient credit balace remaining in the card. You can obtain the required info from the LTA office at the causeway jsut after the immigration there. The staff are quite friendly and are fluent in english.
You may be able to obtain helpful info regarding the "AutoPass Card" requirements from the LTA website. Remember that SG only allow non-SG registered bikes to stay for not more than 14 days per entry otherwise you be liable for the daily fine of which I was made to pay when I left my bike there for about 1 month due to repair.
Last but not least if you need any assistance in S'pore ...do check out the website of at-asia.org...in advane so that the members should be able to assist you.
Lastly you need not do anything with your Thai plate...it is a norm that we see Thai plates vehicles in Ms'ian roads but do get the appropriate Insurance coverage.
Have a pleasant trip.
p/s .the weather now is wet so get some preparations for it.
Regards
LipMeng
Ipoh, Perak
