Trip from thailand through Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and back to Thailand

Sep 30, 2012
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My dream is to buy a bike in Thailand and ride through south east Asia for 3-6 months. My current job is a contract position which will eventually finish with very little notice. I would like to research this trip so I can be best prepared when this time comes around and act immediately. Basically I would rock up to Thailand, buy a bike and head off with a pre-planned route and most of the research done.

I like the CB 500X so it will probably be my weapon of choice. Will need a power outlet and gearsack rack and other mods.

I will be going solo and prefer to stick mostly to Tarmac or good quality dirt tracks where possible.

Some questions:
* How do the border crossings work for each country?
* Are some border crossings better than others for this purpose?
* What if I enter and exit different crossings?
* For registration of the bike in Thailand I believe I need to have a Thailand address. I could use a friends address or perhaps a hostel?
* What about bike insurance during the trip? I will have top medical insurance obviously.
* Any recommended routes

Ideally I will go during the dry season, but things might not turn out that way...

Thanks for any tips in advance.
 
Mar 30, 2010
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H Simpson;293143 wrote: My dream is to buy a bike in Thailand and ride through south east Asia for 3-6 months. My current job is a contract position which will eventually finish with very little notice. I would like to research this trip so I can be best prepared when this time comes around and act immediately. Basically I would rock up to Thailand, buy a bike and head off with a pre-planned route and most of the research done.

I like the CB 500X so it will probably be my weapon of choice. Will need a power outlet and gearsack rack and other mods.

I will be going solo and prefer to stick mostly to Tarmac or good quality dirt tracks where possible.

Some questions:
* How do the border crossings work for each country?
* Are some border crossings better than others for this purpose?
* What if I enter and exit different crossings?
* For registration of the bike in Thailand I believe I need to have a Thailand address. I could use a friends address or perhaps a hostel?
* What about bike insurance during the trip? I will have top medical insurance obviously.
* Any recommended routes

Ideally I will go during the dry season, but things might not turn out that way...

Thanks for any tips in advance.
Wow.. A few short questions needing detailed answers :)

1 How do the border crossings work for each country?
Take a look on the forum.. There is detailed information for each country and border crossings.
Search back through reports as well as see what other people have said and experienced

2 Are some border crossings better than others for this purpose?
The worst I can think of is Poipet in Cambodia. Otherwise all the same more or less..

3 What if I enter and exit different crossings?
No real issue.. You may be asked and just tell them where you plan to exit from.

4 For registration of the bike in Thailand I believe I need to have a Thailand address. I could use a friends address or perhaps a hostel?
Have a look under the North Thailand section.. Good info here..

5 What about bike insurance during the trip?
Are you buying a new bike or second hand? Get third party with bail bond.. In case you wipe someone out..
Laos you buy insurance at the border.
Cambodia no insurance..

6 Any recommended routes
Have a look on the forum. All are good and pick what you fancy and meets your time line.

You will need an international driving licence also for Thailand. Not just your Aussie licence.

Do some research on the forum.. Lots of information here that will answer all your questions.
As well as probably find additional information you hadn't thought of

Cheers
Brian
 

DavidFL

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Jan 16, 2003
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Chiang Khong
www.thegtrider.com
H Simpson;293143 wrote: My dream is to buy a bike in Thailand and ride through south east Asia for 3-6 months. My current job is a contract position which will eventually finish with very little notice. I would like to research this trip so I can be best prepared when this time comes around and act immediately. Basically I would rock up to Thailand, buy a bike and head off with a pre-planned route and most of the research done.

I like the CB 500X so it will probably be my weapon of choice. Will need a power outlet and gearsack rack and other mods.

I will be going solo and prefer to stick mostly to Tarmac or good quality dirt tracks where possible.

Some questions:
* How do the border crossings work for each country?
* Are some border crossings better than others for this purpose?
* What if I enter and exit different crossings?
* For registration of the bike in Thailand I believe I need to have a Thailand address. I could use a friends address or perhaps a hostel?
* What about bike insurance during the trip? I will have top medical insurance obviously.
* Any recommended routes

Ideally I will go during the dry season, but things might not turn out that way...

Thanks for any tips in advance.
Gday & Welcome.
Lots of info on GTR alright & it's sometimes hard to know where to start.

You're best bet is to first go here
https://www.gt-rider.com/thailand-motorcycle-forum/showthread.php/25861-WELCOME-Important-Read-this-first!

There you will see links for

Border Crossings
https://www.gt-rider.com/touring-information-overview/s-e-asian-border-crossings

Buying a bike
https://www.gt-rider.com/motorcycles-in-thailand/buying-motorcycle-in-thailand

Insurance
https://www.gt-rider.com/motorcycles-in-thailand/motorcycle-insurance-cover

Routes
https://www.gt-rider.com/tour-options/chiang-mai-thailand/touring-loops-day-rides

https://www.gt-rider.com/tour-options/chiang-mai-thailand/touring-loops-overnight-rides

Highlights & Attractions
Mae Hong Son

Chiang Rai
https://www.gt-rider.com/tour-options/chiang-rai

Phayao
https://www.gt-rider.com/tour-options/phayao

Nan
https://www.gt-rider.com/tour-options/nan-province

Doi Mae Salong
https://www.gt-rider.com/tour-options/chiang-rai/doi-mae-salong-information
 

rastas

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Feb 16, 2011
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Just a thought, but is it possible to buy a bike in Thailand without a work permit? Was the first thing I was asked for when I brought mine??
 
Sep 30, 2012
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Thanks for the replies. After some further searching of this site I have found much of the info I need.

Interesting to note that it isn't too easy to bring a bike into China. Probably for another time anyway, plenty around South east Asia to keep me occupied for a while.
 
Dec 27, 2007
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H Simpson;294396 wrote: Thanks for the replies. After some further searching of this site I have found much of the info I need.

Interesting to note that it isn't too easy to bring a bike into China. Probably for another time anyway, plenty around South east Asia to keep me occupied for a while.
Same goes for Myanmar and Vietnam... It can be done but it's expensive and time consuming. Honestly I think it would be a lot less hassle and expense to simply fly to those countries and rent locally.
 

imd8ta

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Jul 1, 2009
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TonyBKK;294439 wrote: Same goes for Myanmar and Vietnam... It can be done but it's expensive and time consuming. Honestly I think it would be a lot less hassle and expense to simply fly to those countries and rent locally.
Viet Nam via Cambo was a breeze.
Got the visa in PP and entered east of Kampot.

No issues at all.

Also easy to get to Myanmar via Mae Sai but you only get a 3 day.

Time consuming and expensive......NOT