Advice On Touring North Thailand

[obladida]

Hi all,

As a new member I’m writing this post to get your advice about our upcoming trip to North-Thailand. We want to do a tour from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, a day later on to Phayao, the next day to Phrae and lastly back to Chiang Mai. As the distance per day is quite high - some days about 200 km - I am a bit worried if this would be too much. Especially if we would rent a scooter. We are experienced scooter drivers but not with a bigger bike.

Does anyone have experience with this route? Any advice if this is a doable itinerary?

Thanks also for your advice on which type of scooter or bike we should rent and where in Chiang Mai we could do that.


Many thanks!

 

[DavidFL]

Chiang Rai - Phayao - Phrae is generally boring 4-lane highway on a scooter.

Its doable of course, but it wouldn't be exciting at all & the distance is not the issue.

The recommended GTR touring route for North Thailand is here

Tours

For bike rental go here
Renting Bikes

For Accommodation go here
Accommodation - North Thailand

For Food go here
Restaurants - North Thailand

For the best mountain roads go here
North Thailand Top Ten Roads

 

[Dodraugen]

200 kms a day on 125 scooter is nothing. Average speed 66 km/h = 3 hours, average speed 50 km/h = 4 hours, average speed 40 km/h = 5 hours. 33 km/h = 6 hours. So I dont see any problem time wise. You could easily ride the double distance pr day.

As David mentiones, there are long straight highways on good parts of those stretches you mention and those are not very inspiring to ride. It will be more entertaining if you find other alternatives such as Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai R107 to Fang, then R109 to you reach R118 and then ip to CR.

What type of scooter/bike isnt that important. Just make sure brakes works, tires are not very worn, lights work as they should etc.

 

[Oddvar]

I think the MHS loop is a good start for anyone new to riding in North Thailand. Not possible to get lost. Multiple places to stop or stay for the night. Scooter repair shops all over the place.
And after completing the loop in 2-4 days most of your questions about riding in North Thailand will be answered.
Happy riding.

 

[Oli]

Hallo All,

I am planning to leave with a couple of friend in February 2019 to drive from Hobart to Helsinki and the North cape.
We are all clear so far till Malaysia - Thai boarder. My questions?

Does anybody know the new procedure to enter into Thailand from Malaysia? Tour guide, new paper work regulation, etc.?
and
which is the best place to enter into Thailand, less paperwork, hassle free entry and so on. We are having 3 bike two Oz registration and one German registration.

Any help advise and updates would be highly appreciated.

Take care and HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!!!!!

 

[Dodraugen]

In 2016 Thailand introduced new rules for foreign vehicles entering and passing through the kingdom. A quite extensive permit and mandatory guides was neccesary for all foreign vehicles (except vehicles from Malaysia, Singapore and Laos which have bilateral agreements with Thailand)
However the enforcement of these new rules seem to have been quite accidental and from the last period of time it seems from many reports on different overland traveller forums that most travellers are now able to enter Thailand without permits and guides. So the enforcement of these new rules seem to have more relaxed indeed.

Theres one exception from this and that is if youre coming from Myanmar and crossing into Thailand at the Myawaddy - Mae Sot border. Those guys seem to stubbornly enforce the rules of mandatory permits and guides.

Many travellers also mention that they use their Carnet upon entering Thailand even though Thailand is not a Carnet demanding country - to easier being allowed to enter Thailand.
To have purchased insurance in advance seems also to be a positive factor for of being let into Thailand without having guides and permits.

For more information about this please have a look at this facebook group where a lot of information are shared. You can easily become a member there and ask questions and get the latest information about crossing into Thailand.

Thailand - New regulation affecting overland travellers on foreign vehicle Public Group | Facebook

 

[Oli]

In 2016 Thailand introduced new rules for foreign vehicles entering and passing through the kingdom. A quite extensive permit and mandatory guides was neccesary for all foreign vehicles (except vehicles from Malaysia, Singapore and Laos which have bilateral agreements with Thailand)
However the enforcement of these new rules seem to have been quite accidental and from the last period of time it seems from many reports on different overland traveller forums that most travellers are now able to enter Thailand without permits and guides. So the enforcement of these new rules seem to have more relaxed indeed.

Theres one exception from this and that is if youre coming from Myanmar and crossing into Thailand at the Myawaddy - Mae Sot border. Those guys seem to stubbornly enforce the rules of mandatory permits and guides.

Many travellers also mention that they use their Carnet upon entering Thailand even though Thailand is not a Carnet demanding country - to easier being allowed to enter Thailand.
To have purchased insurance in advance seems also to be a positive factor for of being let into Thailand without having guides and permits.

For more information about this please have a look at this facebook group where a lot of information are shared. You can easily become a member there and ask questions and get the latest information about crossing into Thailand.

Thailand - New regulation affecting overland travellers on foreign vehicle Public Group | Facebook

Thank you for the info!!!!!!!

 

[Wazza]

I know someone else who is doing Hobart-Helsinki around the same time, Adr...?

 

[Oli]

Yes, I know on a BMW 1200 GS, sleeping next to right now, hah hah good one!!!!!!

 

[Oli]

Door