New Transit Import Rules

[DavidFL]

There's been a lot of publicity lately about a clamp down on foreign vehicles coming into the country.

Driving in Thailand: Foreign tourists face strict controls

it is generally agreed this is aimed at the masses of Chinese cars pouring in over the border at holiday & festival times

On the Thai customs website there are 3 links to look at

http://tta.customs.go.th/Announce/Summary.pdf

http://tta.customs.go.th/Announce/Condition.pdf

Thailand Transport Application

It is still not 100% clear if this applies to motorcycles,, but my border contact today said that the situation for motorbikes is unchanged.
The new rules are only being applied to cars at the moment.

Sooner or later the dust will clear & we will know the score.
BTW most of these cross border transport agreements have excluded motorbikes, with a separate "policy decision" being made later on how to handle the motorbikes; and then it often varies from border port to port.

 

[DavidFL]

UPDATE 30th June 2016
Motorcycles ARE included in the new rules.
Confusion seems to be in control between the relevant govt departments on how to deal with the motorbikes.
Customs are being told to follow the Land Transport rules.

Sorry for any riders stuck outside on the border at the moment.
Also sorry for any guys stuck inside trying to get an extension.

More as the drama unfolds.

 

[Vic Alborn]

UPDATE 30th June 2016
Motorcycles ARE included in the new rules.
Confusion seems to be in control between the relevant govt departments on how to deal with the motorbikes.
Customs are being told to follow the Land Transport rules.

Sorry for any riders stuck outside on the border at the moment.
Also sorry for any guys stuck inside trying to get an extension.

More as the drama unfolds.

Hello David,
I am still about and riding both Asia and New Zealand (now 75YO, 555).
I went to Customs House on Wednesday at 08:30 to seek a temporary import extension for the FZ150 (Malaysian Registered). I was politely told about the new rules that came into effect on MONDAY!!!! and the office staff were good enough to approach their boss but the answer was NO extensions. This means I have to depart before Tuesday. I was also told that I could only exit through the point of entry (Sadao) and that exit and re-entrry through Laos or Cambodia is not permitted. This is a Land Transport Rule, not Customs, so I and my Thai friends agree with you that it is aimed at the Chinese tourists and the apparent high accident rate. Too bad about the unintended consequences for safe, experienced tourists and too bad about my "short-changed" single entry tourist visa being reduced to one month.
(sigh)
Cheers
Vic

 

[DavidFL]

From what I can gather browsing the links supplied

Vehicles that can come in “freely” are those with a Cross border transport agreement with Thailand
These countries are
Laos
Malaysia
Singapore

If you are not one of these then you need a pre-approved entry (just like entering China, Vietnam, Myanmar).

This needs to be done at least 10 days in advance via an approved registered Thai tour company.

Documents required
Passport valid for 6 months
Medical certificate
Drivers licence recognized in Thailand. If not then you need to apply for a local driving licence.
Vehicle Inspection Certificate
Thai motor Vehicle insurance covering 1,000,000 baht in damages
Approved itinerary with details of accommodation & route.
Entry & departure must be from the same port (or province maybe?)
Import is valid for a maximum of 30 days, with no extensions & a maximum of 60 days in a calendar year.

How all this pans out in the coming months we will have to wait & see
It is disturbing that innocent motorbikes have been caught up in this hard, but justified, clamp down on the thousands of Chinese vehicles that were pouring in.

 

[Jimenator]

Hello David,
I am still about and riding both Asia and New Zealand (now 75YO, 555).
I went to Customs House on Wednesday at 08:30 to seek a temporary import extension for the FZ150 (Malaysian Registered). I was politely told about the new rules that came into effect on MONDAY!!!! and the office staff were good enough to approach their boss but the answer was NO extensions. This means I have to depart before Tuesday. I was also told that I could only exit through the point of entry (Sadao) and that exit and re-entrry through Laos or Cambodia is not permitted. This is a Land Transport Rule, not Customs, so I and my Thai friends agree with you that it is aimed at the Chinese tourists and the apparent high accident rate. Too bad about the unintended consequences for safe, experienced tourists and too bad about my "short-changed" single entry tourist visa being reduced to one month.
(sigh)
Cheers
Vic

Hi Vic and David, new to the forum here.

Have been following this story for a while, so just wanted to receive some clarification. Vic, you mentioned your bike is Malaysian registered? If so, I thought you would still be allowed to travel around the country and exit at any crossing. Perhaps the customs agent you spoke to thought the new rules apply to all foreign registered vehicles?

My understanding is the new rules were proposed by the Land Transport Department but customs enforces them. However, I'm concerned if the entry/exit rules limit Malaysian/Singaporean/Lao vehicles to the crossing they entered, this could backfire badly for Thai vehicles heading to these countries; I'm one of them.

Hopefully someone can clarify this for me.

Jim

 

[Vic Alborn]

Hi Vic and David, new to the forum here.

Have been following this story for a while, so just wanted to receive some clarification. Vic, you mentioned your bike is Malaysian registered? If so, I thought you would still be allowed to travel around the country and exit at any crossing. Perhaps the customs agent you spoke to thought the new rules apply to all foreign registered vehicles?

My understanding is the new rules were proposed by the Land Transport Department but customs enforces them. However, I'm concerned if the entry/exit rules limit Malaysian/Singaporean/Lao vehicles to the crossing they entered, this could backfire badly for Thai vehicles heading to these countries; I'm one of them.

Hopefully someone can clarify this for me.

Hello Jim.
Sorry I have not replied sooner.
I suspect the Customs House staff in Phuket either were not aware that the Land Transport edict did not apply to Malaysian/Singaporean/Llaotian vehicles or they did not properly review my Temporary Import document (which clearly states my bike is Malaysian registered and I have a Malaysian address.
I have since been to the Thai Consulate here in Penang and the Officer there was sympathetic to my case and agreed that I can re-aply for a new Visa. He was unable to explicitly state that the LTD rule prohibited an extension in my case it being an LTD/Customs matter.
I plan to attempt a border crossing without a Visa (15 days permitted on a New Zealand passport) and see what happens. This should allow me to enter Thailand with my bike without risking a refusal using up another 2 month Visa with attendant trouble and MYR150 cost. If successful I will return to Malaysia and re-apply for the Visa.
I will let you know what happens.
Interesting times.
Cheers
Vic

 

[Jimenator]

OK, good to hear from you.

Look forward to your next update.

Jim.

 

[Vic Alborn]

OK, good to hear from you.

Look forward to your next update.

Jim.

OK.
LONG ANSWER: I crossed the border today at Wang Kilian, Perlis (NW corner and leads out close to Satun - but you may know that already).
Immigration gave me 15 days without a Visa and no questions (even got a smile).
Went to customs and the young lady called up my bike on the computer and gave me a Simplified Temporary Import valid for 28 days!!! (No questions)
She did say "come back # 12", which I translated as come back on the 12th. August. Even then I think she meant don't come back on the 12th as it is the Queen's Birthday and that particular office may be closed. Academic anyway as I will be exiting before my visa expires on 1st. August.
Seems the Phuket Office were not up to speed with the newly introduced LTD rules, or they did not notice the bike was Malaysian registered.
SHORT ANSWER: There was no problem importing a Malaysian Registered bike ridden by the owner, said owner being a New Zealand resident of caucasian descent (not Malaysian).
Cheers

 

[Jimenator]

Thanks for that update, Vic.

That's what I thought. I have read reports and seen a number of Malaysian motorcyclists/cars in Thailand this month, all since the new rules have gone into effect and they had no problems entering under the same terms as always. I think the Phuket office was as you say mistaken or didn't notice you were riding a Malaysian registered motorbike. Good to know everything went well for you.

Jim.

 

[DavidFL]

Maybe this is back firing already....it obviously was not very well thought out & a knee jerk reaction, causing a lot of unnecessary grief = a terrible shambles.

Driving-in tourist numbers plummet after ban

Driving-in tourist numbers plummet after ban

The number of vehicles from China to Chiang Mai province has plummeted by 98% to 10 from 600 daily following a ban on inbound motorists from driving deeper into the kingdom.
Pornchai Jitnavasathian, chairman of the Tourism Council of Chiang Mai, said on Monday that the much lighter inbound traffic obviously resulted from the Land Transport Department's ban on visiting motorists from driving beyond the province of entry. The measure took effect on June 27.
The measure affected the number of driving Chinese tourists who normally arrived in caravans through the R3A route from southern China via Laos and Chiang Rai's Chiang Khong district to Chiang Mai and had high purchasing power, he said.
Before the ban, most of these visitors went to Chiang Mai and other destinations deeper in the country including Bangkok, Mr Pornchai said.
Previously, each visiting vehicle from southern China carried three or more tourists who spent at least 5,000 baht each per day, Mr Pornchai said. He estimated that the declining arrivals cost Chiang Mai 1 million a day in tourism income.
Boontha Chailert, president of the Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association, said unless the ban was reviewed, 3,000-5,000 workers in the tourism sector in the northern province would lose their jobs in three months.
Tourism authorities in Chiang Mai would call for a review of the ban and oppose other future conditions that would add inconveniences to visiting motorists, Mr Boontha said. He cited possible requirements for them to seek entry permission at least 30 days in advance and exit the country through the same border pass.
The Land Transport Department imposed the rule after an influx of visiting motorists resulted in a spike in traffic accidents and waste management problems. Besides, the merits of this group of tourists were questioned since many of them did not stay at hotels.​

Let's hope there is a realistic "Thai solution" soon.

 

[Jimenator]

I'm wondering if they were meant to say 10 per month, rather than 10 per day. If there were still 10 Chinese cars arriving per day, that would still be more than in 2013, when a total of 1700 came in the entire year according to Thai customs statistics.

I don't think the fallout from this law is like as claimed in the article considering that only 43000 Chinese tourists arrived in a total of 9248 vehicles (including motorcycles) last year, which is 0.5% of the total of all Chinese visitor arrivals (7.9 million), according to Thai customs and TAT statistics, respectively. Therefore, the loss of overland tourists is statistically insignificant. The same occurred when other countries like China and Vietnam imposed their rules. 6-7 years ago, Lao registrations at least were allowed to travel around China independently, by requesting permission at each provincial boundary. Since then, they have been restricted to Jinghong, this according to my good friend in Laos who runs a car rental agency.

I heard there may be an amendment to this law announced this month. So far there is no indication as to what aspects of the law may be amended, but some of the additional requirements visiting motorists have been faced with include 1) having to obtain a notarized document/statutory declaration (for Aussies) from your embassy if you are riding a motorcycle or intending to drive a car outside the border province entered; 2) no motorhomes/campervans even under the "exceptional case" category and 3) Thai insurance companies don't offer 1 million Baht insurance policies yet. Tour operators would like to see the rules simplified by allowing tourist vehicles to be driven across multiple provinces/allowing exit at other borders without requiring a "special case" application.

The rules were brought in to rightfully clamp down on the large numbers of Chinese motorists freely entering Thailand, especially during holiday periods, causing accidents and increased congestion as you say. I'd suggest if the department and concerned agencies can solve the 3 problems I have mentioned and simplify the rules to allow tourist vehicles to be driven to other provinces then any impacts so far can be minimized in the future.

Jim

 

[sgBikerBoy]

FWIW, when I crossed the Poipet-Klunglok border and into Thailand on 30Jul16 on a Singapore-registered motorcycle, the immigration officer did ask me where I was from. And when I mentioned Singapore, he nodded and said something along the lines of, "Singapore, Malaysia, Laos, okay."

So if anyone's coming in from Poipet, Cambodia via Aranyaprathet / Klunglok, these guys seem to know their stuff.

 

[ntb]

This is sooo frustrating. I have been bringing my bike into Thailand for 3 months at a time for 8 years now. Me and my bike are on the immigration/customs computer. Was so easy and fast to enter Thailand on my Cambodia registered bike. Now I can only enter for 1 month and have to stay in the province of entry? For those in the know,please keep this forum updated with new info on this subject.
My free riding heart is broken about these new silly rules.

 

[DavidFL]

This is sooo frustrating. I have been bringing my bike into Thailand for 3 months at a time for 8 years now. Me and my bike are on the immigration/customs computer. Was so easy and fast to enter Thailand on my Cambodia registered bike. Now I can only enter for 1 month and have to stay in the province of entry? For those in the know,please keep this forum updated with new info on this subject.
My free riding heart is broken about these new silly rules.

Sorry for you.
Eventually it will be sorted out I'm sure.

 

[Bibi]

hey guys,

Does anybody have any new regarding this subject? We are planing our bike trip next year!

thanks

Bibi

 

[Vic Alborn]

Hello Bibi.
If your bike is NOT registered in Laos, Malaysia or Singapore I have no further information.
If your bike is from one of those countries: -
I re-entered Thailand from Malaysia through Sadao on August 3 with a 28 day permit & no problems (Malaysian registered bike).
Attempted an extension in Nakhon Phanom on August 28 BUT WAS TURNED DOWN unless I had a problem with the bike.
Exited through Nong Kai into Laos (Again losing the balance of my two-month Visa in the process!)
Returned through Nong Kai September 7. The bike got 28 days and I was granted 15.
It may be that other Customs Offices will issue an extension but I haven't found one yet.
Cheers (and good luck because that seems to be what you need!)
Vic

 

[DavidFL]

The sticking point in all of this is that the Thai tour agent who organizes & approves your trip loses their licence if you break the conditions
- staying in the province
- exiting from the same designated port
- detouring from the designated route
Supposedly the Tourist Police, the Customs & the Land Transport department monitor your journey.
In a nutshell it has effectively killed the masses of Chinese vehicles flooding in across the border at Chiang Khong, but in the meantime made it extremely difficult for everyone else.
The Customs at Chiang Khong also say that your trip must be approved 10 days in advance.

Good luck any foreign riders from outside the permissible countries trying to get in.

 

[ntb]

Ok I'm not sure if this is going to be a dumb question but here goes. If I have someone from Thailand buy my Cambodian registered bike will it cost a lot of money to bring the bike into Thailand and have it registered there by the buyer? And yes the idea would be to buy the bike back and keep it in Thailand. I have a lot of blood, sweat and tears invested in this bike and want to keep it but Cambodia just doesn't seem to be big enough for it anymore and riding in Thailand is so much more enjoyable.

 

[DavidFL]

Ok I'm not sure if this is going to be a dumb question but here goes. If I have someone from Thailand buy my Cambodian registered bike will it cost a lot of money to bring the bike into Thailand and have it registered there by the buyer? And yes the idea would be to buy the bike back and keep it in Thailand. I have a lot of blood, sweat and tears invested in this bike and want to keep it but Cambodia just doesn't seem to be big enough for it anymore and riding in Thailand is so much more enjoyable.

Ntb
Check this one
Shipping Costs And Options For Us To Bkk (actually Going To Do This)

You could ask M1Tanker as has completed the process properly - importing a bike - & knows the costs involved.

 

[ntb]

Ntb
Check this one
Shipping Costs And Options For Us To Bkk (actually Going To Do This)

You could ask M1Tanker as has completed the process properly - importing a bike - & knows the costs involved.

Thanks for the info. I think I'll just wait and see if the rules to enter Thailand from Cambodia on a bike change back to normal in the next year or two.

 

[Jimenator]

Thanks for the info. I think I'll just wait and see if the rules to enter Thailand from Cambodia on a bike change back to normal in the next year or two.

For Cambodian bikes, there should be positive changes in the next year or two, provided Cambodia finally signs a cross-border transport agreement with Thailand. As neighboring ASEAN states one would expect there to be positive changes in the near future. I don't see there being any changes for 3rd country vehicles though - as I read on another forum, there has been talk about requiring a guide though this doesn't seem to have been implemented yet.

 

[Andre]

UPDATE 30th June 2016
Motorcycles ARE included in the new rules.
Confusion seems to be in control between the relevant govt departments on how to deal with the motorbikes.
Customs are being told to follow the Land Transport rules.

Sorry for any riders stuck outside on the border at the moment.
Also sorry for any guys stuck inside trying to get an extension.

More as the drama unfolds.

Hi DavidFL,
I plan to have a SEA journey solor-ider with my GS (registered in Indonesia) from Indonesia to Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos (actualy I would like to see vietnam, but seem complicated).
Now with the new rule; situation become complicated; asking prior aproval and use a tour guide, my question are:
1. The Tour company; can you give me reference so I can contact them, for further process. and to whom I need to apply?
2. what this tour guide do? prepare the papers or also join and escort me (LIke in China)?
3. in my trip, entering thailand from Bukit Kayu Hitam (malaysia border) and then out to cambodia, Laos and back to Thailand (Chiang Mai area) then back to malaysia; according the new rule; become imposible?
THanks in advance for your advice...

BTW, nowdays to enter Indonesia is stright forward, simple and easy as long you have a visa and Carnet

Best regards
Andre

MTS-1200 2012
R1200GS 2013

 

[DavidFL]

I don't like your chances without an agent guaranteeing your passage, sad to say.

The recommended company to contact is

Aran Sisophon Travel
Mrs. Thip +66 (0) 8100 13353
25 Suwannasorn rd, Aranyaprathet , Sakaew 27120
Tel: +66 37 232 383 -4
Mobile: +66 8130 21709

Khun Ratree Sangrungreung
License No. 11 /03962
Website : www.tour-ast.com
Email : [email protected]

 

[Jimenator]

Hi DavidFL,
I plan to have a SEA journey solor-ider with my GS (registered in Indonesia) from Indonesia to Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos (actualy I would like to see vietnam, but seem complicated).
Now with the new rule; situation become complicated; asking prior aproval and use a tour guide, my question are:
1. The Tour company; can you give me reference so I can contact them, for further process. and to whom I need to apply?
2. what this tour guide do? prepare the papers or also join and escort me (LIke in China)?
3. in my trip, entering thailand from Bukit Kayu Hitam (malaysia border) and then out to cambodia, Laos and back to Thailand (Chiang Mai area) then back to malaysia; according the new rule; become imposible?
THanks in advance for your advice...

BTW, nowdays to enter Indonesia is stright forward, simple and easy as long you have a visa and Carnet

Best regards
Andre

MTS-1200 2012
R1200GS 2013

I can answer these questions for you, David and others may be able to elaborate further.

1. Tourism operators with inbound and outbound licences can apply for the permit through the Department of Land Transport office in Bangkok or any provincial land transport office 15 working days prior to entry (new rule is 15 days, it was originally 10 days if not leaving the border province and 30 days for "special cases" now it's 15 days for all cases). I don't have any specific tour companies to recommend, but a Google search for tour companies/motorcycle tour companies based in northern Thailand can help (the reason for northern Thailand is most of them are based there - usually in Chiang Mai with a smaller number in Chiang Rai and other nearby provinces). Even if you enter through the southern border, a company based in the north can help. Alternatively, google "Hat Yai motorcycle tours" or "Hat Yai travel agencies" "tour companies" or similar and they may be able to assist.

2. Yes, they apply for the permit, insurance and starting March 1, 2017 they will need to escort you through the country as well (new rule). So far, no escort was required but a new rule makes a guide and lead vehicle mandatory. I have seen the Thai text and it's English translation and it has now become law.

3. No problems, but you must specify the entry/exit points clearly and apply for a separate permit for each entry. So if you are transiting Thailand twice, 2 permits must be applied for. Each permit is valid for 30 days max. and a total of 60 days max. can be spent in Thailand per calendar year.

To enter Cambodia without a permit only two entry points can be used (your bike will be refused entry at all other entry points so I wouldn't bother trying): Hat Lek/Koh Kong and Chong Chom/O'Smach. Exiting Cambodia for Thailand should be OK at all other borders. Cambodia to Laos directly should be OK but it's sometimes a bit of a hit and miss.

 

[ntb]

Does anyone have updates about crossing Koh Kong into Thailand with Cambodian registered big bike? And if it's possible, how long can I stay in Thailand with my bike? Everything has changed too many times since I last crossed the boarder 2 1/2 years ago. It used to be easy because me and the bike were in the computer system. BTW, I do have Cambodia registration card for my bike and also have Cambodia driver license for big bike.