Thailand : SG - Ko Samui - Phuket - SG - 3300km Solo Trip

[Nainar]

Yo Nainar, I think Tamedriver is a Lady and if correct, all the more admiration for her sojurns esp driving in pea soup.

Not to steal her thunder but most of us can relate to your post as it is closer to home.

 

Aaah! I just checked the profile now and figured out!! Salute to you lady. Having handled "Head to head" with Farm Tractors and Pea soup... Respect!!!!

 

Being in tropical weather Singapore/malaysia is spared of it I guess. It happens quiet often in northern parts of India and have come across it, I mean loads of it with visibility just to next car. Especially when driving 2000 meters above sea level in the mountains.

 

One of the interesting thing I noticed is how chilled out the drivers are in Ko Samui. Once I took a three point U Turn in one of the inner roads and a car coming in the opposite direction had to stop because of my oversight in being to able to reverse quickly. I apologised to him but he had that smile on his face and waved at me.

 

And in another instance when driving back from Penang, for some reason the attachment in the rear fender of my CRV came off. It was just hanging on one support. I was in a R&R place NSH, looking to buy a tape to attach it back to the fender so that I can reach Singapore. I did not find any tape being sold in those shops. Managed to get some Band-Aids with which I was trying to stick it. And then a Malaysian Toyota Harrier pulled over by my side and a hand with a roll of tape extended out of the window. I look at the driver and he was smiling, handing over the tape which was a life saver. I thanked him profusely tried to take some part and return the rest, but he just waved at me and drove away. This is my car being taped with that Malaysian kindness. The photo was taken after I reached Singapore as a memory of that incidence.

 

Irrespective of what people say or some bad experiences that they might have had, it is all way of life in the road. I remember the good things and enjoy the drives. Roads outside of Singapore is not that bad, scary place at all.

 

Nainar

Edited September 19, 2012 by Nainar

[Ronleech]

i would do so in my picanto to thailand if my wife allowed me...so far to genting only, not even penang.... i really enjoy driving... but do not know even if my wife agreed, my pica can go that far....i have plan to drive to my house in Mae Sai too...on e abt 2700km....my wifey say i was crazy...she eill wait for me there by taking flights....

[Popok]

wow this is inspiring!! SALUT!

[Cba6p]

Always keep a roll of tape and a big piece of transparent plastic sheet in the car. They are meant for the windscreen....nobody like to use them, I know...

[TameDriver]

GPS sets weren't commercially available in these days. Also no mobile telephones too.

 

 

[TameDriver]

Road trips are not without glitches despite the best of preparations.

However, I find that all it took was a smile, a wave or a small kind act from a stranger that made it all worthwhile

and memorable!

[TameDriver]

i would do so in my picanto to thailand if my wife allowed me...so far to genting only, not even penang.... i really enjoy driving... but do not know even if my wife agreed, my pica can go that far....i have plan to drive to my house in Mae Sai too...on e abt 2700km....my wifey say i was crazy...she eill wait for me there by taking flights....

If you are really up for the solo drive there, why not? There should be flexibility when planning for holidays.

I find it more pleasurable driving alone in a car all to myself. Maybe my family life is unconventional compared to others;

hence the independence for me.

Spouse and I travel separately often due to nature of our profession but always make time for one family trip a year.

[Nainar]

I find it more pleasurable driving alone in a car all to myself. Maybe my family life is unconventional compared to others;

hence the independence for me.

Spouse and I travel separately often due to nature of our profession but always make time for one family trip a year.

 

De Ja vu!! I feel the same way when I have the entire car for myself, driving on my own terms without having to worry too much. When my family comes visiting then I make a trip with them as well. Unconventional to many of my colleagues to fathom why I would go alone.

 

Nainar

[Newdrive]

very inspirational thread! hope i can do a road trip like this next time!

[Tommisu]

Just arrived in Phuket, had plenty of time on hand, so would like to contribute and add on my experience to help out any 1st timers like me while crossing the Thai custom.

 

Arrived at 6.00am at Bukit Kayu Hitam, before I knew it (by mistake), I was at the 1st military checkpoint, nonchantly waved thru by the guard and was headed for the Malaysian custom just ~100m/150m? down the road. Passed the checkpoint and immediately made a U-turn back just before the custom. 2 things: First, Thai custom shouldn't be opened yet (only 5.00am Thailand time? I gathered they open at 6.00am). Secondly, still need to top up petrol before going in.

 

Returned back and found a station (BHP) but not opened. Chat with a local uncle waiting at the station and found that all petrol stations here opens at 7.00am, and closes at 10.00pm. So waited a while until the station assistant finally arrived and opened shop, then top up with 95 (yes, 95 at RM1.90/L,) before making my way toward the custom again. This time, the guard on duty at the checkpoint was on the ball (I think they have just changed shift), waved me to a side. The moment I stepped down, was swarmed by mosquitoes! Anyway, they wanted to check my passport, car registration details and also ensure I have valid insurance coverage for the vehicle. Then was sent on.

 

Driving thru the Malaysian custom was even simpler than JB side, since only 1 lane was opened at that time. The custom officer didn't even check my details, just chopped and returned my passport. Altogether, in and out less than 30 seconds, I'm serious.

 

After the custom, immediately came up to the duty free zone (The Zon) on the left. So this duty free building actually belongs to Malaysia and not Thailand, as opposed to what I initially thought. I drove in and as expected, nothing was opened yet. So exit again (free exit within 15 mins ).

 

Immediately after turning left towards Thailand from the exit is the last police checkpoint. The officer wanted to check my vehicle registration details and passport. Asked me where I was from, and seemed to find it amusing enough to share this information to his colleagues when I said "Singapore". Anyway was waved on again shortly. And finally was out of Malaysia... and immediately into Thailand! I was a bit startled at how near the Thai and Malaysia customs were to each other (maybe I was used to the distance between Sg and JB custom, and it was > 10 yrs ago since I went thru this area in a long-distance Coach). Anyway I will list down in chronological order all that happened from this point on for easy reference;

 

1) Turned left immediately into the big open carpark after the gate at the Thai custom and just parked my car somewhere near (yes, I mean literally gate, like those sliding gates found at bungalows, or companies). This point worked out well as stated on forums. Then I thought I had all the procedures memorized well from all the forums I have read up but nothing prepares me for the confusion I encountered.

 

2) It might be my interpretation of all the information available where I actually painted a mental picture of where each sequence of the procedure should happen, or I'm there too early, that nothing was where it was that caused such confusion. So I will rewrite everything. Asked for and collected the arrival card at passenger counter 1/2 from 1 of the custom officer. Found a place to squat and filled in the details. And when I turned back, there was no officers left in any of the passenger counters. Proceeded to the custom office to ask for assistance. Was directed to counter 7 (the only 1 opened) to get my immigation documents done (counter 7 was actually a booth for vehicle). So I joined the queue of the few already in front of me. Imagine standing on an island in the middle of the vehicle lanes. Luckily there wasn't much traffic, due to the early hours on a Thursday morning.

 

3) Then went back in to the custom office and asked to do my "Importing of Vehicle" documentation. Was re-directed to counter 9. Went ahead to counter 9 and passed my passport and vehicle logsheet (printed out from onemotoring) to the lady officer behind the window. Soon later was handed back my passport, logsheet and also the Dot-Matrix printed SIMPLIFIED CUSTOMS DECLARATION FORM. There was only 1 copy of this form (I read there was supposed to be another carbon copy?). Took a couple of steps to the left of this counter and handed all the documents to the chubby officer sitting on a high chair outside. Was asked to sign on 2 parts of the form. Then he returned my passport and vehicle logsheet, kept the DECLARATION FORM and asked me to drive my car up. Note that at no point did any of the officers inquire about the compulsory insurance. I did asked them about it but it seemed that this was not a necessary item for them to process the documents.

 

4) Went back to collect my car and drove back out into the custom lanes. Only 1 possible route (all the others are blocked off so no fear of getting dis-oriented).

 

5) Stopped my car in front of counter 9. There was a row of 4 officers seated to the left, I think they were supposed to inspect the car. But they hardly gave me a glance. Alighted and collected back my DECLARATION FORM. Carbon copy or not, insurance or not, I remembered I need to have a copy of the DECLARATION FORM to be handed back when I exit Thailand. So I was ok here.

 

6) And that's it! I was officially into Thailand. Of course 1st thing I did was to stop by the 1st row of shop houses immediately after the custom, trying to find one of the "Insurance" counters opened at this hour. And luckily, one of them was. I specified my stay was for 9 days, so I need a insurance to cover the duration. Worked out to be 180THB, under Thai Insurance... hmmm, much cheaper than I expected after reading up on all the forums. Maybe the coverage is different? Anyway important thing is I got what I need to legally drive in Thailand.

 

I have attached a copy of the SIMPLIFIED CUSTOMS DECLARATION FORM, the Insurance and also a hand drawn schematic of the confusing customs layout according to what I can remember, also numbered according to the sequence above. I do apologise for the rough sketch, at least hopefully, it should come in useful for someone who has never been through this before.

 

Cheers.

Edited September 22, 2012 by Tommisu

[Tommisu]

Delete away a repeated post.

Edited September 22, 2012 by Tommisu

[Nainar]

Just arrived in Phuket, had plenty of time on hand, so would like to contribute and add on my experience to help out any 1st timers like me while crossing the Thai custom.

 

Arrived at 6.00am at Bukit Kayu Hitam, before I knew it (by mistake), I was at the 1st military checkpoint, .

 

Cheers.

 

Wow,kudos mate...Not that difficult a process right? I didn't have any issues as well in birder crossing.Nothing to be alarmed about.I bought my Thai insurance for MYR 14 valid for 9 days and it is only liability,not comprehensive.That is why it is cheap.

 

I evoked the same response on Singapore car with the customs guys.And they were even more amused when I said am not a Singapore citizen.no body bothered to check anything in the car.

 

BTW I will be making a trip first week of November with my family this time but intend to cover Krabi, and a few places in Malaysia.

 

Am eager to hear your opinion on driving in Thailand.

 

Nainar

 

 

[Tommisu]

Well, had my fair share of driving in Malaysia and Thailand. Have not officially encountered any highways in Thailand, not like NS Highway, only major intercity/state trunk roads. For single lane trunk roads, I would say Thailand makes for a better and safer driving experience. At least the drivers are courteous and patient, everyone knows how to give way. I've hardly heard anyone sounding their horns at all. Not like those reckless "Protonlution" in Malaysia. However, in build up areas like small towns and cities, the roads are narrow, barely enough for a large car. And then you still have to share them with the countless bikes and scooters. Imagine a pickup truck (those are popular in Thailand) and a scooter jostling for road space, not to mention avoiding the vehicles parked by the roadsides in single lanes traffic. Personally, I find driving in Thailand quite manageable, once you get the hang of the "unwritten" rules they seemed to follow. Just need to remain alert at all times. I guess this is the same for all countries. Understand and get the hang of their driving behaviours and tactics, you will be just fine. I believe Singapore roads have prepared us sufficiently to handle majority of the different driving styles of other countries. Just be a smart driver.

[Tommisu]

I seemed to read somewhere in the previous posts tha gave me the impression that you came from India. Or you had plenty of exposure to driving on Indian roads. Based on what I have seen on TV, if you can handle the traffic in Indian cities, you are more than well equipped for Thailand. I have seen traffic conditions in China major cities and Vietnam, believe me, I was left wondering how the people can survive driving on a day to day basis without getting into an accident. My philosophy still stands. Find that "unwritten" driving rules and habits of the locals, adapt to them and you will be fine.

[Josephsatu]

Yea second that, if Bro Nainir can drive in India, he can drive anywhere in the world.

When I was in Bombay in the 80's. they don put mirrors in their cars

Everybody horn their way around until I had ringing in my ears

[Nainar]

I seemed to read somewhere in the previous posts tha gave me the impression that you came from India. Or you had plenty of exposure to driving on Indian roads. Based on what I have seen on TV, if you can handle the traffic in Indian cities, you are more than well equipped for Thailand. I have seen traffic conditions in China major cities and Vietnam, believe me, I was left wondering how the people can survive driving on a day to day basis without getting into an accident. My philosophy still stands. Find that "unwritten" driving rules and habits of the locals, adapt to them and you will be fine.

 

Hi Tommi,

 

Am from India and have had my share of exposure to driving in India. Have not driven too much in the northern and North eastern part of India, except driving upto Jaipur, Rajasthan which is around 600 kms from New Delhi. India being such a large country will take a significant amount time to cover.

 

But the golden rule is what you stated. Learn the unwritten rule and habits of the locals instead of trying to teach them a lesson. Indian traffic is a nightmare if one is not used to it. But once you learn to drive defensively and learn to share, you will be ok. The highways are much better now with Golden Quadrilateral which runs for 6000+kms of divided, dual carriageway covering the length and breadth of the country. I have had friends who complained/terrified about the traffic, as well as those who rode a motorcycle all the way up north before boarding a plane to Italy.

 

And if you thought you have to share the road with motorcycles and cars, think again.. This is when I was driving in a National highway, in Rajasthan.

 

By the way, if you notice, it is a dual carriageway with me going in the right direction. The camels and scooter are coming in the wrong, opposite direction. :: :) :) . Have seen such things in Thailand as well, with cars coming in the wrong way in A4, in the shoulder, with their headlights on.

 

But once you learn to live with it, it is not a big deal. Have covered thousands of kilometers without any incidents. So, for me driving in Thailand was not that big a deal.

 

Nainar

Edited September 23, 2012 by Nainar

[Caravan]

Wow great experience there!

[Shor]

Just happen to come across this thread, Well done Bro Nai........ you made a wonderful drive!!