Destination - ChiangMai Thailand

I have been planning to drive to Chiangmai thailand since 2007. The trip was not possible then as I was advised against it due to thai election campaign ( Dec 07 ) - that was just after the military take over ( Thaksin Fled to UK ) and looking for a replacement Govt.

Anyway, year 2008 wasn't as promising either. Have bee reading Bangkokpost on a daily basis just to keep abreast on what is happening there. After throwing out a Prime Minister that cooks on TV, kickout Thaksin's brother in law, seizes Airports and elects a new PM, I could not wait till all the dust are settled before taking the trip. It has to be Now !!

The politics in Thailand is like Stock Market ( I maybe wrong here - my apologies ). Very Unpredictable and Volatile but Life has to go on.

Politics aside .. I could not let this volatility situation to derail my plan. This is also why I did not organize a group trip. It would be a nightmare making decision as to "When to go ?".

There are lots of preparatory works to be done. Here are just a few of them.

1. Prime up your Vehicle
- Beltings ( Timing belt/Aircon belt/Crankshaft pully)
- Oils ( Engine / AFT / ATX / Brake Fluid )
- Brakes ( front / Rear brake pads / Disc )
- Fans ( Radiator fans working fine / Aircon blower )
- Tyres ( all 4 + spare ) - Perfect balancing + alignment )
- All the bushings .. tie rod end/ multi links / etc
- Others ( ICE ? etc )

2. Paperwork
- Car registration
- Car Insurance cover to thailand ( I extended my coverage to Kingdom of Thailand with an additional payment for 1 month that cost me RM85 - get it thru your local insurance agent )
- Buy Thailand 3rd party insurance coverage at the border town in Changloon
- Valid Passport & driving license

3. Others
- Drinking Water
- Medications ( Just in case )
- Thai Currency

So on the 21st Dec 08, I set out to Thailand.......... now here we go ...

First day ..






Penang -- The traffic is already heavy going into Penang bridge

Oh what a day .. the timing is impeccable. But what else is new about Penang Bridge ?

Border Town - Danuk ( Bukit kayu Hitam )










At the border....

Once you have crossed the border, for those who are driving, take note of this.

Take a left turn and park your car at the car park. Walk to the immigration booth. Collect disembarkation form at the office.Fill up the disembarkation form and present it together with your valid passport to the thai immigration officer at the many booths available. Please also enclose RM1/xx. The officer that we met did not ask for it.

Once you have cleared immigration, present your Vehicle ownership claim form ( grant ) together with your passport at another booth ( specific for vehicle registration into thai ). The officer will key the Vehicle data into a computer and will pass the whole set ( 4 copies ) to you together with your passport. Take that set of forms and pass it to the next booth. This when the last officer will ask you to "Bring Car". Get into the car with all the passengers and drive into the lane and stop right at the same officer. He will give you 1 copy of the approved form and will signal for you to proceed into thailand ...

First Town

We started our Journey and the traffic was smooth. As we move towards Hatyai, we decided to take a break before undertaking this Long Haul, do some shopping, get familiarised and to start early. Saw lots of Malaysian and Singapore Cars there. Guess it was a weekend and everyone was looking for a bargain.

The Christmas Mood is already in the air.






View of Hatyai Town from the hotel