SELF DRIVING IN THAILAND

Self Driving in Thailand. 


By: Hj Mohammed Assir

Attended the talk which hosted by TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) at MITM Fair in Cititel Mid Valley. Represented by TAT Director Khun Aman, Chief Police Lt Col Khun Amornpong Sommanawan and Head of Malaysia Thailand Biker Club Khun Micky. Also short attendance by His Excellency Mr Ambassador for Thailand in Kuala Lumpur. 

For the questions posted here some of the clarifications.

1. Insurance:

The third party Insurance that we usually buy that is for 9 days or 2 weeks or a month has a limitation of coverage that happens to third party. A coverage of only THB80000 whereby any incident happens we have to either settle the amount asked or to be detained till investigation or settlement achieved. Also most of the time language becomes a barrier, when everything is misunderstood. Therefore a new lesson learned that we should purchase Comprehensive (1st party) or better known as voluntarily Insurance. This will cover up to THB600,000 or can go up to THB1,000,000 or more depending on the requirement. A motorcycle with above 500 cc would cost around THB 1700 for one year. WIth this insurance we are supported by the Insurance company and they will post a guarantee of THB150,000 immediately in case of any untoward incident. Then we can settle it later depending on the outcome of the case. SO conclusion we should always buy this insurance and not what we been doing all this while. 

2. Register Vehicles

Now due to avoid stolen vehicles or  vehicle hi jacks, Thailand Authority has stopped allowing more than one vehicle to enter Kingdom of Thailand under 1 person's name. The law has been there very long but the authorities were allowing on their own judgement. Now the orders have been given whereby the authorities can no longer allow this procedures. So if you have a trailer towing your bike or 4x4 make sure that you have two persons to register each vehicle individually.

3. Signboards

TAT will take some actions to put more signboards and simplify the entry for vehicles and passengers so that necessary instructions were more clear and visible. 

4. Visa for Singaporean

The Singaporeans that entering by land/self driving are only allowed to enter twice a year without any visas. But if there more than twice in a calendar year you have to apply a visa. This requirements were agreed or imposed by both countries through their bilateral understandings. Also applicable to foreigners residing in Malaysia or Singapore. For now Malaysians are excluded from this regulations.

4. Visa for Outside ASEAN

The reason why the recent enforcement for the Foreigners traveling with their vehicles ( Outside ASEAN), was imposed visa, traveling permits and etc etc was due to high numbers of accidents and casualty. Therefore this regulations will stay till further notice. After imposing the regulations the authorities saw a sharp drop in accidents caused by or with involvement of foreign vehicles.

5. Malaysian Driving Licence

According to the MOU and bilateral discussion among the ASEAN countries, Malaysian Driving Licence is valid through out Thailand. This was confirmed by the Police Lt Col. 

6. Tips

• When involved in accident: Take as many as possible photos of the incident place/vehicles/road and etc etc.
• NEVER run away. 
• Make a police report.
• Emergency police contact : Dial 191
• Hotline Insurance :  1186 (This for 1st party Insurance and they will send some one or connect us to someone to assist) 
• Always have our insurance ready.
• Enter Thailand there will be Vehicle customs form, Passenger manifest and entry card which allof this MUST return when we exit Thailand. 

Travel safe and always respect the law. 
Thank you.