Job Discussion Forums

s.tickbeat · Joined: 07 May 2012 Posts: 4

Hi - I know that this isn't teaching related, and I don't actually live in Thailand but I'm about to embark on a year's adventure starting in Bangkok, and figured that the expats would know a bit about this.

Specifically, how is motorcycle driving there?

I'm a licensed driver with two year's experience (I mean, I driver every day in all weather conditions kind of experience, a motorbike is my primary method of transportation). I want to buy a motorbike that I can drive across borders, so it was to be straight-up legit.

Just some questions:

- how much can I expect to pay for something like a honda cbr250? I'm pretty flexible on the bike, but Honda has available parts all over the region so I'm partial to it.

- Will a licence and IDP allow me to *legally* drive, register, and insure the bike?

- Any information on border crossings?

Thanks a ton for your help!

Also, mods, you have my sincerest apologies for being rather off-topic here.

tttompatz

s.tickbeat · Joined: 07 May 2012 Posts: 4

So, if I can't legally register the bike on a tourist visa, then I won't be able to prove ownership or anything so I won't be able to take it across any border. Hmm, this could be a problem.

In that case, would it be easier to take my bike from Korea to Thailand (e.g ferry it to Weihai and drive from China)? As I understand it, you must have a vehicle registered and insured to drive it around the world.

Can you shed any more light on it, or direct to somewhere that can? I've still got six more months to plan this out. Smile

btsmrtfan · Joined: 01 Jul 2010 Posts: 193 Location: GPS Not Working

A couple of things you may want to consider and some links:

It may be to your advantage to obtain a Thai driver's license and then a Thai International License before leaving Thailand. You need to have a proper Thai Tourist Visa for the regular Thai driver's license and you need the regular Thai driver's license before you can apply for the one year Thai International License. My feeling is the Thai International License may make things easier for you moving from country to country.

Here are a couple of links that speak to crossing borders and rental motorbikes. It sounds like a rental motorbike may be an option for you unless you absolutely want to use your own bike:

http://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/589/motorbikes-in-thailand-and-laos

http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/laos/16698_visa--roads-and-crossing-with-a-motorbike

Hope this helps. Drive safe and enjoy the adventure. Cool