Around SE asia, what do you think
 

Hello,
I am planning to drive my truck through Malaysia, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia starting November 2010.
Here's a link to the route I am projecting to follow so far.
Any suggestion, advise, anything?

Thanks!

Your link isn't working.



I recently made a trip to Penang, crossing the Thai/Malaysia border near Satun. Lovely off the beaten trail route, very little traffic, beautiful mountains. Satun is a pleasant sleepy out of the way place.
There are a lot of nice roads you can wander your way north on.
I live up in Ranong part of the year, Phuket part of the year, and in Bangkok now.
I travel extensively around Thailand and know a few nice out of the way places depending on how you're going.

Fixed the link. Sorry.

Looks like a good route,

Not sure why you want go through Surat Thani in South Thailand. You could go through Ranong an see some really beautiful mountains. Also the best and most unspoiled islands in Thailand are off Ranong. You would also avoid a few hundred kms of that busy north/south hwy.

And unless you have specific things to do in Bangkok I'd avoid driving through there, it's a nightmare for the inexperienced. Bangkok and the road north out of Bangkok is some serious hell on wheels to be avoided if you can.
I'd recommend continuing north to Nakhon Pathom and Suphan Buri. Which some very pretty country, or do a detour west up into the Kachanaburi area.

Also the Nan area east of Chiang Rai is an especially pleasant and less visited area of Thailand.

In Laos I'd recommend making a trip up to the northern town of Phongsali before hitting the heavily touristed Luang Phrabang. Bit of a Chinese trading station, interesting place and they grow tea up the there..It's about 150km of dirt road up there.

I just realized why you need to go to Bangkok. For Laos visas of course.

Just bear in mind the route in and out of Bangkok is singularly unpleasant and very hectic.

Well, I think I can get the Laos visa at the border, on arrival.
Thanks for the advices, will rework the map.

Lao visa on arrival is available in Huai Xai and most other border crossings. The exceptions I know of are Muang Pakxan and Veun Kham. So there is no need to get one in Bangkok. There is also a Lao consulate in Khon Kaen where you can get a visa on weekdays.

I second the comments on Ranong by Bush Pilot.

We coudn't cross the border from Laos into Cambo in 2008, because we were asked for some customs permit which we didn't have. We refused to pay the 20$ bribe to waive it. Other travellers either paid up, were refused entry without the permit and couldn't bribe their way through, or didn't need it at all. I don't know what the current situation at this border crossing is. Check out the Laos or Cambo forum on gt-rider.com. If in doubt do Laos and Cambo in reverse.

what sort of truck ?
 

hi i am looking to bring my truck to south east Asia sometime in 2011 or 2012 it would be good to know how big yours is to see if your route is ok for my Bedford Tm4x4 see picture it weighs about 15 tonne fully loaded

i have a friend in china who will help me in and out, i have travelled to south east Asia many times just not overland any info would be good thanks nick.

http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/...pporttruck.jpg

Hi there,
I don't expect the roads to be that bad. I am driving a '96 Land Cruiser. From what I read, I think that worst season would be the rainy mid-July to November where road may get washed out...

Hello,
We drove around Asia extensively and have put lots of useful GPS points for where to stay and various other information on our webpage. Hope it will be useful to you.
BTW - you can get your Laos visa in Cambodia as well.
Happy travels!
Nessie
Home

Thanks Monster, just downloaded you GPS files, should be very helpful.
Visited your website in the past but didn't recall the GPS points...