OK matey -

The guys at the Sadao crossing are agents for Kurnia Insurance,

Heres there website, which has dubious certificate issues - but but here is a good page that shows their agents.

There is also a 24 hour helpline number 1800-88-3833

Thanks Recom273. Much appriciated! Will try to contact them tomorrow.

:-)

Kurnia turned down my request for insurance. They are the third company in Malaysia that does that.... :-(

Well since 3 different insurance companies and one insurance agent couldt help I decided to deviate up to the Sadao border on the way to Kota Bharu to sort things out.

Insurance was easy peacy but costed 95 Ringit for one month third party insurance. At the "open air counter" next to the JPJ office. So the fun started - I entered the JPJ office and before I was able to say something the guy at the counter proclaimed: "I no speak english" Well I said a few easy english words and put my papers on his counter. He then announced again: "I no speak english" He then had a look at my papers and noticed my regiastration document which is in norwegian since my bike is registred in Norway and I am a norwegian citizen. "Hey you - I not understand this paper, you have to get it translated to english!" Bloody hell he has just said two things so far and both of them were to express that he couldnt speak english and now he wanted me to have documents translated into english!?!?! What an idiot! And he just waved me out of his office. So there I was 4.30 pm on a saturday afternoon on the border between Thailand and Malaysia and had just been ordered to get a norwegian registration document translated into english by a official that had said two times already that he didnt speak english.

I went out to the woman in the insurance desk and asked her what to do. She said that she would talk to the JPJ official. And then she gave a little smile. I sensed that this could go both ways - and after a few minutes I was asked into the JPJ office again and a few questions were asked and a couple of documents printed out and given to me and off I went. Voila - everything cleared!

Malaysia is around the country number 20 I crossed into and never have I been asked to show a registartion document in english or a translation of ditto into english. Have anyone experienced such a thing before?

End of the story - probably best to go through the biggest border crossing as they have both insurance and a JPJ office. And maybe have your registration papers yranslated into english if youre not from a native english speaking country???

Glad that worked out for you in the end .. That was really unusual of Malay people not to speak English.

I have problems practicing my Malay, because they all speak English so well.

Yeah, we have a standard translation document here, its like 25 THB or 50p to translate your Thai reg book into English at the dept. of transport, but there are also stories where people didnt have the necessary translation and they bumbled through with their Thai documents or just translated it themselves.

If you don't have the necessary translation from your own country you could just do a basic translation yourself and get some kids stamp and red ink. Who would know, Asians just love a rubber stamp.

http://i.imgur.com/hX9v738.jpg

Here is a sample of the one provided by Thai DLT that contains all info for Malay JPJ, without even speaking any English. lol.

I dont think a thai paper and translation form would have helped for a norwegian registration document.....

Actually as approx the twetienth country I ride through Malaysia is the first who wanted a english translation of my bikes registration document. Except China though - to those guys I had to send over all kinds of papers 3-4 months before arrival by mail.

But it may help someone else, if they were preparing documents to overland. It contains all the info a Malay JPJ officer will ever request.

As has also been reported, some people have prepared their own translations - a future viewer of the forum could use this as a template.

Sadao Border Crossing
 

Hi,

I am from India and riding a Royal Enfield 350cc, currently in Krabi and will be heading to Sadao tomorrow 21st Aug. I was a bit stressed out and now relieved after reading this thread.

I am carrying the IDP/ Carnet/ all documents to prove ownership. Hope i should be able to pass through without much stress.

Thanks Guys,

Atul

This thread is of interest to me I'm freighting a Australian bike to Penang in November and Insurance seems to be the problem. I planned to leave Malaysia through the Sadao border and possibly return that way but I need to get insurance to get my bike from customs. I've emailed AAM and got no reply so this is becoming a worry. The bike has all papers and a carnet but why is insurance so hard?

If you read snakeboys post ( which I'm sure you have ) he had a mission impossible - I even gave him an insurance company in Penang, that a Malay buddy uses.

Doreen Fong Insurance motor

+60 12-488 2741

I have an old ( 2 months ) cover note from Kurnia, I paid 700 THB for one month, for my Thai registered Versys.

The address is a local office, in Pedang Bezar ( Malay side )

Wisut LongKao, Padang CT SDN BHD
No. 83, Main Road, 02100 Padang Bezar, Perlis 04 94 92316

I purchased this in Wang Prachan, Satun, and I'm sure this is the local office that services Sadao and P.Bezar.

There have been a few issues with Sadao immigration of late, detaining and demanding money from people ( although mainly applies to people who are staying here long term ) but even still, last month I left through Sadao where they are building a new immigration complex and returning from Penang I did a detour to Padang rather than chance going through Sadao.

Things have got a little funny since the Bangkok bomb too.

I think snakeboy wrote he had virtually no problems getting insurance at the border, but that doesnt really help you.

Hope this helps you.