As far as i can see the guide only needs to be a Thai national, with a Thai registered vehicle. Says nothing about a licensed tour operator.

I think i will submit the application through a Thai travel agent as required, then source my own local guy for a couple of days hire.
Save $$$$$$$$ from the prices going around.

Pretty sure the pricing for a guide is through Moto Asia.

Thailand-Myanmar
 

If anybody is looking at crossing Myanmar from Thailand then into into India let me know.
We have a couple of bikes looking to cross early May. Still somewhat flexible on exact date.

ktm620@hotmail.com

I heard you have till March to cross Thailand without a guide.
Worth looking into!!

If you end up crossing Myanmar in May, we will happily join you.

You heard wrong mate you need a guide NOW?
your not reading the rules correctly KTM620 you need to buy some glasses

As i said i have heard of people crossing now, apparently before the 60 days is up. that is, i believe the new regs will be enforced 60 days after the new regs where made public. I could be wrong, but its certainly worth looking into if your already on the road!!

It states clearly the guide/escort only needs to be a Thai national, with a Thai registered vehicle.

Don't be a Nuf!

There have been almost constantly changing of rules and regulations. New ones have been added and others have been out of function.

But for us who have followed this subject for a while (or tried to at least) know that to get into and through Thailand without guides the last date for having a permit approved was 23th of december 2016. And the last period of entering Thailand without guides - but with permits approved before 23th december last year is March 2017.

Thus - entering Thailand now without guides will be impossible. Although I would be very happy if it is possible.

When it comes to the definition of a guide by thai government - I dont think you can take any local Somchai for the job. Papers and qualifications must be present and such things are not free at all in Thailand. So dont expect anyone to be approved as a guide and dont expect a guide to be cheap.

Where are you right now this minute ???
Well, I am right now in CR Thailand and have been here for the last 3 months.
And just 3 days ago crossed over from Laos to Thailand on a Thai plated bike.
So members like me who are on the ground can only but advise other members on here what we know?
Correction glasses you don't need but the light is on but no one is at home.?

Good luck at the border you are going to need it.

Nuff Said.

Thai-plated bike probably makes a difference; speaking, reading and writing Thai will certainly help - though no-one in Aus seems to be able to give a definitive answer about what the new regs actually involve.
Yes, there are people profiteering, making the task seem hopelessly complex and burdensome, so they can charge a premium: maybe you can get a local on a bike to be your Guide/Guard, or maybe you can't - but the concept of a per-ordained itinerary fills me with dread: I have no idea if each day will be a 40km day or a 240km day.
Call me kinky, but none of my ideas of fun include spending hours at a border post while people in uniforms try to interpret hastily imposed regulations.
Our bikes are already crated and at Customs - we pick them up on Monday.
In Johannesburg.
Sorry Malaysia, Thailand, Laos & Cambodia - maybe another time.

The Thai Guide has to have an "inbound" and "outbound" TAT license which are not easy to get and are expensive so the likely hood to JUST pick up a Thai guy at the border is not going to happen.
Surely even Aus people can understand that.
The best way to get back at the Thai government is to bypass the country like you are doing.?
Good luck with you ride

Yep bypass the country, stop the money coming in then the rules will change again, what the junta fail to realise is that people don't have to come here a pay through the nose for guides etc. But when greed takes over ........!

As a back up looking into shipping bike from Penang Malaysia to Myanmar.
LCL cargo $270 m3.(All inclusive)
Ill investigate this one a little further, might be a good option.

If anyone is looking at crossing Myanmar around May 2017 let me know.

Car transporter to transit Thailand
 

Hi,
i was going to drive a Land Rover, Singapore to UK end of 2017. The Thailand thing has made it a bit more complex.
Myanmar is bad enough but this really takes the piss.
My Land rover is a 1968 model so it would be long days to get across Thailand in 5 days and i resent paying best part of £1500 for nothing.
Anyone know of a car transporter company??
Id rather pay the money to a transport company than finance a stupid overreaction rule.

:thumbdown:

I know its a car request but i have bikes too :cool4:

I am not sure....just putting this out there...but even if you use a transporter company you would still be bringing your Vehicle in to Thailand so you may have to still pay a price.
Have you looked at shipping from Malaysia to other country East or West and missing out Thailand altogether, it may be cheaper than the Escort (rip off) price.

Yea did wonder if bringing the car even if the wheels don't touch the ground might present some problems. Have to wait and see. Whole situation will be more known by the time we leave Oz.
Pity, was looking forward to driving all the way Singapore to uk but maybe we ship Oz to India and spend more time in Bhutan and Nepal. Have until Sept to decide.
Nobby

Just received this reply from Aran Sisophon Travel

"Thai permit = 8000 baht.

guide = 3000 baht per day not inculed hotel and meal

car = 3000 baht per day not inculed oil -hotel and meal "

At today's rates that's £140 a day. Too much on our own but if you were organised with a group it wouldn't be so bad. Still I'm favoring shipping Australia to India directly. A great shame but I won't aid this rip off attitude. Nobby