some more information for those who want or need to get into Thailand with the official permit.
I had contact with Aran Sisophon Travel (contact details below).

their prices are as this:
permit 7000thb (210$)
agency service fee: 9000thb (270$)
guide per day: 6000thb (180$)

you need to book the guide for a minimum of two days.
so the minimum total is 28000thb (840$).

you can try to get special conditions. but ask the guide directly about this, not the agency!
if you want the contact details of the guide, pm me or the user "uncle.den" in this thread.


Aran Sisophon Travel
25 Suwannasorn rd, Aranyaprathet , Sakaew 27120
Tel:+66 37 232 383 -4 Mobile: +66 8130 21709
Khun Ratree Sangrungreung
License No. 11 /03962
Website: https://www.tour-ast.com
Email: aransisophon@hotmail.com , aran_sisophon@yahoo.com

Guide cost?
 

"guide per day: 6000thb (180$)"

Curious. Does this $180.00 per day include guide's transport (car/motorcycle or?), gasoline for transport, guide's food and sleeping (hotel/guesthouse or?) and tip (a general rule for guides from customers)?

Last hard cost I got/computed for "all" in a three day crossing was $1,500.00 USD (including tip and an occasional swill), that was in May. Guide would have been using a car (with air/con), I'd be following a short distance back, staying in tourist agency booked hotel/B & B's/, and assumed I had a proper IDP so didn't need extra days for medical certificate and Thai recognized IDP (thus more costs for hotel/food, doc, IDP).

Just curious.

Dr. G
Chief, World Adventure Affairs Desk, CITY BIKE Magazine
Participant: Great Around The World Adventure Rally www.rtwmotorcycleadventurerally.blogspot.com

I was in Thailand in 2014/2015 with my norwegian plated bike so thus I didnt have the problems with guides/permits etc. I know from the facebook group about new rules for overlanders Thailand that they try to keep what borders that dont enforce the new rules off circulation and off public display which I think is very good as there might be some travel agencies that dont want this borders to be known. And I havent bothered asking anyone which borders enforrce and which borders dont enforce the new rules as it is not important to me for the moment
All I know is that Xayabouli province in Laos does not let any foreign bikes through, neither in or out. Cars seem to be ok though. But this is for a totally different reason than the new rules in Thailand.

I do think we shoud be quite careful to whom we spread the information about which bordercrossings that enforces and which bc that dont enforces the new rules. It would of course be great of you to make such a list but I would advise you to not let it be known in public and just pass information to persons that are real overlanders.

Chok dee khrap!

Why must you have a Carnet.....as far as were aware Thailand is not a Carnet Country?

Thailand does not require you to have a Carnet yet, but having one is recommended. There is talk that Thailand may soon enforce the Carnet requirement though, not sure if its true or just rumour.

the same reason as for Cambodia. it's heavily recommended, because the customs officers know the carnets and know how to read the information to put it in their computers. or on small borders without computers they will have at least the slip of the carnet as a receipt.

if you don't have a carnet the officer will be confused and does not really have the will to try to translate your vehicle registration papers or write down the information manually.
they just prefer to not let you into the country than to change their standard procedures...

I didn't get that far to know what will be included.
In my case I guess nothing would have been included when only take the two days. because then the guide will just get you over the border and does not really accompany you for this short time.

Is that 'may soon enforce it' because people crossing can't do some research first and see that you don't need one. Then thrust the carnet under the noses of the people on the crossing point therefore ruining it for the people who don't have them? Just a thought! bier

who knows, i just spent half an hour looking for where i read it!

its on this web site and may have been taken down or changed,
but ill share anyway.
Carnet De Passage Information by Country - Overlanding Association

The Facts on Thailand and Carnet
 

The facts are Thailand is not a member of the Carnet and I have had this confirmed by the head office of Carnet in Swizerland ,therefore if you overstay or default in any way Thailand can not claim against your Carnet, this also go's for Cambodia and Laos, however, if you show your Carnet at a border between any of these countries this can simplifies the procedure for the customs officer and he/she can get on with watching his or her TV program, on the other hand this makes it more difficult for the next overlanders, so my advice is don't show your Carnet, with only one exception the border between Laos and Cambodia (Strung Trang) the Cambodian Officer there will not let you into Cambodia if you don't.

If you need any advice about crossing into Thailand PM me and I will try to help.

Dave
www.plodd.net

Guide needs to be with you
 

Doomi et al:

Prepping for a Thai land crossing in late 2017 and just received this from a Thai registered/legit agency doing transits for motorbikes:

"Thai guide has to accompany you by law," meaning from border to border.

Dr. G
Chief, World Adventure Affairs Desk, CITY BIKE Magazine
Participant: Great Around The World Adventure Rally www.rtwmotorcycleadventurerally.blogspot.com

yes, nobody denies that fact :)
but it's just silly and nobody (not even the police, I' came across several police checkpoints) knows that you should be accompanied by a guide.

so there's really no point to do and pay for it as long as they let you in the country without.

btw, I guess I found another open border crossing: from Malaysia to Betong in Thailand.
as it is in the mountains, there are tons of Malaysian bikers coming into Thailand. they just waved them through as they don't need any paperwork, just their ID. I was exiting Thailand and they also just waved me through. I had to walk back to the Thai customs to get my stamp in the carnet!

Edit: successfull border crossing from Malaysia into Thailand in Betong confirmed!

would it be any better if the bike was registered in an ASEAN country, (the Philippines), and one rider was a Filipino while the other a dreaded American?

Vehicles from Laos, Malaysia and Singapore are except the new rules in Thailand as they have bilateral agreements with Thailand. Other countries - Im afraid not...

Bugger
 

Sad news as Thailand is or was great to visit and travel in. I was there 2010 to 2011. About the Carnet yes I know Thailand is not a member but if you have it use it at one point I let mine expire as they were not a member, trying to save money. Bad news as I tried to cross at Mae Sot and they asked for my Carnet because mine was expired they sent me back down south to cross again at Kota Baru. I spent over 12 months travelling Thailand it was awesome and great camping often wild, great people, great trails and National parks ... What a pity.