TS says in his opening post that he is thinking about buying a bike in Thailand.
Then when he had come to mention buying a bike in China he stated that China is a Carnet country - which it not is. Have a read here:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carn...ages_en_Douane

I needed a Carnet for my norwegian registrated bike to take it through certain countries - the Carnet requireing countries in the list above. So I got a Carnet from a norwegian automobil organisation. It doesnt make Norway a Carnet country - does it?
The same for China - you will need a Carnet to take a chinese plated vehicle through certain countries - but that doesnt make China itself a Carnet country either.

I have always thought that the general and normative meaning, usage and understanding of the term a "carnet country" is a country that requires a carnet from the person that take a foreign vehicle across the countrys borders - a carnet requiring country. If Im wrong here I have surely misunderstood hugely and thus ask for a an appology. However - if anybody disagree with me it could be intereting to here how others understand the term "carnet country"?

Guys I really appreciate the feedback and the information I recieved from posting is a goldmine. I will be reffering to this post for more. I see theres a debate going on here but I think that theres a lot of miscommunication happening about certain details, but it seems there are two different carnet systems to me. In the end you guys are here to help and I thank you for that. And we are all here to have fun doing one of the most amazing things in our lives... moto travel.

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The price of Malay bikes is higher than Thailand, there are certain models that arent available to the Malaysian market.

Someone mentioned throwing some to get a Malay bike registerd, not too much, just like $20 and a passport is sufficient, you can get a Carnet in Malaysia.

I have seen a lot of pictures of Malay scooters in China on fb and instagram, at the moment, its riding season here - I don't know if they are guided or what but they seem to have found a way if not.

I don't know .. really, there is no answer, if you pick up a malay bike, you are limited to 30 days x2 in Thailand (i think thats what its stands up at the moment, my head hurts trying to keep up) you get 30 days in Laos in one hit (?), unlimited in Cambodia, but your not legal, VN is expensive, Myanmar is expensive.

I really think, the best way to do it, get some Moskomoto reckless panniers and just rent or buy some old bike, ride it and return / dump it and move on, SE Asia isn't the place to be messing about at the moment and all i hear is people wanting to travel "on their own bike" cheaply, easily or quickly (or all)- forget it.

Bike prices are higher in Malaysia thats right, but models avalable - I have never seen so many different bikes of all sizes and brands in Asia as in Malaysia.

Anyhow - I agree that it might be the best solution just to rent a bike pr country in SEAsia for the moment. Its too much of a hazzle to cross borders nowadays.
There was just a story that two foreigners had bought a 125 cc scooter each and then crossed over to Thailand, unfortunately they didnt get their paperwork right and risk problems and fines when leaving the country. They were also denied acsess to Laos as they were on small bikes (less than 250 cc) and no way around this.

Sorry, I didn't think to be so specific.

They don't have the Honda CRF250, which to my mind, is the ideal solution for a short term purchaser SE Asia, its light, usable straight out of the box, theres always a couple available on Kaidee.com at around 99,000THB for a 2 year old bike, they tend to hold their value. They will roll along at 120-130 on the tarmac. I wish i had one !!

The only Malay option is the KLX250 - D-Tracker, or whatever its called, compared to a Thai CRF, its about 50% more expensive, from what i can see.

Yeah, recent reinforcement of the 250cc rule means that scooters can't cross in Chiang Khong, but I also read reports from Malay guys in the past week who were gaining access with 110cc scoots at Chong Mek.

Recent stories ? You are taking about Caroline, right? Her riding partner lost her temp import form, shouldn't be an issue, the details are logged on the computer. If Cambodian customs take your temp import papers in an effort for you to force you to return to that border, then its not an issue to claim to have lost them when reentering through another border. Its a popular dodge.

I dont know theyre names but its probably the same persons we are thinking of.
I saw it on facebook somewhere. Anyhow - bordercrossings are very often a hazzle in these parts of the world - thats bust how it is. Its non-consistent and often a try and see what happens thing....

Yes!! I'm feeling quite frustrated at the moment, lots of people posting 'cant do this' .. 'no thats not right, its this ..' - Social Media has a lot to answer for.

Just try and see, be patient, speak to people rather than get the rule book out or right off suggestions.

Did you read the final chapter on that? They rode to Wang Prachan, handed in one paper, tried to explain the issue - the guy was trying to eat his lunch and he put the paper under a book for safekeeping and he waved them off. lol.

Always consider breakfast or lunchtimes when coming through borders :D

great trip
 

Hi Stirletz,

I don't have much experience in travelling in southern Asia, but I must say that your trip looks amazing. But don't you think that you can add India in this list?