Hi Doogle.

I am one of a few members om MCM who travels to Thailand from China on a Motorbike every year and I have done this for the last 4 years now.

But this year new rules have been introduced with regards to foreign plated cars/bikes entering Thailand.

which makes it nearly as hard to ride a foreign plated bike to Thailand as it is likewise to China ?

Now you are saying to wish to ride a motorbike into Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and China.
IMO it's best to start off in Thailand with a purchase of a bike
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Many 2nd hand bikes are available for sale, but the problem you will have is getting the bike out off Thailand because unless the Green Book (owners registration) is in your name then you will need a load of paperwork to allow you (none Owner) to leave Thailand with the bike.

Also, the bike is only allowed to stay out the country for 30 Days.

Getting into Laos on a foreign plated bike let it be Thailand or Chinese is easy done it loads of times now.

Getting into Cambodia can be problematic and depends on what border you cross over and normally you are restricted to the area just over the border.

Now let's say you have got out of Thailand ok and into Laos then would you come back into Thailand and entry Cambodia from Thailand?
Vietnam is like China you need a Vietnam Driving licence to ride legally.

So IMO Vietnam is out unless you book a tour guide and ride a bike from Vietnam with the tour company arranging a Vietnam D.L.

Now would you get a Vietnam plated bike into China ?

A big NO China and Vietnam are not the best of friends at the moment but I am sure locally around the border crossing both Chinese and Vietnam bike do cross but these will strictly be contained to that area.

Now with China, you will not be able to get a foreign plated bike into China unless you are on a pre-arranged tour full stop.
But I see no reason that you can't buy a bike in China which is legally plated and insured.

But you run the risk of not having a legal Chinese D.L.
In 7 years I have only been asked once to produce my Chinese D.L.
and that is with passing through 100 of police/Army checkpoints.

But it only takes 1 policeman to ask and if he is a bad dude you are in DEEP SHIT.
You asked about checkpoints at Province borders ?.

YES do have but normally only on the main roads
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With the new rules for foreign plated bike to get into Thailand
open this link ....... http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-f...-into-Thailand

There are 10 pages to read on this matter.

I hope I have answered most of your question and please come back with further question if you need to.


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