[recker_us]

To refer to the map, check this route Bengaluru, Karnataka, India to Bangkok, Thailand - Google Maps as suggested by google maps:

- While google did the routing job, it doesn't know about Visa rules or border crossing rules. So, few questions for the bhpians:

Entering Bangladesh from India:
- Visa required? I think no.. Only Id proof required.
- Entry from India allowed: Yes.

Entering Myanmar from Bangladesh:
- Is entry through Bangladesh allowed?
- What documents are needed by indian?
- Visa on arrival.. Allowed?

Entering Thailand from Myanmar:
- Is entry through Myanmar allowed?
- What documents are needed by indian? Definitely Visa required.
- Visa on arrival? Yeah, we do get the visa on arrival when we land by air. But do they provide Visa on Arrival for Someone who tries to enter by land route?

Btw, if you see the map, its interesting to see that it might be possible to go all the way to Singapore by land route.
Looking for your suggestions and opinions.

Thanks,
JP

[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by recker_us

To refer to the map, check this route Bengaluru, Karnataka, India to Bangkok, Thailand - Google Maps as suggested by google maps:

- While google did the routing job, it doesn't know about Visa rules or border crossing rules. So, few questions for the bhpians:

Entering Bangladesh from India:
- Visa required? I think no.. Only Id proof required.
- Entry from India allowed: Yes.

Entering Myanmar from Bangladesh:
- Is entry through Bangladesh allowed?
- What documents are needed by indian?
- Visa on arrival.. Allowed?

Entering Thailand from Myanmar:
- Is entry through Myanmar allowed?
- What documents are needed by indian? Definitely Visa required.
- Visa on arrival? Yeah, we do get the visa on arrival when we land by air. But do they provide Visa on Arrival for Someone who tries to enter by land route?

Btw, if you see the map, its interesting to see that it might be possible to go all the way to Singapore by land route.
Looking for your suggestions and opinions.

Thanks,
JP

There was an India-SE Asia rally a few years back. I remember seeing Tata Safaris on Singapore roads then. If I remember correctly, it was flagged off from Guwahati.

[//M]

Originally Posted by vb-san

There was an India-SE Asia rally a few years back. I remember seeing Tata Safaris on Singapore roads then. If I remember correctly, it was flagged off from Guwahati.

Yes it happened some 3-4 years back. Plenty of Tata Safari's and Land Cruiser's and Forester's participated.

Well I don't know if such a roadtrip is possible but I'll surely keep a close eye on this thread. Would be really interesting to read such a travelogue comprising of diverse terrain and cultures.

[shekhar_gogoi]

Wow!! Road trip to Bangkok sounds amazing. when are you planning to start? Let me know if you need a co-driver!

[avingodb]

Best luck for the endeavour. Please take note of the Manipur Blockade and other insurgencies in the region. Road Blocks by army as well as by the insurgents are very much likely!

[rajcs]

A very interesting plan. I am sure it is doable if you can surmount the South Asian red tape.

Bye the way is there B'Desh stretch in the google route? I think you'll cross over to Myanmar through Moreh Border in Manipur. This border has seen some blockades recently by a Naga faction.

[nutmello]

hello, yes possible. we are finalising a drive thro silk route- blr- delhi- enter nepal-cross over to tibet ( china) drive into mainland china thro lhasa- from mainland enter nam, reach ho chi min cross over to cambodia - cross over to thailand- myanmar and enter India at burma crossing into arunachal pradesh to drive back thro WB, orissa to reach Blr. many people have done this route on bicycles too.

[himavanth_m]

Originally Posted by nutmello

hello, yes possible. we are finalising a drive thro silk route- blr- delhi- enter nepal-cross over to tibet ( china) drive into mainland china thro lhasa- from mainland enter nam, reach ho chi min cross over to cambodia - cross over to thailand- myanmar and enter India at burma crossing into arunachal pradesh to drive back thro WB, orissa to reach Blr. many people have done this route on bicycles too.

What about the VISA issues? and Are vehicles from India with Indian registration allowed into all these countries? Thailand does not even have a common border with India. What special permits are required to drive the vehicles from India in these parts

You also mention a drive through mainland China. Considering the not so good relations between India and China, does China allow vehicles from India?

Additional questions:
What about the Insurance? I dont think the current insurance covers vehicles out of the country. What special Insurance needs to be taken for this purpose?
Driving License: Does Indian driving licence suffice or does one require international permit?
There are no Authorized service stations in these parts I guess. So if any problem arises, what are the places where we can get an Indian Vehicle repaired there?

These are some of the basic questions that I have and more questions to come from me regarding this.

Eagerly waiting to see this mission become successful. It will be wealth of knowledge for people like me.

[amrisharm]

A very interesting topic indeed. I optimistically opened the thread and was hoping to find answers but it seems there are more questions here instead. So i did a quick google search and it confirmed my doubts. DRIVING TO BURMA FROM INDIA IN AN INDIAN REGISTERED VEHICLE IS NOT POSSIBLE.

Travel to Burma by land - Today in Myanmar | Today in Myanmar

I have driven to Bhutan on 2 wheels and to Kathmandu on 4 wheels from india, but have not gone further. So a drive to these destinations wont disappoint for sure so do consider these doable routes as well and if you need any info just ask .

[Sutripta]

AFAIK, one is not allowed to drive in Myanmar without a Myanmarese license. Which is only given to a Myanmarese citizen. The ASEAN rally was a special case.

Area north of Mandalay is under control of warlords.

Regards
Sutripta

[shireeshjacobs]

Hi,

What happened to this trip? I have also been contemplating it and would like to know if someone has actually managed a Bangalore to Bangkok road trip?

Thanks
Shireesh

[Rhythump]

Originally Posted by amrisharm

A very interesting topic indeed. I optimistically opened the thread and was hoping to find answers but it seems there are more questions here instead. So i did a quick google search and it confirmed my doubts. DRIVING TO BURMA FROM INDIA IN AN INDIAN REGISTERED VEHICLE IS NOT POSSIBLE.

Travel to Burma by land - Today in Myanmar | Today in Myanmar

I have driven to Bhutan on 2 wheels and to Kathmandu on 4 wheels from india, but have not gone further. So a drive to these destinations wont disappoint for sure so do consider these doable routes as well and if you need any info just ask .

A road trip from india to thailand via myanmar driving an Indian registered car is now possible and one is actually happening this december. A travel firm from bhutan is organizing a car rally starting from phuentsholing/siliguri via myanmar upto bangkok and back. The trip starts on the 19th of december and ends on the 5th of January. Me and my friends are quite interested in this trip and are following up with the travel firm for the final itinerary and cost.

[amyth78]

Hey,

I just came across this article "Buckle Up for the Ultimate Roadtrip: India-Thailand Highway is not Operational" over facebook.

The route suggested in the article: Assam - Nagaland - Manipur - Myanmar - Laos - Thailand.

Somebody commented in the same article that developments are in Myanmar and Thailand. Indian side is still not operational, but will be completed by March 2016.

Here is the link:

http://www.tripoto.com/trip/buckle-u...ational-231023

Attaching PDF too.

Buckle Up For The Ultimate Roadtrip_ India-Thailand Highway is Now Operational by Gunjan Upreti _ Tr

Is this true?

[KD007]

With the road link now open or to be operational soon (please clarify if anyone has more info), thinking of a cross country drive. First some notes with basic questions followed by a first draft of itinerary and questions thereof

Notes:

• I want to take a different route while coming back
• All distances courtesy google maps
• I have read few threads on Myanmar and Thailand however wanted to post few specific questions to consolidate all related information in one place for future travelers
• Have to do it in 3 weeks. Can’t take more leaves from office
• Timings – Mid to End Jan, 2016
• There will be 2 of us travelling. I am open to another couple joining so anyone interested, let me know
• I have never planned for cross country, so please pardon my ignorance and feel free to suggest from your experience

Pre- travel Clarifications

• Is it possible to take Zoom car for a cross country drive?
• Will I need International driving license for Burma and Thailand?
• Process/Precautions when entering From India to Burma and then Burma to Thailand?
• Are their Government rules and regulations for such cross country travel?
• How will I get a visa?
• Is this over aggressive? I guess answer is yes, but if you were to plan this in a 3 weeks’ timeframe what would you do differently?
• In the event of car breakdown, can I get it fixed in Burma and Thailand?

First draft of itinerary

Day 1 : Bangalore – Nagpur 1090 kms
Day 2 : Nagpur – Varanasi 752 kms
Day 3 : Stay at Varanasi
Day 4 : Varanasi – Siliguri 724 kms
Day 5 : Siliguri – Moreh 1057 kms
Day 6 : Stay at Moreh
Day 7 : Moreh- Naypyitwa 713 kms
Day 8 : Stay at Burma
Day 9 : Stay at Burma
Day 10 : Burma – Thailand 1133 kms
Day 11 : Stay at Thailand
Day 12 : Stay at Thailand
Day 13 : Stay at Thailand
Day 14 : Thailand – Burma 1128 kms
Day 15 : Burma – Moreh 711 kms
Day 16 : Moreh – Siliguri 1057 kms
Day 17 : Siliguri – Lucknow 950 kms
Day 18 : Lucknow – Agra 367 kms
Day 19 : Agra – Nathdwara 573 kms
Day 20 : Stay at Nathdwara
Day 21 : Nathdwara – Mumbai 801 kms
Day 22 : Stay at Mumbai
Day 23 : Stay at Mumbai
Day 24 : Mumbai – Bangalore 984 kms

Route Clarifications

• Burma and Thailand – how can I find latest route conditions?
• Any stretch to be particularly avoided at late evening / night?
• Any other insights/recommendations/caution on route?

[Landkruzer]

Originally Posted by KD007

With the road link now open or to be operational soon (please clarify if anyone has more info), thinking of a cross country drive. First some notes with basic questions followed by a first draft of itinerary and questions thereof

The road network is not a problem to goto Myanmar and Thailand. The main problem is that the Myanmar government doesnt encourage tourists with self drive vehicles and hence imposes strict regulations. Apart from the long procedures to get the visa, you need to
* accommodate 3 adults in your vehicle during your entire trip though Myanmar (A government representative, a guide, a person from tour agency)
* you need to bear their boarding and lodging expenses
* you need strictly follow the itinerary you have provided during the VISA application.

You need at least 5 weeks to goto Thailand and come back. If you have only 3 weeks, then you can target for a trip to Mandalay.

Here are some references that can provide answers to other questions.
1. Last year bhpian "Secretariat" visited noth east and also entered tamu in myanmar. He has done some homework on the process to get into Myanmar. Refer to this travelogue for more details.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travelogues/161843-solo-drive-north-east-all-seven-sisters.html#post3669012

2. Suresh Joseph, an avid traveler from Kerala, completed his solo "South East Asian Odyssey" this May. He drove from Kochi to Singapore through Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Combodia, Malaysia and back. You can get lot more details from his travelogue.
http://www.railwaymansj.blogspot.in/
https://www.facebook.com/RecordDrive

3. Overdrive magazine "meet the neighbors" drive to Myanmar