I just did this last month on my motorbike. The procedure for cars is the same.
I used Bukit Kayu Hitam (on Msia side)/Danok,Sadao (on Thai site), which is directly on the end of the NS expressway. This is the busier and more chaotic crossing, but is convenient to get to as the road to/from it is straight and direct.
The Malaysia side is very straightforward, just like Sg-JB crossing.
Thai side is more complicated. You'll need :
1. Passport, obviously.
2. White card (entry/departure card)
3. 2 copies of TM2 and TM3 forms. TM2 form is your vehicle details, and TM3 is needed if you have passengers. You can download the forms from the Thai immigration website (
http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/base.php?page=download) and prefill them to save time. The form is a bit tricky, as you'll need to provide your car's engine number and chassis number.
4. Your vehicle log card downloaded from LTA/one-motoring website.
5. Photocopies of your driving licence, and passport (NRIC technically not needed but the customs asked for mine to verify home address).
6. If the car is NOT in your name, you'll need an authorization letter, but I'm not familiar with this part.
Assuming Sadao crossing:
* park your car. The ground staff will point you to a parking space.
* Exit your car. Goto immigration counter and join the lines of foot travellers.
* Submit the above forms. The immigration will stamp your passport, white card, and the TM2/TM3 forms. Overland travellers get 15 days entry and only 2 free overland entries a year. Remember this!
* Immigration will keep 1 copy of the TM2/TM3 forms, and give you the other copy.
* Goto the nearby Customs kiosk (Customs kiosks are in pairs). Submit your forms again at the first kiosk of the pair.
* A form will be printed and given to you. Sign it, and goto the second kiosk.
* A temporary import certificate for your car will be printed and given to you. This cert is good for 30 days.
* When you are done, you should have a stamped copy of the TM2,TM3 forms, white card, and temporary import certificate. You need to surrender these when you depart Thailand.
You'll also need car insurance, although they don't check for this. If your current insurer can extend cover for you in Thailand, good. But most people just buy it at the border for a few dollars. You can buy it in Malaysia side of the border (eg Changlun gas station) or in Thailand itself (cheaper, but scams exist). I bought mine in the Changlun Caltex in Malaysia.
If you buy it in Malaysia, they'll help you fill your forms and provide the white card, so you can arrive at the Thai side with forms filled and ready. I recommend this if this is your first time crossing.
Sadao crossing is busy, so it took me maybe 1-1.5 hours (most of the time was in the foot travellers queue), in the late afternoon on a Sunday.
Opening hours is the longest of the land crossings: 6a-12midnight Malaysian time.
Good luck.
Question - if you have crossed Thai/MY border on a car, could you write up couple of details
- which crossing did you use
- how much time did it take to cross (wait in line)
- what time of the day/week it was
- did you need to provide additional documentation at the border (insurance,etc)
Thanks,
