Driving Into Thailand? Get the Right Car Insurance First

Thailand is one of the easiest overseas trips for Malaysians, and many families prefer to drive there in their own car. You can travel at your own pace, skip public transport and bring home as much shopping as the boot can hold.

Before you head for the border, make sure your car is properly insured for Thailand. Your Malaysian car insurance does not automatically protect you there, and Thailand requires foreign cars to carry its own compulsory motor insurance. This guide explains the insurance for driving into Thailand, the documents to prepare and what to do if something goes wrong on the road.

Where Can You Drive Into Thailand?

There are several land checkpoints along the Malaysia-Thailand border. Each crossing is run through an Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complex on the Malaysian side.

State	Malaysian checkpoint (ICQS)
Kedah	Bukit Kayu Hitam
Perlis	Padang Besar, Wang Kelian
Perak	Bukit Berapit (Pengkalan Hulu)
Kelantan	Rantau Panjang, Bukit Bunga, Pengkalan Kubor

Opening hours and procedures can differ between checkpoints, so check the latest arrangements for your chosen crossing before you set off.

Documents You Need Before Entering Thailand

Every traveller needs the usual entry documents, whether you drive, fly or take the train.

• A Malaysian passport. Many travel guides advise at least six months of validity left.
• A completed Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) for each passport holder. Thailand requires it for arrivals by air, land and sea, and you can submit it within three days before you arrive, as reported by The Star.
• A visa if you plan to stay longer than 30 days. Thailand cut the visa-free stay for Malaysians from 60 to 30 days from 15 September 2026, according to The Star.
• Travel insurance. It is not compulsory, but it can help with medical bills and trip problems while you are away.

Extra documents when you drive your own car

• Your original vehicle registration certificate (geran). Photocopies are generally not accepted.
• Your Malaysian driving licence. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not always required for a short visit, but it is recommended. Read our guide on how to apply for an International Driving Permit in Malaysia.
• Valid Malaysian road tax and car insurance for the whole trip.
• Thai compulsory motor insurance and its certificate.
• The TM2 (vehicle information) and TM3 (passenger list) forms, which are filled in and stamped at the checkpoint, as explained in this SAYS document guide.
• The temporary import document issued by Thai Customs at the border. Keep it safe, because you must hand it back when you leave Thailand.

If you are driving someone else’s car

Bring the original registration certificate, a copy of the owner’s identity card and a signed letter of authorisation from the owner. For a company car, the letter should be on company letterhead. If the car is still under a hire purchase loan, check whether you need the lender’s consent first.

Thai Compulsory Motor Insurance

Thailand requires every foreign vehicle to have Thai compulsory motor insurance, often called CMI. The Thai name is Por Ror Bor. It is separate from your Malaysian policy and from any extension your insurer adds.

You can usually buy it from insurance agents and counters near the border crossings, or online through an authorised provider before your trip. Prices depend on the provider and how long you will stay.

What it covers

CMI provides basic, legally required protection for people who are injured or killed in a road accident. The limits are set under Thai law. For example, compensation for death or permanent disability is capped at 500,000 baht per person, and medical expenses have lower limits.

What it does not cover

CMI is not a full motor policy. It does not pay for damage to your own car, damage to another vehicle or other property, theft or towing. A single accident could still leave you with a large bill if this is your only cover.

Extending Your Malaysian Policy: Endorsement 101

To protect your own car and cover damage to other people’s property, ask your Malaysian insurer about Endorsement 101. This add-on extends a comprehensive policy to Thailand.

According to the General Insurance Association of Malaysia (PIAM), as reported by The Star, Endorsement 101:

• extends comprehensive cover to Thailand for trips of 1 to 30 days
• includes own damage protection up to your car’s sum insured
• covers third-party property damage of up to RM100,000
• costs about 0.2% of your car’s sum insured, and can be arranged through an agent, broker or insurer

PIAM also recommends adding Endorsement 57 for special perils such as floods. Many Malaysians learnt this the hard way when the Hat Yai floods damaged and stranded hundreds of Malaysian cars in late 2025.

Terms differ between insurers, so read your policy wording or ask your insurer for written confirmation. For a closer look, see our Endorsement 101 guide and our explainer on whether Malaysian car insurance covers Singapore and Thailand.

Which Cover Does What?

Situation	Thai CMI	Endorsement 101
Someone is injured or killed in an accident	Covered up to Thai legal limits	Check your policy wording
Your own car is damaged	Not covered	Covered up to the sum insured
Another car or property is damaged	Not covered	Covered up to RM100,000
Is it compulsory?	Yes, for foreign cars entering Thailand	No, but strongly advised

How Long Can Your Car Stay in Thailand?

Your car must leave Thailand within the period stated on the temporary import document. Overstaying can lead to a fine of 1,000 baht per day, up to a maximum of 10,000 baht, according to this Motorist guide. Plan your return date with this limit in mind.

What to Do If You Have an Accident in Thailand

• Stop safely and check whether anyone is hurt.
• Call the Thai police on 191, or 1669 for an ambulance. If someone is injured, make sure they get to a hospital.
• Show your Thai CMI certificate and other insurance documents to the police or hospital staff.
• Make a police report as soon as possible. Your Malaysian insurer may need a Thai police report before it can process a claim.
• Take photos and videos of the scene and the damage, then contact your Malaysian insurer for advice on claims and towing.

Prepare Before You Go

Driving to Thailand is a great way to explore, but the right paperwork and insurance make the trip far less stressful. Buy Thai compulsory insurance, think seriously about Endorsement 101 and keep all your documents in one place.

Make sure your Malaysian policy is valid for the whole trip too. You can compare quotes from multiple insurers and renew your car insurance online with Bjak in minutes. For medical cover and trip delays, look at travel insurance as well.