In recent years, huge numbers of Chinese have come to Thailand. They are present in large numbers at every tourist spot. Until now they came to Thailand in planes. Now another phenomenon occurs. They travel to Thailand on their own via Laos by car or caravan and cross the border in the north of the country. The Thais don't like that.
The government has not responded to this new development and is trying to get it under control. Everything started with the Chinese New Year celebrations in early February, when suddenly a large number of Chinese cars and caravans crossed the northern Thai border. Images appeared on social media of accidents that took place involving Chinese vehicles with Chinese license plates.
Presumably because the drivers were not aware of the traffic rules and did not master driving on the left (the steering wheel is on the “wrong” side of the Chinese cars.) A video showed a Chinese car crashing into traffic in the right lane. entered.
Regardless of the number of visitors, they caused nuisance due to poorly adapted behaviour. For example, they parked their caravans on the temple grounds and cooked extensively there. In Bangkok they did not comply with parking bans. The government is now considering this new issue.
The Ministry of Transport (LTD) has developed a concept that foreign vehicles must meet before entering Thailand. The cars may not have more than 9 seats and small transporters, which include caravans, may not weigh more than 3,5 tons. This must be reported ten days before the border crossing. An international driver's license must be presented as well as car papers. A 500 Baht tax is requested for cars and a 200 Baht tax applies to motorcycles. If a driver does not have an international driver's license, he must take a test. The vehicles are only allowed to stay in Thailand for one month.
Most Chinese who come to Thailand by car enter Chiang Rai via Chiang Khon. On the other side of the Mekong lies Houayxay in Laos with the Chinese border town of Jinghong 400 kilometers away. The residents of Chiang Khon are very concerned about road safety and earn almost nothing from these Chinese. They eat and sleep in their caravans or eat in Chinese restaurants along the way. Surapol, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce in Phayao, even thinks that some Chinese travel to Thailand in this way only for business purposes.
In the year 2013, 3117 vehicles crossed the Thai border; during the New Year's celebration from 1 to 22 February this year, there were already 24.057 pieces. Thais, who want to drive their vehicle to China, face a much more complicated process. They must apply for permission 3 months before their entry into China. At the border crossing, a security paper must be handed over, which they will receive back on their return to Thailand.
Voila solved in a Thai way, an extra tax and done, now you can!
We read: “… and earn next to nothing from these Chinese. They eat and sleep in their caravans or eat in Chinese restaurants along the way.” That is a curious insight into national views. After all, these are Chinese restaurants in Thailand; part of the Thai economy. Discrimination against residents of Thailand on the basis of origin/race? Surely it won't be true….