Travel Advisory
TRAVELLING TO THAILAND? THESE ARE SOME IMPORTANT ADVICES FOR MALAYSIAN TRAVELLERS
1. Malaysian citizens entering Thailand for less than 30 days do not require any visa.
2. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of your entry into Thailand.
3. Those planning to stay more than 30 days should check with the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur about the visa requirements.
4. If you overstayed, you will be fined. You may also be arrested, detained, deported at your own expense and banned from re-entering Thailand.
5. Make sure your passport is stamped by the immigration authorities upon entry and exit.
6. If you plan to bring a vehicle, please declare your vehicle with the Customs authority upon entry and before leaving the country.
7. It is advisable to take a comprehensive travel insurance covering all vehicles, passengers and extended liabilities to the third party.
8. Do not lose your immigration arrival/departure card (TM.6). You are duty-bound to lodge a police report if you lose your card.
9. If you plan to stay more than three (3) months, please register with the Embassy of Malaysia in Bangkok (for those residing in Central, North and Northeast of Thailand) or the Consulate General of Malaysia in Songkhla (for Southern Thailand - Chumporn until Narathiwat).
10. Registration can be done through Email: mwbangkok@kln.gov.my (Malaysian Embassy in Bangkok); or mwsongkhla@kln.gov.my (Consulate General of Malaysia in Songkhla).
11. Similar with other countries, please take care of your personal safety at all times.
12. Do not engage in any illegal or political activities.
13. Please be respectful to the local culture, custom and religious sites.
14. Please be aware that Thailand has banned e-cigarettes and smoking at public beaches.
15. Please be alert to Government’s travel advisory, meteorology or weather updates.
16. For immediate tourist assistance, please call the Thai Tourist Police Hotline: 1155 or the nearest Thai Tourist Assistance Centres.
17. In case of emergency after office hours, please contact the Embassy’s Duty Officer at: +668 7028 4659. For Southern Thailand, the Consulate General of Malaysia in Songkhla can be reached at: +66 7431 1062.
ADDITIONAL ADVICE FOR MALAYSIANS IN THAILAND
What should you do while in Thailand?
1. Obey the laws and respect the local custom.
2. Take special care of your passport and other documents of identification. Keep them in a safe place.
3. Don’t carry too much cash or other valuables.
4. Always take care of your personal safety and security.
5. Be alert to government’s announcement on disaster or public safety.
6. Never carry packages through customs on behalf of other people.
7. Check out the customs regulations concerning import and export of items.
8. If you plan to drive in Thailand, be sure that you carry a valid Malaysian driver’s license or International Driving Permit.
9. Make sure you have a minimum understanding of the road safety and traffic regulations in Thailand.
10. Stay in touch with your family in Malaysia and inform them of any change in your itinerary or contact details.
What should you do if arrested?
1. If you are arrested and charged with an offence, remain calm and cooperate with the authorities.
2. Request the authorities to inform the Malaysian Embassy in Bangkok and your family.
3. Ask your relatives or friends to contact the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Putrajaya, Malaysia.
4. Do not sign any document unless you are certain of its content.
5. Advise your family not to engage with any unauthorized agents or intermediaries to avoid scammers.
6. Contact the Embassy for the list of reliable legal firms in Thailand.
What should you do if your passport is lost/stolen?
1. Make a report at the nearest police station and obtain a copy of the report.
2. Contact the Malaysian Embassy to inform about your loss and apply for a verification of identity.
3. Bring the following documents to the Embassy:
3.1. The police report (translated into English);
3.2. Proof of your identity (e.g. IC, driving license or etc.); and
3.3. Two (2) passport-sized photographs.
4. You will be subjected to an interview by a Consular Officer to validate your nationality.
5. If you pass all the requirements, you will be issued with an Emergency Certificate to facilitate your single journey back to Malaysia.
6. It is advisable to keep photocopies of your passport and NRIC when travelling overseas.
What should you do if you lose your money and valuables?
1. Make a police report at the local police station and obtain a statement about the loss.
2. Contact your family, relatives or friends to remit funds directly to you.
3. You can arrange for the funds to be remitted either through money transfer or a local bank.
4. If this is not possible, your family or friends can remit the funds to you through the Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia in Putrajaya.
5. The Consular Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia will then instruct the Embassy of Malaysia to remit the funds to the person concerned.
6. Contact the Malaysian Embassy if you need further advice on this.
What should you do if injured or become seriously ill?
1. Get in touch with your travel agent or insurance company.
2. If required, make arrangement with your travel agent or insurance company to send you to the nearest medical facility.
3. Notify your family or relatives in Malaysia.
4. Contact the Malaysian Embassy, if you fail to do any of the above.
What should you do if you meet with an accident?
1. Remain calm and make sure you are free from any harmful injuries.
2. If necessary, move to a safe area. But do not run away or leave the scene.
3. Notify the police about the accident. The Thai Tourist Police (1155) should be able to assist.
4. Get in touch with your travel agent or insurance company.
5. Lodge a police report. Request for the report to be written in English before being translated into Thai.
6. Do not sign any document unless you are certain of its content.
7. Contact the Malaysian Embassy, if you need further advice or assistance.
What should you do if a Malaysian dies in Thailand
1. Make a report at the nearest Thai police station and obtain a statement about the death.
2. For normal cases, the body will be taken to the nearest hospital for a post mortem and a death report will be issued.
3. File a second report at the nearest District Office (Thiwakan Ampher) to obtain the death certificate.
4. Bring the following documents to the Malaysian Embassy:
4.1. The police report (translated into English);
4.2. The death certificate (translated into English); and
4.3. Original passport of the deceased.
5. The Embassy will issue a letter to certify the translated death certificate and other supporting documents for the Malaysian authorities.
6. It is advisable for you or the family of the deceased to appoint a qualified undertaker to arrange for the repatriation of the body or ashes.
7. Contact the Malaysian Embassy, if you need further assistance or advice.
What should you do in the event that a disaster or civil disorder occurs?
1. In the event of a civil unrest which may threaten your safety, you should immediately get in touch with the Malaysian Embassy and provide your contact details as well as exact location.
2. It is advisable for you to remain indoors and prevent from venturing into risky areas.
3. Unless necessary, move to a safer place and bring along your passport and identity card.
4. Depending on the threat level, try to find the safest passage to the Malaysian Embassy located in Sathorn Road.
5. Avoid wearing provocative colour schemes, attire or labels that could attract attention or backlash.
Updated by:
Embassy of Malaysia
Bangkok, Thailand
May 2020