Planning to drive into Thailand using your parents' car, your spouse's vehicle or one borrowed from a friend? A simple permission letter may not be enough at Sungai Golok.
According to a 9 November report by Utusan Malaysia, Thai Customs reportedly requires a court-issued power of attorney for vehicles registered under someone else's name. However, motorists have questioned whether this is genuinely a new rule or an existing procedure.
CarzAutomedia has contacted Thai Customs for clarification.
- Sungai Golok: Court-issued authorisation reportedly required for someone else's vehicle.
- New or existing? The implementation date remains unclear.
- Other borders: The same requirement has not been confirmed elsewhere.
What Documents Should You Prepare Before Driving Into Thailand?
Whether you're driving your own car or someone else's, the usual travel and vehicle documents still matter.
- Original vehicle registration document (VOC/geran kereta)
- Valid passport or applicable travel document
- Owner's power of attorney, with court issuance reportedly required at Sungai Golok when driving someone else's vehicle
- Compulsory Thai motor insurance
- Valid driving licence
The Sungai Golok report specifically mentions the original vehicle registration document. Motorists should confirm whether alternative formats are accepted before travelling.
Motorists must also complete the necessary temporary vehicle import procedures with Thai Customs. Sungai Golok customs control and inspection head Patikorn Liewweha reportedly said vehicle details can be submitted in advance through the TTA application to help speed up processing.
Important: Malaysia's judiciary provides guidance on registering powers of attorney through the High Court. However, it has not been confirmed whether this is the exact form of authorisation accepted at Sungai Golok. Check with Thai Customs before applying or paying for any document.
Is The Court-Issued Authorisation Really A New Rule?
Utusan quoted Patikorn as saying the stricter procedure aims to prevent stolen or illegally obtained vehicles from entering Thailand.
However, some motorists responding to the report claimed similar requirements had existed at Sungai Golok for years. Others said they had previously crossed using ordinary owner-signed permission letters.
These accounts are unverified, but they raise a key question: when did the court-issued requirement actually take effect?
What Does Thailand's Official Guidance Say?
Published Thai government guidance already requires a power of attorney from the registered owner when someone else is driving the vehicle. However, it does not explicitly specify court issuance.
Owner's power of attorney
Court issuance not explicitly specified.
Published guidance from 2023
Court-issued power of attorney
Exact implementation date unconfirmed.
Utusan, 9 November 2026
The older Thai guidance may not reflect current checkpoint procedures. Motorists should not assume an ordinary permission letter and a court-issued power of attorney are interchangeable.
Does This Apply At Other Thailand Border Crossings?
The reported requirement concerns Sungai Golok. It remains unconfirmed whether the same court-issued document is required at other crossings, including Bukit Kayu Hitam, Padang Besar and Wang Kelian.
Motorists should verify the requirements at their intended checkpoint before travelling.
CarzAutomedia has contacted Thai Customs to clarify when the court-issued requirement took effect, which documents are accepted and whether it applies at other checkpoints. We are awaiting an official response and will update this article when further information becomes available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive someone else's car into Thailand?
Thai entry procedures allow for vehicles driven by someone other than the registered owner, subject to the required authorisation and customs documents. A court-issued power of attorney is reportedly required at Sungai Golok.
Is an ordinary permission letter enough at Sungai Golok?
According to Utusan's 9 November report, an ordinary owner-signed letter is not sufficient. However, the precise accepted document and implementation date are still awaiting official clarification.
Is the court-issued requirement new?
Utusan described it as newly enforced, but some motorists claim similar procedures existed previously. The exact implementation date has not been independently confirmed.
Does the requirement apply at Bukit Kayu Hitam or Padang Besar?
The reported court-issued requirement specifically concerns Sungai Golok. Its application at other checkpoints has not been confirmed. Check with Thai Customs at your intended crossing.
Where can I obtain the court-issued power of attorney?
The Malaysian Judiciary provides guidance on registering powers of attorney through the High Court. However, the exact document accepted by Sungai Golok Customs remains unconfirmed. Verify the requirements with Thai Customs before beginning the process.
