Renew Driving Licence - Penang

Long time no post eh :(  Sadly too busy travelling to post much these days but I might get round to it again when time permits.

Recently though, had to renew my driving licence in Penang.  I'd read a lot about being able to do this at the Post Office but, at the time of writing, this applies to Malaysian citizens only, foreigners will need to go to JPJ.

Fairly simple process at JPJ.  You just need to get the renewal form from the reception desk (I'd suggest getting there early - 8:00 am) and if you've changed address since your last licence you'll need an address update form too).  One thing that IS important, if you have renewed your passport since you applied for your licence you will need a copy of the old passport, or an image of it on your phone that you can email the officer while you are there).

Once the forms are done it's just a case of taking a seat and waiting for your new licence to be issued.  Since applying originally they have changed the style of the licence to a photo card which is much better IMO. 

Looking for a decent mobile phone car mount?

There are a lot of phone car mounts around ranging from mega-expensive device manufacturer specific mounts to cheap, rubbishy 3rd party crap that tend to fall down at precisely the wrong moment (e.g. with your device in it AND in such a way that it positions the screen perfectly to smash it!!).

I have to say I'm not a fan of manufacturer specific mounts or cradles, especially when they have an integral charging cable mount.  Manufacturers are not unknown to change their charging connectors (Apple take note!!!), rendering your mount useless.  In addition you may wish to change devices at some stage or indeed slot a friend's or travelling companion's phone in the mount. 

Prior to now however I've not really found the need to buy a phone mount for the car as I've never really been that bothered about using the phone hands free while driving (if I get a call or message I'll return it, or not, when I reach my destination) until that is I installed the WAZE, the excellent GPS style mapping app with turn by turn navigation which is IMMENSELY popular (and therefore more often than not up to date and accurate!)(see previous post here).

Without going through the countless different brands I looked at and discounted I'll just run through my requirements:

• Non manufacturer specific
• No built in charger (I prefer to use my own long 3rd party cable)
• Strong bond between the base of the unit and the surface to which it is attached
• One-handed insertion and removal of device
• Able to take a range of device sizes (up to 6" wide)
• Preferably tested in the extremes of heat experienced within cars in SE Asia
• Holds the phone in such a way that a charging cable can be connected
• Swivel head mount to tilt / twist device to landscape / portrait orientation

Sounds not too demanding maybe UNTIL you try to find one and one with a good reputation.  Enter the 'Dash Crab' universal mount from Korea.  Without repeating it all again I'll just say that this one ticks all the boxes in terms of the spec I needed and thus far has proved to be a VERY reliable and robust mount.  What's more it comes at the very reasonable price of just RM 89 from one of my favourite online sellers in Malaysia - Superbuy.  The Dash Crab can actually be found here.

I have to say I'm most impressed and completely satisfied with the Dash Crab thus far and will report back again after 6 months of use.  The only thing I will point out is that it will not adhere to the leatherette textured plastic type dash covers that you find in many small family saloons and hatch backs, it may do IF the texturing is VERY fine but on a Toyota Vios it won't leaving you to choose one of the smooth surfaces or even the windscreen.

GPS / Mapping App: WAZE (Top Pick)

Since moving to Penang, and including the times when I drive in Thailand, I have always relied on my Garmin 3790 GPS.  In some ways, and as a fallback, I still do.  The trouble is, as time goes on, the maps get more and more out of date, with constant re-routing of traffic and changes to one way systems being as much responsible as new or re-badged roads.  yes of course you can update the maps on these devices but the updates are costly, not so frequent and often out of date svn when quite new.  These GPS devices also lack updates about current traffic conditions and hazards on your route such as jams, accidents, road closures etc etc.

Enter WAZE.  WAZE is one of the leading community based traffic and navigation apps and, most importantly is EXTREMELY popular in Malaysia and SE Asia in general.  The app is very useful and very powerful in that it accepts live updates to any traffic situations you might encounter and reports to delete them if, once you arrive at the location, the problem has cleared.  The maps are also updated from user /community engagement so new one-way routing and road closures are very quickly updated to the maps which I have found to be VERY accurate indeed.

The turn by turn navigation is very good and rarely sends you off on a wild-goose chase and those user generated reports are great for avoiding traffic problems.  Given that often when I switch on WAZE I'm advised that there are 1,000 + 'Wazers' nearby it's not surprising that it's so useful.

It has day and night navigation modes, good turn by turn commands, the ability to lock 'North up' if you wish, the ability to 'go invisible' should you desire and a very accurate ETA calculator and a host of other features that can be found here.

WAZE is free app which is multi-platform and can be downloaded both from iTunes (for IOS devices) and from the Google Play store for Android devices.  I think WAZE is an absolutely brilliant app, one that I definitely would not be without, and one that has largely replaced my use of dedicated GPS devices both here and in Thailand and it gets a very well deserved 'Top Pick'.

Life with Honda's 2013 Airblade

It's been just a few months now since I switched my allegiance from Honda's excellent PCX motor scooter to the brand new Airblade and, given the growing numbers of enquiries I get about both bikes, motor cycling in Penang in general, and indeed other bikes I thought I'd put down a few thoughts about the biking here and the excellent Airblade in particular.

My previous article (here) about the introduction of the Airblade to Malaysia by Boon Siew Honda gives the primary reasons as to why I chose the Airblade over the PCX and as such I won't repeat those reasons here.  Suffice it to say both are great bikes with the PCX form me coming out on top if you do regular longer distance highway driving  and the Airblade if you drive a lot in town, especially in the heavier traffic or Georgetown or of course in KL.  For me the Airblade also wins if you are tall (e.g. over 6' 00").

I'll try to cover as many of the issues as I can that I've been asked about biking here but the article is mostly about the Airblade, not about biking in general.  One issue though I feel does need addressing, whether to ride a motorbike / scooter here in Penang.

It's a well know fact that biking is a higher risk form or transport than a car, a bike accident involving other vehicles will generally result in the rider and / or passenger coming off worse, but I have to say I have seen some out and out total drivel written by people about biking in Malaysia and indeed in Thailand and it's quite apparent that a lot of it comes from people who have absolutely no idea about biking at all, merely their own biased viewpoint which seems to perpetuate the scare-mongering.  A lot of it really is garbage.  Yes there are a lot motor cycle fatalities in SE Asia but you have to balance that against two very important factors.  Firstly, the sheer number of small bikes in these parts outnumbers those seen in Europe and USA by hundreds if not thousands of percentage points.  As such the level of motor cycle accidents is bound to be higher, a lot higher.  Secondly there is a very large percentage of young, inexperienced and poorly trained (if trained at all) riders who ride with a total disregard for the law, rules of the road and their own safety, almost as if they think they are protected by an 'invulnerability bubble'.  The issue widely reported around drivers of other vehicles being automatically at fault if they hit, or get hit by, a bike doesn't help with lots of riders pulling all sorts of strokes, expecting drivers of other vehicles to get out of the way (that said, the driving standards of those in many 4 wheeled (plus) vehicles leave a lot to be desired at times too).  Keep riding like that and it will inevitably end only one way.

But, and it's a big BUT, while you need to keep your wits about you, as long term big bike rider I see riding bikes here as no more inherently dangerous than anywhere else, it's mostly about how YOU ride the bike.  Riding a bike you need your wits about you everywhere!  Your skills, your concentration, your attitude and style of riding are what count most IMO.  Also, there's biking and biking and for me there is a WORLD of difference between burning up autobahns on large capacity big bikes with the right gear and with driver attitudes that are (generally) safety orientated and law abiding and, at the opposite end of the spectrum, pottering round Penang and other parts of SE Asia at sensible speeds on a small modern automatic scooter.  Keep that in mind when riding these 'scoots' as getting around here starts to become more of a pleasure rather than a chore as you gently weave your way between rush hour jams, ditch the bike just about anywhere outside you favourite eateries, go the gym, a mall or even pottering about getting stuff done.  A bike makes it SO SO easy, so much so that there is no way I could be without a bike here or in Thailand.  Now, onto the Airblade.....

The Airblade has always been poplar in SE Asia especially in Thailand and Vietnam where previous and current models are snapped up fast.  Introduced here in Malaysia in 2013 the Airblade has many features which are appealing including:

• 125cc engine
• Honda's famed PGM-FI (fuel injection)
• Integrated ACG system (smooth, friction reduced starting - more fuel efficient)
• Engine 'Idle Stop' (the excellent fuel saving innovation previously seen only on the top-range PCX)
• Combination braking (pulling just one brake level applies both front and back brakes in correct proportion)
• Remote key bike location (pressing this will sound the horn and flash the lights allowing you to quickly locate YOUR bike amongst what can often be hundreds of parked bikes)
• Side stand engine cut-off (engine only starts if side stand is up)
• Twin projector headlights
• Tubeless tyres
• Twin rear shock absorbers
• Front disc brake
• Kick-starter
• Water cooled

The bike really is superb and it looks the part too!  I purchased mine from the excellent Sun Sum Motor located on Irving Road, Pulau Tikus.  I like Sun Sum as it's a big outlet with a very wide range of bikes and biking gear and all at good prices.  They will nearly always do offers with their bikes and also have good servicing facilities on site.  My chum 'Ah Boy' there looked after me very well indeed and they also handle all the registration, insurance and road taxing of the bike before you pick it up.  They often have a good stock of poplar machines and once you have paid a deposit you can generally pick up your new bike in a day or two.  The Airblade can be had for RM 7,708 on the road with an extra cost of RM 350 for fully comprehensive insurance.  So what's life like with the Airblade?

Overall I find the bike to be superb.  The electric starter is superb and has fired without fail every time after a short press.  If you let the bike stand for so long that the battery discharges there is also a kick-starter fitted which will allow you to get the machine started easily.  As a safety feature the bike will not start if the side stand is not in the raised position and the bike will cut out if you put the stand down with the engine running.  The bike is 125 cc 4 stroke with fully automatic centrifugal clutch (dry type).  Further spec details can be found here.

The instrument panel is very well laid out with PGM-FI 'problem' indicator light, main/dipped beam, indicator on flashers and of course an easily readable speedo.  There is a digital clock which also features trip and odometer.  Another excellent feature of the Airblade is the 'Engine Idle Stop' which cuts the engine once you have become stationary at traffic lights etc, an indicator light also lets you know if this is active.  

A 'talk back' system also lets you find the bike easily by flashing the indicators and sounding an audible warning when you press a button on the ignition key (the sound pattern and volume of the 'talk-back' can be programmed or even disabled).  Once you have pressed the talk-back button two lights also come on, one lighting up the ignition and the other the under seat central storage.  Nice, professional finishing touches.  

There is quite a lot of storage under the seat, ample for a raincoat and personal effects and even some shopping.  There are also two helmet hooks to lock up to two helmets on the bike by their 'D' rings should you wish.

One thing you may find is that depending on your helmet sizes the D ring may be too close to the helmet to reach the helmet hooks on the bike (an issue with all bikes with these helmet lock hooks).  I got round this simply by finding a stainless steel carabinier style clip in a hardware store for just a few $ which I leave in the bike and put on the smaller helmet D ring when I need to lock it on.  The seat cover closes down over the swing arm of the carabinier making it impossible to open and remove the helmet.  That said, leaving valuable helmets attached to the bike for protracted periods in some areas and at some times of the day would be unadvisable.

The lights on the bike are very good with the front twin projector headlights lighting up the road at night with a good pattern whether on full or main beam and of course increasing your visibility during the day.  By default in SE Asia, dipped beam headlight will be on whenever the engine is started, as will the tail lights.

The tail and stop lights are very bright but of the low power consumption LED variety and it's nice to see that the indicators are integral to the front and rear panels, rather than being stuck out on stalks that are always prone to getting damaged.  Indicators are operated by a slider switch near the left handlebar and cancelled by pushing the switch again once your manoeuvre is completed.  The horn button is also located in the same area along with the full/dipped beam switch.

On the road the bike handles very well indeed and is very quiet.  Thankfully, at last, a fuel tank that can be topped up without lifting the seat, the filler cap lies in the underbone between the seat and the front fairing.  The only minor gripe is the size of the fuel tank, just 4.1 litres making fuel stops more frequent than I'd like.  It's hard to judge economy at the moment as 90% of the riding has been 'two-up' so fuel consumption will drop somewhat, that said I still manage to get around 140 km out of a tank before I fill up at a cost of around RM 8.  That's around 35 km per litre or around 97 MPG!  I intend to do a more in depth study of fuel economy one the bike is run in and the engine bedded down properly but I expect to get close to 45-50 km per litre riding solo after running in.  On that front, the manual says that for the first 500 km full throttle starts and harsh acceleration should be avoided which, back to the 'there's biking and biking' comments above, I do any way, running in or not, there's just no need to ride so harshly.

The manual (which is actually quite good - in both Bahasa Malay and English) also includes service intervals (basically every 4K km after the first 1,000) and while it suggests the first service at 1,000 I plan to do a full oil change at 500 km, just to be on the safe side.  I also plan to switch over to semi-synthetic 'Hi-Rev' 4T Scooter 15W-40 oil at the first change.  Luckily all the essential fluids on the bike can be easily checked (and should be - weekly at least), including coolant, brake fluid and oil.  The oil is topped up via the dipstick channel and this is ever so slightly difficult to get to without using a funnel.  That said, my preference is to use one of the RM 3 plastic sauce bottles that the kopitiams use for chilli sauce etc, readily available from places like Tesco.  Much less mess and faffing around than with funnels or oil jugs, no drips and no waste and the oil goes exactly where you want it to go with more precise flow control.

Braking is very efficient.  Honda uses a combi-braking system on many of their new bikes where pulling on the left lever automatically applies a portion of front brake as well as the back.  I still tend to come to a stop using both, big bike habits dying hard in this regard.  Under general conditions the brakes will stop the bike with consummate ease and stability and if pushed harder that front disc sure comes into its own, again with no loss of stability.

Acceleration I find to be very nifty indeed, even two up, though as I've said, I've not really put the bike through the motions yet as, with the style of riding I tend to use these bikes for, there's just no need.  But suffice it to say, especially when riding solo, there is ample torque with power to spare when you do need it.  For those interested I plan to update the article with 0-50 kph and 0-75 kph acceleration times once the bike has been fully run in.  I know there are folks who don't bother with any 'running in' on bikes these days and say that with engineering developments there's no need.  Fine, your bike, you do what you want, I run in per the manual :)

In traffic I find the bike to be very manoeuvrable with a great riding position, the more forward and upright position compared to the PCX allowing you to flip the bike with ease, counter steering also dials in superbly in higher speed cornering with just a touch needed to get the bike over.  The lower weight of the bike compared to the PCX 150 I suspect would mean that the machine is just as fast and, as mentioned before, there is plenty of torque right up to 50 kph allowing almost instant changes in speed.  Engine braking is also very very effective.  Slow speed handling I also find a real breeze on this bike with the tendency to topple coming in at a much lower speed that I have gotten used to on similar bikes.  The tyres I suspect help in the handling, tubeless and set on 14" wheels being of a wider profile than is found on many similar size / style bikes.  Specifically they are:

Front: 80/90 - 14M/C 40 P
Cheng Shin
C-​6167H

Rear: 90/90 - 14M/C 46P
Cheng Shin
C-6167L

So for now, that's about it.  I'll update this article later, rather than post another one, once more performance information is available so check after a month or two if that interests you.   As a couple of further asides there are two other issues that I've been asked about often:

Givi M11.0 D Visor JET Helmet

1) What brand / style of helmet do you use?  I've seen a few folks buy helmets outside of Malaysia and bring them in.  I would advise strongly against this.  Why?  Because they need to be SIRIM and / or JPJ approved which will be denoted by a sticker on the helmet.  If you are stopped riding a non approved helmet you could be summonsed by the police or JPJ.  I also find there are enough good quality helmets here.  Personally I use Givi (again from Sun Sum Motor), a three quarter face helmet with a good visor and built in retractable sun-visor.  There's always a trade off between safety and comfort and you need to make your own choice.  Full face or even modular are of course safer and I'd wear nothing else on long distance and highway runs but in town, you will get hot quick with frequent stops wearing them (do try to stop in the shade if you can at lights, it really helps) and it comes back to the biking vs biking comments.  A good helmet like this will set you back only around RM 250.  I also use the very good Givi Rain Suit and of course Givi makes a good range of top-boxes and other biking accessories.

2) What do you use for cleaning helmet visors? In the West there is a great product called Plexus available.  It's not cheap but it's superb for cleaning plexiglass that helmet visors are made of.  Here, I use the old-school tried and trusted favourite, Lemon Pledge (yes the furniture polish!).  Used with a lint free micro-fibre style cloth its superb for maintaining visor clarity and good water run-off.  You will also see Orange Pledge but I find this to be more smear prone. Obviously it's better to wash the visor off first with a VERY mild soap and water if it's very dirty before polishing with Pledge once it's dry.  Lemon Pledge is also great as a polish on bike panels after you've washed your pride and joy :)

*Airblade promotional pictures courtesy of Boon Siew Honda, Malaysia

Road Transport Department (JPJ) - Penang

Previously when needing to get much done involving the Road Transport Department (JPJ -Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan) I have always travelled to Butterworth, despite there previously being a JPJ branch out at Batu Uban (now closed).  Now though, JPJ have moved to their new location at Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, near to the University Sains Malaysia (USM) and is much more accessible for those in the North of Penang.

First time I went there it took me a while to find, mostly because I'd always seen it while passing on the way to the airport and if travelling from Georgetown you actually need to turn off before you see JPJ.  The directions, or at least as best as I can describe them :), when driving from the direction of Georgetown, are as follows:

- Drive along Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah and turn right at the roundabout (in the direction of the airport) - Drive through first lights (you will see USM's sports field on the right)
- Next set of traffic lights turn right - signposted P15 (Jalan Sungai Dua)
- Drive to first set of traffic lights (you will see a KFC), turn left
- Drive along this road and then take second left turn. Follow the road to the JPJ car park.



JPJ does get very busy at times but opens at 07:45 and getting there early will mostly avoid the queues.  It may also be advisable to avoid a day or two before and just after public holidays, especially extended ones.  JPJ Penang can handle the full range of JPJ administrative procedures, including one I'm regularly asked about by expats, driving licence conversion.

The full address and contact details are here:

Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah
10510 Pulau Pinang
Tel: 04-656 4131 / 04-656 4087
Fax: 04-656 4080

The JPJ website is here and they also have a Facebook Page here.

2013 Honda 'Airblade'

I watch motorbike releases in Malaysia quite closely, especially those in the somewhat ubiquitous 100-125cc range.  This one though slipped under my radar and I'm glad that my relatively frequent visits to the Boon Siew Honda site have picked it up.

The bike pictured above is the 2013 'Airblade'.  For those who don't know the Airblade has been a fantastically popular bike in Malaysia's neighbouring countries, especially Viet Nam and Thailand (where it is extremely popular with expats who, generally being somewhat taller and heavier than many Thai nationals, find some of the other popular bikes there too small).

The 2013 Airblade sports several technological innovations that really do make this bike stand out, including:

• 125cc engine
• Honda's famed PGM-FI (fuel injection)
• Integrated ACG system (smooth, friction reduced starting - more fuel efficient)
• Engine 'Idle Stop' (the excellent fuel saving innovation previously seen only on the top-range PCX)
• Combination braking (pulling just one brake level applies both front and back brakes in correct proportion)
• Remote key bike location (pressing this will sound the horn and flash the lights allowing you to quickly locate YOUR bike amongst what can often be hundreds of parked bikes)
• Side stand engine cut-off (engine only starts if side stand is up)
• Twin projector headlights

Honda's excellent PCX 150

I have always been a fan of Honda's top end scooter, the PCX (see here), and if my riding involved regular longer distances I would go for the PCX without doubt due to the great handling and greater long-distance comfort. One problem for me though is that I'm tall (6'03") and I do find that this pushes me quite a way back on the PCX's seat.  Being so far back from the handlebars in a slightly low, cruiser-style, riding position makes bikes a little less manoeuvrable FOR ME in the heavy traffic I often encounter where I ride in both Penang and Thailand.  Being a long-term bike rider, in such circumstances you will often use your hips and body weight to 'flip' the bike from side to side when manoeuvring between lanes in stationary traffic, easier to do if the riding position is more upright (e.g. you'd not get much success trying this on a Harley 'Fatboy').  No doubt though, I and many others consider the PCX to be the best scoot money can buy, especially if your riding includes longer distance commutes, and I'd recommend it without any hesitation whatsoever.

Honda Click 125i

However, for heavily congested town traffic and in light of my ride position concerns, I actually find in Thailand that I prefer Honda's equally superb new Click 125i and it's my small 'scoot' of choice for riding in busy town traffic there. The Click 125i is not available in Malaysia though (or at least not yet) and previously I held off getting a PCX for the reasons given above. The release of the new Airblade though changes all that AND also deals with three other 'issues' that I have with the Click.

Firstly, the Click has a 'floorboard' (traditional scooter) style configuration whereas the Airblade has the step-through 'underbone' layout.  The construction type does affect the weight distribution particularly in terms of the placement of the engine and fuel tank.  I have personally always preferred the latter in terms of handling and stability, possibly as a result of being a long-time 'big bike' rider, as a result of which I've become more familiar with the more traditional bike layout (step-through).  Secondly, the Click also has a single rear shock-absorber vs the Airblade's twin rear shocks which I personally favour more in terms of both durability and comfort for long term use.  With the size and weight of many Thai nationals, even two-up, the single shock on the Click is likely pose no problem at all, increase the weight though, either by way of rider/passenger and/or loads and I'd always go for twin shocks if at all possible.  Finally, tubeless tyres are 'standard fit' on the Airblade, this is a definite plus point as those used to frequent punctures on the small tyres fitted to scooters will vouch for.  As can be seen the Airblade addresses all of these concerns and for me would be the better prospect for purchase even if the Click was available in Malaysia.  The only thing I find slightly off-putting with the Airblade is the fuel-tank capacity which is just 4 litres.  Hopefully the bike will have good enough fuel economy to make visits to the gas station less frequent than one might expect (even the Click 125i has a 5.5 litre tank!).

Honda Airblade in 'Pearl Metalloid White'

Available in three striking colour schemes the 2013 Airblade is a great bike and at RM 7,700, given the bike's features and technological innovation, is competitively priced IMO and of course there is the comfort of knowing that the bike is a Honda. The Airblade is yet another very welcome addition to the bikes available in Malaysia and IMO one which will make the decision between a PCX or an Airblade a much tougher one. You can take a closer look at the Airblade and download the brochure here, or better still, visit your local authorised Honda dealer and see the bike for yourself!


NB: See here for more coverage of the Honda Airblade and an on the road review.

Ops Selamat 3 - Reduced Speed Limits

Just a quick note, as people start to gear up for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive season, to advise that a speed limit reduction is in now in force on federal roads, from 90 kph to 80kph, while on state roads it is reduced from 80 kph to 70 kph.

In addition, Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof has stated that all road repair work, including on that on tolled highways, will be suspended during Ops Selamat 3 for the comfort of motorists and to ease traffic flow.

The operation lasts until 18 August.

One of the press releases pertaining to this can be found here.

Which GPS / Satellite Navigation Unit?

Of late I've had several enquiries about GPS Satellite Navigation (SatNav) units both in terms of what is considered to be a good buy and whether imported units will work here in Malaysia. So I thought it might be useful to consolidate the replies into one short post here in case others are pondering the same issues.

Personally I prefer Garmin units, I always have, but in Asia that preference is also dictated by the ease of availability.  Of the big branded GPS systems Garmin is the one I have found most widely available in SE Asia and well supported with software and map updates.

In terms of imported units, yes it will work.  A GPS is a fairly generic device and they will largely work anywhere BUT, and it's quite a big but, Garmin, like many other companies is a global company but is region specific.  Essentially that means that if you buy a GPS unit in the USA it will be USA compatible unit, here in Malaysia it will be Malaysia / Singapore specific while those from Europe will be European specific in terms of their operating system (OS).  In practical terms that translates into which of the more advanced features you will and will not be able to use.

The more advanced Garmin units offer two very useful functions 'Junction View' and 'Lane Assist'.  Basically, the former is a photographic rendition of a junction and signage as you approach it and the latter provides directional arrows telling you which lane you should be in at major junctions and on highways.  Now, these functions (and in particular 'Junction View') generally ONLY work on the device when it is used within it's own purchase region.  That is something to bear in mind if those facilities are important to you.  I have a UK sourced Garmin 3790T on which I have installed the City Navigator SE Maps.  They work, and are quite good, but no Junction view, it's just basic navigation.  Many units also offer 3D and 'Built Up Area' views which show a semi accurate picture of the area you are driving through, useful in cities.  Again, they only work on units with the OS for your region and the OS cannot be changed.

Another thing to consider is maps.  In some cases units are supplied with free lifetime updates for maps and Garmin updates them up to 4 times a year.  The City Navigator SE Asia map I have was a $99 download and is already out of date.  Once updated, after a year or two it will likely be out of date again.  So, the slightly more expensive units that come bundled with free lifetime updates can save you quite a lot in the long term.

A further consideration is which maps?  I use mostly Garmin maps but even they vary from region to region.  I travel a fair bit in Thailand and in Thailand by far the most useful map is the ESRI (now named Thai Street Map, or TSM) which is supplied by default on Thailand purchased Garmin GPS units.  This map I have to say is much better than the Garmin City Navigator SE Asia map and, at around 450 baht for the CD or SD card version, is a lot cheaper and cheaper to keep updated.  Many people also use maps which are available from or via the 'Malsing Maps' GPS portal which, as it happens, also has an excellent GPS Internet forum which offers a mine of information about all things GPS and even specific units here in Malaysia and Singapore.

The Garmin 3790 I have performs well and the SE Asia City Navigator maps are OK, but lack accuracy, detail and currency at times.  Given that I largely only drive in Malaysia and Thailand, at least for now, I'm not really looking to keep updating the SE Asia map each time it gets released at $90+.  It would however be useful to have constantly updated Malaysian maps, junction view and lane assist working and the most detailed map of Thailand available and to hand.

Garmin Nuvi 3560 LM

On that basis, these days I'd recommend the Garmin 3560 LM unit which has a slim profile and a wide 5.3" screen and all the bells and whistles of an advanced device including voice prompts, voice activation / search, bluetooth, updates via connected mobile phone etc etc. Full details can be found here. It retails at around RM 1,100, comes loaded with the Garmin City Navigator Malaysia / Singapore and 'Malsing' maps (I believe Garmin has an agreement with Malsing here) and has the free for life map updates. All I would do extra with this unit is buy the ESRI Thailand Map on SD when I visited Thailand and insert the SD into the slot, switching maps when crossing the border.  Another unit can be had for about half the price of the 3560 and that is the 2465 LM, there are of course many others.  It has less functionality of course but will certainly do the job and also has free for life map updates.  The Garmin site does offer a very useful comparison facility where you can check out up to three units at any one time side-by-sdie.  

I know some people like to use their GPS enabled smart-phones for navigation but my experience has been mixed.  Briefly, there are paid and free options.  Of the free ones I have tried Google Maps for iPhone is next to useless here.  It's turn-by-turn navigation is still in beta and Malaysia is not a supported country.  Thanks - delete.  Apple's own 'Maps' app is now much improved and does support Malaysia and it works OK, the problem with these free aps is that the navigation is less sophisticated, no lane support and less speedy recalculations if you make a wrong turn.  The other problem is that the two aps mentioned require a live data connection to access the maps, this maybe fine if you are travelling only in the country where you have your contract data service, but travelling cross border into another and needing to use roaming data rates - no thank you very much!  To get round this there are also paid options such as the 'Tom Tom SE Asia' ap (a bit pricey at around $49) and this benefits from having many of the features more readily associated with their dedicated units.  Overall though I find these aps less effective than dedicated devices, there often being problems with the GPS signal (as a visit to the device or ap associated chat forums will show).  Also, despite being a market leader the Tom Tom ap receives some mediocre reviews, such as this one here, with Navigon (another paid ap) being more highly rated.  The big problem here though is that the aps need to support mapping in SE Asia and Navigon doesn't.  So, for now, I stick with dedicated devices.

The one thing I do dislike about Garmin devices (and I hate it with a vengeance) is their route planning software for PC/Mac, 'Basecamp' an ap that allows you to plan your own route and transfer it to your GPS.  Rarely needed but it can be useful at times.  Problem is, it is absolutely awful, quite simply the worst mapping ap I have EVER used.  Google Maps makes entering a route and dragging it round to more suit your wishes an absolute doodle, a real breeze.  Garmin manages to turn such simplicity into a major chore, the software being counter-intuitive and laggy.  It really is so bad that I vouched not to use it again unless it is given a major overhaul.  Total garbage.  For the majority however, advanced route plotting, or amendment, will not be an issue so this piece of junk can thankfully be overlooked.

So, in a nutshell, I'd still recommend Garmin, I'd buy local, either from a shop or a reliable online retailer such as Superbuy and I'd source the ESRI Thailand maps in Thailand to load on SD.

Drive to Penang / Malaysia from Thailand (Hat Yai / Dannok)

Further to the below post regarding driving into Thailand from Malaysia, this post covers the relatively simpler process of driving back into Malaysia from Thailand.

Upon returning you will inevitably approach down Highway 4 (closer to the border the road is also named Thanon Phet Kasem) which runs through the border town of Dannok and goes right up to the border.  At times this crossing can be very busy with public holidays, Sundays and between the hours of 4-7pm on weekdays seemingly being the times to avoid.  But, as with anything like this, there is a degree of 'pot-luck'.  Sundays will often be VERY busy and chaotic because of the many coach trips that will be returning to the different states in Malaysia.  On the days when it's not busy the whole crossing can be done in 15-20 minutes.  Hit it on Sunday and other busy times and it can take up to two hours with long traffic queues and even longer queues at Immigration.

As you approach Dannok, about 1 km before the border, the road will be closed off ahead and this will detour you through a Customs checkpoint, mostly used for trucks.  It's the same checkpoint as when you entered Thailand.  Merely turn left, follow the signs for your type of vehicle, follow the path to the right and then turn left back onto the road.  There is only the one route to go so you won't get lost.

Now, there are numerous ways in which you CAN (and many people do) do this crossing in terms of how, when and where to park your car but I will describe the process which is, as I understand, the official way and the way which will not create you potential problems.

The things you should have readily to hand are:

1) Passport
2) Thai Immigration Departure Card
3) Carnet Form (Simplified Car Import / Export authority)
4) Copy Vehicle Registration document

In terms of a mental / written checklist, there are 5 things you need to do when exiting Thailand at the border:

a) Return the Carnet form (authorising export of your vehicle), this is VERY important

Then park up your car and:

b) Clear Thai Immigration

Get back in your car and:

c) Clear Thai Customs
d) Clear Malaysian Immigration
e) Clear Malaysian Customs

The process is somewhat simpler than entering Thailand but can still be confusing if you don't know what to expect.

Firstly, it's best to clear your vehicle export.  As you drive into the crossing you will see a number of Thai Immigration kiosks on your left and in front.  To the right of these (kiosks numbered 7, 8 & 9), but behind and after them there is a kiosk marked 'Customs Form Return'.  If the border is very quiet you can often stop at this kiosk or just behind and to the left of it.  It's important to do this as Customs MAY wish to see the vehicle, whether they do or not is a different matter.  Take your Carnet form to the kiosk (it's advisable to also take your copy vehicle registration form and passport).   The Customs officer will rarely wish to check your vehicle and will merely take the form from you.  You should be asked to sign the form when your return it AND sign in a book regarding form return.  Make sure you do both.  Once done, you are clear to proceed to the next steps.

Again, this crossing can be very chaotic at busy times so in my view it's safer to head to the car park before clearing Thai Immigration though many just leave their vehicle where they parked up to return the 'Carnet'.  If you wish to use the proper car park, after returning the Carnet form, drive through past the kiosk and about 50 metres after look for the large car park on the right (this is the same car park used when you enter Thailand).  Take care as you need to cross the path of vehicles entering Thailand and many drivers, especially those of motorbikes, seem to exercise little caution when driving in, probably being as confused as everyone else!  Park up the car and walk back around to the Thai Immigration counters (obviously you need to use the 'Departure' kiosks which are next to the Customs Vehicle Export kiosk you just visited, not the 'Arrival' kiosks for those entering Thailand - believe me, I am told people have done it!).  Furthermore, if the border is crazy busy, I have also driven into this car park before handing in the 'Carnet' form, there should be no problem as the car is not far away if they demand to see it, but if it's THAT hectic, they will almost certainly not be interested.

As you face the passport kiosks from the Thailand direction there is a group of them to the left which have a metal barrier around.  These are intended for foot and coach passengers.  Those to the right (kiosks 7, 8 and 9 again), along the roadway sections, are intended for car / motorbike drivers and their passengers.  At Immigration you merely need to show your passport and return the Immigration 'Departure' card which you will have retained upon entering Thailand.  However, if you are entering Malaysia from Thailand as a visitor (e.g. you are a Thai resident or resident of elsewhere entering Malaysia) you will need to complete a Thai Immigration 'Arrival / Departure Card which can be found at the desks in front of the Immigration kiosks or can be had from the Thai Immigration office to the left of the Immigration kiosks.  Once you (and any passengers) have cleared Immigration, return to the car park to get your vehicle.

You can now drive your vehicle back to the crossing and turn right to head for Thai Customs.  Again, take care when crossing traffic entering the border. Drive slowly through the customs checkpoint as you may actually get stopped here.  They may well wish to check the luggage compartment of your vehicle and/or scan any baggage you have.  At busy times getting stopped is less likely as it just jams up the crossing.

After this you drive straight ahead and approach Malaysian Immigration.  This IS a 'drive through'.  As you approach the Malaysian side you will see the traffic filtered into 2 or 3 lanes.  Again, follow any signage for your type of vehicle and approach the kiosks (cars just drive ahead, whereas trucks and mini-buses are filtered off to the left).  When you see one empty with a green light, just drive up to the kiosk.  There is no need for the driver or passengers to disembark unless asked (you may be asked so that they can (electronically) take fingerprints at the kiosk.  Merely hand your passport and those of any passengers to the Immigration officer and follow instructions.

Directly after the Immigration kiosk (and I mean right next to it) there is a further kiosk.  Here you must stop and pay the toll charge for the section of highway you will use next (RM 3.60), if you have a Touch n Go card you can swipe the reader just under the cashier's window to pay.  After this kiosk you drive ahead and proceed slowly through the Malaysian Customs and follow any instructions there. You may or may not get stopped.

That's all there is to it, as I said, all very simple IF you know what to expect.  However, if I stress just one thing in this post it is this:

Remember to return your 'Carnet' (Simplified Vehicle Import/Export) form AND sign the book at the Thai Customs 'Form Return' (vehicle export)  kiosk BEFORE leaving the Thai side of the border crossing!!

If you need fuel there are three filling stations with a few km of the border crossing and I normally stop at the second which is a Petronas.

Drive from Penang / Malaysia to Thailand (Hat Yai / Dannok)

I have now made a number of trips by car to Hat Yai in Thailand which, for those unfamiliar with the geography here, is about a 3 hour drive from Penang.  Having done the trip a few times I thought it might be useful to post a thread which details the border crossing layout and procedures as it will hopefully make the trip a little less daunting for those contemplating doing it for the first time.

Actually the process at the border is very simple and straightforward, IF you know what to do, but the crossing itself on the Thai side is quite chaotic, with what little signage there is not being very clear, to such an extent that it would be very easy to drive through without either having checked in at Immigration or obtaining a 'Carnet' (temporary vehicle import certificate) unless you happen to get flagged down, which, especially at busy times, will be a rarity.  Searching through the internet turns up several 'hits' which talk about the border crossing but in many cases the actual detail is either incorrect, very limited or outdated.

To cross the border into Thailand via Bukit Kayu Hitam (the border crossing closest to Dannok and Hat Yai) it's a very simple drive from Penang or elsewhere in Malaysia.  From Penang, merely drive straight over the Penang Bridge and keep going, following the signs for Alor Star / Setar.  You then keep on the 'E1' and continue to follow the signs for Alor Star / Setar and then 'Bukit Kayu Hitam' until you reach the border.  As you get close to the border though you will see a sign saying 'Bkt Kayu Hitam - turn left', don't.  Just drive straight ahead to the border.  Many of the main highways in Malaysia are toll roads and the charges for the main stretch from Butterworth to near Changlun is about RM13 with a RM 1.60 charge for a short section closer to the border.  I find it much easier to use a 'Touch and Go' card for the tolls and for bridge charges coming into Penang (see post here).

You may also wish to consider getting an extension on your car insurance to cover you 'comprehensive' for when you are in Thailand.  Most insurers will do this on an 'accommodative' (per trip) basis for a minimal charge and some may even provide annual cover if your trips will be frequent.  It is obviously worth checking with insurers to see if they provide annual Thailand cover when renewing car insurance if you intend to travel frequently.  If you purchased your vehicle insurance through a car dealership most of them can also provide the extensions to your cover for Thailand.  Be mindful that most insurers need at least 7 days notice to approve the extension to your cover.

Petrol is about double the price in Thailand compared to Malaysia so I always fill up before going and, doing little mileage once there, I have enough to keep me going until I return across the border and fill up at one of the three filling stations just after the border (Petronas normally).  If you need to fill up before crossing the border there is a large Caltex service station a few km before the border which also has reasonable WCs if you need them.

Things you will need to take when crossing the border:

1) A copy of your car registration document showing you as the owner of the car (make sure it's a current copy showing your correct address and the paid-up road tax for the year in question), I took the original too (see below)

2) Your driving licence (I use my Malaysian one) but there must be an English translation if your driving licence is not in English

3) Passport

4 ) Visa if you have / need one  (many visitors don't as Thai Immigration (land borders) grant 14 days on arrival to visitors from many countries). It's advisable to check if you're not sure if you need a visa or not and there are many sites containing information about Thai Visa requirements, including this one here.

It's also useful to have a pen handy!

In order of completion there are 5 things you need to do when driving into Thailand from Malaysia:

a) Clear Malaysian Immigration
b) Clear Malaysian Customs

Then, park up your car before the Thai checkpoints and

c) Clear Thai Immigration
d) Obtain a Thai 'Carnet' (the international simplified agreement that allows duty free import of a vehicle for up to 12 months) from Customs

Then return to your vehicle and:

e) Clear Thai Customs

The above is a summary and should be used as a checklist, make sure you have done ALL five before you drive into Thailand as at least two (c & d) would be easy to omit if you aren't aware of requirements and /or how the border controls work.  This may sound strange but if you have this mental (or written!) checklist you will be sure not to inadvertently drive through and forget something, and it's too late on the way back!!

Thai Compulsory Insurance

Before getting in to the detail, one of things you will also need in Thailand is compulsory 3rd party insurance cover, beyond that of your Malaysian insurance.  This insurance is available either before or after the border but there is something VERY, VERY important about this insurance that the vast majority of websites and forums fail to mention.  The compulsory insurance that the agents sell, and that the vast majority of people purchase (according to the agents themselves), is 3rd party BUT covers people only (e.g. anyone that you might injur) it DOES NOT provide 3rd party cover for damage to other vehicles.  This is very important as I suspect that some people buy this cover and happily drive off believing they are covered for most eventualities in Thailand.  Wrong!

If you want only the compulsory cover it costs RM 15 for the minimum which is 9 days cover or, if you plan to make several trips over a 12 month period, you can buy annual cover for RM 105.  Some internet sites make reference to you being given a disc when you purchase this insurance which you need to affix to your windscreen, however, this only applies to those purchasing the 12 month cover.  Now, if you also wish to insure against any damage your vehicle may cause to other vehicles or property this '3rd Party Damage' cover can also be purchased from the same agents for RM 50 for a single visit (7 days) or RM 360 for annual cover, these costs being over and above that of compulsory cover.  So, annual 3rd party cover for both people and vehicles / property will cost RM 465.

As mentioned above, some visitors from Malaysia go further and extend their domestic (and often fully comprehensive) insurance to cover themselves in Thailand and I am also reliably informed that as another option, comprehensive cover can also be purchased, again from the same agents, for around RM 800 for one year (whether this can be purchased on a per-trip basis I am not sure) and I plan to explore the cost / benefits of doing this v extending domestic Malaysian cover.  For the occasional trip it's probably not worth it but it may actually make claims and processing much easier if you have an incident in Thailand than trying to organise repairs and make claims from a Malaysian provider whilst in Thailand.  I will update this post in due course with the findings.

A couple of kilometres before the crossing on the Malaysian side there is a rest compound called 'CTC', it is not far after a large 'Caltex' gas station on the left which is itself just a few km after the traffic light controlled crossroads at Changlun (signposted 'Kodiang' (left) and 'Sintok' (right)).  It has a vertical blue and red sign on the road-side with the letters 'CTC' in red at the top.  CTC has a large off road car park and there are a number of stores located there.  CTC also has toilets but personally I would stop at either the Petronas or Caltex stations before CTC for toilets as they are of a higher standard.  The insurance is purchased from the small travel shop within the covered eating area. You can also get it at several locations in Changlun well before the border. The CTC shop and some of the other places you can buy insurance will sell you and complete a Tha Immigration 'Arrival/Departure' card for a small fee (RM 1.50) but the process is so simple I didn't bother.

You will need to show your copy registration document when you purchase the insurance cover.  I do stress that is essential to get this document.  You will most likely need the form in order to obtain your 'Carnet' (I say most likely as lately people are not getting asked for it) from Thai Customs.  I also encountered three police roadblocks in Hat Yai recently and, while I was waived through two of them, I was stopped and asked to show my Thai insurance at the last, they may of course also ask to see your 'Carnet' vehicle import form along with the vehicle registration and your driving licence.

The insurance document can also be purchased at kiosks just after the border (you basically walk through and buy it after clearing Immigration and before returning to obtain your 'Carnet') as there are many money changers which display signs for 'Malay/Thai Insurance Card'.  As I mentioned, it seems that most times of late you do not need to produce this insurance to get your 'Carnet' so many drive through, stop and then buy the the 3rd party cover BUT parking can be 'dodgy' to say the least as the section of road just after the border is a busy part of town and traffic can be quite hectic.   If you purchase it on the Thai side the cost is the same and, that close to the border, they will accept either Thai Baht (THB) or Malaysian Ringgit (MYR).


Border Crossing

Now, on to the crossing.  This is where you will need to ensure you have your passport and vehicle registration handy.

The first part of the process is to clear Malaysian Immigration.  This is very simple and straightforward.  It is essentially a 'drive through' process.  As you approach the border you will see signs directing cars, busses and trucks through different channels.  Following the cars route you will come to a number of kiosks set out in line ahead and its simply a case of queuing and waiting for the green light which indicates a free kiosk.  Drive up to the kiosk and hand your passport(s) to the Immigration Officer, there is no need to get out of the car.

After Immigration, you drive straight ahead a short distance to Malaysian Customs.  Again, another series of staggered kiosks.  As you drive through, have your drivers window down and be prepared to show the registration document.  At times they won't check, especially if they can see that you have it available.

Before reaching the Thai side of the border there is a large and well stocked duty free shop on the left where you can park (for free if just shopping there).  There is also a money changer inside and the rates are very good, slightly better than Thailand I find.  As to prices, from what I've seen, most whisky and gins are more expensive at the duty free than in Thailand, whereas some liquors such as Kahlua are considerably cheaper than Thailand. Shortly after the Duty Free Compound you will come to the controls on the Thai side of the border.

Now, this is the potentially tricky part that could catch first timers out.  Thai Immigration and the related booths are NOT 'drive through', albeit this is not immediately clear and, given the slight state of confusion at border crossings with vehicles and people milling around, it could be easy to just 'go with the flow' and drive through the Thai controls without checking in at Immigration or clearing the temporary import of your vehicle.  The role of the officers is to stop and check vehicles / people when they see a need, NOT to ensure that you have done all that you need to and have all the required paperwork to enter Thailand.  The onus is on you to ensure you complete each stage of the required process and the important thing to remember now is:

After clearing Malaysian Customs, drive ahead BUT be on the lookout for the entrance to a large car park on the left which is BEFORE the various Thai kiosks.  Turn into that car park and park your vehicle.

As you walk back out the car park you will see the numerous Thai Immigration kiosks.  At the kiosk you will need a two-part Thai Immigration Arrival/Departure card.  If you don't have one there may be some at the desks (some of which also have pens) before the Immigration kiosks or, if not, just to the left of the Immigration kiosks there is an office marked 'Visas on Arrival'.  They will give you a card.  Fill this in (both parts) before you get to the Immigration kiosk.  Don't forget the check boxes on the rear of the card.  Also, be sure to retain the 'Departure' portion of the card that they will stamp and hand back to you with your passport, Thai Immigration will need this when you depart, as will any hotel you check into, to verify you are still legally in Thailand.

After Immigration you will need to locate the Customs Vehicle Import kiosk to get your 'Carnet'.  DO NOT forget to do this!  At the passport controls you will see just one section (to the right) where vehicles can drive through.  There are passport controls located here also.  Directly after the passport booths on the drive through section there are two Customs booths adjacent to each other.  This is where you get the 'carnet'.  First you go to the desk kiosk which is on the right, produce your copy registration document and your passport (you may also be asked for your Thai 3rd Party Insurance). You will then be provided with the 'Carnet' form which you then take to the very next window where you will be asked to sign it in two places (there are example forms and the Customs officer will tell you where to sign).  This document covers your vehicle's temporary importation which you must retain for when you leave the country.  At times, people get told to sign the form and leave it at the booth until you drive your vehicle through but, to avoid jams, it seems this rarely happens now.  Whatever happens, DON'T forget it!  I have heard some people say that if you are using a copy of your registration document to obtain the Carnet, it must be a copy which has been certified by the police in Malaysia as a genuine copy.  I have never encountered this problem (having also done subsequent trips) but I did take the original document with me just in case (it's a long way to go back if a Customs official decides an uncertified copy is not good enough.

After this, simply go back to the car, drive out the car park and turn hard left, near the Immigration kiosks and this will funnel you down through Thai Customs.  This IS a drive through and most people are merely waived through, remember to collect your 'Carnet' form if they have retained it.

After that you are through and pretty much clear.  Just keep going on the road straight ahead.  It is a little confusing as about 1/2 a mile down the road there is another Thai Customs checkpoint, mainly for trucks.  You can't miss this as the road straight ahead is barriered off.  At the barrier you merely turn right, drive into the 'pound', follow the signs for your type of vehicle, turn left then left again, then right, back out on to the road you turned off (albeit some way further on of course).  Again, you are unlikely to get stopped here.

So, that's it.  Fairly easy really but easier still if you know what to do before you get to the border and the have a rough idea of the sequence / layout.   Hopefully this will be of help to others.  I have not posted images as at most border crossings photography is frowned upon.  Details of the return border crossing process can be found here.

When driving in Thailand I would suggest keeping your driving licence, copy vehicle registration, Thai Insurance and Carnet readily available in the vehicle as these are the things you will most likely get asked for if stopped by the police or other government department road-check.

There is a useful site here which covers some general information about driving in Thailand.  There are of course many others including a Wiki entry that is great for explaining Thai road signs.  Many may well also be unfamiliar with Thai traffic lights, it's good to be familiar with the meaning of these as you will encounter signals quite quickly after the border:

NB (Jan 2014): Previously, the 'policy' with regard to 'Via Waiver' entry (e.g. entry stamps given at the border for those without visas if they are from countries that qualify) was that if you enter Thailand by air you got 30 days but if you entered by land you got only 14.  Since the end of 2013 however, visitors from G7 countries will be granted 'Permission to enter' for 30 days whether entering by land or air.

NB (Mar 2014): It seems that the insurance certificates or 'discs' referred to above, which are affixed to your vehicle windscreen when purchasing annual Thai compulsory insurance, are no longer issued and you will get the certificate only.  I was advised about this when I recently renewed my 12 month cover.

NB:Please not that one reader has advised me that he had used the online service to pay for his annual car road tax online.  The trouble is, if you do this, you do not get your registration document updated with the details of that particular road tax purchase.  The reader had some difficulty at the border when applying for the Carnet because, despite having a valid car tax displayed, they were reluctant to accept that the registration document was valid.  So if you're contemplating trips to Thailand, renew your car tax at the post office!

Traffic Summonses - Online and SMS checking

While one would hope that the vast majority of drivers drive safely and attentively enough to avoid getting a summons (ticket) there are two site here in Malaysia that you can register on and use to check whether you have in fact received a ticket that you are not aware of, albeit if you have kept your registration document / details up to date any summons will invariably arrive by post.  In most cases of course drivers will have been stopped by the police or at a JPJ checkpoint and will be aware anyway but in some cases, such as speeding a red-light traffic violations, drivers may not be aware that they have incurred a summons.  The two sites in question are:

1) Myeg.com

2) Rilek

The first one is where you can sign also up for PDRM alerts for any summons you may get, say from a speed camera or 'silent' speed trap.

In addition, there is an SMS service service too.  To use it you need to send a message to 15888 or 32728 which merely says:

POLIS SAMAN #####  (the ##### being your vehicle registration number).

The reply is instant and you hope it will say "Tiada Saman". Each reply costs 20 sen.

If you do have a summons and you want the details you can send the same SMS and after your vehicle number just insert you email address. Details will be mailed to you.

Useful services which hopefully most drivers will not need to use.  On the subject on keeping your registration document and details up to date, this is a legal requirement so, if you move home etc, make sure you notify JPJ (Road Transport Dept.) of the new particulars.

Filling up the car / bike

This is just a snippet of information which will largely be of interest to new arrivals here in Malaysia and also to visitors who may choose to hire cars and / or motorbikes.

When filling up with petrol (gasoline) many from the West, particularly Europe, and the Middle East will be more accustomed, when there is no pump attendant, to filling up first and going to the kiosk to pay after.  Here it's different and on a few occasions I've seen motorists standing at the pump clearly confused as to why they cannot draw fuel.  Quite simply, in the vast majority of cases (e.g. unless paying the attendant which some filling stations have) you pay at the kiosk BEFORE you fill up, the cashier crediting either the precise amount to the pump you are parked at or taking a sum off you, returning the change after you've filled up.  I find with a small car like a Toyota Vios or a Honda City RM 50 will be enough to take the tank to almost full from it being close to empty.

It's a system that I actually like as, once paid, you can put the pump nozzle into your filler tube, lock the trigger up and it will automatically click 'off' once the credited amount has been drawn, leaving you to just get back in the car and drive off, no embarrassment of forgetting pay!!!

Most people will of course become familiar with this information after filling up once but this post may make the first visit to the pumps less confusing.

Boon Siew Honda introduces the PCX 150cc

It's great to hear that Boon Siew Honda are releasing the superb 150 cc Honda PCX to their model line up in Malaysia.  This is a VERY popular bike in many parts of the world and can be seen in abundance on the roads in Thailand where it is a very popular rental bike.

The PCX boasts numerous hi-tec features including a 'programmed fuel injection' efficient engine and Honda's 'idling stop' function which allows the engine to cut off when at a stand-still, thereby conserving fuel, bursting back into life as soon as the throttle is opened. It also boasts the 'combined braking system' (where one leaver pull will apply the correct amount of front and back brake to help prevent rider-error lock ups), 14" aluminium wheels with tubeless tyres and a side-stand engine-cut switch which will prevent the bike from starting if the stand is down.  The fuel tank is 5.9 litres and the PCX also has a 25 litre luggage compartment which can accommodate a full face helmet or two open face.  From experience they are very comfortable to ride and the upgrade to the 150cc engine from the previous 125cc is a great benefit.  The only things I might consider adding to the bike would be a new, taller, screen, such as an Ermax or Givi (example here) and a Givi 340 top box.

An important factor for buyers of course is the fact that it IS Honda with the reputation for reliability.  The bike will be available in black metallic, grey metallic and a special edition red and white and is priced from RM 10,688 OTR with insurance and 2 years warranty.  The Honda PCX product detail page is here and there is quite a comprehensive review of the bike here.  Further press coverage of the bike can be found here and here along with a product video in Bahasa Malay here.  Finally, there is also a quite useful user comparison between the 125cc PCX and the only bike (other than the SYM VTS) that I was considering, the 135cc Yamaha Nouvo Elegance (now called the LC) here.

The Honda PCX 150, a very welcome addition to the Malaysian bike scene. 

Mean Machines 2012

The above event took place at Auto City on 13 and 14 October and what an event it was.  Pick of Penang was there as an official photographer and I was also delighted to be shooting my great chum Leng Yein again.  A full album will be posted in due course but I've posted a few shots of the friends / models who help to make this such a great event.  More pictures of Leng Yein, Jialin Tye and a more general initial album can also be found on the Pick of Penang Facebook Page.




Leng Yein, I suspect Malaysia's top export and glamour model, was Special Host for the event.  A true professional and great company too. She will also be at Soju Room in Penang on 24 October performing with Sugar Daddy.  See you then.  This picture was being downloaded at the rate of 2,000 per hour once posted.









Another friend I met not long after arriving in Penang full time, the lovely JiaLin Tye, winner of Miss Mean Machines 2012.  Congrats.  Told ya you'd win!!!










One of the two 'Faces of Mean Machines 2012', 'Cookies' (Yap Shee Kee).  Great to work with and good fun!!














The other 'Face of Mean Machines 2012', Tahan, from Australia, was also one of the judging panel for Miss Mean Machines.
















Another friend of mine, Iyvonne Lo, winner of last year's Miss Mean Machines who came to present the award to JiaLin Tye.













And finally it was great to see yet another friend and one of my absolute fave models here.  Deanne Mak.  I lost count of how many shots we took and she will feature a lot in the final album.  I also plan to do a number of shoots with Deanne over the coming year.