If you are planning on a trip to Thailand by road from other countries like Malaysia, you should know that you will require two important papers for your vehicle while crossing the land borders into the Kingdom of Thailand. These papers are referred to as the TM2 and TM3 papers.
This article helps Malaysians understand the purpose of TM2 and TM3 forms, as well as the ways of filling them out in the correct manner.
TM2 & TM3 Forms: What Are They?
- TM2 - Temporary Import of a Motor Vehicle - vehicle details
- TM3 – Temporary Import Declaration (driver/owner & passenger details)
Both of them are used by the immigration of Thailand to register foreign vehicles when they enter the country temporarily. They are applied for cars, MPVs, motorcycles, and vans which enter Thailand through the land borders from Malaysia.
Who Needs to Submit TM2 & TM3?
You need TM2 and TM3 when you:
- A Malaysian citizen
- A Malaysian-registered car in Thailand
- Crossing a land border entry point
Every transport requires a separate TM2 & TM3 filing, even with several people on board.
When Are TM2 & TM3 Required?
TM2 & TM3 are to be completed before or at the Thai immigration counter at the time of entry. It saves you from last-minute hassle and allows for better time management in submitting them well in advance.
- Avoid filling forms manually at the border.
- Reduce the queuing time for customers at the peak times.
- Minimise errors that cause delays
For busy crossings like Bukit Kayu Hitam or Padang Besar, advance preparation makes a lot of difference.
Information Needed to Fill TM2 & TM3
Prepare the following details before filling in the forms:
Vehicle Information (TM2)
- Type of transportation
- Vehicle type/make/model (car, MPV, motorcycle, van)
- Vehicle registration number
- Border of entry
- Place of visit in Thailand
- Date of entry in Thailand
- Date of exit in Thailand
- Number of driver
- Number of passenger (exclude driver)
- Driver & Travel Information (TM3)
Driver & Travel Information (TM3)
- Passport number
- Driver’s full name (as per passport)
- Entry date into Thailand
- Border checkpoint of entry
Make sure all information matches your passport and vehicle registration card exactly.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill TM2 & TM3 Forms
For TM2: Please begin to input your car information, along with its registration number and type. Then for TM3, proceed to input your individual information, which should be your name and passport number that corresponds exactly with your actual passport including the passengers information including their passport number.
Next, choose your entry border and date of arrival for both documents. Carefully review your form before submission. If there are errors, you will have to complete it again at the immigration desk. When that is done, one needs to keep a copy of TM2 & TM3 handy for display at Thai immigration. Avoid these common issues that often slow travellers down:
- Incorrect vehicle number or model
- Name spelling different from passport
- Wrong entry date or border selection
- Waiting until arrival to fill in forms
Final Reminder Before You Cross the Border
The TM2 & TM3 forms are important documentation for Malaysian vehicles when entering Thailand. The earlier you take the trouble to prepare the TM2 & TM3 forms, as well as other Thailand motor insurance and entry requirements, the less hassle you’ll encounter when crossing the borders during your road trips to Thailand from Malaysia.
Hot tip: Do not forget to fill out TDAC form, learn more about it here.
With Drive2Thai, fill out your TM2/TM3 forms online on our website when you buy your Thailand insurance. Completed forms will go straight to your email, just in time for you to get it stamped at the border checkpoint and start your smooth, convenient journey.
For extra peace of mind, we also provide blank forms in case any information needs to be corrected.
