Self-drive in Thailand?
#1
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Self-drive in Thailand?
Has anyone self-driven in Thailand? I am planning to get a rental car for a small 4 day/ 3 night loop from Bangkok to Khao Yai area, then to Ayuthaya and back to Bangkok, so no long distances involved.
But the response from a few people I've mentioned this too have raised their eyebrows and told me they'd not consider driving in Thailand.
I'd not be driving in Bangkok itself, we'd be collecting and dropping the car off from one of the two Bangkok airports, most likely BKK.
Any thoughts, especially from those who have driven in Thailand?
We're comfortable driving overseas, on either side of the road...
But the response from a few people I've mentioned this too have raised their eyebrows and told me they'd not consider driving in Thailand.
I'd not be driving in Bangkok itself, we'd be collecting and dropping the car off from one of the two Bangkok airports, most likely BKK.
Any thoughts, especially from those who have driven in Thailand?
We're comfortable driving overseas, on either side of the road...
#2
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We have driven many times, all over Thailand (inc. Kahoa Yai) , always enjoyed it and have never had any problems. Without a doubt it provides a great deal more flexibility and I would say it would be by far the best option for Khao Yai which is not the easiest place to get to.
We have picked up from both airports as well as from central Bangkok. Check which airport to see which is the more convenient for your destination. Also, don't entirely rule out picking up from central Bangkok. We used avis from there place near the Conrad hotel on wireless road and it was only a couple of mins from the main highway.
Driving standards are better than many SE Asian countries, although Thais tend to have an "intuitive" style of driving so expect the unexpected.
I only use one of the majors Avis/Budget, Hertz etc. and avoid the local operators even if they are cheaper.
If there is anything ny chance you will rent a car again in the next year then consider taking out insurance with a third party provider such as https://www.icarhireinsurance.com/#0 thus avoiding the extortionate excess reduction fees (unless you have a cc which provides that protection)
We have picked up from both airports as well as from central Bangkok. Check which airport to see which is the more convenient for your destination. Also, don't entirely rule out picking up from central Bangkok. We used avis from there place near the Conrad hotel on wireless road and it was only a couple of mins from the main highway.
Driving standards are better than many SE Asian countries, although Thais tend to have an "intuitive" style of driving so expect the unexpected.
I only use one of the majors Avis/Budget, Hertz etc. and avoid the local operators even if they are cheaper.
If there is anything ny chance you will rent a car again in the next year then consider taking out insurance with a third party provider such as https://www.icarhireinsurance.com/#0 thus avoiding the extortionate excess reduction fees (unless you have a cc which provides that protection)
#3
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I've covered 100s of 1000s of KM in Thailand and love it....However a lot depends on your real abilities as a driver.....if you think everyone should drive like they do "back home" then you're in for a shock.
I don't think it really matters picking up your car in BKK either......again it is a matter of how you react to traffic.
If you pick up from the airports I would haver thought that maybe Ayuthaya might be a better first stop?
When you hire your car, take photos from all angles to avoid any misunderstandings about damage.
Use an electronic mapping system. Google maps is fine in Thailand and will work on your phone - android is best. Make sure you have a Thai SIM with a 4G data package. Google has voice-over in Thailand in English and is great or getting round BKK. Be aware that you may lose signal from time to time so keep an eye on where you are .
Here are some links on driving in Thailand you may find useful.
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...nd-reality.cfm
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntr...to-think-about
I don't think it really matters picking up your car in BKK either......again it is a matter of how you react to traffic.
If you pick up from the airports I would haver thought that maybe Ayuthaya might be a better first stop?
When you hire your car, take photos from all angles to avoid any misunderstandings about damage.
Use an electronic mapping system. Google maps is fine in Thailand and will work on your phone - android is best. Make sure you have a Thai SIM with a 4G data package. Google has voice-over in Thailand in English and is great or getting round BKK. Be aware that you may lose signal from time to time so keep an eye on where you are .
Here are some links on driving in Thailand you may find useful.
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...nd-reality.cfm
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntr...to-think-about
#4
We've only driven in the north, but the roads in general seem in pretty good repair. And though I didn't drive there, I feel like I could manage Bangkok ok, which I wouldn't say about some Asian cities like Hanoi or Phnom Penh. The road rules seem (to me) to be a bit more observed in Bangkok.
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Thanks all,
We've driven all over, have no assumptions that people should drive like they do at home (!) and my husband in particular is a very astute driver, he is very good at predicting idiot/ dangerous moves on the part of others. We've never had issues anywhere we've driven thus far.
We'd collect the car from BKK (just checked) as that's where our flight comes in late the night before. I chose the flight based on the timings as the transfer out of Khao Sok is in the afternoon, so we chose to fly out of Surat Thani to Bangkok and the best timed flight goes into BKK. Given the late arrival and renting car the next morning, I figured we'd stay overnight by BKK and get the car first thing.
If there's no extra charge to drop off in Bangkok City, we could drop off there, if not, we'll drop back to BKK and then public transport into the city. We've driven in cities such as LA, Kyoto, London (of course), Paris, but not Delhi - that's the only place I'm a bit loathe to drive!
Thanks for the tip to use an international operator rather than local, that's good to know.
We're unlikely to drive anywhere else within the year but we have used those specialist car hire insurance companies before, I'll look into that again for this, thanks for the reminder.
Yes, we're also a bit cynical in terms of claims for damage we didn't make, so we too take photos of the car on collection so that is harder for anyone to try on.
We used Google Maps/ Navigation in Japan very successfully, we also had the satnav in the car, with some aspects in English but much still in Japanese, so Google Maps was a good back up, though weirdly, Google's time estimates were wildly out compared to the satnav embedded in the car itself. The route was fine though. I'll assume the same may occur in Thailand on the timings front.
Thank you so much everyone, feeling reassured.
None of the folks who reacted so negatively have driven in Thailand so I suspect they were simply the kind of people who just don't consider driving overseas very much.
We've driven all over, have no assumptions that people should drive like they do at home (!) and my husband in particular is a very astute driver, he is very good at predicting idiot/ dangerous moves on the part of others. We've never had issues anywhere we've driven thus far.
We'd collect the car from BKK (just checked) as that's where our flight comes in late the night before. I chose the flight based on the timings as the transfer out of Khao Sok is in the afternoon, so we chose to fly out of Surat Thani to Bangkok and the best timed flight goes into BKK. Given the late arrival and renting car the next morning, I figured we'd stay overnight by BKK and get the car first thing.
If there's no extra charge to drop off in Bangkok City, we could drop off there, if not, we'll drop back to BKK and then public transport into the city. We've driven in cities such as LA, Kyoto, London (of course), Paris, but not Delhi - that's the only place I'm a bit loathe to drive!
Thanks for the tip to use an international operator rather than local, that's good to know.
We're unlikely to drive anywhere else within the year but we have used those specialist car hire insurance companies before, I'll look into that again for this, thanks for the reminder.
Yes, we're also a bit cynical in terms of claims for damage we didn't make, so we too take photos of the car on collection so that is harder for anyone to try on.
We used Google Maps/ Navigation in Japan very successfully, we also had the satnav in the car, with some aspects in English but much still in Japanese, so Google Maps was a good back up, though weirdly, Google's time estimates were wildly out compared to the satnav embedded in the car itself. The route was fine though. I'll assume the same may occur in Thailand on the timings front.
Thank you so much everyone, feeling reassured.
None of the folks who reacted so negatively have driven in Thailand so I suspect they were simply the kind of people who just don't consider driving overseas very much.
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I've found the google timings OK - but I don't really bother too much with them. When I've stopped or reset it i.e. real tim as opposed to estimates, it seems to work out OK on the speed I'm travelling.
You might want to check that your destination has parking....most hotels/resorts do but with guesthouses etc it isn't guaranteed I've had to leave my vehicle in a monastery before now.
I also hate having to leave my car a long way many room I'm staying in......but that's because I don't travel light and don't want to unload and repack at every stop.
I think the OP is right....those who can't drive roll eyes.
You might want to check that your destination has parking....most hotels/resorts do but with guesthouses etc it isn't guaranteed I've had to leave my vehicle in a monastery before now.
I also hate having to leave my car a long way many room I'm staying in......but that's because I don't travel light and don't want to unload and repack at every stop.
I think the OP is right....those who can't drive roll eyes.
#7
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I am the OP! Yeah I suspect it's those who don't like to drive anywhere that rolled their eyes but I feel reassured, thanks to you all here.
For the 3 nights we'll have a car, I'm looking for places that can provide secure parking, though we travel reasonably light so won't leave stuff in the car overnight...
Thanks again, all!
For the 3 nights we'll have a car, I'm looking for places that can provide secure parking, though we travel reasonably light so won't leave stuff in the car overnight...
Thanks again, all!
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Hmmm 10 years driving in Phuket....I roll my eyes and more every day...Thais drive brilliantly considering they do not take any driving test and move from a scooter to a 4 wheel drive truck...just do not expect them to remember that they now have 4 wheels.
#9
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Heh, thanks for the warning. Is one of the main reasons we aren't driving in Bangkok or any big city. Our route is Bangkok BKK to Khao Yai to Ayuthaya back to the airport and return the car. We'll use the car to pootle between sights around Khao Yai and between temple sites in Ayuthaya. For the full day in Khao Yai I've booked us a private guided wildlife tour into the park and to the bat caves for dusk.
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Thais do take a driving test - it wasn't very rigorous although now it contains both written and practical components and they need a separate licence for motorcycles - this is not enforced often though.
However, when you consider the type of test many licenced drivers on this web site took back in the day, it really is a joke too.
The truth is that most people get their driving skills through experience .
unfortunately it leaves them a little light of theory - most people I talk to have home or half baked theory on road safety, largely based on the blinkers of personal experience and not on the data available. It's not just driving, it is the whole road environment one needs to consider. I notice someone thought the roads were in good state. I would say they are basically very poorly constructed (corruption sees to that) but you really can't take roads for grated....they are uneven, often don't drain after rain, and eve the newest road can have huge deep potholes or subsidence along the side. lack of hardcore allows trucks to pressure the surface into ruts and motorcyclists will swerve without signal ( you are expected to anticipate this) to avoid potholes or ridges left after resurfacing or patching.
Thai people are in general used to driving on Thai roads - they know what to expect and in many circumstances engage in types of driving that would be frowned upon by those the "the West".
please don't get smug and assume you are superior to Thai drivers simply because you come from a motoring environment that is more regulated and enforced.....it won't help you....all it does it make you irritable and frustrated with other motorists who actually drive here every day.
as for the route - there is a road that goes through the park....I think it's 2077 - it's a very scenic route but quite challenging at times - not least of all for the possibility of confrontation with elephants. You used to have to pay the park fe to go through this route and it would close in the evening.
There is an Easterly route...304, which to my mind was one of the most dangerous stretches of road in Thailand, last time I drove it - about a year ago, traffic was reduced to a crawl by major road works - not sure if they have finished that yet.
IMO - your best route may be the northerly one: routes 1, 2 & 2090.
it does depend on time of day and where you hope to stay. this is the best route to/from Ayuthaya as well.
However, when you consider the type of test many licenced drivers on this web site took back in the day, it really is a joke too.
The truth is that most people get their driving skills through experience .
unfortunately it leaves them a little light of theory - most people I talk to have home or half baked theory on road safety, largely based on the blinkers of personal experience and not on the data available. It's not just driving, it is the whole road environment one needs to consider. I notice someone thought the roads were in good state. I would say they are basically very poorly constructed (corruption sees to that) but you really can't take roads for grated....they are uneven, often don't drain after rain, and eve the newest road can have huge deep potholes or subsidence along the side. lack of hardcore allows trucks to pressure the surface into ruts and motorcyclists will swerve without signal ( you are expected to anticipate this) to avoid potholes or ridges left after resurfacing or patching.
Thai people are in general used to driving on Thai roads - they know what to expect and in many circumstances engage in types of driving that would be frowned upon by those the "the West".
please don't get smug and assume you are superior to Thai drivers simply because you come from a motoring environment that is more regulated and enforced.....it won't help you....all it does it make you irritable and frustrated with other motorists who actually drive here every day.
as for the route - there is a road that goes through the park....I think it's 2077 - it's a very scenic route but quite challenging at times - not least of all for the possibility of confrontation with elephants. You used to have to pay the park fe to go through this route and it would close in the evening.
There is an Easterly route...304, which to my mind was one of the most dangerous stretches of road in Thailand, last time I drove it - about a year ago, traffic was reduced to a crawl by major road works - not sure if they have finished that yet.
IMO - your best route may be the northerly one: routes 1, 2 & 2090.
it does depend on time of day and where you hope to stay. this is the best route to/from Ayuthaya as well.
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I would never assume I am superior to Thai drivers (and can see zero content in any of my posts that I have done so). We drive by assuming every other user of the road may do something unexpected, and that's nothing to do with their skills or lack of, we drive like that everywhere.
When I talk about the roads being fairly good condition, I looked specifically at the few routes we'll be using and had a good long look at the roads using Google Street View. Whilst I can't see pot holes etc. that way, I could get a reasonable idea that these roads are not as bad as some places I've been.
I've been on the roads in India enough times (with family members driving) to know how bad roads can be in countries where both weather, construction and corruption can impact quality.
I also know very well just how different driving styles can be when catering for different road conditions, different vehicle types (including animals and cycles and tuk tuks and huge trucks).
We have driven in places where wildlife (such as rhino and elephants) may step out into the road, this is very helpful to be aware of, we will keep our eyes peeled, as always.
We will take your advice and take the Northern route as that is the one I'd been scoping out. I didn't "fly" the whole road via Google Street view, and of course it wouldn't show road works necessarily as it will depend when that area was last mapped.
When I talk about the roads being fairly good condition, I looked specifically at the few routes we'll be using and had a good long look at the roads using Google Street View. Whilst I can't see pot holes etc. that way, I could get a reasonable idea that these roads are not as bad as some places I've been.
I've been on the roads in India enough times (with family members driving) to know how bad roads can be in countries where both weather, construction and corruption can impact quality.
I also know very well just how different driving styles can be when catering for different road conditions, different vehicle types (including animals and cycles and tuk tuks and huge trucks).
We have driven in places where wildlife (such as rhino and elephants) may step out into the road, this is very helpful to be aware of, we will keep our eyes peeled, as always.
We will take your advice and take the Northern route as that is the one I'd been scoping out. I didn't "fly" the whole road via Google Street view, and of course it wouldn't show road works necessarily as it will depend when that area was last mapped.
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I don't think any of my observations were aimed at you specifically........
If one drives on a road full of potholes one adapts to it.....unfortunately in Thailand the roads often look "good" but all of a sudden you'll come to a massive irregularity in the road and quite possibly at high speed - one also needs to be aware that other motorists may suddenly swerve to avoid a pothole or other obstacle that you are unable to see.
i used to work for a traffic engineering department for a city in the UK and, I'm utterly appalled at the standards of the roads in Thailand - even the new ones.
I also drive a lot in Laos and there the roads are far more primitive but IMO a lot less dangerous as they are more consistent and predictable.
Looking at the roads on Google is not always very helpful as the images are often several years old......Thailand is undergoing as huge amount of road infrastructure modification and expansion at present and you'll find whole stretches of road look are quite different to how they appear on Google.
If one drives on a road full of potholes one adapts to it.....unfortunately in Thailand the roads often look "good" but all of a sudden you'll come to a massive irregularity in the road and quite possibly at high speed - one also needs to be aware that other motorists may suddenly swerve to avoid a pothole or other obstacle that you are unable to see.
i used to work for a traffic engineering department for a city in the UK and, I'm utterly appalled at the standards of the roads in Thailand - even the new ones.
I also drive a lot in Laos and there the roads are far more primitive but IMO a lot less dangerous as they are more consistent and predictable.
Looking at the roads on Google is not always very helpful as the images are often several years old......Thailand is undergoing as huge amount of road infrastructure modification and expansion at present and you'll find whole stretches of road look are quite different to how they appear on Google.
#13
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Yes understand completely that google street view can be old...
But I am fairly confident we will be fine, my husband is an unusually careful driver, he's aware of things well before most people, myself included, might notice them, sometimes it feels like he's prescient but it's just good awareness of his surroundings and all the things that might happen, even people swerving!
But I am fairly confident we will be fine, my husband is an unusually careful driver, he's aware of things well before most people, myself included, might notice them, sometimes it feels like he's prescient but it's just good awareness of his surroundings and all the things that might happen, even people swerving!
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That's definitely what's needed in Thailand.....I sometimes get driven by people of after only a few seconds convince me I'm in the wrong car......their driving just makes me uncomfortable - they don't notice stuff, don't anticipate and don't position or prepare the vehicle for upcoming possible problems.
#15
Agreed that "good" IS subjective. To be more specific, I found the conditions _in the north anyway, between Laos and Chaing Mai, via Mae Salong, etc - to be reasonably decent condition as compared to many other countries we've driven in. This would include such hazards as unexpected potholes, any pressure rutting, standing water, etc. I didn't find it much different than say, roads in Tennessee or non-urban roads in Victoria Australia, places we've lived and considerably less challenging than many roads in Ireland, Central America or Romania (so, some points for comparison). Personally, when I compare it to all the places we've driven, northern Thailand at least seemed to be less problematic than average.
I agree that you as a non-resident can't ever fully anticipate what the local driving habits may be in response to these hazards, but where isn't that true?
I agree that you as a non-resident can't ever fully anticipate what the local driving habits may be in response to these hazards, but where isn't that true?
#16
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Khunwilko, yes I don't enjoy being a passenger with other drivers as I'm used to Pete's very aware style of driving and some of the panicked moves of others, and their driving too close to car in front and last minute reactions make me really scared!!!
CounterClifton, indeed!
CounterClifton, indeed!
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Yeah, I don't know how accurate Google Maps navigation is on that front, but I'll check a few different times during the day and see what kind of times it gives me for our main driving routes. We're not doing any big distances -- BKK airport to Khao Yai and around there, then to Ayuthaya and then back to BKK airport.
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either airport to Khao Yai or Ayuthaya is a doddle.....Google will be fine - make due you have the voice-over set up. I find Google maps in general to be extremely accurate these days.
Your main problems can arise at the multiple road workings especially at motorway intersections where the real route may now differ from the one surveyed by Google.
So long as you keep an eye on the signs you shouldn't have any serious problems.
I use Google in Bkk a lot too....the problems are change in lane direction at certain times of day and you can often lose signal under one of the interminable numbers of flyovers and underpasses
Your main problems can arise at the multiple road workings especially at motorway intersections where the real route may now differ from the one surveyed by Google.
So long as you keep an eye on the signs you shouldn't have any serious problems.
I use Google in Bkk a lot too....the problems are change in lane direction at certain times of day and you can often lose signal under one of the interminable numbers of flyovers and underpasses