Has anyone driven through and around Thailand? How was it? Fun, safe, cheap, etc... Thanks

You will get 2 types of responses to this question.
a> No problem, roads are good, signs easy, no problems.
b> Forget it, dangerous at night, lots of check points, hassles, headache.

I live here, yes I drive, only outside of Bangkok, if I could afford a driver I'd hire one! As a means to get place to place within Thailand for our family of 4 it's cheap and convenient, but it's not the 'fun of the open road'.

There is a simple solution, to get the flexibility and freedom of going place to place at your own schedule, stopping where/when you want, then take c car+driver. It costs you about the same as a rental but you just sit back and let an experienced local driver take the wheel.
Every hotel/resort/guest house will set you up with a decent clean a/con car with a good driver, just let them know the day before. About B 1,500-2,000 is what you might pay for a rental anyway.

i would not consider driving in bangkok unless it was to get to a hospital with my prgenant wife or girl friend.....

outside is easier but i have found there is a lack of signage, especially in western formats....

as pointed out drivers are very cheap and make the whole thing more enjoyable...

JamesA and others --

I'll be in Chiang Mai during the Flower Festival. I've got a car rented for a couple of day trips. Having seen the posts about the advantages of hiring a car and driver, I'm thinking of cancelling the rental car. My only concern: Does the Flower Festival attract so many people that cars and drivers will be scarce?

I won't be a problem to get a car and driver. I have not been to the actual festival but I would guess that you will get far more enjoyment having a driver who knows his way around that not. Many restricted parking signs are in Thai only, sometimes you can park one side other days not, you'd never figure them out, other cars could be parked, but you could be the one chained up. A rather delicate point many would not wish to mention is that having insurance does not 'deal' with any accident problems, if you get what I mean. Get in an accident and.....well I am sure you get my meaning!

Thank you, James. Everything you mention makes sense. I'm going to cancel the rental car.

Mike - I know that the festival is usually in Feb - when exactly is it this year coming?
Thanks Lilly

Anyone know where I can find the cheapest silver jewelry in Thailand?

Lilly,

The Chiang Mai Flower Festival parade is on Saturday, Feb. 7. I'm not sure exactly when the festival begins and ends.