Driving in Thailand???
 

Just saw a 'Self Drive - Circle of the North' package covering Chiang Rai/Chiang Mai/Mae Hong Son with car/hotels/etc. for 5 days/4 nights. Would you recommend driving in Thailand??? Thanks.

No way! It is so cheap to hire a driver, and the traffic is crazy- as are the other drivers.

They also drive on the "wrong side of the road" compared to the USA, if you are from here.

Thank you. Hiring a driver seems like the way to go.

I have driven in Thailand a number of times (including the Mai Hong Sorn loop from Chiang Mai) and never experienced any problems. The Thais do have a "unique" syle of driving, but as long as you tune into this it is great fun. The advantage of driving yourself is the greater freedom of being able to go and stay wherever you choos rather than be at the mercy of your guide who will almost certainly take you on the usual tourist routes. All major routes are signed in English as well as Thai and Budget have a terrific series of routes entitled "World Class Drives" which are available on www.budget.co.th - they provide detailed driving instructions, maps + ideas for places to stay and visit. This really is the best way of seeing the real Thailand.