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Home » Reader question » Reader question: Individual tour with rental car through Thailand?
Reader question: Individual tour with rental car through Thailand?
Dear readers,
We plan to make an individual tour through Thailand next year. Does anyone have experience with this? Is it safe and doable to drive a rental car in Thailand yourself? Has anyone had to deal with any corruption? What about parking at the attractions?
We plan to start in Bangkok and head north from there. What should we definitely visit? One of us uses a wheelchair. Is not completely bound by that, can walk small pieces, including a few steps. So we can't do everything. But we hope there is still enough to see. We have already visited many places in Europe with our own car or rental car, but Thailand is of course a different story. Driving on the left is no problem, even with a rental car (we did it in Malta).
We have also driven around Naples, Italy ourselves so we are used to it. Paris, Rome and Athens were no problem either.
What should we all pay attention to when we put together the trip ourselves? Does anyone have tips?
Regards,
Gert and Anja
Hello
Have rented a car from Hertz several times
I use GPS on my mobile
Hertz on sathorn avenue is perfect
Usually drive around to a certain point like chiang rai
And fly back so that I no longer have to drive in bkk myself
Make sure you have excellent insurance for accidents and buy off your deductible.
If you get into an accident in Thailand, it is not whose fault it is, but who has the most money to pay for the damage. Usually the farang is the asshole. So protect yourself well for this kind of thing. You also need an international driver's license.
If it has rained a lot, not all places and roads are passable. Keep this in mind when planning your route. And make sure you have a rental car with four-wheel drive, so you won't get stuck on difficult roads as often.
you scare people like this with your statement:
1. If you get into an accident in Thailand, it will not be looked at whose fault it is, but who has the most money to pay for the damage. Usually the farang is the asshole.
1a. It is indeed looked at who is to blame and not who has a lot of money and the Farang is not usually / always the dick as you describe.
Those who are guilty must pay, that has been the case for years or if you have insurance, it pays.
So check carefully if you rent a car whether he has taken out good insurance.
Bring an international driver's license to avoid problems during checks.
And yes, watch out for ghost drivers during the day and evening and don't be surprised if you encounter pedestrians, cyclists, tuk tuk, animals, etc. on the highway, that's just allowed here.
And yes there is a lot of corruption here especially by the police. I was driving in Bangkok to get on the toll road and then she stopped me for crossing a yellow line. Fine 2000 b and then my wife said there is none and we have it on dashcam. Okay he said just give 200 bath haha is a difference € 50,00 or € 5,00 so paid to get no further nagging.
In 1 word you are not always guilty because you are Farang (foreigner).
Have fun driving
Mzzl Pekasu
I take the story of the Farang with a grain of salt. In October I was cut back from Uttaradit by a crazy thai (eh only blinker left piece. Oh I drive a VOLVO). She wanted to run. Was stopped by a truck and trapped. Police there. Did the lady say that I had suddenly started driving faster. According to my wife, the police were talking about witnesses, etc. Damage neatly finished by the insurance.
International driver's license is fine, take two with you right away. (spare is never gone).
I know of two cases where the rich party had to pay despite no debt.
So that's definitely not scaremongering.
And that not only occurs between farang and Thai, but also between Thais themselves (in the countryside anyway).
Definitely something to keep in mind.
If you have good insurance that won't happen. You should never make the mistake of talking to the other party, you should leave that to the guy on the moped who sends the insurance company.
You keep your mouth shut and only say that the insurance claims adjuster is on his way. I was recently hit from behind by a moped driven by 2 Isan teenagers aged 15 and 16, no insurance and no driver's license. Well, the claims adjuster took care of everything. A week later my car was repaired and the invoice was sent to my insurance.
Unfortunately, most people don't know the procedure and to discuss it yourself, NEVER DO IT.
Hello Gert and Anja
I'm going to make a tour myself in January 2018, with the 4 of us
First explore Bangkok for 3 nights, then pick up the rental car at the airport, which is why you have a highway that is a bit easier to drive. Bring a GPS
From the airport we drive under Bangkok to Kanchanaburi (bridge over the river Kwai) 2 nights
May 1st XNUMX night
Mae Sariang 1 night
Mae Hong Son 1 night
Pai 1 night
Chiang Mai 3 nights (Doi suthep, elephant camp, longneck people and hot spring)
Chiang Rai 2 nights (golden triangle)
Phitsanulok 1 night
We discuss the hotels when we drive there, because we might want to stay a little longer in one place. Buy a SIM card with internet at the airport.
Bangkok 1 night (return car)
About 2500 km
Hua Hin (Airbnb) 10 nights ( rest on the beach with taxi round trip from Bangkok)
Bangkok 1 night
Return flight
Do not drive in the dark, and be aware that you will see many wrong-way drivers, who want to take a shorter route, especially motorcyclists, but also cars.
Have a nice holiday
Be sure to visit the Wat Prathat Phasornkaew temple in Petchabun when you are in Pitsanulok. Is a 110 km further but you will not regret it. (Hmong temple in the mountains).
Oh if you come from Phitsanulok take the SECOND entrance row through the other back. Wonderful to stop on the way back at the cafe The LOUIS and have something to eat and drink on the terrace.
I think I'm going to disappoint you. Your experience being able to drive on the left with Malta as a training circuit is unfortunately of no value. Thailand is another country with traffic rules that hardly anyone obeys. After all, they are largely ignored. The further north you go the left or more dangerous. People often drive there without a driver's license and just do something. You drive between shooting engines, all kinds of freight traffic and pick-ups. Many are uninsured. Overtake left, right, far exceed road markings, use other lane, cut corners, cut your vehicle, tailgating. Many dangerous U-turns. Alcohol use and vehicles speeding through traffic lights. Irritating. I advise you not to start, but to visit this country in a different way. In the given circumstances I advise you to hire a travel organization. After all, you do not just drive with a group (you) including a partially disabled person. You bear all responsibility. And even worse, if something happens, you don't speak the language, English language you can forget, you are the loser. With a tour operator you will end up in the right places without coming into contact with the corruption that is still rampant everywhere.
now that's a bit of an exaggeration. I am 63 ALSO have a walker but drive all over Thailand. Without any problems. Paris is dangerous too.
I have been driving a car in Thailand for almost 13 years now. I live there. But the first months that I drove here, I almost had a cardiac arrest several times, liters of sweat went down my limbs, in short, I was used to traffic in Europe and then you end up in Thai traffic.
That is a "free for all". Cutting, driving on the right lane for 50 km, so driving the fast lane, and you just come through the bend with a speed of 100 km. A red traffic light is not a traffic light, especially the first twenty seconds after the traffic light turned red. In principle, orange does not exist as a traffic light.
And then get involved in a traffic accident. In the event of death or injury, the drivers go to jail until it is clear who is to blame. And that is almost always the “farang”. Therefore, in most of them. good car insurance, a “bail construction”. That means you can get out on bail. But then you're not there yet.
In the Netherlands, the wheels of justice turn slowly, very slowly. In Thailand it is very slow to very, very slow and until then you are not allowed to leave the country if you are free on bail.
Take a car with a driver. It will take you where you need to be. He knows the tricks of the trade, speaks Thai and knows how to manage in situations. Certainly not you. Talking Thai with arms and legs is difficult, especially money-hungry police officers.
I now drive like a Thai. I have to, otherwise I wouldn't have survived and my car would have been scrapped within a few months. Red means a beautiful color. I'm colorblind with orange. Pedestrian crossings are fun stripes on the road. I park where I want, if I triple it. And when I get to a checkpoint, I wave my old service passport. A photo in uniform works wonders here.
In short, you can start with renting a car in Thailand, then you have a nice story for the news in the Netherlands when you are released.
Of course this story is very black, but I can write a book about myself, but also from other foreigners, about driving in Thailand. No wonder Thailand ranks second in road fatalities per 100.000 inhabitants.
Now in first place, I heard. 1 million accidents with serious injuries, 100.000 people who never recover, and 27,000 deaths per year. A sad record.
Other than that I completely agree with your argument: I have a heart shift every week, even after 10 years and extremely careful driving.
Inquire at greenwoodtravel.nl. They can help you with everything you need.
If you read the above comments you will be shocked at the problems and dangers here on the road. And yes there are indeed. Yet you can easily do a tour by car here, there are tens of thousands of tourists who rent a car here and make a fantastic trip.
However, you can also consider taking a very comfortable van with a driver. The additional costs are very reasonable and then you can enjoy this beautiful country much more relaxed.
For tips on places to visit and places of interest, I advise you to inform yourself well via the numerous websites.
Personally, I would stay away from the major tourist attractions as much as possible.
The real Thailand has so much more to offer.
Unseen thailand.
But if you still want a tip.
Do Bangkok without a car and then fly to Chiang Rai. There you rent a car and then you go via the Northern route first to Doi Thung and Mae Salong. Spend a few nights in Tha Ton and then drive to Pai via Chiang Dao. Then you do the Mae Hong Son Chiang Mai loop. Orlike nature little traffic.
After Chiang Mai you drive south to Sukothai then visit the temple complexes and deliver the car in buj Phitsanulok and fly from there to Bangkok for the return journey or else to Krabi for a few days for the beach.
Good luck with that
Eh I do NOT trust a driver. Is requests to Buddha.
Frequently discussed here.
I'm almost 63. Been coming to Asia for years, goes back to mid 1978. Always drive yourself.
Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand.
Well let's see how big the distances are.
I live in Jomtien when I am in Thailand. My wife is from Uttaradit (a piece of nothing hear 650 km)
I usually drive this late in the afternoon into the night. Saves a lot of traffic, traffic jams and standing still in the heat).
But goes perfectly. Then regularly drive the stretch to Ubon Ratchatani (from Utt and JT).
Also works fine. Take into account averages of 60 – 70 km per hour during the day. So if you are NOT used to driving on the left, in the heat, easily distracted and stop everywhere, keep it to a maximum of 300 km per day and adjust your holiday accordingly.
Renting a car from major international players, preferably from the Netherlands and/or Europe.
Take an all-in package. So buy off ALL damage. When picking up the car, walk around it 3 to 4 times and do NOT be distracted. Check for damage, scratches, dents, etc. Also check under the hood (leakage of oil and level of arvan (engine, brake oil, coolant, air conditioning operation, windscreen washer fluid) check the tires for profile, strange wear patterns. Also check the interior. check, check fuel level etc. (appointment return tank full or empty).
Take a car a stroke or two bigger than you're used to here.
Also watch out for cyclists riding against the traffic, motosai (eh scooters). Suddenly the road turns motosai and motor tractors, cars and dogs. Main rule traffic KEEPS its lane.
If you want to turn left, you often do NOT have to wait until the light is green (however, watch out for traffic from the right that has priority).
Furthermore, there are many stories on this blog about driving in and with cars in Thailand.
But just like a Thai, don't start from the negative but from the positive.
https://www.thailandblog.nl/vervoer-verkeer/autorijden-huurauto/
i stay in thailand a lot and i want to help you