Dear readers,
I'm going on holiday to Thailand this summer with my girlfriend and her 11-year-old daughter. The intention is that we enjoy a top holiday for three weeks in Thailand. The first two weeks we travel north from Bangkok and end in Hua Hin for a beach holiday of about 5 days.
I myself have been to Thailand four times, for my girlfriend and daughter it will be the first time. The times I was in Thailand were tours organized by Fox. This time I chose to travel independently through Thailand. We have made an entire itinerary based on Fox's tour: The golden lotus tour.
Now I only run into one small problem. The trip from Chiang Rai to Phitsanulok. The intention is to stop at Sukhothai at the national park on the way. There is no bus or good train connection on this route. I have looked into whether I could rent a minivan with a driver somewhere, but this has not been successful so far. So there is another alternative and that is to rent a car.
I have experience driving abroad. Both in England and in Malaysia, as well as various other countries in Europe. However, this cannot be compared to driving in Thailand. The question is, is this route easy to drive with a rental car? The costs are relatively low. Plus you don't have to take into account fixed times, you are in control. The intention is to leave in the morning and to be at the destination well before dark. The car makes a one way trip, so I know there are extra costs with the rental company.
The big question is, is it doable to drive this trip myself, or should I look for another alternative, or maybe adjust my itinerary at this point?
I would like an answer from you.
thanks in advance
Yours faithfully,
Roger van den Berg
Rent a car every year and have good experience with “budget.co.th” if you rent for more than 7 days there are no extra costs for a drop off at another place in Thailand.
This is definitely a nice trip with your own car. Can. I have been renting through Billigermitwagen for years as they work with good companies and have more choices in insurance at very favorable prices. Never had any hassle afterwards. Please note that driving in Thailand is mainly about looking far ahead because that is what the Thais do, among other things. doesn't, and so suddenly makes a move without seeing you. As you already wrote, you have the time and you enjoy driving a car, then everything will be fine.
happy Holidays
regards Jan
Everything is easy to drive in Thailand, and can be found via Google maps.
Last December I drove with my 12 year old son and my wife from Pattaya to Phetchabun, where we viewed the area (many mountains and strawberry plantations).
The roads were fine, and good directions in English
From Phetchabun we drove to Kanchanaburi, where the roads were also perfect, where we slept in a raft house on the River Kwai with a view of a beautiful waterfall with swimming options for 800 or 1000 thb per night (also for the Thai) and friendly Thai owner who speaks good English.
Breakfast and dinner excellent and cheap.
https://www.google.nl/maps/place/%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%81/@14.4336249,98.8544033,17z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x30e44151802d0a25:0x404fb54b009f300!2sSai+Yok,+Sai+Yok+District,+Changwat+Kanchanaburi+71150,+Thailand!3b1!8m2!3d14.4758474!4d98.8526851!3m4!1s0x30e46a65f9b6c099:0xb57a93800489a482!8m2!3d14.4340919!4d98.8522299
You can also take a train journey from the terminus Nam tok station (departure 12:55) to river kwai bridge and back for 200 Thb.
That Kwai bridge is not much, but the train journey is beautiful along the Kwai river and at Thamkrasae bridge along the steep rocks on a wooden bridge is special.
Just take a look https://youtu.be/jitfqp78laI , riding a https://youtu.be/b6MlHdMd7Xk there you can see the raft houses and the Thamkrasae bridge.
If you anticipate the Thai well, driving is fine, on the return trip I even drove right through the heart of Bangkok (without damage) 😉
We rent a car from sixt. Can be delivered or collected anywhere. Pick up ideal for 2 people.
Take the bus from Chiang Rai to Pitsanulok. (with Sombattours, the best bus company in Thailand at the moment)
Sleep 2 nights in Phitsanulok and take a taxi from there to Sokhuthai and back, which is easy to do. There is also a bus from Phitsanulok to Sokhuthai.
Have fun
Roger,
If you drive outside of Bangkok and you ride along at the same speed as the Thai, it's fine, and you have the time and route to yourself
Gerrit
Do you have an international driver's license or a Thai, this in connection with car rental agreements or possible collision damage
You can rent a car in Thailand with an international driver's license and simply buy off your deductible. You then run no risk in the event of an accident.
I was in Pitsanulok once and thought to take a taxi to Sukhothai. A tuk-tuk. He dropped me off at the bus. So the bus is there.
Renting a car is definitely recommended and we have been doing that for years. Extensive insurance. I wouldn't do Greenwood travel. Was a great company a few years ago but is going downhill fast. There are excellent alternatives. Take your time and don't want too much at once. You can't do all of Thailand in a few weeks. Find out where your interests lie and tailor your trip accordingly. We wish you lots of anticipation and a pleasant journey
I don't want to be pessimistic.
But if something goes wrong during the car trip, a collision resulting in serious injury or death.
Caused by you to a Thai counterparty.
Then a nice holiday can quickly turn into a hell holiday.
I assume you know that driving here is not the same as in other countries, including Malaysia.
We are still number one in road accidents.
So a lot of looking ahead and reflecting, not paying attention and you don't know what will happen to you.
In any case, we wish you lots of fun and success during your holiday.
Jan Beute.
Idk, important!! International driver's license.
Apply to the ANWB.
If they can't take away your Dutch, then you have a problem!
It's fine to rent a car in Thailand, but make sure you have the rental company's phone number in your mobile. That if you get arrested for anything, you can call them immediately and don't argue yourself, because that won't save you! And sometimes they need "coffee money", around the end of the month!
Roads are good, we have crossed all of Thailand great!!
Have a lot of fun.วิล
We rent a car every year, with a large well-known company (Avis, Budget, Sixt, and this year [April] with Hertz) never any problems, new cars and excellent (so really) insured. At Khon Kaen airport, he is always ready for the “Arrival” with the engine running and air conditioning, so leave nice and cool. The route you indicate is very easy to drive yourself. We have no experience with returns to a place other than where the car was picked up. Happy Holidays!
Do not rent from Avis see how many complaints there are on the internet. Also had to deal with it once in NL. Bad society ever. Seem cheap but afterwards they will deduct costs from your credit card.
We have just returned from a tour with a rental car Chiang Mai via Phrae, Nan and back.
In general if you drive very quietly and carefully it is wonderful, you can stop anywhere where it is nice (and responsible!) and take nice pictures together with the Thais who also like this kind of thing
It's only bingo around the big cities and you have to be careful especially at the intersections because the motors left and right try to mess around in front of you.
Remember to fill up the tank before delivering the car (if that is stated in the contract), we did not have a single gas station for the last 5 km on the return trip to Chiang Mai and that cost us a full tank of costs while which was half empty empty.
Just returned from 4 weeks in Thailand. Rented a car at the airport for the first time. Brand new Toyota yaris. 4000 km driven. I drove a lot of small roads, especially in the mountains. Everything ideal. Make sure you have a good map. I bought a German print, it was fine. On the one hand you have to look everywhere and on the other hand you have to drive flexibly. You have time to yourself and another advantage is that you can comfortably spend the night at clean, cheap resorts for an average of 400 THB per night. First see the room and then decide.
Have fun. I have taken out the most comprehensive insurance. Total 590,- Euro 4 weeks at Chic Car Rent
A tip is buy a dashcam. Drive your own car here very regularly now at Sixt. Also take all the insurances that are available. And watch out they really come from every side. Regularly also against traffic.
Drivers can be found all over Thailand who will drive you around for a small fee. I would take advantage of that and not go for riding this part myself etc.
Yes, you can drive yourself. You must only drive on the left. And the rules are slightly different. A u-turn on the highway is very normal. Just like traffic lights on the highway. They can then be placed anywhere, including in the meadow next to it. Left or right. Everything is possible. Sometimes there are very large bumps and holes. While two lid roads are not read by Tom Tom. An important rule is that other people also have a brake. And the foreigner did it. Because if he hadn't been there it wouldn't have happened. A driver doesn't cost much. So that is wiser.