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Home » Reader question » Reader question: What should I pay attention to when renting a motorbike on Koh Samui?
Reader question: What should I pay attention to when renting a motorbike on Koh Samui?
Dear readers,
March 2015 our first Thailand trip will take place. Lots of interesting tips obtained through this site. We will conclude our trip through Thailand (3 weeks) with a few days on Koh Samui. I prefer to travel with a scooter. We are staying at the Baan Samui hotel.
Are there any tips or experiences with good eating places on Koh Samui and any advice regarding renting a scooter on Koh Samui. Where or with which landlord, which risks to take into account? Insurance?
Thanks in advance for an answer.
With kind regards,
Emil
Dear Emil,
Keep in mind that scooters in Thailand cannot be compared to scooters in the Netherlands. They are usually 80 or 100 CC, while in the Netherlands a scooter up to 50 CC is seen as a scooter, and a scooter of more than 50 CC as a motor scooter. You need a motorcycle license for this. So you run a huge risk. Suppose you cause an accident, then the damage to the motorcycle and any physical damage you cause to an oncoming vehicle will not be reimbursed. Last year someone was still detained in Vietnam when he had to swerve with a motor scooter and killed a Vietnamese. The insurance paid nothing.
Dear Emil,
Baan Samui hotel or resort I believe is in Chaweng. In Chaweng there is no problem renting a scooter. You can find it on every street corner. A fair daily price on Koh Samui is 200 – 250THB/day. Most scooters are in very good condition. Keep in mind that Chaweng is very busy in terms of traffic. On Koh Samui, most scooters are 125-150CC due to the very hilly landscape, otherwise, sitting with two, you will not reach a viewpoint anywhere!
You will have to find good places to eat yourself, because no one here on the blog knows what you like or don't like. Simple rule: eat somewhere where there are many people (farangs). Either it is very tasty or it is cheap… depending on your preference.
Have fun on Koh Samui
Lung addie
Sala thai very good restaurant in lamai thai and european food good prices
Red snapper in chaweng also very good pricey..
the rock also very good but most restaurants are very good there choices enough
But on Samui you can do better with local food, it is good and tasty everywhere
As far as renting a motorbike is concerned, I strongly advise against it as Koh Samui is a large race track.
every day at least 1 is killed in traffic there life is dangerous to drive there.
If you do rent a motorbike, you must have an international driver's license with you.
And never hand over your passport only a copy of it
Please note that if you get damage with a Thai you pay for the whole bike because many are not insured.
And a lot is run by the mafia and the police really won't help you with an accident.
So my advice is don't rent a bike if you value your life on Koh Samui, there are plenty of san thaus around, you can probably go anywhere you want for 50, maybe now 100 baths.
i have lived on koh samui for 4 years know exactly how it works there have a nice holiday and a good trip
.
Dear Alex,
That is very hard to come by. We just assume that Emiel has a motorcycle license, of course. However, it is MANDATORY to carry an international driver's license (available from the ANWB) for motor scooters (and motorcycles).
In addition: not heard so many bad reports about Koh Samui (unlike Koh Tao), but it is recommended to photograph your motor scooter on ALL sides (including from below) BEFORE. If the Thai see you doing it, you know for sure that they will not claim all kinds of damage afterwards, they will think that you have already figured out their game.
You wouldn't be the first. Just google Jetski and Pattaja.
Finally: Drive super carefully, and EXTREMELY on the left. Blind corners mean a great opportunity to overtake another car for the average Thai. (They've since risen to No. 2 in the world's accident rankings, behind Mamibie (?!?), with 82 percent fatalities among scooter riders.
Small correction: The scooters (motorbikes, as they call them here on Samui) are usually 100 or 125 cc
Usually Honda Wave, with gears or Honda click, automatic.
Easily reach 80-100 km per hour. (There are of course also heavier bikes for rent.)
It is quite dangerous on those “scooters”. I see accidents with those things every day. Thais, who are careless, or foreigners, who are not used to driving on the left and being passed on the right and left. Especially in the evening with a sip.
I myself have been driving such a thing for 30 years and if you are careful and drive defensively, it is doable.
If you've never ridden one of these things before, I'd advise against it.
It is best to rent a "scooter" at the resort where you are staying. (150-200 baht per day.)
It would be easier if problems arise. Other landlords usually want your passport as collateral. I wouldn't, because you don't have any
more bargaining power in the event of damage. You can never be sure on such a thing.
Nice eateries galore.
Tips: Bamboo on the beach of Lamai and Sala Thai in Lamai ”town”.
Also very good and affordable: Sabinglea, on the beach and the "big" road between Lamai and Hinta Hinyai.
You are indeed at great risk!
Suppose someone else drives you over, and you need special transport to the Netherlands, even then that will not be reimbursed, even if you can't help it.
We did it a few years ago, but then I didn't know any better than to rent a scooter, during our ride it turned out that this thing could drive much faster than 100.
Now that I know the risks I will never rent a scooter again and in Thailand they really only have motorbikes!
Please don't exaggerate. Finally, you should not drive faster than you want; I have been riding a bike (not a scooter or lady bike) in Thailand for years and already have 45.000 km on the odometer. On Koh Samui, where I have been 25 times, I always rent a scooter and... never had an accident... hope it stays that way. Motorbike riding and drinking don't go together. Adjust your speed and be careful. Drive defensively and don't be a fool, you're on holiday, so what difference does saving 5 minutes of time make by driving fast?
Lung baddie
Completely agree with Lung Addie, I have lived on Samui for seven years now and just drive quietly. The roads are not the same everywhere and there is often coarse sand on the road that is easy to slip on. The city limit on the island is 50 km per hour, in some places near markets and schools a lower speed (is indicated). In Thailand, Samui ranks first with the highest average number of traffic accidents. I ride my moped almost every day and am more bothered by the tourists who drive around here like idiots than by the Thais who do not obey any traffic rules. I only have to walk around Chaweng or Lamai and I always see a farang covered in abrasions and wrapped in bandages. It is not without reason that the four private companies do such good business here. Oh and wear a helmet even if it is not of good quality it always offers some protection.
Hi Emile,
I can't help you in terms of scooter rental, but I can help you with regard to restaurants.
Restaurant Mitra, is a Thai restaurant located on a square with delicious food for few bath's
Restaurant Khao San, located opposite the Cabaret Show, has delicious sandwiches, delicious Thai food, and cappuccinos.
The Islander, right opposite Khoa San, has both delicious Thai and Western Food.
Pizzeria Via Vai, recognizable by its large orange sign, serves the most delicious Pizzas and Pastas.
There are several good restaurants but the above is my preference.
But I have been coming to Koh Samui for 18 years and every year a restaurant has been closed or newly opened.
I wish you a very happy holiday,
Regards Anita.
Yes, you have to travel to Thailand to eat pizza and pasta, no, get to know the local cuisine and therefore the culture by eating street food regularly, I have never been disappointed, enjoy
And why can't you eat pizza in Thailand? Not that I do, because I'm not a Pizza fan. I do remember the twisted faces of colleagues from the past when I worked as a steward. Arriving in Bangkok, the first thing I did after I had rested… was a spicy crispy chicken at KFC or a Zingerburger. And why? Because this one was simply the best in Thailand… nice and spicy, you didn't get it like that anywhere in the world.
Now that I live in Thailand, I hardly ever go there… but why not? If there is a good pizzeria there on Koh Samui… Who knows, they may have a custom Thai pizza just for you!!! 😉
You can go to the ANWB with your driving license to apply for an international driving license (bring 2 passport photos). Furthermore ... check the scooter all around, make it if necessary. a video on your phone so that when you return you will not be charged for damage that you did not make. Have fun and good luck!
If you wish to rent a scooter, you can take out additional insurance.
At world Nomads, for example, they pay the extra surcharge for damage to their own scooter.
Damage to third parties is not, so it must be arranged through the rental company anyway, and I have not yet found a rental company in Thailand that rents out its scooters with insurance.
hi Emile,
I have been living on Samui for 8 years, close to where you are in your hotel, we have a restaurant (start of Soi Reggae) from where we rent out our +/-35 scooters, we have new, older Clicks, also slightly larger Honda PCX150cc, do not ask passport as collateral and no weird frills if you make a scratch…
Let me know if I can help you on your way.
Greetings Arno
[email protected] of [email protected]
Hi Arno,
We are also staying at First Bungalow Beach Resort in March and would like to rent a scooter because you have to leave your passport at the hotel and we have no problem with a copy of it.
What is the name of your restaurant where you can rent a scooter and where is it exactly?
And do you also have helmets?
And what does it cost per day?
And does my husband have to have an International Driving Permit?
Sorry for all the questions but thanks in advance for the effort.
Greetings Judith
Hi Judith,
Most rentals do indeed ask for your passport. We only ask for a copy (so we know who you are) and some money (most people leave 3000 thb).
Of course you just get the deposit back, if you make a scratch we don't make it difficult, if something is really broken you have to pay for it of course, but parts are really cheap, someone recently broke a mirror, this was 150 THB (which we didn't charge) Most plastic panels are also not more than 4-500 THB.
We are located at the beginning of Soi Reggae, 50 meters from the Thai Boxing Stadium, Nut's Restaurant, you can't miss the large advertising sign.
We do older mopeds for 100THB per day, the newer 200, and the larger PCX (150cc) 300.
If your husband has a motorcycle license, you could request an international driver's license from the ANWB, but to be honest, the risk is not worth it, just drive normally and pay attention, it will all be fine.
We also do free airport pick ups for people who rent mopeds, so maybe that's an idea?
Hi Emile,
We also fly to Thailand for 3 weeks at the beginning of March and after 4 days in Bangkok we go to Koh Samui for the 2nd time and are close to your hotel (we are in the first bungalow) if I remember correctly there is a square on Chaweng behind a bank building (that building is on the right) and there locals cook very tasty and cheap and opposite your hotel is the Bamboo Bar also very nice friendly women with tasty cocktails we always go there.
We also want to rent a scooter again but you have to leave your passport at our hotel and I don't really like that a copy okay but not the pass itself well I read Arno's message above so maybe we will also inform there we wish you have a good holiday and who knows we will meet there!
Greetings Judith
Man, man, man, what exaggerations here on the blog!
If I had to believe you then it is perilous, reckless, driving on Samui!
just get anwb international driver's license and drive man!
Just adjust your speed and be careful on the tracks for any loose sand that may be there!
I've been driving around Samui for 30 years and have never had an accident!
Last year a comrade of mine went down there and damaged the whole left side of his scooter!
Just drove to the Honda shop with him ... ordered the parts myself and it was done!
COST PRICE…..1000 bath! After all, it's just plastic hanging on!
If you have the repair calculated by the landlord, it will cost you a lot more!
so just drive man and don't be influenced by the fantasies and pessimists on this blog!
Dear Guy and a number of other fellow bloggers. See what the TB opens with today and check the newspapers about the accidents in Thailand. This boastful thing is of no use to the TB blogger. If it is as simple as you say, then why the many accidents, often fatal?
Dear Noah,
why so many accidents? Perhaps it is due to recklessness, overconfidence, overestimation of one's own abilities, excessive speed, gawking around instead of paying attention to the road, and perhaps also because of those few beers that are actually too many? Just pay attention to the alcohol content of those Thai “flute beers”: they are a lot stronger than what we are used to from a beer at home! Keep your wits about you, preferably wrapped up in a helmet...
And always drive with (sun)glasses on!
An insect in your eye can cost you your eye.
I am on Samui (Bophut) for 3 months and have rented a honda click 3 for these 125 months.
emailed several landlords from home in Belgium and had them quoted.
Now rent from a company from Ban Rak, THB 2500 per month, and delivered and collected back to my apartment. Deposit THB 5000. At the end of this month it will be picked up again for maintenance.
Driving on Samui is not really more dangerous than elsewhere, take it easy, look out (don't look around !!) and always wear your helmet and enjoy the beautiful Samui.
Hi Ivo, just replied to your email. That's a nice deal and as I wrote to you I can pick you up from the airport next year and so I'll do you an even better deal 😉
You also get homemade bitterballen as a bonus!
Arno, I'll see you soon. I'll definitely pop in to say hello. thank you for your reply to my email.
Ivo
Dear, thank you very much for your response. I have an international driver's license anyway and, thanks to you, I can also propose a general target price. In 2014 I was in Bali and rented a scooter there and indeed it was a serious adjustment there too. Also grateful for the tips regarding the "snags" regarding renting, but also about the eateries. I hope to visit them in March. Arno, who knows, we may also be with you. We leave for Thailand on March 8 and will stay on KohSamui from March 19 to 26. Have fun in Thai and thanks again.