Fly/drive/bus/tuk Tuk Or Elephant

[glenbat]

ok the last 2 are probably not great ideas but I'm hoping to bring my parents to Thailand at some point to show them some of the beautiful places it has to offer like Chang Mai, Kanchanaburi, maybe Pattaya with dad for an evening and possibly on to Isaan and some moo bahns. What would be the best way to see all these places? Dont mind flying but feel it'll be missing out a lot of the country, and I guess being stuck on a bus doesnt give you a great deal of flexibility does it?

Was thinking about hiring a 4x4 and driving myself, or hiring a driver for a week or so, any suggestions?

Whats the roads like in general, will I get around ok with a map even though I cant read Thai (or speak it very well)?

Or would a driver and car/mini van be better bet? Hoping to do 3 or 4 days in each place but want the flexibility should we want to move on or stay a little longer

many thanks in advance

[Thaddeus]

Whats the roads like in general, will I get around ok with a map even though I cant read Thai (or speak it very well)?

The roads vary in quality from good to downright dangerous, just depends where you are.

If you can't speak Thai and you get lost (not all signs are in English) you could take 3 days trying to find your destination, or worse.

Hire a driver, one that can speak a little English.

[glenbat]

Slight change of plan now, parents are coming over next year but I'm planning a week or so in June to leave my mates in Patts and head out with a thai girlfriend who speaks excellent english. Am almost decided on hiring a 4x4 and driving for the week/10 days, head off from Patts going to Kanchanaburi, Chang Mai and out to the East is this realistic in a week, time wise?

I'm sure one of the girls told me the bus to Buriram was 10 or 12 hours but i'm guessing to drive it'd be quicker? And what are Thai maps like, remembering I'll have my own translator with me?

Thanks again

[Lancashirelad]

The Michelin map (red cover) is quite good. There are better, but finding where they are available is another thing.

Very helpful if the girl can map read.

I think you're pushing it a bit do all that in a week, 10 - 12 days more comfortable or you will just be on the road all the time with no time to stop/look/stay anywhere.

You will see so many things you want to stop & see & when you get places, you will want to stay longer.

Myself & friend did Bangkok-Sukothai-Chiang Mai-Kanchanaburi-Bkk in 6 days. A LOT of driving! (Byard, are you still out there?)

Kanchanaburi to Chiang Mai is a full days drive. Good roads, but a long way. If you aren't used to driving distance, you'll struggle to do that one in one hit.

750 kms sticks in my mind, but that sounds a lot! I stand correcting.

The standard of driving is suprisingly good once away from Pattaya/Bangkok (& that observation from a RoSPA Gold holder ;-)

You will love it & soon be planning your next road trip. (can i come?)

If you keep it to about 90/100 kms/h quite easy to judge hours left to destination, you won't tire yourself out with concentration, & it won't drink diesel like its going out of fashion.

4x4 rental expect to pay 900-1500 bht/day unless you must have something very posh like a new Fortuna. weekly is cheaper.

PM me if u need more help re rentals.

[glenbat]

Cheers Lancs lad

Still in planning stages at present so may not have to venture right up to Chang Mai, or could add on a couple more days if its definately worth seeing (could do it another time I'm planning to do LOS 2 or 3 times a year). Distance driving isnt a problem for me and I noticed the roads away from Patts/BKK are a lot better (and less crowded than the M25), the fewer mopeds the better IMO

Place we get our mopeds from in Patts can o us a 3.0d new Toyota/Nissan pick up (think its a hi-lux in UK but may have a different name in thai), fully loaded etc for about 11,000 baht a week which I thought pretty good?

not too sure if my lass can read maps so I'll check that one out too... Just out of interest is Lopburi within range to see in the week? I'm guessing Surin/Buriram would be a bit too far out to the East?