Driving a car in Thailand after years of no car?

[OneMoreFarang]

I used to drive a lot back home many years ago.

Now I ride a (400cc) motorcycle in Bangkok but I don't drive a car.

I think about renting a car to make a trip to Prachin Buri for a day to bring lots of staff to my gf's home.

In your experience is that a reasonable idea? Or is driving in Thailand so crazy that it's a better idea to hire a car with driver for a day?

[richard_smith237]

The biggest issue surrounding driving in Thailand is being able to predict the unpredictability of the other cars, motorcycles and trucks around you.

 

As you have been riding a motorcycle in you are already well versed in the 'nutty stuff' which can unfold in front, to the side and behind you.

 

Thus: with regards to renting a car and driving in Thailand, you'll have no issues.

 

How many staff...  or did you mean 'stuff' ?

 

 

Personally, I always want to be the one driving.

[Moonlover]

My personal take on that is that there is only one driver that I truly trust and that's me!

 

Driving IMO is, as the old saying goes, 'like riding a bike, once learned, never forgotten'. And modern cars, especially with auto shift (although I personally don't like it) are very easy to drive.

 

I had a 7 year break from driving when living in Egypt, but had no problem with hire cars when I first came here.

 

I'd go for it. ????

 

[MartinL]

I passed my UK bike test at 18 and car test at 20. After that, I didn't own a car until after coming permanently to Thailand at 55 although a I rented cars twice in those years. I was a 'bike only' bloke riding most days, ice, wind, rain or shine. Still ride a bike in Thailand but not so much as before. Apart from the peculiarities of Thai driving habits, I think I fitted in quite well. Years of biking had left me with excellent observational skills, quick reflexes and reactions and a sort of 'sense' that something unexpected was going to happen although that ability was sorely tested by some of the stupid antics of the local drivers.

 

As others have said, go for it. The mechanics of driving the car might be a bit rusty but the most important survival skills you'll have learnt on a bike will pay dividends for you.

[OneMoreFarang]

56 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

How many staff...  or did you mean 'stuff' ?

stuff! ???? 

[KhunBENQ]

If you have been driving a motorbike in Bangkok there should be no major problem with a car. You know the madness.

Be prepared to join every jam and gridlock, no passing around like with the motorbike.

Of course have an automatic. Manual stick probably on the "wrong side" for you?

I still sometimes mix up indicator and wiper

[Kwasaki]

4 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

In your experience is that a reasonable idea? Or is driving in Thailand so crazy that it's a better idea to hire a car with driver for a day?

Can you still drive, I don't agree with many people here and I don't find driving here crazy at all, if your do then let someone else drive.

[Airbagwill]

5 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

Can you still drive, I don't agree with many people here and I don't find driving here crazy at all, if your do then let someone else drive.

People who write off driving in Thailand as "crazy" probably need to look seriously at their own driving abilities.

[Airbagwill]

10 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Or is driving in Thailand so crazy that it's a better idea to hire a car with driver for a day?

If you think drivers in Thailand are crazy, why would you hire one to drive you around?

[sirineou]

If you can drive anything in Bangkok you can drive a car anywhere in Thailand.

Funny story, Me wife and sister in law decided we were going to drive our pick up truck to Bangkok from Khon Kaen, several years ago. the plan was to drive to a shopping center just outside BangKok , park there and take a taxi into the city.

 We got to Bangkok , got into an elevated Highway  and watched the  shopping center we were supposed to pull out to . sail away with no way for as to get off. so we drove until we found an exit that looked convenient and got out, right by the victory monument circle. 

  Have you ever seen that European Vacation Movie where  Chevy Chase get caught in a traffic circle in London, It was exactly like that. Finally we got out of the circle and got lost in the side streets looking for a place to park. Thought we were going to either die or kill someone. Finally found parking at a hospital, 

It was a disaster!! 13 years coming to  Thailand and I never drove in Bangkok again.

So in conclusion, as i said before, If you can drive a bike in Bangkok you can drive a car anywhere in thailand and probably the world.  

Edited November 27, 2019 by sirineou

[Lacessit]

Take a course in defensive driving first, although I don't know if there is such a thing in Thailand.

Assume everyone else on the roads here is trying to kill you.

Edited November 27, 2019 by Lacessit

[sunnyboy2018]

For the price I would hire a car and driver and relax. Makes the trip more pleasurable.

[sunnyboy2018]

1 hour ago, sirineou said:

If you can drive anything in Bangkok you can drive a car anywhere in Thailand.

Funny story, Me wife and sister in law decided we were going to drive our pick up truck to Bangkok from Khon Kaen, several years ago. the plan was to drive to a shopping center just outside BangKok , park there and take a taxi into the city.

 We got to Bangkok , got into an elevated Highway  and watched the  shopping center we were supposed to pull out to . sail away with no way for as to get off. so we drove until we found an exit that looked convenient and got out, right by the victory monument circle. 

  Have you ever seen that European Vacation Movie where  Chevy Chase get caught in a traffic circle in London, It was exactly like that. Finally we got out of the circle and got lost in the side streets looking for a place to park. Thought we were going to either die or kill someone. Finally found parking at a hospital, 

It was a disaster!! 13 years coming to  Thailand and I never drove in Bangkok again.

So in conclusion, as i said before, If you can drive a bike in Bangkok you can drive a car anywhere in thailand and probably the world.  

The 'traffic circle' you refer to is a 'roundabout'. If the British can learn American English I can see no good reason why Americans cant reciprocate and learn British vocabulary. 

[sirineou]

57 minutes ago, sunnyboy2018 said:

The 'traffic circle' you refer to is a 'roundabout'. If the British can learn American English I can see no good reason why Americans cant reciprocate and learn British vocabulary. 

 

How about swahili , how do you say traffic circle in Swahili ? i don't want to offend anyone

Edited November 27, 2019 by sirineou

[DannyCarlton]

38 minutes ago, sirineou said:

 

How about swahili , how do you say traffic circle in Swahili ? i don't want to offend anyone

Kuzunguka.

[sirineou]

2 minutes ago, DannyCarlton said:

Kuzunguka.

Ok so me my wife and sister in law entered a Kuzunguka.... wait a second , I am not as stupid as I look. Shirtless guy might be messing with me . Let me first check what Kuzunguka means.

[1FinickyOne]

13 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

stuff! ???? 

ah, i thought maybe you were ill and bringing staph.... 

 

I was nervous the first time I drove in Thailand and it only lasted about a minute as I pulled out of the dealer... 

 

That said, in your situation, I would just get a driver... it is easier and you don't have to deal with nerves... have a good trip. 

[DannyCarlton]

14 minutes ago, sirineou said:

Ok so me my wife and sister in law entered a Kuzunguka.... wait a second , I am not as stupid as I look. Shirtless guy might be messing with me . Let me first check what Kuzunguka means.

How stupid does a bottle of Corona look?

[OneMoreFarang]

10 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

Of course have an automatic. Manual stick probably on the "wrong side" for you?

In theory you are right, it is on the wrong side.

But long time ago when I was not driving myself I was often driving with my boss. While he used his hand on his mobile phone and I changed the gears - in a M5. I got used to that. ???? 

[sirineou]

12 minutes ago, DannyCarlton said:

How stupid does a bottle of Corona look?

The more you have the less stupid it looks

[DannyCarlton]

2 minutes ago, sirineou said:

The more you have the less stupid it looks

Just don't try negotiating a kuzunguka after you've had six of them.

[sirineou]

13 minutes ago, DannyCarlton said:

How stupid does a bottle of Corona look?

Check you hair, I fed you a line but , swoosh!! it went over your head. 

The joke is I say: I am not as stupid as I look

You reply: No one can be as stupid as you look. 

Do i have to do all the work around here?

[DannyCarlton]

4 minutes ago, sirineou said:

Check you hair, I fed you a line but , swoosh!! it went over your head. 

The joke is I say: I am not as stupid as I look

You reply: No one can be as stupid as you look. 

Do i have to do all the work around here?

What's the punch line?

 

Where's the facepalm emoji when you need one? ThaiVisa.com, the forum where facepalms are banned.

Edited November 28, 2019 by DannyCarlton

[Chazar]

14 hours ago, MartinL said:

I passed my UK bike test at 18 and car test at 20. After that, I didn't own a car until after coming permanently to Thailand at 55 although a I rented cars twice in those years. I was a 'bike only' bloke riding most days, ice, wind, rain or shine. Still ride a bike in Thailand but not so much as before. Apart from the peculiarities of Thai driving habits, I think I fitted in quite well. Years of biking had left me with excellent observational skills, quick reflexes and reactions and a sort of 'sense' that something unexpected was going to happen although that ability was sorely tested by some of the stupid antics of the local drivers.

 

As others have said, go for it. The mechanics of driving the car might be a bit rusty but the most important survival skills you'll have learnt on a bike will pay dividends for you.

agreed  I learnt on bikes first on the Uk 1981 and this teaches you a  lot of observation especially of road conditions ie  manhole covers white  lines etc and the fact you are vulnerable. Driving a  car in comparison was a piece of  cake

[AgMech Cowboy]

Hardest thing I had to used to were the motor bikes swarming around on either side of the car. I only drive on my 90 day border bounce. It takes some extra care. I think when riding a  bike a person has better spacial awareness that will not be there when you drive a car. So my advice, be especially aware of the left side of the car, especially when making a left turn or changing lanes.

 

Be careful! Have a safe trip!! Good luck.

[Saltire]

I managed without driving in Cambodia for 5 years before coming here. If you think Thai drivers are bad, go try Cambodia. When I came here I started driving again. I found it easy as driving is on the same side as the UK, and I am pretty rural in Kanchanaburi so no heavy traffic to consider. Easy to drive North to Chiang Mai etc.

 

However on my many earlier visits to Bangkok, it was an easy decision never to drive in that city. Too many very long, gridlocked, taxi rides.

 

I am not a fan of motor bikes, never driven one, but on one medical visit to Bangkok I had no option to get to a facility from my hotel in the time allowed so first (and last) time ever I took a motorbike taxi. This was the second most terrifying 30 minutes of my life and the first was the return trip. Never again.

 

So, to your question, I'd hire a driver but you obviously have an advantage of dealing with it on your bike. Good luck.

[rwill]

If you are not afraid to drive a motorcycle here I don't know why you would be afraid to drive a car. 

[worgeordie]

If you have survived driving a motorbike around here,

a car will be a doddle,it's like riding a bike. good luck.

regards Worgeordie

[owenm]

My FIRST drive in Thailand, my GF wanted me to drive to Prasat in Isaan from Bangkok.. Five of us on board, but her idea of leaving early at 1.30am proved to be a nightmare from hell..

 

Driving a friend's car, as he was unlicensed, and using Google maps for navigation made the routing quite easy, but never again at night time.. Too many hidden obstacles, unfamiliar roads, poor lighting on some roads, roadworks, combined with crazy drivers everywhere.. Arrived in Surin around 8am, half a day with her family and friends, then same day the gruelling return trip arriving back in Bangkok around midnight same day.. Never again, 900km in one day.. 

 

I've since done the route a couple of times since, but I've insisted on daytime driving and an overnight stay.. Easy as pie, but definitely avoid driving at night time.. Better the devil you see than the one that's hidden.. 

[unamazedloso]

I personally am paranoid if others drive. Im a far better driver and if i werent i would get better. In my opinion any one who rides is usually more alert and wise to roads than someone never riding bikes so youll be right...????