Driving In Koh Samui

[zenmaster]

Hi all,

I am going to spend my holiday in Koh Samui in June (first time in Koh Samui). I am thinking about renting a Jeep. I would like to know whether it is safe for tourists to drive on the island. From what I have read on the Net, it seems that Koh Samui is the most dangerous place to drive in Thailand.

Thanks.

[Mid]

please define your appetite for risk ..........................

[the gent]

Generally, the favoured rental will be a Suzuki jeep of uncertain vintage and mechanical integrity but quite satisfactory for the purpose since speed and distance are not factors in the equation.

Risk is not really an issue unless you are of a reckless bent prone to alcoholism.

Obstructing taxis and songthaew drivers is encouraged.

[Mid]

Risk is not really an issue unless you are of a reckless bent prone to alcoholism.

you jest ?

[SamuiJens]

No guarantees on Samui's roads, But helps you're driving a jeep, somewhat!

Have a safe trip.

[the gent]

Risk is relative but maintaining a sense of proportion, admittedly sometimes quite alien in this forum, is perhaps more important when contemplating holiday activities. In this respect choosing Samui is no different to any other destination foreign to the tourist.

For me, a maturing but slightly addled punter anxious to cling onto my perch, riding a motorcycle is a definite no-no. Reliance upon public transport represented by the songthaew is fine during the day but at night the sheer greed of the driver provokes me to such heights of rage that on occasions it has rendered me vulnerable to a disproportionate response.

Pootling around at 30mph in one's own vehicle in Samui is not a particularly dangerous activity and certainly pales into insignificance when compared to negotiating more challenging highways in, say, Portugal,the Costa del Sol or Turkey. The OP should relax and enjoy.

[jim_uk_samui]

Hi all,

I am going to spend my holiday in Koh Samui in June (first time in Koh Samui). I am thinking about renting a Jeep. I would like to know whether it is safe for tourists to drive on the island. From what I have read on the Net, it seems that Koh Samui is the most dangerous place to drive in Thailand.

Thanks.

Renting a Suzuki Jeep is fine,, anything from 500-1500 bahts per day depending on what quality of jeep and level of insurance you want,,the only advice i can give is watch out for the motorbikes! be prepared for them to do absolutely anything, never take them for granted, and always expect them to do the unexpeted,especially in the evenings!!

[SamuiJens]

Hi all,

I am going to spend my holiday in Koh Samui in June (first time in Koh Samui). I am thinking about renting a Jeep. I would like to know whether it is safe for tourists to drive on the island. From what I have read on the Net, it seems that Koh Samui is the most dangerous place to drive in Thailand.

Thanks.

Renting a Suzuki Jeep is fine,, anything from 500-1500 bahts per day depending on what quality of jeep and level of insurance you want,,the only advice i can give is watch out for the motorbikes! be prepared for them to do absolutely anything, never take them for granted, and always expect them to do the unexpeted,especially in the evenings!!

Very true, some of the tourists, like to get drunk and think it cool to drive and sometimes forget to drive on the left side of the road, since they're used to driving the right side at home. SO really watch it especially at nights!

[Jet Gorgon]

Is it still the norm to rent you the jeep with a near-on empty gas tank? What time do the petrol stations close now?

[kdvsn]

Hi all,

I am going to spend my holiday in Koh Samui in June (first time in Koh Samui). I am thinking about renting a Jeep. I would like to know whether it is safe for tourists to drive on the island. From what I have read on the Net, it seems that Koh Samui is the most dangerous place to drive in Thailand.

Thanks.

IMO the main risk with driving a jeep in Samui is not the risk of physical harm coming to you, it's financial risk. If you get into an accident with another car and the other driver is Thai, one of two things are apt to happen -- either you will be declared to be at fault and hence liable or the other driver will flee the scene and you will be left holding the bag. Though when you rent the jeep you will be told that it includes "insurance", if you rented your vehicle from a place that requires you to leave your passport as security when taking the rental, then you are likely to be in for a very unpleasant situation should your vehicle suffer damage.

[limbos]

Not necessarily kdvsn,

Holding the passport for some Thai renting 'agencies', is nothing more than a security, that if there's an accident, the car isn't abandoned without payment. I do know rental places that are serious and won't hit you with add ons on the repair bill, have their cars insured but still require you to leave your passport.

As if the visiting tourists are all of a sudden holier than thou.

To the op, Thai drives in general, on a bike or in a car do the unexpected, be aware. Drive very defensive and slow the first couple of days, untill you settle in and feel comfortable with the road behaviour.

[Rooo]

Is it still the norm to rent you the jeep with a near-on empty gas tank? What time do the petrol stations close now?

I'm sure they still close at 9pm on Samui Jet.The aternative is they have these automated fuel dispensers,I've seen one in Lamai & Nathon, not sure how they work ,can't be that hard.Look like ATM's at first glance.

[gisele]

Driving in Samui, heck in Thailand, is like participating in a humongous multi player game of chicken,

must always keep your wits about you

As other posters have mentioned, the drunk tourists are dangerous as are the dump trucks, the songtaew, the cars parked which ever way, the motorcycles turning into the road without looking, the people crossing the streets without looking, the cars/ songtaew turning into the road without looking,

having driven in Europe and China, I don't find it so difficult to drive here but rather it is just so frustrating,

sense and logic are twisted but if you drive defensively and intelligently you will be fine, and as said before, it will be financially if anything where you would be suffering if you have an accident.

[TonyMontana]

Instruction Video for Samui motorcycle drivers;

Samui Motorcycle Driving Instructions

[Hex]

I had a motorbike rented for the month I stayed in Samui last year. The road is full of holes and I blew the tire by driving in those like 5 times, I was often drunk when I went between Lamai and Chaweng in the middle of the night. Im still alive.

[Rooo]

I had a motorbike rented for the month I stayed in Samui last year. The road is full of holes and I blew the tire by driving in those like 5 times, I was often drunk when I went between Lamai and Chaweng in the middle of the night. Im still alive.

[Rooo]

I had a motorbike rented for the month I stayed in Samui last year. The road is full of holes and I blew the tire by driving in those like 5 times, I was often drunk when I went between Lamai and Chaweng in the middle of the night. Im still alive.

We have all done that in our younger days,but not the wisest thing to do.Funny how when we are drunk,we think we are quite capable to drive. Not one to critisise, but one that has learned the hard way.Not worth it

. Edited April 1, 2007 by Rooo

[gisele]

I had a motorbike rented for the month I stayed in Samui last year. The road is full of holes and I blew the tire by driving in those like 5 times, I was often drunk when I went between Lamai and Chaweng in the middle of the night. Im still alive.

you mean:

you're lucky to be alive.