Do you think this is possible.

Maybe buying a bike and driving around Southern Thailand, also taking the bike onto Samui and Phangan(by the ferry)?

Or would i be completely and utterly barmy thinking about it?

(before then i do plan to study Thai but not sure I'll ever understand Thai script )

Nothing barmy about it at all, unless you have never ridden a bike before! I would avoid the 3 Provinces however, just to be sensible (Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani). Otherwise it's a great way to travel if you have plenty of time and intend to use minor roads rather than the main highways. Ferry to the Islands you mention is easy to do.

Have fun.

Rick Riley

there are no real problems except its dangerous of course.

reccomend a larger bike though,

i have ridden a NSR 150 from bangkok-chiang mai-pai-mae sot-bangkok , also bangkok-phuket, and its a drag with so little power and not very comfortable.

now have a Honda Bros , 400cc twin cylinder, not fast (i dont go fast) but is comfortable and has plenty of torque for up hills.

comfortable sitting position is important for long trips.

and a good helmet and rain gear, good sunglasses that keep out the wind also.

a basic tool set,

knowledge of the fuel system, so you can clean the filter in a remote dark place,

basic mechanical and electrical knowledge is a help, where are the fuses?

there are good bikes in thailand websites,

search for gtrider.