I Want To Hire A Driver To Tour Around Isaan

[camboman]

Does this sound like a good idea to you?

I'm a photographer who doesn't want to take any public transportation because I want to stop where and when I choose. I will need the services of a car with driver for 4-5 days to go from BKK to Khorat, Buriram, Khao Phra Wihaan, Khon Kaen, then back to BKK. I've looked at several Bangkok rent a car places and seen some pretty outrageous prices $90-120 per day US dollars.

When I was last in Thailand 3 years ago, a few of the taxi drivers I used in town offered a daily rate for around town. Do you know of any that would take me for 4-5 days out of town to Isaan? A web search only takes me to the big agencies, not the freelancers. This was easy to arrange in Bali, I can't seem to find this same service here in BKK.

My trip is the first of October, any help or advice you could give (including driver contact info) is greatly appreciated.

I just found this forum, it looks great!

Dave

[keyjor]

Dave

I have lived in Thailand for 10 years, 6 in Khon Kaen.

I am at work from the end of September otherwise I would have taken you myself for a lot less than you stated.

Anyway I will contact my wife and see if she can arrange something. Again it will not cost anywhere near.

If you can give me dates for arrivals etc then I will see what I can do.

As you stated you will be able to pick and choose where you want to go and stop anywhere you want.

My wife may even take you, she can speak excellent english.

If you have any good offers in the meantime please go ahead

Please dont' pay those prices.

I will be back.

[think_too_mut]

I'm a photographer who doesn't want to take any public transportation because I want to stop where and when I choose. I will need the services of a car with driver for 4-5 days to go from BKK to Khorat, Buriram, Khao Phra Wihaan, Khon Kaen, then back to BKK. I've looked at several Bangkok rent a car places and seen some pretty outrageous prices $90-120 per day US dollars.

Per day, including the vehicle and the driverr? Is it so "outrageous"? You could be charging that much per hour for the hard photographer's hard work.

Toyota Camry from Avis would cost 80$ per day, no driver.

When I was last in Thailand 3 years ago, a few of the taxi drivers I used in town offered a daily rate for around town. Do you know of any that would take me for 4-5 days out of town to Isaan?

Small wonder. Most taxi drivers do not own the vehicles they drive, they rent them for 12 hours a day from the owners and have to return them back. They have hardly any connection with the real company.

That's how they can offer a day tour...but not longer than that unless you accept they return the car every day and turn up with a different one next day.

Does this sound like a good idea to you?

No. Doing it over the net you are inviting to be robbed, dumped or worse. Of course, you can do it over the net - but go with some reputable company.

[tartempion]

Have a look at greenwoodtravel.nl, they rent a minibus with driver, see http://www.greenwoodtravel.nl/transfers.php bottom of page starting 2k baht with driver +fuel, food lodging for driver.

P.S. Sorry TTM, I understand your comments, but I know the boss of Greenwoodtravel quite well (he is Dutch and can be a pain in the *** though), he bought some land at Thung Wua Laen to build a house. I often book with him.

He has a deal with Sofitel Khon Kaen no one can beat: 2850B/night + free dinner buffet for every 2 nights, until 31/10/08 though.

[maxjay]

Have a look here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Suvarnabhumi...ya-t201343.html

Mr. T's drivers are available for short and long time hiring.

[mgjackson69]

Rent a car...go when/where you want

[hansnl]

Does this sound like a good idea to you?

I'm a photographer who doesn't want to take any public transportation because I want to stop where and when I choose. I will need the services of a car with driver for 4-5 days to go from BKK to Khorat, Buriram, Khao Phra Wihaan, Khon Kaen, then back to BKK. I've looked at several Bangkok rent a car places and seen some pretty outrageous prices $90-120 per day US dollars.

When I was last in Thailand 3 years ago, a few of the taxi drivers I used in town offered a daily rate for around town. Do you know of any that would take me for 4-5 days out of town to Isaan? A web search only takes me to the big agencies, not the freelancers. This was easy to arrange in Bali, I can't seem to find this same service here in BKK.

My trip is the first of October, any help or advice you could give (including driver contact info) is greatly appreciated.

I just found this forum, it looks great!

Dave

If you would like to hop around in Isan, I would go there first, maybe Khon Kaen would be a good idea.

I guess it will take you about 5 minutes to find a suitable means of transportation for the next week, for a very much lower price.

In BKK you pay BKK prices, inflated to absurdity.

In Khon Kaen, in the middle of Isan you might pay farang prices, but very much lower as the rates you pay in BKK.

In Khon Kaen shop around in the neighbourhood of Kosa, KhonKaen and Sofitel hotels, do some trading, and the price will get lower.

I think 1500-2000 baht per day weekly rate plus diesel/petrol/gas will be obtainable, including driver.

Sharing food will maybe lower the price or not, but will most certainly make your driver very friendly.

Be certain that the driver speaks some English, makes life definitely very much easier.

For example, hiring transport in Bangkok for a group of 6 people to Khon Kaen did cost me 6000 baht plus diesel per day, hiring transport in Khon Kaen to Bangkok did cost me 3000 baht per day plus diesel a day, including driver.

The going rate for a taxi to Khon Kaen from Bangkok is 10 baht per kilometre, so 4500 baht.

No taxis in Khon Kaen, but the rate for Bangkok is about 2500-3000 baht.

Food is cheap in Isan, a good meal in a good restaurant for 6 people, including a bottle of whisky, good service, clean loo's, life music, 6 generous dishes, set me back1580 baht.

Food for 2 people in reasonable premises, including softdrinks, 200 baht

Outside KK it is even cheaper.

So if you want to visit Isan, start in Isan, and not in Bangkok.

[hansnl]

Have a look at greenwoodtravel.nl, they rent a minibus with driver, see http://www.greenwoodtravel.nl/transfers.php bottom of page starting 2k baht with driver +fuel, food lodging for driver.

P.S. Sorry TTM, I understand your comments, but I know the boss of Greenwoodtravel quite well (he is Dutch and can be a pain in the *** though), he bought some land at Thung Wua Laen to build a house. I often book with him.

He has a deal with Sofitel Khon Kaen no one can beat: 2850B/night + free dinner buffet for every 2 nights, until 31/10/08 though.

We, the Dutch, aim to please.

But what has buying some land to do with this thread?

There are cheaper hotels in Khon Kaen, as good as sofitel, but much cheaper.

[tartempion]

For example, hiring transport in Bangkok for a group of 6 people to Khon Kaen did cost me 6000 baht plus diesel per day, hiring transport in Khon Kaen to Bangkok did cost me 3000 baht per day plus diesel a day, including driver.

So if you want to visit Isan, start in Isan, and not in Bangkok.

Please stop your crap.

If you would have checked the website I mentioned earlier http://www.greenwoodtravel.nl/transfers.php

you would have noticed these prices:

EXCL. FUEL - ONLY DRIVER - NO GUIDE SERVICE - LITTLE OR NO ENGLISH -

Standard

**2.000 THB EXCL. FUEL - ONLY DRIVER - NO GUIDE SERVICE - LITTLE OR NO ENGLISH -

Deluxe

**2.500 THB EXCL. FUEL - DRIVER IS ALSO GUIDE - ENGLISH SPEAKING -

Deluxe

**2.750 THB EXCL. FUEL - DRIVER & SEPERATE GUIDE SERVICE - ENGLISH SPEAKING -

Standard

**3.000 THB EXCL. FUEL - DRIVER & SEPERATE GUIDE SERVICE - ENGLISH SPEAKING -

Deluxe

**3.500 TH

And I have no business relationship with that travel agency, I use their service when convenient to me.

[tartempion]

Have a look at greenwoodtravel.nl, they rent a minibus with driver, see http://www.greenwoodtravel.nl/transfers.php bottom of page starting 2k baht with driver +fuel, food lodging for driver.

P.S. Sorry TTM, I understand your comments, but I know the boss of Greenwoodtravel quite well (he is Dutch and can be a pain in the *** though), he bought some land at Thung Wua Laen to build a house. I often book with him.

He has a deal with Sofitel Khon Kaen no one can beat: 2850B/night + free dinner buffet for every 2 nights, until 31/10/08 though.

We, the Dutch, aim to please.

But what has buying some land to do with this thread?

There are cheaper hotels in Khon Kaen, as good as sofitel, but much cheaper.

Because THAT part of the reply was towards TTM, I use to live at Thung Wua Laen and TTM stayed some time at my place.

Thank you for mentioning KK has cheaper hotels, you could have provided more info though: names, prices? (Kosa, Charoen Thani, Bussarakham, Kaen Inn) and which ones would be as good as the sofitel Raja?

And do you also need to know why (he is Dutch and can be a pain in the *** though)?

[roygsd]

Does this sound like a good idea to you?

I'm a photographer who doesn't want to take any public transportation because I want to stop where and when I choose. I will need the services of a car with driver for 4-5 days to go from BKK to Khorat, Buriram, Khao Phra Wihaan, Khon Kaen, then back to BKK. I've looked at several Bangkok rent a car places and seen some pretty outrageous prices $90-120 per day US dollars.

When I was last in Thailand 3 years ago, a few of the taxi drivers I used in town offered a daily rate for around town. Do you know of any that would take me for 4-5 days out of town to Isaan? A web search only takes me to the big agencies, not the freelancers. This was easy to arrange in Bali, I can't seem to find this same service here in BKK.

My trip is the first of October, any help or advice you could give (including driver contact info) is greatly appreciated.

I just found this forum, it looks great!

Dave

If you would like to hop around in Isan, I would go there first, maybe Khon Kaen would be a good idea.

I guess it will take you about 5 minutes to find a suitable means of transportation for the next week, for a very much lower price.

In BKK you pay BKK prices, inflated to absurdity.

In Khon Kaen, in the middle of Isan you might pay farang prices, but very much lower as the rates you pay in BKK.

In Khon Kaen shop around in the neighbourhood of Kosa, KhonKaen and Sofitel hotels, do some trading, and the price will get lower.

I think 1500-2000 baht per day weekly rate plus diesel/petrol/gas will be obtainable, including driver.

Sharing food will maybe lower the price or not, but will most certainly make your driver very friendly.

Be certain that the driver speaks some English, makes life definitely very much easier.

For example, hiring transport in Bangkok for a group of 6 people to Khon Kaen did cost me 6000 baht plus diesel per day, hiring transport in Khon Kaen to Bangkok did cost me 3000 baht per day plus diesel a day, including driver.

The going rate for a taxi to Khon Kaen from Bangkok is 10 baht per kilometre, so 4500 baht.

No taxis in Khon Kaen, but the rate for Bangkok is about 2500-3000 baht.

Food is cheap in Isan, a good meal in a good restaurant for 6 people, including a bottle of whisky, good service, clean loo's, life music, 6 generous dishes, set me back1580 baht.

Food for 2 people in reasonable premises, including softdrinks, 200 baht

Outside KK it is even cheaper.

So if you want to visit Isan, start in Isan, and not in Bangkok.

HI sorry but dont agree , what about the cost of the air flight to KK and taking a chance of a driver who may not speak very good english isnt worth what little you would save ( if any)

roy gsd

[andylee]

Sent you a PM (private message). Check it.

[gzu88bv]

So if you want to visit Isan, start in Isan, and not in Bangkok.

I might be too late, if not I can connect you with a Norwegian guy who does such things without any financial interest on my behalf.

[torrenova]

I've done this for long trips and overnight. The guy I currently use is Max and he's available on 086-401-3372 or 086-400-4233 or 084-499-1453.

I used him yesterday from Bangkok to Buriram. Excellent english, punctual and has a few motors like Camrys or Nissan Cefiros etc.

Never used him overnight but used plenty before when going from Pattaya to Phetchaburi or around for a few days and the driver usually refused to stay in the same place as me and wanted only a few hundred baht for his accommodation. If we stopped for food he'd sometimes take some but not always.

Personally you'd have to check if he is on LPG or whatever it is because out of the way places won't have it. You could offer to cover fuel costs plus a daily rate as he'll be unsure what to charge due to unknown distances.

By the way Max is based in Bangkok and Pattaya.

[Shah Jahan]

Lets get to the bottom of this question. This is what you need to do

1 - Get off the plane - go directly to Nana

2 - Ask around until you find a nice looking one that can drive.

3 - pay the bar 5oobht

4 - rent a car in the morning for 1500 Bht a day

5 - then you have a friendly tour guide and don't have to worry about finding the driver accommodation.