Ride From Bkk To Phuket

[sokal]

Has anyone done this ? about how long would it take ?

I want to check out Phuket but I want to go there on my own time. Do the highways allow for scooters ?

[flightcrew1]

For sure the highways don't allow scooters....I ride one here in BKK and even going from Satorn to Sukhimvit along Rama 4 is a hair raising experience that I do once in awhile to visit a friend out that way.

[wordchild]

done it by car,6 or 7 times,takes about 12 hours depending on breaks etc.we normaly do it in a couple of legs staying overnight somewhere. there is a brand new novotel just outside Chumporn which has a cute little nine hole golf course which is usualy empty late afternoons perfect for streching legs after the drive from bangkok

[2long]

You COULD ride a scooter all the way. The trip's 9 hours minimum in one hit in a car. A wee bike would need plenty of fuel and nerve stops. I've thought about it myself a few times, but it'll never happen now we have kids.

The roads are straight and flat and the only real place to go wrong would be in Chumporn. Even that would lead you through Ranong, which might actually be better (less traffic) and more fun (hills and corners).

Seriously, though, the most dangerous bit would be riding round Phuket itself. Three main groups of road users;

1- locals = say no more but you at least know what to expect

2- tourists = not paying attention

3 expats (usually in 4x4 pick ups) = get out of MY way

It's a lethal mix, and I really do think that riding a scooter in Bangkers is safer!

Good luck

[Macx]

Thai roads are dangerous, but if you're bent on doing it, go for it

A couple of guys on this forum have done it. Wait awhile, they'll come on and comment.

I did it on a bicycle so it should be more relaxing on a scooter.

The biggest headache is getting out of BK. If it were me, I'd jump the train from Hua Lampong and get off once I see the countryside (you can take a scooter on the train). Another option is hire a motorbike taxi to lead you out (make sure he's a local guy people know, and get his license/ID number to leave with your friend, just in case he gets tempted to relieve you of your motorbike )

The roads are fairly decent from around Cha-am southward. You'd be better off staying off the Petchkasem hwy. Note that the Ranong Andaman side gets lots rain in Sept/Oct (actually it rain year round, the rainiest spot in Thailand). If you're going the Surat-Gulf of Thailand side, it's worth a hop onto the ferry to see Koh Samui/Phagan/Tao if you haven't been there already.

I'd take at least 3 days to do the ride. Enjoy the view. Remember that exhaustion is a huge factor in rider's error and judgment.

Good riding

[losworld]

Thai roads are dangerous, but if you're bent on doing it, go for it

A couple of guys on this forum have done it. Wait awhile, they'll come on and comment.

I did it on a bicycle so it should be more relaxing on a scooter.

The biggest headache is getting out of BK. If it were me, I'd jump the train from Hua Lampong and get off once I see the countryside (you can take a scooter on the train). Another option is hire a motorbike taxi to lead you out (make sure he's a local guy people know, and get his license/ID number to leave with your friend, just in case he gets tempted to relieve you of your motorbike )

The roads are fairly decent from around Cha-am southward. You'd be better off staying off the Petchkasem hwy. Note that the Ranong Andaman side gets lots rain in Sept/Oct (actually it rain year round, the rainiest spot in Thailand). If you're going the Surat-Gulf of Thailand side, it's worth a hop onto the ferry to see Koh Samui/Phagan/Tao if you haven't been there already.

I'd take at least 3 days to do the ride. Enjoy the view. Remember that exhaustion is a huge factor in rider's error and judgment.

Good riding

Now that sounds like fun. I would think a Nouvo or similar bike would allow you to do easily over 100km on open stretches just watch out for obstacles. If I were leaving Bangkok I'd simply do it very early around 4 or 5 in the morning. Should be a great ride... report back if you do it!

[gentaro]

Has anyone done this ? about how long would it take ?

I want to check out Phuket but I want to go there on my own time. Do the highways allow for scooters ?

[gentaro]

I think it's fairly fine to do it but, true, depends on the bike you ride and you have to manage the distance between petrol stations. We live in Phuket and have a house close to Pratchua Kiri Kan (100 km south of Hua Hin), go regularly up there and it takes us by car approx. 5.5 hours, no speeding, average 120 km or so.

From that place to Bangkok it takes another 400 km or so = 3.5 hours by car. Seems you have time and stop-overs, preferably 2, are recommended. Road and traffic is not that dangerous as soon as you get out of BKK I believe, I ride a Big Scooter here in Phuket and do not fear for my life, I just keep in mind that I am always a potential victim irrelevant of the car drivers' nationalities and I have to watch out for danger ..... consider it.

Hope you do it and good luck and fun

[sokal]

Thai roads are dangerous, but if you're bent on doing it, go for it

A couple of guys on this forum have done it. Wait awhile, they'll come on and comment.

I did it on a bicycle so it should be more relaxing on a scooter.

The biggest headache is getting out of BK. If it were me, I'd jump the train from Hua Lampong and get off once I see the countryside (you can take a scooter on the train). Another option is hire a motorbike taxi to lead you out (make sure he's a local guy people know, and get his license/ID number to leave with your friend, just in case he gets tempted to relieve you of your motorbike )

The roads are fairly decent from around Cha-am southward. You'd be better off staying off the Petchkasem hwy. Note that the Ranong Andaman side gets lots rain in Sept/Oct (actually it rain year round, the rainiest spot in Thailand). If you're going the Surat-Gulf of Thailand side, it's worth a hop onto the ferry to see Koh Samui/Phagan/Tao if you haven't been there already.

I'd take at least 3 days to do the ride. Enjoy the view. Remember that exhaustion is a huge factor in rider's error and judgment.

Good riding

Now that sounds like fun. I would think a Nouvo or similar bike would allow you to do easily over 100km on open stretches just watch out for obstacles. If I were leaving Bangkok I'd simply do it very early around 4 or 5 in the morning. Should be a great ride... report back if you do it!

I cant wait... I will make a trip report on it

[Jaydillon]

Thai roads are dangerous, but if you're bent on doing it, go for it

A couple of guys on this forum have done it. Wait awhile, they'll come on and comment.

I did it on a bicycle so it should be more relaxing on a scooter.

The biggest headache is getting out of BK. If it were me, I'd jump the train from Hua Lampong and get off once I see the countryside (you can take a scooter on the train). Another option is hire a motorbike taxi to lead you out (make sure he's a local guy people know, and get his license/ID number to leave with your friend, just in case he gets tempted to relieve you of your motorbike )

The roads are fairly decent from around Cha-am southward. You'd be better off staying off the Petchkasem hwy. Note that the Ranong Andaman side gets lots rain in Sept/Oct (actually it rain year round, the rainiest spot in Thailand). If you're going the Surat-Gulf of Thailand side, it's worth a hop onto the ferry to see Koh Samui/Phagan/Tao if you haven't been there already.

I'd take at least 3 days to do the ride. Enjoy the view. Remember that exhaustion is a huge factor in rider's error and judgment.

Good riding

I am thinking of doing something simile on my Ducati 998S.What do you guys think of it?

Now that sounds like fun. I would think a Nouvo or similar bike would allow you to do easily over 100km on open stretches just watch out for obstacles. If I were leaving Bangkok I'd simply do it very early around 4 or 5 in the morning. Should be a great ride... report back if you do it!

I cant wait... I will make a trip report on it

[Jaydillon]

I am thinking of doing something simile on my Ducati 998S.What do you guys think of it?

[Felt 35]

I have a friend in Phuket who have driven all Thailand, parts of Malaysia and Singapore on a Honda Wave 125. He have done Phuket - Chiang Mai in less than three days. He love driving and is a ex Harley driver.

Personally only drove a car to Bangkok and I think its excellent as soon as you pass Sarasin Bridge(Phuket)

As someone else mentioned in a post, the most dangerous part is Phuket.

Have a nice trip.

[RubbaJohnny]

Alan Bates cycled it in under 30 hrs he has done C Mai to Bangko in 25 and is cycling around the world from the finest bike museum right here in Golden Triangle

However for the sane I wouldny consider anything smaller than a4x4 in Bkk suburbs theres v fast agressive driving trucks buses and still pick ups doing short cuts counterflow rather than the long U turn

That swhy the gurneys are full of injured bikers

Good luck what about bike to Ranong Air Asia to Swampy for the price of a bottle of plonk and if you wait til Dec 5th desctro and whsk to Downtown in minutes

You can be sure itll be clean and secure the day after some bigwig cuts the tape

Bon Voyage

PS Bangkok polluted dangerous sticky etc a sleaze-lovers heaven offshoore relationships unelected pirate party etc

[aussiebrian]

I have done the trip about 15 time on a CBR 1100 Honda and love it on a big bike. Sometimes I do it with one stop, but also many times straight through. A Duke would have no problems if you are used to Thai traffic. Stay alert..Watch out for locals riding in the left lane and then cutting in front of you across to the other side of the road without looking, just as you approach them. Also oncoming cars overtaking onto your side of the road, even on blind corners, expecting for you to move across for them, dogs, potholes, cows etc.

The main thing with the scooter would be not to carry too much luggage and make sure your tyres are good and have the right pressure in them. I hate blowouts on tubed tyres.. If you are tired, break the trip up.

Enjoy and have a good trip.