Car Renatl In Thailand _ Some Advice Needed

[erezsp]

Hi,

I have a couple of friends coming here for a vacation with a toddler .I thought it would be better for them to get out of Bkk for short trips out of the city for the day.

Considering the options,which is more advisable - renting a car or renting a taxi/van services?

As for car rentals - what papers do they request for the contract,and what is about the daily rate?any recommended company out there?....

[bkkbarnstormer]

Best and most reliable rental hire companies in my experience would be Thairentacar or the usual major internationals such as Hertz and Avis. Rental rates are available on their respective websites.

Expect to pay around 1500THB for a small 4 door car, up to 2500THB for a SUV or large 4 door saloon such as Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. You can get some special deals in quiet season. Hertz has recently been offering SUV/Camry/Accord at 1600THB/day so it depends upon when you visit.

They typically require passport and credit card, the same as anywhere else in the world. As usual with car rental companies, you need to be particularly careful with collision damage waiver. The above companies are generally OK but I have seen other companies in Thailand using contracts with unlimited liability for the renter in the event of damage.

HOWEVER, I would be cautious about recommending them to take the car rental option unless they are already familiar with driving in Thailand. It is very different to driving in US/Europe etc and has some key challenges - motorbikes, buses, lorries all doing unpredictable things as well as the more aggressive driving style of Thai drivers. In the unfortunate event of an accident, you will likely be presumed guilty as a foreigner and many of the major multinational companies still refuse to let their foriegn employees drivetheir own cars.

Having said, that most other foreigners who live here, do drive themselves.

If they are only considering day trips (or even 1 night stays) outside Bangkok, it is probably worthwhile hiring a driver and a van, which if you use eg.Thairentacar would be similar in cost to a large family saloon and far more relaxing, particularly if they are also trying to manage a toddler during the journey!

[rixalex]

Best and most reliable rental hire companies in my experience would be Thairentacar or the usual major internationals such as Hertz and Avis. Rental rates are available on their respective websites.

Expect to pay around 1500THB for a small 4 door car, up to 2500THB for a SUV or large 4 door saloon such as Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. You can get some special deals in quiet season. Hertz has recently been offering SUV/Camry/Accord at 1600THB/day so it depends upon when you visit.

They typically require passport and credit card, the same as anywhere else in the world. As usual with car rental companies, you need to be particularly careful with collision damage waiver. The above companies are generally OK but I have seen other companies in Thailand using contracts with unlimited liability for the renter in the event of damage.

HOWEVER, I would be cautious about recommending them to take the car rental option unless they are already familiar with driving in Thailand. It is very different to driving in US/Europe etc and has some key challenges - motorbikes, buses, lorries all doing unpredictable things as well as the more aggressive driving style of Thai drivers. In the unfortunate event of an accident, you will likely be presumed guilty as a foreigner and many of the major multinational companies still refuse to let their foriegn employees drivetheir own cars.

Having said, that most other foreigners who live here, do drive themselves.

If they are only considering day trips (or even 1 night stays) outside Bangkok, it is probably worthwhile hiring a driver and a van, which if you use eg.Thairentacar would be similar in cost to a large family saloon and far more relaxing, particularly if they are also trying to manage a toddler during the journey!

Very good advice.

[WarpSpeed]

Quite Ironic to see this thread here today having just had an incredible experience with a local rental car agent more about buyer beware..Definitely do not use Master Car rent as they are out and out crooks, frauds and scammers.. On their website with website booking they advertise a 50 to 55% discount for the use of several credit cards locally but when pressed by phone prior to signing up they candidly and unapologetically admit that it is just an advertising ploy (hook) and nothing more but yet they have ignorantly drawn in these banks customers as well including the banks in their fraud, this is serious stuff and after contact our bank is not happy about it either..

I screen shot the pages and also captured the ads on a document so even taking them down is not going to get their arse out of this one..

One can only assume their reasoning is since it's online they figure you have no recourse once the transaction has been credited but they are about to get a serious lesson in the reality of fraudulent business practices as this is so blatant. I would really like for as many people here as possible to take this up with them and file complaints to the proper authorities over this and your various banks if you see one of your local ones on there as well as boycott them at any/every opportunity and let them know about their practice and it's ethics and pass the word.

The real ignorance behind it is the fact that this is an English language web page meaning they are also targeting local expats from educated backgrounds and yet they are still arrogant enough to think that they can pull such a blatant scam without repercussions..

I'd like to put their link here would that be ok? It's the least they deserve since this is world wide exposure...JFYI this is not about expat pricing versus local either as they had no idea there was even an expat behind the inquiry.. Actually I will put up the link if you have an objection mods please just delete the link and not the entire post...

Here is one of the offending pages, it is on almost all of their pages look at the credit card banners on the right..

http://www.mastercarrental.com/en_main_news.php

It would be really nice if these people were flooded with complaint mails and or phone calls...

*edit* I just noticed on their "company profile" page they have links listed and are part of the "Rental Car Association of Thailand" good one to being with.. Along with their link to TAT also posted..

These are classic quotes from their company profile page:

"As a car rental company, we believe in being your most trusted co-driver." "Master Car Rental Co., Ltd operates like a trusted friend, offering help just when you need it; guiding and supporting you throughout your journey."

I'd laugh my arse off it wasn't so seriously infuriating..

Edited February 8, 2010 by WarpSpeed