Driving To Bangkok

[thailoneus]

Good info here.

Could some of you frequent drivers post some updated info please.

I am, for the first time, driving from Phuket to BKK. Planning on starting tomorrow am and taking 2 days for the trip.

Would like info on the road conditions (flooding, mud slides etc) on the route via Ranong.

While the advice re. the route via Surat is attractive, the lack of gas stations makes me nervous. I can do 450 to 500kms on a tank.

thanks.

The stretch of road that has no petrol stations is only about 100 kms.

Even if you fill up in Phuket, you'll have plenty of petrol to reach Surat Thani.

And, if you fill up in Phang Nga (there's a big station just after you turn right, before the town centre – you can't miss it) you'll make it all the way to the moon.

No worries!

Strongly recommend using this road.

are you saying the Surat/Phunpin Highway is open again? I would check that with HWP morning of departure or when reaching Chumporn at the latest

No worries about gasoline/petrol/diesel before 8pm. No more than 100 km between large pumps both routes

Took the Surat/Phunpin road about 4 days ago. It was open but very ragged.

[katabeachbum]

I am back in Phuket as of this pm.

On Apr 10th, called HWP who said all roads were open. So took Route 44 to S Thani. It was simply wonderful. No traffic and a great highway for 137 Kms. Had one little spot about 50 kms before the 401 where there was fast flowing water over the road, but the water reached up to the top of the wheel on the 4WD. So no prob.

On the way back on Route 44 today, had a detour, about 37 Kms from the 401. Two small bridges had collapsed completely. It looked surreal. The detour (about 3 Kms) was simply to get around the bridges, and utilized the road (44) going towards S Thani/401.

Other than that, the whole trip thru BKK and to Nakhon Nayok and back the same way, was very enjoyable. Stayed in Khanom at the Khanom Sunrise resort....(no dogs in the resort nor on their beach and they allowed me to take my dog in), again thanks to info I recd via a resident Thai Visa member. Excellent for 1500B/night. Visited Sichon,....nothing there to see. The 7 Kms of Beach road in Khanom is quite special in terms of a beach area. Super open air thai (thatch huts) restaurant at one end of Beach road, right on the beach with spectacular surroundings.

This was my first long drive. so I do appreciate everybody's input. It helped me a lot.

Anyone interested in more info about places to stay ............if you are taking a dog with you...btw, others have posted this info. We tried the "open 24 hour" places . No prob with the dog. The ones we used were clean, functional for a night's sleep, tasty food and included b'fast for 380B!!

In ThaiVisa Pet Forum there is a pinned topic with dog friendly hotels. I would think all dog owners would apreciate dog friendly hotels to be listed

[thailoneus]

I am back in Phuket as of this pm.

On Apr 10th, called HWP who said all roads were open. So took Route 44 to S Thani. It was simply wonderful. No traffic and a great highway for 137 Kms. Had one little spot about 50 kms before the 401 where there was fast flowing water over the road, but the water reached up to the top of the wheel on the 4WD. So no prob.

On the way back on Route 44 today, had a detour, about 37 Kms from the 401. Two small bridges had collapsed completely. It looked surreal. The detour (about 3 Kms) was simply to get around the bridges, and utilized the road (44) going towards S Thani/401.

Other than that, the whole trip thru BKK and to Nakhon Nayok and back the same way, was very enjoyable. Stayed in Khanom at the Khanom Sunrise resort....(no dogs in the resort nor on their beach and they allowed me to take my dog in), again thanks to info I recd via a resident Thai Visa member. Excellent for 1500B/night. Visited Sichon,....nothing there to see. The 7 Kms of Beach road in Khanom is quite special in terms of a beach area. Super open air thai (thatch huts) restaurant at one end of Beach road, right on the beach with spectacular surroundings.

This was my first long drive. so I do appreciate everybody's input. It helped me a lot.

Anyone interested in more info about places to stay ............if you are taking a dog with you...btw, others have posted this info. We tried the "open 24 hour" places . No prob with the dog. The ones we used were clean, functional for a night's sleep, tasty food and included b'fast for 380B!!

In ThaiVisa Pet Forum there is a pinned topic with dog friendly hotels. I would think all dog owners would apreciate dog friendly hotels to be listed

KBB, Done.

[Shot]

Hi all. I wanted to wakeup this thread because I will be driving to Bangkok next month with wife and 2 kids. I would like to drive about 7-8 hours the first day and stay somewhere at that point. There is some good info on this thread now, but any newer info or kid friendly info would be great. I like about a 4 star hotel with lots of restaurants and easy parking.

Thanks in advance,

Shot

[katabeachbum]

Hi all. I wanted to wakeup this thread because I will be driving to Bangkok next month with wife and 2 kids. I would like to drive about 7-8 hours the first day and stay somewhere at that point. There is some good info on this thread now, but any newer info or kid friendly info would be great. I like about a 4 star hotel with lots of restaurants and easy parking.

Thanks in advance,

Shot

depends on your speed, but its less than 700km to Hua Hin, Sofitel and Hilton is on the beach, excellent parking and a short walk to 100 restuarants

personally for one night only I prefere Jed pee Nong 100 meters closer to the restaurants, dont know about the stars but nice rooms and pool, 1200 baht including breakfast, 032512381

[Shot]

Hi all. I wanted to wakeup this thread because I will be driving to Bangkok next month with wife and 2 kids. I would like to drive about 7-8 hours the first day and stay somewhere at that point. There is some good info on this thread now, but any newer info or kid friendly info would be great. I like about a 4 star hotel with lots of restaurants and easy parking.

Thanks in advance,

Shot

depends on your speed, but its less than 700km to Hua Hin, Sofitel and Hilton is on the beach, excellent parking and a short walk to 100 restuarants

personally for one night only I prefere Jed pee Nong 100 meters closer to the restaurants, dont know about the stars but nice rooms and pool, 1200 baht including breakfast, 032512381

Jed pee Nong it is, thanks KBB. We will leave early, do around 120km the entire way, and enjoy a nice evening and dinner. Maybe a few beers too.

[katabeachbum]

Hi all. I wanted to wakeup this thread because I will be driving to Bangkok next month with wife and 2 kids. I would like to drive about 7-8 hours the first day and stay somewhere at that point. There is some good info on this thread now, but any newer info or kid friendly info would be great. I like about a 4 star hotel with lots of restaurants and easy parking.

Thanks in advance,

Shot

depends on your speed, but its less than 700km to Hua Hin, Sofitel and Hilton is on the beach, excellent parking and a short walk to 100 restuarants

personally for one night only I prefere Jed pee Nong 100 meters closer to the restaurants, dont know about the stars but nice rooms and pool, 1200 baht including breakfast, 032512381

Jed pee Nong it is, thanks KBB. We will leave early, do around 120km the entire way, and enjoy a nice evening and dinner. Maybe a few beers too.

Have a nice trip

Envy you, stuck in Phuket for another few weeks

[NamKangMan]

Just out of curiosity, why do a lot of you drive from Phuket to Bangkok???? You are expats, not tourist. You do not make the journey a scenic trip, stopping off at beaches, towns, villages etc. The OP states he needs to get there in quick time. The cost of fuel and tolls are dearer than an Airasia flight. Once you hit Bangkok, traffic and parking are a problem. If you are going up to Bangkok for business, a medical appointment or to your Embassy, the first Airasia flight out of Phuket lands in Bangkok at 8:15am and is on sale for around 1200 baht. The last flight back lands in Phuket at 10:40pm and sells for the same price. It can be a day trip, if you fly. Anyway, maybe you guys are doing car deliveries/purchases/sales or something else you don't want to talk about, therefore I don't want to know about, but it seems a bit strange to me.

P.S. Just noticed it's an old thread, but my question still stands to those who drove up and/or continue to drive up to Bangkok.

Edited February 22, 2012 by NamKangMan

[katabeachbum]

Just out of curiosity, why do a lot of you drive from Phuket to Bangkok???? You are expats, not tourist. You do not make the journey a scenic trip, stopping off at beaches, towns, villages etc. The OP states he needs to get there in quick time. The cost of fuel and tolls are dearer than an Airasia flight. Once you hit Bangkok, traffic and parking are a problem. If you are going up to Bangkok for business, a medical appointment or to your Embassy, the first Airasia flight out of Phuket lands in Bangkok at 8:15am and is on sale for around 1200 baht. The last flight back lands in Phuket at 10:40pm and sells for the same price. It can be a day trip, if you fly. Anyway, maybe you guys are doing car deliveries/purchases/sales or something else you don't want to talk about, therefore I don't want to know about, but it seems a bit strange to me.

P.S. Just noticed it's an old thread, but my question still stands to those who drove up and/or continue to drive up to Bangkok.

If I go to BKK for a day or two, I fly and use taxi/skytrain

However some 4 or 6 times a year my Gf, son and I and perhaps someone else travel around Thailand by car. I usually bring my Ninja650 and my rottweiler. I am sure my dog would enjoy the airline food, but I dont like it, so we prefere our own wheels

and as this photo is from Pretchuap Khiri Kan Muang, we must have stopped there

In addition we usually spend some time in our other home in Hua Hin, not very easy to go there by plane

usually we do not stop in BKK, just bypass it on expressway #9 or #7

yes I am an expat in Phuket. In the rest of the country, except Hua Hin, I am a tourist

[barka]

Just out of curiosity, why do a lot of you drive from Phuket to Bangkok???? You are expats, not tourist. You do not make the journey a scenic trip, stopping off at beaches, towns, villages etc. The OP states he needs to get there in quick time. The cost of fuel and tolls are dearer than an Airasia flight. Once you hit Bangkok, traffic and parking are a problem. If you are going up to Bangkok for business, a medical appointment or to your Embassy, the first Airasia flight out of Phuket lands in Bangkok at 8:15am and is on sale for around 1200 baht. The last flight back lands in Phuket at 10:40pm and sells for the same price. It can be a day trip, if you fly. Anyway, maybe you guys are doing car deliveries/purchases/sales or something else you don't want to talk about, therefore I don't want to know about, but it seems a bit strange to me.

P.S. Just noticed it's an old thread, but my question still stands to those who drove up and/or continue to drive up to Bangkok.

He is driving with his wife and kids,i think why not,stoping at Huhin,great idea..

[madmitch]

Just out of curiosity, why do a lot of you drive from Phuket to Bangkok???? You are expats, not tourist. You do not make the journey a scenic trip, stopping off at beaches, towns, villages etc. The OP states he needs to get there in quick time. The cost of fuel and tolls are dearer than an Airasia flight. Once you hit Bangkok, traffic and parking are a problem. If you are going up to Bangkok for business, a medical appointment or to your Embassy, the first Airasia flight out of Phuket lands in Bangkok at 8:15am and is on sale for around 1200 baht. The last flight back lands in Phuket at 10:40pm and sells for the same price. It can be a day trip, if you fly. Anyway, maybe you guys are doing car deliveries/purchases/sales or something else you don't want to talk about, therefore I don't want to know about, but it seems a bit strange to me.

P.S. Just noticed it's an old thread, but my question still stands to those who drove up and/or continue to drive up to Bangkok.

Odd question.

I do the drive a couple of times a year as the GF's family live an hour outside Bangkok and we might stay a few weks there. I am sure this scenario applies to many of those doing the drive. With a family it can be cheaper than flying as well.

If I go for only a couple of days then I fly.

[Shot]

Just out of curiosity, why do a lot of you drive from Phuket to Bangkok???? You are expats, not tourist. You do not make the journey a scenic trip, stopping off at beaches, towns, villages etc. The OP states he needs to get there in quick time. The cost of fuel and tolls are dearer than an Airasia flight. Once you hit Bangkok, traffic and parking are a problem. If you are going up to Bangkok for business, a medical appointment or to your Embassy, the first Airasia flight out of Phuket lands in Bangkok at 8:15am and is on sale for around 1200 baht. The last flight back lands in Phuket at 10:40pm and sells for the same price. It can be a day trip, if you fly. Anyway, maybe you guys are doing car deliveries/purchases/sales or something else you don't want to talk about, therefore I don't want to know about, but it seems a bit strange to me.

P.S. Just noticed it's an old thread, but my question still stands to those who drove up and/or continue to drive up to Bangkok.

For me, the Mrs. And two kids, the cost is about the same as flying, plus we get a little adventure along the way. I’ll enjoy the 8 hours of driving to the first stop, and then a peaceful night eating and seeing a new area. Next day about the same. Get up late (something we never get to do at home), and a pleasant drive to Bangkok. The hotel I use has a good car park and we walk or take the bus from there. Lots of shopping in Bangkok can’t bring that much back on a plane, so into the truck it goes. Then, a nice trip back, staying one night along the way, with another peaceful evening of eating and relaxing.

[fiddlehead]

Just out of curiosity, why do a lot of you drive from Phuket to Bangkok???? You are expats, not tourist. .

Expats and not tourists?

Mmmmmmmmm.

Does that mean we don't want to enjoy our surroundings?

See the real Thailand (I don't consider Phuket the "real Thailand" )

Expose our families to the vast countryside in this country?

The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see

That said, we like to stop at a few places but, I don't like driving through Hua Hin as it takes a long time (and is too touristy), but prefer to stay in Chaam where we get a beachfront place for 400-500 baht a night and consider it more Thai.

Out of perhaps 10 different times driving it, have tried 4 or 5 different towns (usually on or near a beach, but not always), and stop for long rests and meas

I don't think my Thai wife liked it at first but, now, I can tell she's proud to have seen more of Thailand than she dreamed of and can relate to news clips by reminding me of things we did there.

Hey to each his own! Travel the way you like. But don't try to belittle someone who is trying to broaden their horizons. (and their family's also)

Edited February 23, 2012 by fiddlehead

[barka]

Just out of curiosity, why do a lot of you drive from Phuket to Bangkok???? You are expats, not tourist. .

Expats and not tourists?

Mmmmmmmmm.

Does that mean we don't want to enjoy our surroundings?

See the real Thailand (I don't consider Phuket the "real Thailand" )

Expose our families to the vast countryside in this country?

The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see

That said, we like to stop at a few places but, I don't like driving through Hua Hin as it takes a long time (and is too touristy), but prefer to stay in Chaam where we get a beachfront place for 400-500 baht a night and consider it more Thai.

Out of perhaps 10 different times driving it, have tried 4 or 5 different towns (usually on or near a beach, but not always), and stop for long rests and meas

I don't think my Thai wife liked it at first but, now, I can tell she's proud to have seen more of Thailand than she dreamed of and can relate to news clips by reminding me of things we did there.

Hey to each his own! Travel the way you like. But don't try to belittle someone who is trying to broaden their horizons. (and their family's also)

Well said

[mikebike]

There is a very nice one called Phengkepa Resort at the southbound lane in Tha Sae a bit north of Chumporn. They have a swimming pool, massage facilities ,a good restaurant and even a small zoo.

Love that little place. Good food, everyone very friendly!

[katabeachbum]

The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see

Brilliant, I will have to change my previous post

Yes I am an expat in Phuket and a traveller in Thailand. I have brought my Gf to places in Thailand she has barely heard about, and we will go to so many more

[N47HAN]

The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see

Brilliant, I will have to change my previous post

Yes I am an expat in Phuket and a traveller in Thailand. I have brought my Gf to places in Thailand she has barely heard about, and we will go to so many more

Have to agree ,

for this drive

For me Cha am is a perfect stop off , the methavali hotel on cha am beach front to me is a great place , nice sized pool for the little one to play in ,, very good buffet breakfast (thai and western).around 2k for the 3 of us inc breakfast (though high season can be nearer 3 )

Night time never seem to get passed the skandi restaurant a few meters away , good food good prices and a phillapine duo play everday except (wednesday?)

If we venture to Hua Hin , the night market , great for people watching and fantastic value for money on the food .

dam missing the place allready just writing this , might just head up there this weekend for some r and r

[NamKangMan]

Just out of curiosity, why do a lot of you drive from Phuket to Bangkok???? You are expats, not tourist. .

Expats and not tourists?

Mmmmmmmmm.

Does that mean we don't want to enjoy our surroundings?

See the real Thailand (I don't consider Phuket the "real Thailand" )

Expose our families to the vast countryside in this country?

The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see

That said, we like to stop at a few places but, I don't like driving through Hua Hin as it takes a long time (and is too touristy), but prefer to stay in Chaam where we get a beachfront place for 400-500 baht a night and consider it more Thai.

Out of perhaps 10 different times driving it, have tried 4 or 5 different towns (usually on or near a beach, but not always), and stop for long rests and meas

I don't think my Thai wife liked it at first but, now, I can tell she's proud to have seen more of Thailand than she dreamed of and can relate to news clips by reminding me of things we did there.

Hey to each his own! Travel the way you like. But don't try to belittle someone who is trying to broaden their horizons. (and their family's also)

I appreciate the honest answers to my question/post. I had a good look around Thailand before settling on Phuket, and I'm still exploring Phuket and further afield in Thailand. I was not belittling anyone. The OP mentioned he had to get to Bangkok in quick time, considering driving straight through. I have no problem with expats turning a road trip to Bangkok, or surrounds, as a scenic and cultural journey, with missus, kids, dogs etc. I commend those who want to broaden their horizens in Thailand, rather than those who say, "I have been to Thailand. I've been to Phuket." I can assure you, no offence was meant by my post to those doing this.

Edited February 24, 2012 by NamKangMan