Hope you can give some advice please.

We're (wife, 3 kids and I - I'm the only driver) driving from Ta Phraya (100km NE of Sa Kaew) to Phuket, leaving on Friday. Total distance (according to Google Earth is 1122km). I want to arrive on Sunday 24th as I'm meeting up with my sister and family who are over from Oz.

I've allowed 3 days driving, but it's no problem if we arrive a day earlier.

I have a 19 year old HiAce diesel minibus, which has recently been serviced and fairly reliable, but I am unable to insure for breakdown due to it's age.

Enough background, and this is too 'particular' for a Google search and the site search ended up with too many long threads with minimal information.

I'm looking for 'basic' places to stay with no booking for 1 night in and around the following:

For the 1st night.

Phetchaburi

Cha Am

Hua Hin

or on the 'inland' main road.

Driving from Chumpon either:

4 to Ranong

or 41 further south and 'crossing East to West' on the 4006 and then the 4

or going further South on the East Coast to Khian Sa and 'crossing East to West' on the 44

and then relevant places to stay for the second night.

I would also appreciate any recommendations and phone numbers for 'garages/ mechanics' on the route, in case the worse happens!

I wouldn't appreciate any, why don't you fly, rent a car, get a driver, cheap charlie, leave the country posts, but if you can't help yourselves, I won't let it spoil my holiday!!

Thanks in advance!

Trevor

I think it's great you are taking some time for this trip. We did a 2 day trip from Hua Hin down to Surat Thani. It's amazing how many cool places there are to check out that don't show up on maps. We found lots of neat hotels and some great beaches. We like the area around Bang Saphan and further south.

I can't help you with much here other than to say have a blast!