Was planning my road trip from Hat Yai to Chiang Mai. Any bros can advice me the shortest route from Hatyai to Chiang Mai? Any inputs appreciate!!!!

Please let me know which highway to drive and the conditions of the road etc, many thanks!!

When they do this do they know your kids speak English or do they assume they speak only Thai?

Not all know but even the ones I tell, still do it. One of my best friends who is an English teacher still does it from time to time.

If I meet half-caste kids, i always start off speaking english with them.

Try Google maps with the 2 destinations it will give you the highway numbers.

Thanks mate. I did whatever necessary researches already!!! But need "real" travelers to advice the actual scenario. Thanks for reminding, I had "Googled"

When they do this do they know your kids speak English or do they assume they speak only Thai?

Not all know but even the ones I tell, still do it. One of my best friends who is an English teacher still does it from time to time.

If I meet half-caste kids, i always start off speaking english with them.

Try Google maps with the 2 destinations it will give you the highway numbers.

What are you riding? If you are driving a pickup & thinking about potholes then it's not really an issue not between the BKK & CM leg, anyway.

Done that leg on 3 different modes of transport: in a pickup & a 2 1/2 ton truck on the route going down the Burmese side, very potholed, horrible in the big truck in the slow lane, ok in the pickup, in the fast lane. Using the Eastern route I found slightly better on the motorbike.

Edited May 16, 201115 yr by meithai

I am driving a 2.5L SUV. At least I have a shortest route from advises, set my GPS and go!!

What are you riding? If you are driving a pickup & thinking about potholes then it's not really an issue not between the BKK & CM leg, anyway.

Google maps once had me navigating unpaved roads between two rice paddies that it insisted was a major highway. Sunnyhor is correct in seeking real advice. Google maps will also not tell you about flooding, insurgents, and major roadworks, all of which may be present in that area.

This is exactly the problems of Goggle-ing. In fact, I had already do researched and there are 2 options. But this is the first time riding such a long distance, I would be appreciate if any bros did the same route before for advice.

Google is good but the "actual" advice is better like cdnvic said. Thanks if someone can lead the topic!!!!

Google maps once had me navigating unpaved roads between two rice paddies that it insisted was a major highway. Sunnyhor is correct in seeking real advice. Google maps will also not tell you about flooding, insurgents, and major roadworks, all of which may be present in that area.

Do you need to travel this by car? At this time of year lots of local flooding can occur. Starting from Phuket or even Surat Thani might be a better option. The latter will help you avoid the worst areas. Both are a cheap flight from Hat Yai.

Thanks mod. Actually I drive from Singapore..... This trip is basically an adventurous event. Nothing to do with taking a flight ( and I hate flying ). Driving throughout will give me the best memorable experience and it could be Once in a lifetime trip!!!

My initial planned is Singapore - Penang - Surat Thani - Ratchaburi - Petchaburi - Chiang Mai. But wanted to know exactly how the route like so I chose to post here hoping that any bros had travel the same ways I opted. Just try my luck because I think this kind of travel is quite rare and tedious......Hope someone can good me a favorable reply.Thank you sooooooo much

Do you need to travel this by car? At this time of year lots of local flooding can occur. Starting from Phuket or even Surat Thani might be a better option. The latter will help you avoid the worst areas. Both are a cheap flight from Hat Yai.

The Hat Yai north corridor is not in flood season normally until September/October. This year was very strange with out of season rains/floods (finished) over a large area of the South; but that is exceptional. Phuket does not normally have the same weather as the drive north from the Hat Yai area (which should not have any flooding this time of the year).

Google maps is an excellent guide with alternate routes available and drive times provided. It is not the western auto club but should provide a good idea - there is not that much choice really.

Thanks bro, my trip will start on the end of June 2011. So the South of Thailand is flooding right now?

The Hat Yai north corridor is not in flood season normally until September/October. This year was very strange with out of season rains/floods (finished) over a large area of the South; but that is exceptional. Phuket does not normally have the same weather as the drive north from the Hat Yai area (which should not have any flooding this time of the year).

Google maps is an excellent guide with alternate routes available and drive times provided. It is not the western auto club but should provide a good idea - there is not that much choice really.

No there is no flooding now. There was early in the year and that was exceptional. Rains are common in the North now but flooding anywhere normally is only temporary or in September/October time period when runoff is heavy in central Thailand causing river overflow and storms have moved to the South. The city of Hat Yai itself is the worst case as lies below mountains in path of runoff to the sea. They have had several meter high waters a few times.

There is no flood in Hat Yai anymore. Though there might be some rain but you can still drive it safely and comfortably without any worry.

Gud luck for your trip.... Njoy !!!

Do you need to travel this by car? At this time of year lots of local flooding can occur. Starting from Phuket or even Surat Thani might be a better option. The latter will help you avoid the worst areas. Both are a cheap flight from Hat Yai.

Which reminds me of the farmer in Dorset (UK) when asked by American tourists how to get to Bristol:-

Arrrr - If oi wer you, I wooden staaart from ere!

if you got the time, stick to the main highways and buy a good road map. any side excursions are at your own discretion. have a good and safe trip. remember drive defensively

Thanks John,

I think I seriously depends on my GPS most!! As I was wondering, why this topic isn't many advice. Or perhaps, people prefer to fly not exploring anything. This is my first ever trip, road to Thailand . And actually, the route starts from Singapore. But sadly, no one really can advice on the point to point to me.

if you got the time, stick to the main highways and buy a good road map. any side excursions are at your own discretion. have a good and safe trip. remember drive defensively

This route is really a sinch and have done it several times in both directions.

The route up from Singers to the Thai border speaks for itself: follow the main highway to KL (bypass) then up through Ipoh and Butterworth. You then head direct for the Thai border at Sadao - avoid going through Padang Besar which is another border crossing nearby. Basically, this is all one highway from Singapore.

The route up through Hat Yai-Bangkok-Chiang Mai is also, in essence, one route. The road from Sadao at the Malay border is a major highway (4) which just goes straight and takes an hour to hit Hat Yai. You'll hit a big T junction and don't need to go through Hat Yai, just go left on the bypass (43) and you'll meet back up with highway 4 the other side. Hat Yai is a pig to drive through if you don't know the place, so suggest spending the night on the Malay side rather than here.

Continue north on highway 4 from Hat Yai. The route splits off towards Krabi and Phuket from Phattalung (big junction) but you just keep going north on the 41 I think it is on a Chumphon heading - it all looks like one highway. The 41 then merges back with the 4 and becomes the 4 again, but is all seamless. Go up through Chumpon, prachuap Kiri Khan, Hua Hin, Petburi (bypassing or straight over the lights). When you see the turn-off for Samut Songkram, keep going straight (north) on highway 4.

You eventually hit a T-junction, with Kanchanaburi to the left and Bangkok to the right. Go right for Bangkok but you want to avoid the capital and bypass it through Suphanburi. This entails not going for highway 1 and instead taking a left after about 10kms (from the highway 4 T-junction) onto the 321. Take it steady as it comes up fast. Go through Suphanburi, then onto the 333 north on a heading for Chainat. You then merge with highway 1 missing out all the bad traffic from Bangkok. Follow highway 1 all the way to Lampang, do a left onto highway 11 and go direct to CM.

Some variations, but found this route the quickest. It's basically straight up but bypassing Bangkok on the Suphanburi dogleg... can save a lot of hassle if you get caught up in Bangkok traffic by taking the highway 9 bypass!

I only ever make one stop over, usually in Hua Hin which is about halfway. Have also done it in one go (Phk-CM) in 19 hours, but not recommended. Study G maps but also get yourself a decent Thai road map. Don't really need GPS on this route.

I would like to thank you for the effort!! Thank you sooooo much bro!!! This piece is a Gem to me. I printed it out, a very clear lead. Have a great day!!!

This route is really a sinch and have done it several times in both directions.

The route up from Singers to the Thai border speaks for itself: follow the main highway to KL (bypass) then up through Ipoh and Butterworth. You then head direct for the Thai border at Sadao - avoid going through Padang Besar which is another border crossing nearby. Basically, this is all one highway from Singapore.

The route up through Hat Yai-Bangkok-Chiang Mai is also, in essence, one route. The road from Sadao at the Malay border is a major highway (4) which just goes straight and takes an hour to hit Hat Yai. You'll hit a big T junction and don't need to go through Hat Yai, just go left on the bypass (43) and you'll meet back up with highway 4 the other side. Hat Yai is a pig to drive through if you don't know the place, so suggest spending the night on the Malay side rather than here.

Continue north on highway 4 from Hat Yai. The route splits off towards Krabi and Phuket from Phattalung (big junction) but you just keep going north on the 41 I think it is on a Chumphon heading - it all looks like one highway. The 41 then merges back with the 4 and becomes the 4 again, but is all seamless. Go up through Chumpon, prachuap Kiri Khan, Hua Hin, Petburi (bypassing or straight over the lights). When you see the turn-off for Samut Songkram, keep going straight (north) on highway 4.

You eventually hit a T-junction, with Kanchanaburi to the left and Bangkok to the right. Go right for Bangkok but you want to avoid the capital and bypass it through Suphanburi. This entails not going for highway 1 and instead taking a left after about 10kms (from the highway 4 T-junction) onto the 321. Take it steady as it comes up fast. Go through Suphanburi, then onto the 333 north on a heading for Chainat. You then merge with highway 1 missing out all the bad traffic from Bangkok. Follow highway 1 all the way to Lampang, do a left onto highway 11 and go direct to CM.

Some variations, but found this route the quickest. It's basically straight up but bypassing Bangkok on the Suphanburi dogleg... can save a lot of hassle if you get caught up in Bangkok traffic by taking the highway 9 bypass!

I only ever make one stop over, usually in Hua Hin which is about halfway. Have also done it in one go (Phk-CM) in 19 hours, but not recommended. Study G maps but also get yourself a decent Thai road map. Don't really need GPS on this route.

thanks TV bros for giving valuable advice....I made the trip. This is my humble report.... enjoy! http://roadtriptothailand.blogspot.com/2011/07/driving-from-singapore-to-thailand.html

I would like to thank you for the effort!! Thank you sooooo much bro!!! This piece is a Gem to me. I printed it out, a very clear lead. Have a great day!!!

This route is really a sinch and have done it several times in both directions.

The route up from Singers to the Thai border speaks for itself: follow the main highway to KL (bypass) then up through Ipoh and Butterworth. You then head direct for the Thai border at Sadao - avoid going through Padang Besar which is another border crossing nearby. Basically, this is all one highway from Singapore.

The route up through Hat Yai-Bangkok-Chiang Mai is also, in essence, one route. The road from Sadao at the Malay border is a major highway (4) which just goes straight and takes an hour to hit Hat Yai. You'll hit a big T junction and don't need to go through Hat Yai, just go left on the bypass (43) and you'll meet back up with highway 4 the other side. Hat Yai is a pig to drive through if you don't know the place, so suggest spending the night on the Malay side rather than here.

Continue north on highway 4 from Hat Yai. The route splits off towards Krabi and Phuket from Phattalung (big junction) but you just keep going north on the 41 I think it is on a Chumphon heading - it all looks like one highway. The 41 then merges back with the 4 and becomes the 4 again, but is all seamless. Go up through Chumpon, prachuap Kiri Khan, Hua Hin, Petburi (bypassing or straight over the lights). When you see the turn-off for Samut Songkram, keep going straight (north) on highway 4.

You eventually hit a T-junction, with Kanchanaburi to the left and Bangkok to the right. Go right for Bangkok but you want to avoid the capital and bypass it through Suphanburi. This entails not going for highway 1 and instead taking a left after about 10kms (from the highway 4 T-junction) onto the 321. Take it steady as it comes up fast. Go through Suphanburi, then onto the 333 north on a heading for Chainat. You then merge with highway 1 missing out all the bad traffic from Bangkok. Follow highway 1 all the way to Lampang, do a left onto highway 11 and go direct to CM.

Some variations, but found this route the quickest. It's basically straight up but bypassing Bangkok on the Suphanburi dogleg... can save a lot of hassle if you get caught up in Bangkok traffic by taking the highway 9 bypass!

I only ever make one stop over, usually in Hua Hin which is about halfway. Have also done it in one go (Phk-CM) in 19 hours, but not recommended. Study G maps but also get yourself a decent Thai road map. Don't really need GPS on this route.