Drivers?

[leelewadee]

My husband just started a new job in Patong, and we are looking into renting a place in the North Patong/Kamala area...

We used to live in Bangkok where transportation was easy, widely available and cheap...but it is not the case here

Unfortunately, I do not drive motorcycles (as one thread mentioned, it is not for everyone...).

I have already experienced the fact that tuktuks are not a financially viable option and motorcycle taxis are mainly ok for shorter distances (within Patong).

Would anybody have contact numbers & names for part-time drivers or on-call drivers and a general idea of the cost?

Thanks in advance...

[seriouseats]

You're better off getting a Suzuki tuktuk to yourself/gold cart/nissan march

A 'driver' will just be yourself calling a taxi everytime u need to move.

[snamos]

whats your budget and how many times a week do you want to go to Patong? I have a guy who speaks great english and has his own car and doesnt rip me off when i go to the airport.....he is reliable and he has a green plate taxi so he is legit, and he isnt an a-hole like most Phuket taxi drivers

[falkan]

taxi / private driver call them what you want but there are cheaper if you rent or buy a car!

[leelewadee]

Thank you for your replies.

Basically you are saying that everybody living in Phuket own their own vehicles and drive themselves...I guess I am the only one on this island not driving a motorcycle. Buying a car is really expensive!

Would the cost of a taxi for Patong to Phuket town return 3 times a week be outrageously expensive?

[Peterocket]

A private driver would cost about 8-10k per month but you would probably have to provide accomodation which is what my colleague does. Its a nice way to get around though....never have to worry about drink driving...collecting the shopping...getting stuff delivered to you while you are out...ect etc

[leelewadee]

Thanks. Any tips about where/how to find a driver?

[LivinginKata]

Thanks. Any tips about where/how to find a driver?

Just to be clear, you are looking for a driver who supplies the vehicle and not looking for a driver to drive your own car. Peterocket's suggestion was for the cost of employing a driver only.

[falkan]

Thank you for your replies.

Basically you are saying that everybody living in Phuket own their own vehicles and drive themselves...I guess I am the only one on this island not driving a motorcycle. Buying a car is really expensive!

Would the cost of a taxi for Patong to Phuket town return 3 times a week be outrageously expensive?

In principle, all have their own vehicles! Patong - Phuket Town would cost around 500tbh every time if you're lucky!

rent a car for 10 000-15000tbh each month, If you both have jobs should not these expenses be no problem!

People earning more in phuket but and otherhand accommodation and transport is more expensive

[Peterocket]

Thanks. Any tips about where/how to find a driver?

Just to be clear, you are looking for a driver who supplies the vehicle and not looking for a driver to drive your own car. Peterocket's suggestion was for the cost of employing a driver only.

Yeah good point...cost of a car per month will be about 12k plus the 8k for driver plus 1-5k per month fuel....so 20-25k all in at an estimate.

Would have thought someone on here would know of someone looking to do some driving work....

[katabeachbum]

Yeah good point...cost of a car per month will be about 12k plus the 8k for driver plus 1-5k per month fuel....so 20-25k all in at an estimate.

Would have thought someone on here would know of someone looking to do some driving work....

I know a few, but they want 30k pluss fuel, and low season only. Make much more in high season. Civic, Altis and similar newish cars, no accomodation required, 40 hours/6 days week.

I have a feeling this is not OPs budget, PM me if I am wrong

[snamos]

i'll drive for ya if its 20-30k a month, thats good dough for 3 round trips from patong, My Gf has a mazda 3, I could even rent my own car and still be 10-15k in front.

PM me if your interested

[leelewadee]

Thanks for all the info. One income. No car. We could not put 20-30k a month! 10-12k is what we had in mind, thinking it was quite generous given that it is very part-time...It seems that this budget would provide 3 times Patong-Phuket (return) per week at best...I guess we will be looking into renting a car since it is in the same price range...Any recommended company for decent rentals?

[Peterocket]

20k to 30k for a full time chauffeur with a car seems like a bargain to me if you have the cash

[leelewadee]

20k to 30k for a full time chauffeur with a car seems like a bargain to me if you have the cash

Not looking for full time...just 3-4 times/week and only for a few hours... Glad to know you find 20-30k per month a bargain...

[LivinginKata]

The public bus to Phuket City passes the north end of Patong. 35 baht, but service stops about 18.00.

A tuk tuk or private taxi will ask 500 baht (one way). if it's a regular deal maybe 400 baht (one way). When you get here talk to the taxis drivers at the stand nearest your house and see what sort of deal you can negotiate.