Isaan - Loei, Nong Khai, Vientiene, Kk, Ut Area

[sabai jai]

We are visiting TH for 2 weeks in Februrary, and want to spend a week experiencing friendly Isaan, off-the-beaten-path, relaxed travel before heading back south. We are looking for a combination of planned destinations and stumbling across interesting things and local color. I can get by in Thai and can read, so being away from tourist infrastructure is not a worry. But my big question is:

Does renting wheels (car, truck, or motorbike) really open up a whole new perspective and pace for this area? Or, me being a uninitiated California driver, will it be too stressful/dangerous and take the "relaxing" out of the vacation? (I have no plans on driving near BKK or at night).

The Budget TH website really piqued my interest (http://www.budget.co.th/travel_worldclass.php)

I would love to hear yours thoughts / experiences on driving in rural parts of Thailand. Any info is appriciated! Thanks! ขอบคุญมากครับ

[traveldog]

Hey Sabai Jai,

Well, I live in Phuket and have made a few little trips now in my truck and believe it is a much more "interesting" way to tour. As long as timetables are adjusted to stopping when you want, getting lost etc I think you will really enjoy. Driving in Thailand, is of course not for the faint of heart...and you should always look forward at things that shouldn't be, but somehow are, coming straight at you The bigger guy always gets the right of way...well, sometimes I even give it to the little crazed, overpassing honda civics...Also, driving at night is a whole nother level of danger and should be avoided unless you consider yourself quite expert or daring

The rural areas are much easier driving...in some ways but also ya got lots of interesting vehicles/farm tractors/animals etc to look out for....just go slow and stop often for breaks.....

Though I have never rented a truck, a great friend always does it this way when he comes to Thailand and swears its the best way to really see Thailand(I believe he uses Budget too). Now that I finally got myself something more substantial than my little honda motorbike, I have to agree.

I am taking the month of December and going for a look see in the north myself. I have a very rough/fluid kind of itinerary that will no doubt change as I experience certain areas. To me this is a great way to travel, but not for everyone, have a great time

aack, just re-read your post...ummmm a week ain't much time for someone like me to relax while trucking...but still, think you might have a ball...just maybe limit your road time a bit to ya know....relax

[craigt3365]

Those Budget maps are awesome! Thanks for sharing the info! I am planning a similar trip.

Just a thought. I have rented a few times in Thailand and have never had a problem. But, if I am short on time, I just hire a taxi. For what you will pay on the rental car, you can get yourself somebody to drive you around. It is probably better for point to point type of traveling, but I have also hired drivers for multi-day tours also. It sure makes things easier And taxis are available for hire in every city.

Best of luck and thanks for the info!

Craig

[sabai jai]

Thanks for the advise and info! I will definitely keep considering renting a car and not plan on driving too far or too fast. Especially being used to the 4m wide freeway lanes here with no animals & farm equipment...

Yes, 2 weeks in LOS is not long enough... I just hope that splitting it up into 1 week in the NE and 1 week South still affords some time for some slow paced wandering. Glad I could help with the link. Cheers!