Fly Or Drive From Bangkok

[st11x]

G'day,

I will be arriving in Bangkok and needs to get to Chiang Mai. A return air trip for 2 cost about 18K after factoring excess baggage and pet costs.

I saw that I could return a VIOS or similar for about 27K for 5 weeks. Plus a night or two in a hotel to recover from jet lag, it'll probably be another 6K.

What is your opinion? Would it be a good idea to drive? Especially during this time of the year with all the pollution? I have a bike in Chiang Mai, but a car to use is definitely appreciated. I did the drive once back in 2010, not sure if the road conditions had worsen.

thanks

Matt

[thaimiller]

Its a decent drive between Bkk and CM, Ive done it on numerous occasions, you can do it a steady pace in 8 hours, or a fast pace in around 6 hours. The roads are mainly good but some places you get some roadworks, which seem to change every week or so. If you like driving its a very nice way to get around and some great scenery between here and Bkk. Enjoy.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Yes, driving is good especially if you also stop along the way to see a bit here and there.

To avoid Bangkok traffic I would pick up the car at the airport, and then drive straight to somewhere worth seeing and where it's easy to stay; for example Ayudthaya. Then you avoid downtown Bangkok, and you're in a nicer, smaller town where there's a lot to see, AND it's on the way to Chiang Mai.

Like so, using the Highway #9 ring: http://g.co/maps/kpyv2 About a one hour drive.

[barefoot1988]

you have yet to include all the additional money for fuel, snacks etc personally i would take the flight since im not too fond of driving and seeing scenery and that is excluding the chances that i would meet some moronic drivers, or bibs looking for money. im quite paranoid after reading some petrol kiosk stuffing in drugs in foreigner cars with the assistance of police stops ahead to get more tea money

[WinnieTheKhwai]

you have yet to include all the additional money for fuel, snacks etc personally i would take the flight since im not too fond of driving and seeing scenery and that is excluding the chances that i would meet some moronic drivers, or bibs looking for money. im quite paranoid after reading some petrol kiosk stuffing in drugs in foreigner cars with the assistance of police stops ahead to get more tea money

Ok, but in the real world, the one beyond Thaivisa.com tinfoilers, those aren't actual things that people are concerned about. Yes, you could budget a couple hundred baht in fines if you plan to break the speed limit. If not, then not.

Fuel costs will be between 2000-2500 baht depending on how many times (and how far) you side-step from the main route, and your driving style. Again if you don't seriously break the speed limit then you end up closer to 2000.

[st11x]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Ok, but in the real world, the one beyond Thaivisa.com tinfoilers, those aren't actual things that people are concerned about.

You are quite right. I would take the flight if cost was the only concern.

I am thinking of driving because of my dogs. After stepping off the plane after a 20 hour flight (including transit time), I thought it would be nice to give them a break.

Matt

[NancyL]

Have you considered the overnight train? A first class compartment will give you excellent space (and some security) for your luggage and pets are permitted in private compartments. It's not a quick trip -- the schedule says something like 12 hrs, but it's usually 4 - 5 hrs longer. But, at least you'd be able to walk around the train and see some scenery during daylight hours.

I guess it really depends on the nature of the pet. A cat or small dog wouldn't be a problem, but a large dog might be, especially if they aren't trained to use "pee pads" because the train makes very few stops.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

I actually wonder now if all rental companies are okay with dogs in their cars.. Not sure if that's a concern, but if it is then you can just rent a pick-up truck; they're around the same price as a Vios.

[mallmagician]

I actually wonder now if all rental companies are okay with dogs in their cars.. Not sure if that's a concern, but if it is then you can just rent a pick-up truck; they're around the same price as a Vios.

and if you put your dog on the back of a pickup for 8 hours, then be prepared to pay the vet bills/cremation costs.

[mallmagician]

Actually, if they're in crates it's not so bad, but I would have thought a one hour flight vs an 8 hour trip in a car would be the better choice.

I actually wonder now if all rental companies are okay with dogs in their cars.. Not sure if that's a concern, but if it is then you can just rent a pick-up truck; they're around the same price as a Vios.

and if you put your dog on the back of a pickup for 8 hours, then be prepared to pay the vet bills/cremation costs.

[KRS1]

I think you should check the ticket fares for Orient Thai, and not fly a major airline,16k sounds much more than it should be even with excess baggage and pet.

No Airasia

No Thai airways

No Bangkok Airways

[Dean1953]

I drove my family from C.M. to Bangkok in a pick up truck, with the golden retriever in the back inside the shipping container that the dog would be using to go from Bangkok to Narita (6 hours) to Minneapolis (11 hours) to Kansas City (1.5 hours). The dog had food and water in the container while in the pick up and we stopped every 2 hours so the dog could stretch his legs. The only problem we had was around the Bangkok free ways, where we were stopped by a policeman at a toll booth that wanted to give me a ticket for carrying the dog in a container in the back of the pick up. I should have just sped off when he waved me over. After negotiations, we settled on 500 baht on the spot payment. The actual flight for the dog was uneventful, expect while in Minneapolis, after an 11 hour flight, I had to take the dog out of the container so a "doctor" could look at him. My dog had to take a dump, so he went on the carpet just outside of customs, where you return your bags for a connecting flight.

[NancyL]

I drove my family from C.M. to Bangkok in a pick up truck, with the golden retriever in the back inside the shipping container that the dog would be using to go from Bangkok to Narita (6 hours) to Minneapolis (11 hours) to Kansas City (1.5 hours). The dog had food and water in the container while in the pick up and we stopped every 2 hours so the dog could stretch his legs. The only problem we had was around the Bangkok free ways, where we were stopped by a policeman at a toll booth that wanted to give me a ticket for carrying the dog in a container in the back of the pick up. I should have just sped off when he waved me over. After negotiations, we settled on 500 baht on the spot payment. The actual flight for the dog was uneventful, expect while in Minneapolis, after an 11 hour flight, I had to take the dog out of the container so a "doctor" could look at him. My dog had to take a dump, so he went on the carpet just outside of customs, where you return your bags for a connecting flight.

Poor dog. What would anyone expect after being in a crate for 11 hours? Makes you wonder if the "doctor" was really a vet and had done animal inspections before. You would think they'd inspect the animals in a area that could be easily cleaned and more private, so the animal wouldn't be further stressed by the swirl of activity around him.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

I actually wonder now if all rental companies are okay with dogs in their cars.. Not sure if that's a concern, but if it is then you can just rent a pick-up truck; they're around the same price as a Vios.

and if you put your dog on the back of a pickup for 8 hours, then be prepared to pay the vet bills/cremation costs.

Heh, there's always one. I knew someone would challenge me on that but was expecting it to be one of the dog ladies. Take it from me though: I've done it and it's not an issue. I also think dogs prefer to be on the outside, that's why dogs always like to stick their head out the window. What amazing sights are for us are amazing smells for dogs, and driving a nice distance is a huge smell-o-rama. Drove with the dog to Pattaya once, which is even further than Bangkok. Dog really enjoyed it; was hilarious at the beach, the waves and the salty water.

The bigger challenge was actually to get the beast in and out of boats. Coming back from Ko Larn the sea was pretty rough so the big ferry couldn't get to the pier, meaning we had to go in a small boat that was really difficult to get into as there was a big distance from the highest point to the lowest as the thing went up and down.

But then it may also be what they're used to; our dog was really used to being in the back of a pick-up, all it takes is open the back and she'd jump right in. It may be the same for dogs living by the sea and very used to getting in and out of boats.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Addition: we also take the dog to all kinds of weekend trips around the North, so she was used to riding in a pick-up truck; didn't seem to mind it one bit, also perhaps because the destinations tended to be dog-heaven.

Like this:

[mallmagician]

I was referring more to the heat in traffic, the sun that can cause nasty nasty Burns on their nose and ears etc.

Taking a dog long distance in the back of a pickup in this country is a big no no. It could be argued that having them crated is better, which may be right, but without a crate, then no.

I'm happy it worked out for your dog in the past. More luck than judgement.... Poor dog.

[st11x]

Thanks once again.

NancyL, I don't think the trains would let you be in the same compartment as the dogs even if you have a private one. We asked before back in 2010 and they said dogs have to go in the cargo area, so we rather drive.

The car rental companies don't allow dogs, but we keep the car clean and make sure we clean them out before returning them. So far no issues.

Dean1953, you did Bangkok to Kansas all in one trip? How did the dog fare at the end?

We have a 14 hour (SFO->TPE), 3 hour layover, then 3.5 (?) to BKK. We are unsure if it would be too stressful for them if we collect them at BKK because you have to clear the pet quarantine, then immediately put them on another plane to CNX. I can related to the dog taking a dump in the airport. Last time we arrived from LAX, one of my dogs held the entire way and let everything go the moment she was out of her crate outside the animal office in the airport ;-)

Matt

[NancyL]

About the train -- I was spending a lot of time with their website a couple weeks ago and I know I saw something about pets in first class. Certainly they're OK in third class. We took the third class train to Lampang last weekend and shared the carriage with chickens and rabbits, all in little cages, traveling with their owners. (The rabbits were really cute and amazingly calm about the trip. Our cat would have been a lot more annoying!)

Maybe there's a limitation to the size of the pet, or the person that st11x talked to didn't know and just said NO because that's easier than finding out.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

I was referring more to the heat in traffic, the sun that can cause nasty nasty Burns on their nose and ears etc.

Taking a dog long distance in the back of a pickup in this country is a big no no. It could be argued that having them crated is better, which may be right, but without a crate, then no.

I'm happy it worked out for your dog in the past. More luck than judgement.... Poor dog.

Can't say that was ever an issue.. We do a lot of driving at night or early morning, but also during the day I can't say this was ever an issue. And we're never stuck in traffic of course, so it's pretty breezy.

[Dean1953]

I drove my family from C.M. to Bangkok in a pick up truck, with the golden retriever in the back inside the shipping container that the dog would be using to go from Bangkok to Narita (6 hours) to Minneapolis (11 hours) to Kansas City (1.5 hours). The dog had food and water in the container while in the pick up and we stopped every 2 hours so the dog could stretch his legs. The only problem we had was around the Bangkok free ways, where we were stopped by a policeman at a toll booth that wanted to give me a ticket for carrying the dog in a container in the back of the pick up. I should have just sped off when he waved me over. After negotiations, we settled on 500 baht on the spot payment. The actual flight for the dog was uneventful, expect while in Minneapolis, after an 11 hour flight, I had to take the dog out of the container so a "doctor" could look at him. My dog had to take a dump, so he went on the carpet just outside of customs, where you return your bags for a connecting flight.

Poor dog. What would anyone expect after being in a crate for 11 hours? Makes you wonder if the "doctor" was really a vet and had done animal inspections before. You would think they'd inspect the animals in a area that could be easily cleaned and more private, so the animal wouldn't be further stressed by the swirl of activity around him.

Actually, for such a long trip, the dog came through well. He was very glad to see me in Kansas City but no other repercussions from the ordeal. Originally, the dog and I had 2 hours in Minneapolis but through a schedule change (and needing to fly in an aircraft with a heated cargo area), we had an 8 hour layover there. From what I understand, there is an area at Minneapolis airport where pets are taken where they can get out of their cages and exercise occasionally. I know I'll never do it again. To make it easy for my wife and 4 kids, I had them fly out of CNX on China Air three days after I left, going to LAX, where I flew to from KC to meet them and we stayed at a nephew's house for 2 days before flying to KC. I had left our dog in Bangkok at a kennel after having his required exam for flying to the U.S. I drove the pick up back to Chiang Mai, stayed for a day, and then flew back to BKK around 5 in the afternoon for the flight to the U.S. I had dinner at the airport and then called the kennel at 7:30 PM to bring the dog to the airport. I kept the dog at the airport until Northwest Airline's gate opened at 3 in the morning. I think that, as bad as the dog was kept in the container for such long periods at a time, he probably did get some sleep. I didn't.