... what is the brand and model of scooter you will be riding?

It doesn't really matter that much. He is not riding all the way in one day but in a few weeks.

I will go on a similar trip, some 1,200 km in all, but over the course of something like 40 days. That is an average of 30 km a day. Even the smallest scooter can handle that - heck, even a bicycle will do.

I didn't realize it would be over a few weeks which surely makes a big difference. I thought he was just going to go for it and do it in a couple days. That is actually much more of an enjoyable trip and doesn't sound dangerous (beyond the normal dangers of being on the road) as he is not pushing himself and can relax, see sights and take extended breaks if the weather is not cooperating. And as he alluded, a lot safer than riding for 30-minutes in Bangkok. I have never driven to the south past the tollways and not sure how busy that road is he'll be on or how many lanes but again still going to be safer than commuting around Bangkok.

the most i rode in a day was 300kms. i stopped in kanchanaburi a few nights, petchaburi a night, ban Krut a night, somewhere on highway 4 a night and now in samui a week. im not on a schedule so if the weather gets bad its not a problem to stop places as long as it takes. looking into what there is to see south of suratthani for a possible loop down and back round to phuket.

so i think i have decided that after a bit of samui/kp im going to head south and across before heading back up to phuket.

http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Thailand doent make it look good! how far down can i go without getting too much into the troubled areas? or is it a case of just dont bother going south?! anyone been down that way (ideally on a bike)?

Do you have a blog where you are keeping track of your trip with photos etc?

Would be interesting to follow as I'm sure a lot of us guys would love to do the same one day.

Cheers and well done

Not yet but should do one really...got quite a few photos, but haven't kept much of a track of route etc just looking at the south and seems anything south of songkhla is a no go

And if I do put up a blog it will have lots of photos of my scooter in front of things!

http://www.smartrave...Advice/Thailand doent make it look good! how far down can i go without getting too much into the troubled areas? or is it a case of just dont bother going south?! anyone been down that way (ideally on a bike)?

No personal experience, but as I understand there should be no problems if you stay out of those four provinces.

There should be some very beautiful and unspoilt beaches in Trang, but you may find it a bit boring down there. I was told so by a taxi driver in Krabi. He is from Trang, and he told me that after 3-4 days back home, he have to get back to the civilization.

Are you still out there?

Are you still out there?

Yes, OP let us know about your journey.

a rough idea here https://maps.google....via=1,2&t=m&z=8

On a scooter!? Good heavens...

This could be one of those few times in life we get to say good-bye to a healthy individual before the depart this world.

Has he departed? Hope he made it in one piece.

Edited August 31, 201213 yr by Morakot

I wonder how long you can ride a 125 scooter at cruise speed ( 60/70 kmh) without burning the engine..

Maybe a silly question, but it seems to me those scooters are not built for riding long distances..

I was doing Trat- Chanthaburi a couple of times, about 70 km... At half way i took a break cause the engine seemed to be too hot.

I once did Phetchabun to Tha Li Friendship Bridge in Loei on a 110 Honda Icon, 2-up with my girlfriend. That was hours of 60-70km/hr, at higher altitute (for Thailand), plus all the climbing up and down in the mountains. Engine ran fine the whole time, never any heat problems apparent, still working fine to this day.

I wonder how long you can ride a 125 scooter at cruise speed ( 60/70 kmh) without burning the engine..

Maybe a silly question, but it seems to me those scooters are not built for riding long distances..

I was doing Trat- Chanthaburi a couple of times, about 70 km... At half way i took a break cause the engine seemed to be too hot.

I once did Phetchabun to Tha Li Friendship Bridge in Loei on a 110 Honda Icon, 2-up with my girlfriend. That was hours of 60-70km/hr, at higher altitute (for Thailand), plus all the climbing up and down in the mountains. Engine ran fine the whole time, never any heat problems apparent, still working fine to this day.

Thanks for reply, maybe i am just too paranoid

Yes still alive! In samui for a bit then heading down the coast and over to trang and up that side ... Insurance is invalid in songhkla and further south so will cut over to trang before then

Yes still alive! In samui for a bit then heading down the coast and over to trang and up that side ... Insurance is invalid in songhkla and further south so will cut over to trang before then

I will embark on my trip next week. Anything interesting down the coast and in Trang or is it a waste of time going down there?

The coast down from khanom is nice but totally deserted now ... I stayed at a beach just south of sichon town and was the only guest...In trang now...heading to beaches/islands tmr but not sure how "open" things are this time of year...nice to be off the beaten track a bit but people go to "tourist traps" for a reason .... Being that there is more to see and do and things are generally nicer! Chang Mai - Laos - Cambodia - Bangkok next...

Oh, I thought you had arrived at Phuket by now. You are right about the tourist traps, I often get very tired of them, but I have a feeling that I will miss the convenience of them very much on my trip. By the way, you can find empty beaches at Phuket too.

If there is anything especially worthwhile seeing down there and in Trang, I will be happy for a description of where to find them.

Edited October 8, 201213 yr by farang51

Nothing of great interest i would go out of my way to see but generally a nice ride and scenery the whole way.

Yes I wonder why people go so far for seclusion when even at places like Phuket and samui there are plenty of spots that are secluded yet only a quick ride back to civilization !!

I'm happy just looking around and riding but would have to say I prefer the more touristy areas.

There is a big Robinson and shopping center in trang when you need a modern fix!

If this way of touring appeals to me, I will try to find the time to get down there. This is the first time I try anything like this.

I am at an age (54) where I appreciate comfort, and usually I don't like to stay less than 1-2 weeks at one place. I feel hunted when having to move around too much, so this is very much out of character for me. Maybe, after a couple of stops, I will head straight to Phuket to get it over with

Loving it so far. Down in Chumphon now, with 1,000 km on the odometer.

I am impressed by Google. I have taken small roads and one of their suggested routes between Prachuap and Chumphon was through a forest where the road got smaller and smaller, ending up being a small forest track. And then there was a railway crossing:

Good thing I wasn't driving a car.

Sydneycraig, I will not follow your lead down south. At least not this year.

I have just been to Koh Phayam on the west coast, near Ranong, and I must admit that it was just too boring. I can cope with the nature and the lack of western civilization, except for one thing. I need my Internet. 11 hours of night and no entertainment whatsoever is not for me. I cannot sleep for 11 hours, 555

Staying in Samui for 14 days and then probably a week or so in Krabi before heading to Phuket. It is definitely not the last time that I try this, only next time I will have less baggage to make me more mobile. This time I could not just stop in a city and walk around, because the bike was loaded with stuff for my 6 months stay.

And maybe I will join an AI (Anonymous Internet) to get rid of my addiction in order go further into the wilderness next time.

Agree. Was good to see and do but wouldn't go to the more remote and undeveloped places again in a rush...will be heading around Chang Mai way after new year tho

Chiang Mai is nice, but that time of the year, you better pack yourself some warm clothes, 555