4X4 Offroading In Southern Phuket

[petercallen]

If you want to try out your 4x4 this is where to do it

Coming from Kata Karon on Patak rd, you take the second road on your right after the sharp bend at the bottom of the hill, its a narrow concrete rd that starts out concrete then turns to gravel and then a narrow 4x4 track that ends up half way between Kata and Nai Harn on the coastal road.

Its mainly a downhill run the track is narrow rutted by rain has steep descents and some places steep drop offs on one side so you need to have some 4x4 driving experience, its not for amateurs

Very scenic and takes 30 to 40 minutes to do the run

[KarenBravo]

Try the Chalong to Nanai road. Should be fun.

[NomadJoe]

Sounds like your talking about Inter house road, but 30 minutes? Takes me about 5 minutes to do that on the dirt bike.

The Patong to Chalong KB is referring to is another good one. Also if you follow the road next to Karon Viewpoint past Siam Beach it turns to dirt and there is some riding to be had there.

[stevenl]

I must say I don't know which road PC means.

'after the sharp bend at the bottom of the hill' I would interpret as the final bend before heading straight to Chalong circle. And taking a road right there will hardly have any incline, and always cross the road running past the former stuntshow.

So it has to be a road to the right somewhere after Koktanod Road, but Patak Road by then will be lower than the Kata-Rawai/Nai Harn road.

So PC (or somebody else), can you please explain which road you mean?

[Old Croc]

I think he means this one or close to it:

[petercallen]

I think he means this one or close to it:

Correct mate some people can work it out

[stevenl]

I think he means this one or close to it:

Correct mate some people can work it out

Yes, I guess some people have more imagination than I do. I simply follow the directions.

[petercallen]

Try the Chalong to Nanai road. Should be fun.

Just tried it mate and the roughest part is crossing the quarry at the base of the hill Chalong side just after the temple

The road over the hill has been widened enough for 2 vehicles to pass and has a road base Finnish

A good road for someone new to of road driving to practice on, if they put a hard surface on it normal vehicles could use it

I cannot see it ever becoming a access road to Patong except for emergency vehicles, its to hilly, windy and the way its made subject to land slides after heavy rain

[Old Croc]

I cannot see it ever becoming a access road to Patong except for emergency vehicles, its to hilly, windy and the way its made subject to land slides after heavy rain

Didn't they recently state the money is available to finish and open this road?

They don't seem to worry too much about land slides on the other Patong road.

[stevenl]

Sorry, forgot, tanks Old Croc for the clarification.

[Sydneycraig]

I think he means this one or close to it:

Not really that off road as I have done it onmy pcx...was a bit bumpy tho

[petercallen]

I cannot see it ever becoming a access road to Patong except for emergency vehicles, its to hilly, windy and the way its made subject to land slides after heavy rain

Didn't they recently state the money is available to finish and open this road?

They don't seem to worry too much about land slides on the other Patong road.

The road is narrow just wide enough for 2 vehicles to pass with care and cut into the side of steep hills

If you like i will take you along it and you can see for yourself

To make it suitable for normal vehicles it needs widening to twice its current width and have a bitumen or concrete finish

and in my opinion you would still have landslides after heavy rain

It would be extremely expensive to make it suitable for normal traffic, but a good road for new people to practice there off

road driving on

[NomadJoe]

I think he means this one or close to it:

Correct mate some people can work it out

Yes, I guess some people have more imagination than I do. I simply follow the directions.

Don't feel to bad, I had to read it several times. And even I was only guessing..PC didn't say which side of the hill the big bend was on and it sounded to me it was on the Chalong side too, but I've ridden that and other roads around there several times and it's the only road I know of that comes out on the Kata-Rawai road. Specifically near the Koh Chan elephant camp. A good short cut for when they do taxki/tuk tuk blockades. The last bit of road on the ocean side goes through someone's yard. Difficult to find going the other way, with no trespassing signs as you have to practically ride up a driveway to a house to access it. At the east end it is the InterHouse road. Big sign. Just up from Ban Kata School and that big teak house that will forever be for sale/rent.

The other road I was thinking it might be goes along Big Buddha hill north from the last bend before the straight shot to the circle, but it become single track quickly and there is a large gully that is impassible in a motorcycle. You can carry a bicycle down and across it. Also an abandoned rock quarry along that road which you can see from Chalong if you look up towards Big Buddha, about half way up the hill.

[petercallen]

Sounds like your talking about Inter house road, but 30 minutes? Takes me about 5 minutes to do that on the dirt bike.

The Patong to Chalong KB is referring to is another good one. Also if you follow the road next to Karon Viewpoint past Siam Beach it turns to dirt and there is some riding to be had there.

I think we are talking about the same track, on a dirt bike there is plenty of room to manoeure, a full size 4x4 takes up almost the entire track with little to spare and you need to be carefull not to get stuck with no where to turn around and worry about going over the edge and down the hill sideways so naturally it takes a lot longer

[NomadJoe]

Try the Chalong to Nanai road. Should be fun.

Just tried it mate and the roughest part is crossing the quarry at the base of the hill Chalong side just after the temple

The road over the hill has been widened enough for 2 vehicles to pass and has a road base Finnish

A good road for someone new to of road driving to practice on, if they put a hard surface on it normal vehicles could use it

I cannot see it ever becoming a access road to Patong except for emergency vehicles, its to hilly, windy and the way its made subject to land slides after heavy rain

That is the route they are waiting for approval from forestry or something to finish. One day when I was on the dirt bike there was a group of official like people inspecting it, that big headed governer too. Saw it in the news the next day. It goes from Chao Fa East rd, south of Honda garage to near where HasipPee Rd and Naina rd connect in Patong. Some great off road riding around thereif your into dirtbikes. There is a rudimentary track opposite the conrete mixing place, behind the RC car track, on the newer concrete Rd that goes from Honda to Kathu.

[stevenl]

I think he means this one or close to it:

Correct mate some people can work it out

Yes, I guess some people have more imagination than I do. I simply follow the directions.

Don't feel to bad, I had to read it several times. And even I was only guessing..PC didn't say which side of the hill the big bend was on and it sounded to me it was on the Chalong side too, but I've ridden that and other roads around there several times and it's the only road I know of that comes out on the Kata-Rawai road. Specifically near the Koh Chan elephant camp. A good short cut for when they do taxki/tuk tuk blockades. The last bit of road on the ocean side goes through someone's yard. Difficult to find going the other way, with no trespassing signs as you have to practically ride up a driveway to a house to access it. At the east end it is the InterHouse road. Big sign. Just up from Ban Kata School and that big teak house that will forever be for sale/rent.

The other road I was thinking it might be goes along Big Buddha hill north from the last bend before the straight shot to the circle, but it become single track quickly and there is a large gully that is impassible in a motorcycle. You can carry a bicycle down and across it. Also an abandoned rock quarry along that road which you can see from Chalong if you look up towards Big Buddha, about half way up the hill.

Thanks, I know which road you mean.

Since PC does not have an off road car, so it can't be too difficult, I'll give it a go one of these days and do the trip with my boy.

[petercallen]

I think he means this one or close to it:

Correct mate some people can work it out

Yes, I guess some people have more imagination than I do. I simply follow the directions.

Don't feel to bad, I had to read it several times. And even I was only guessing..PC didn't say which side of the hill the big bend was on and it sounded to me it was on the Chalong side too, but I've ridden that and other roads around there several times and it's the only road I know of that comes out on the Kata-Rawai road. Specifically near the Koh Chan elephant camp. A good short cut for when they do taxki/tuk tuk blockades. The last bit of road on the ocean side goes through someone's yard. Difficult to find going the other way, with no trespassing signs as you have to practically ride up a driveway to a house to access it. At the east end it is the InterHouse road. Big sign. Just up from Ban Kata School and that big teak house that will forever be for sale/rent.

The other road I was thinking it might be goes along Big Buddha hill north from the last bend before the straight shot to the circle, but it become single track quickly and there is a large gully that is impassible in a motorcycle. You can carry a bicycle down and across it. Also an abandoned rock quarry along that road which you can see from Chalong if you look up towards Big Buddha, about half way up the hill.

I did say comming fro Kata/ karon, i should have said beginning of the hill instead of bottom is that clear enough for you

[petercallen]

Try the Chalong to Nanai road. Should be fun.

Just tried it mate and the roughest part is crossing the quarry at the base of the hill Chalong side just after the temple

The road over the hill has been widened enough for 2 vehicles to pass and has a road base Finnish

A good road for someone new to of road driving to practice on, if they put a hard surface on it normal vehicles could use it

I cannot see it ever becoming a access road to Patong except for emergency vehicles, its to hilly, windy and the way its made subject to land slides after heavy rain

That is the route they are waiting for approval from forestry or something to finish. One day when I was on the dirt bike there was a group of official like people inspecting it, that big headed governer too. Saw it in the news the next day. It goes from Chao Fa East rd, south of Honda garage to near where HasipPee Rd and Naina rd connect in Patong. Some great off road riding around thereif your into dirtbikes. There is a rudimentary track opposite the conrete mixing place, behind the RC car track, on the newer concrete Rd that goes from Honda to Kathu.

you turn off Chaofa west road after wat chalong and the road goes through another temples grounds and then through a quarry which was not there 12 months ago and they have torn up a lot of the bituman road what was there now its just a track before proceeding up the hill past a elephant camp, the road ends at Naina rd, and i beleive it is the new access rd they have been talking about between Chalong and Patong

[Old Croc]

Since PC does not have an off road car, so it can't be too difficult, I'll give it a go one of these days and do the trip with my boy.

I don't think Ford would like that description of their new Ranger Wildtrack 4 x 4!

(See the other thread)

[KarenBravo]

Since PC does not have an off road car, so it can't be too difficult, I'll give it a go one of these days and do the trip with my boy.

I don't think Ford would like that description of their new Ranger Wildtrack 4 x 4!

(See the other thread)

Yes.....but, does it have big, knobbly tyres?

[petercallen]

Since PC does not have an off road car, so it can't be too difficult, I'll give it a go one of these days and do the trip with my boy.

I don't think Ford would like that description of their new Ranger Wildtrack 4 x 4!

(See the other thread)

Yes.....but, does it have big, knobbly tyres?

They have not put big knobbly tyres on 4x4s for a long time now they are only suitable for off road driving and give extra traction but they are useless on the road as you know, you on occasions see them on military vehicles still

[britpop]

By the way they are making a hash of all the roads around phuket, roads fallen down hillsides, super size pot holes, all the developments oozing mud and sh*t on the roads, all the drains blocking up, i think the car of choice will compulsorily have to be a 4x4, poor farang, sore him in his brand new merc SLK 250, i think 5 mils worth, looked as though a elephant had a bowel problem and shat on it, the mud and crap was everywhere, it wasn't just the stone chippings, i think rocks and boulders, he was livid

[Sydneycraig]

By the way they are making a hash of all the roads around phuket, roads fallen down hillsides, super size pot holes, all the developments oozing mud and sh*t on the roads, all the drains blocking up, i think the car of choice will compulsorily have to be a 4x4, poor farang, sore him in his brand new merc SLK 250, i think 5 mils worth, looked as though a elephant had a bowel problem and shat on it, the mud and crap was everywhere, it wasn't just the stone chippings, i think rocks and boulders, he was livid

bet he was still pretty comfy inside tho!

[stevenl]

Since PC does not have an off road car, so it can't be too difficult, I'll give it a go one of these days and do the trip with my boy.

I don't think Ford would like that description of their new Ranger Wildtrack 4 x 4!

(See the other thread)

So you would consider a Wildtrack an off road vehicle? Don't think Ford would like that.

[petercallen]

Since PC does not have an off road car, so it can't be too difficult, I'll give it a go one of these days and do the trip with my boy.

I don't think Ford would like that description of their new Ranger Wildtrack 4 x 4!

(See the other thread)

So you would consider a Wildtrack an off road vehicle? Don't think Ford would like that.

Wake up steven to what a 4x4 is nowadays, ford has duel range 4x4 and also sports gear mode which gives you duel ranges in both 4x4 modes, ford advertise it as a 4x4 which it is, so why would ford not consider it a off road vehicle as well as on road vehicle

Looking foward to your knowledgeable response but i wont hold my breath while waiting

[stevenl]

Big, big difference between a roadcar with 4x4 and an off road car. But that may be a matter of interpretation, so if you consider your car an off road vehicle them I wish you fun with it off road. I really don't care how you use your car.

[petercallen]

Big, big difference between a roadcar with 4x4 and an off road car. But that may be a matter of interpretation, so if you consider your car an off road vehicle them I wish you fun with it off road. I really don't care how you use your car.

Come on steven why would anyone buy a 4x4 if they did not intend to drive off road, it is a on and off road vehicle and very nice to drive and handles very well on road

If you think you can take your Mazda where i take my wildtrak give it a go

Or do you consider the only off road vehicles simular to the Mercedes Unimog used by the military

[pagallim]

Come on steven why would anyone buy a 4x4 if they did not intend to drive off road, it is a on and off road vehicle and very nice to drive and handles very well on road

Very few of 4x4's here actually get used off road. The primary benefit of all wheel drive here, at least for me, is driving through the not infrequent heavy rain and flooding. As well as the wife's Honda Accord, she has a company Vios, but whenever there's really heavy rain, she'll use my Fortuner to get to work.

[stevenl]

Big, big difference between a roadcar with 4x4 and an off road car. But that may be a matter of interpretation, so if you consider your car an off road vehicle them I wish you fun with it off road. I really don't care how you use your car.

Come on steven why would anyone buy a 4x4 if they did not intend to drive off road, it is a on and off road vehicle and very nice to drive and handles very well on road

If you think you can take your Mazda where i take my wildtrak give it a go

Or do you consider the only off road vehicles simular to the Mercedes Unimog used by the military

Many, many people drive their 4x4 like a normal car/pickup. I had a 4x4, but this time decided that, since I hardly ever used the 4x4 and when I did it was not really necessary as well, I'd rather save the 100.000 Baht or so that a 4x4 costs extra compared to a 2 wheel drive.

BTW, being able to take it somewhere does not mean it was meant for that. I see the Wildtrack 4x4, just as the Isuzu, Mazda, Toyota etc. 4x4 mainly as an on road vehicle, with the capibility to get more traction on the odd occasion when needed (really slippery, really bad roads).

[petercallen]

Come on steven why would anyone buy a 4x4 if they did not intend to drive off road, it is a on and off road vehicle and very nice to drive and handles very well on road

Very few of 4x4's here actually get used off road. The primary benefit of all wheel drive here, at least for me, is driving through the not infrequent heavy rain and flooding. As well as the wife's Honda Accord, she has a company Vios, but whenever there's really heavy rain, she'll use my Fortuner to get to work.

I thought expats bought a Fortuna as a status symbol and to bully there way through on the roads

Personally i do not like them they are just a hilux with a station sedan body and have coil springs instead of leaf springs on the rear which makes them a lot more expensive for the same features