stevec1 Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 Hi all I'd like to start by saying what a help these forums have been in my travels. I now have to ask my own question... My wife and I hire a car tomorrow from Bangkok. The car will be delivered to us at 12pm and then we drop it off 3 days later in Phuket airport at the same time. It's been a while since I have been to Thailand and I remember the last time, me and some friends hired a car and stayed at a resort which was famed for being the King's favourite? My memory isn't what it used to be, however! So my question is, does anyone have a recommended journey and must-see destinations on the way? I'm good for about 4 - 5 hours driving per day if required Thanks in advance, all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lopburi3 Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 Believe you are thinking of Hua Hin on the coast about 3 hours south of Bangkok on the route to Phuket. Both Cha Am and Hua Hin have many accommodations available. Be sure to take the left turn driving south to Hua Hin or you will be on an inland bypass which is the normal road to south. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OMGImInPattaya Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 Yes it's hua hin and it's duller than dull. The only they try to flog off to tourists are rides along the beach on flea infested horses that are not long for the knackers yard. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevec1 Posted March 18, 2014 Author Share Posted March 18, 2014 Believe you are thinking of Hua Hin on the coast about 3 hours south of Bangkok on the route to Phuket. Both Cha Am and Hua Hin have many accommodations available. Be sure to take the left turn driving south to Hua Hin or you will be on an inland bypass which is the normal road to south. Yes it's hua hin and it's duller than dull. The only they try to flog off to tourists are rides along the beach on flea infested horses that are not long for the knackers yard. Thanks for the replies. Yes "Hua Hin" sounds like the place. It's an ideal spot considering I only want to drive a few hours on the first leg. I remember that it wasn't very remarkable but may serve us well for the first night... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loles Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 3 days to Phuket from BKK? It seems a bit too long. I have done it many times but was only 12 hours and if I started at early morning (5 am) was only 10,5 hours. Have a nice trip mate and be extremly careful there are many idiots on their way and your slow speed doesn't save you this makes them ungry and furious. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHenry Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 (edited) At some point it is a two lane road. So you have two choices either driving slow with heavy trucks on the damaged side of the road or competing with small trucks driving at an insane speed. Both choices are not fun, but if you are careful and have a clear driving strategy, you will probably be fine. The most important thing to remember is TIT! Edited March 19, 2014 by JHenry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevec1 Posted March 19, 2014 Author Share Posted March 19, 2014 Thanks both for the replies. I don't remember it being that hairy when I drove 10 years ago but I was younger then and probably a lot braver! We've been in India for a couple of months where the only rule is "drive on the left" and even that isn't really enforced. I've seen a lot of bad driving so will hopefully be a little more tuned in than usual... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertthebruce Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 Be careful out there, its ''Hell on the Roads''....not for the faint hearted... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevec1 Posted March 19, 2014 Author Share Posted March 19, 2014 Crikey! Sounds terrifying! Maybe wasn't such a good idea after all... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelepulse Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 Left lane is usually filled with potholes, while driving in the right lane will put you in favour of the local police which will take some baht from you for driving in the right lane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phuketrichard Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 hi; drive this often. i suggest if u really want, stop at Prachup khiri khan the first nght and than the next Rayong and enjoy the hot springs than on to Phuket, Usually when i drive i make it 2 days /1 nght in Rayong only Easy roads and the route from Rayong along the coats to Phuket is twisty and beaurtfull ( only 4 hours) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MusV Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 Hi Stevec1First of all,the driving isnt that bad ... just watch all mirrors and all directions all the time. We like to stay over night at Ban Saphan Noi nice lonely beaches, clean small cheap good seafood and resorts, hotels.Visit ... The Chedi on the Hill (Khao Thong Chai Mountain or Koh Talu Island, Bang Saphan) As you know allready ... Drive the 41 until after Surathani. After Surathani in the Amphoe I change to 44 - 4035 - 4197 - 415 - 4144 415 - 402 etc Have a nice time and ... enjoy it. Hope I do not write something wrong now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redfish44 Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 We drive Bangkok - southern Krabi or Phuket often. We take 2 days as have a small child and Thai husband who needs to stop for insanely long eating breaks every 3 hours. Used to stop outside Hua Hin or Pratchup Kiri Khan and also Bang Saphan Noi. Coming from Australia Hua Hin actually wasn't very pleasant, neither was Cha-am. Now we overnight in Chumpon. Chumpon (town) is a parellel universe within Thailand where people seem to have driving licenses, obey road rules, leave safe distances between cars, follow speed limits and drive lower than speed limits when it rains. they evern have speed signs. People are friendly and helpful. And it is way cheaper than most other places. Only place I have never seen anyone drive on the wrong side of the road. Oh Chumpon... I love you so... The 'new' highway between Surat Thani and Krabi-Phuket road (highway 44?) looks great but just be careful: there are km between uturn points, and everyone that lives there drives on the wrong side of the road rather than go km to make a u-turn. This includes buses and trucks carrying rubber tree logs or palm thingies. Also - most of the highway is in amaing condition, but sections of it are not (mostly in Krabi), so suddenly it can get uneven. And one of the major bridges is still nto fixed, so for a few km not far from Surat you have all the traffic on one side - drive slow here as occaisionally psychos decide to overtake between the drums of concrete diving the road. There are also NO petrol stations on this highway, so fill up at the PPT near Surat before you get on this road if you are low on fuel. Our d-max does the whole trip on one tank, but I often fill up in Chumpon/Surat as prices go up in the village in Krabi and further south. Have driven a lot in Thailand and find Krabi drivers the worst. Krabi province has sections of the major highways that are still not 2 lane with a median strip - not found anywhere else on the drive south. Only been done speeding once - and I was, cause the car I was following turned off and automatically follwed a Fortuner doing 130km - in Chumpon or Surat. The highway south of Hua Hin goes to crap fast. It is a lot better in sections in Chumpon though now. Do drive in the right lane when it is bad, as the potholes are often so huge the trucks have to swerve around them (so be careful passing trucks). also sometimes the tree cover is too low and wild and trucks have to merge into the right lane as they would get a tree through their windscreen. Generally I find 95% of truck dirvers to be pretty good. They generally follow their speed limits and are rather safe (suprising when you see what some of them drive). There are really no hug road-train style trucks like in Australia where I learnt to drive, although they can be packed to extremes. Take your time, enjoy the drive, some lovely scenery, the beautiful paint work on some of the trucks, and play a few games of "guess what's in that truck" along the way. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cornishcarlos Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 hi; drive this often. i suggest if u really want, stop at Prachup khiri khan the first nght and than the next Rayong and enjoy the hot springs than on to Phuket, Usually when i drive i make it 2 days /1 nght in Rayong only Easy roads and the route from Rayong along the coats to Phuket is twisty and beaurtfull ( only 4 hours) If he stops in Rayong then he has turned the wrong way leaving Bangkok 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redfish44 Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 I should have added - there really isn't much traffic on highway 44(? Surat Thani-Krabi), so it isn't too bad when things are on the wrong side of the road as you can usually see them a long way off if you aren't going too fast. Also, sometimes they do roadworks and shut of a section of one side to retarmac. If they put up signs, they are all in Thai. Sometimes they forget the signs. In these cases you have to turn at the u-turn point and drive on the wrong side of the highway and kep your fingers crossed. Usually we just wait and let another car come along and go first and follow them. Most signs are in Thai only, so you might want to check a few out on the next before you go - roadworks, road close, bridge out etc. Everythwere except highway 44 has lods of signs and warnings though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carter1882 Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 One guy here thinks it is Rayong....try Ranong. The twisty road is indeed beautiful and worth the trip. I drive everywhere here and have clocked up about 500,000 kms on bikes and in cars. You need to be very careful however as the accident rate here is amongst the highest per capita anywhere in the world. People will do very dangerous things and some illegal moves, like undertaking, are the norm. Generally speaking the road surface is quite good in most places but you have to be prepared for the worst so keep a good eye out. Lots of warnings about poor road surface, dangerous bends are in Thai only so extra vigilance is required when you see yellow backed signs. Like most long term residents i have lost count of the dead bodies i have seen on the roads here. I have been extremely lucky myself on perhaps three occasions all of which were motorcycle related. Virtually every long journey i have made i will see at least one serious accident. It is my opinion that the accident statistics, the enforcement or lack of regarding rules, the standard of driving etc is a national disgrace. But of course there are some great roads and wonderful things to see and do along the way so of course it is worth driving and enjoying everything that the country has to offer. But it comes with a price and to improve your chances, especially if you are a newbie, you must be cautious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phuketrichard Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 hi; drive this often. i suggest if u really want, stop at Prachup khiri khan the first nght and than the next Rayong and enjoy the hot springs than on to Phuket, Usually when i drive i make it 2 days /1 nght in Rayong only Easy roads and the route from Rayong along the coats to Phuket is twisty and beaurtfull ( only 4 hours) If he stops in Rayong then he has turned the wrong way leaving Bangkok sorry, meant Ranong :-) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterquixote Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 I took about three weeks for the same journey. Cha-am is nice but your time frame probably demands you go further South. Make sure you don't end up in Rayong as the experienced driver phuketrichard advises, He means Ranong on the west coast. You will need to get to near Prachuap I would think the first night. Hua Hin might be ok for a strict time limit you have . Prachuap is not a bad pick for the first night, better still passed the Military a few kilometres south to Klong Wan. The West coast is more interesting than the East. You will need to make this decision at Chumphon, a difficult place to navigate Best place in Chumphon Chalicha Resort , less than 1000 baht Next night if you go the west Coast, Ranong. An apparently dreary town . Stay here if you can find it Thansila resort, beside the river https://www.facebook.com/thansilahotspringresort Next day down the West coast to phuket We go every year and e take weeks to do what you need to do in three days Recommended route Bangkok south to Huan Hin, better further south to Prachuap, then west coast route to Ranong, then Phuket. Commence driving early very early its a long way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maximillian Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 hi; drive this often. i suggest if u really want, stop at Prachup khiri khan the first nght and than the next Rayong and enjoy the hot springs than on to Phuket, Usually when i drive i make it 2 days /1 nght in Rayong only Easy roads and the route from Rayong along the coats to Phuket is twisty and beaurtfull ( only 4 hours) Ranong, RA-NONG. Rayong is South of Pattaya. Yes Prachuap Khirikhan or even better Pranburi. From there head towards the beaches like e.g. Dolphin Bay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevenl Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 hi; drive this often. i suggest if u really want, stop at Prachup khiri khan the first nght and than the next Rayong and enjoy the hot springs than on to Phuket, Usually when i drive i make it 2 days /1 nght in Rayong only Easy roads and the route from Rayong along the coats to Phuket is twisty and beaurtfull ( only 4 hours) Ranong, RA-NONG. Rayong is South of Pattaya. Yes Prachuap Khirikhan or even better Pranburi. From there head towards the beaches like e.g. Dolphin Bay. Better read before posting, see post #17. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monim Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 There are four major transportion to go phuket from bangkok. You can choose any of them. But i think you want to go through car.you can drive through Petchkasem Road (Highway No. 4), you will pass through Nakhon Pathom, Ratchburi, Prachuab Kiri Khan, Chumporn, Ranong, Phang-nga, and cross Sarasin Bridge and here there is… downtown Phuket. The total distance is 862 kms, approximately 12 hours,so you can take rest after every 4 hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace of Pop Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 Must say redfish 44 post is one of the most well balanced posts ive read here for many years..in all Topics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kan Win Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 Tourists who visit the Surat Thani area are stopping over on their way either to Koh Samui or to Phuket.If you are in this area one attraction is a must to see "The Rajjaprabha Dam" (also called Chieo Lan Dam). It is secluded and undiscovered by tourists.The dam is located in the Khao Sok National Park, on Road 401 to Phuket off the main Route 41 going south.Hire a long tail boat for a hour trip or so if you wish as long as the weather is good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Varangkul Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 What a well informed, most interesting posting this is! If I were ever to go south I would certainly give this posting another reading. Congrats to all the contributors! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHenry Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 hi; drive this often. i suggest if u really want, stop at Prachup khiri khan the first nght and than the next Rayong and enjoy the hot springs than on to Phuket, Usually when i drive i make it 2 days /1 nght in Rayong only Easy roads and the route from Rayong along the coats to Phuket is twisty and beaurtfull ( only 4 hours) Ranong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHenry Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 I guess he will cancel the trip after that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phuketrichard Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 my god, sometimes i wonder if people read thru the thread OK i was corrected Rayong Ranong what like 4 times!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
draftvader Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 hi; drive this often. i suggest if u really want, stop at Prachup khiri khan the first nght and than the next Rayong and enjoy the hot springs than on to Phuket, Usually when i drive i make it 2 days /1 nght in Rayong only Easy roads and the route from Rayong along the coats to Phuket is twisty and beaurtfull ( only 4 hours) Ranong, RA-NONG. Rayong is South of Pattaya. Yes Prachuap Khirikhan or even better Pranburi. From there head towards the beaches like e.g. Dolphin Bay. Splitting hairs a touch there. Anyway, I will agree with your point about Dolphin Bay. PPK is perhaps a little more lively though if you fancy a little Thai entertainment and are passing through on the week-end. Either option is good in reality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thongkorn Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 (edited) Not a lot of accommodation in Rannong. Edited April 8, 2014 by Thongkorn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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