Driving In Thailand Question

[esquo]

I need some advice:

I will be returning to Thailand for a second time with 3 friends. We would like to see the central region. Our intention is to rent a car/van in BKK and drive to Chiang Mai over the course of 5 days. Our tentative route is through Ayutthaya, then Nakhon Sawan, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, and on to Chiang Mai. However, we have some concerns:

Is this enough time for this route? Is a self-drive tour dangerous in any way? Can anyone recommend an alternative route? Should we be concerned about being stopped by the police? We heard of some tourists being stopped and charged "tolls" by the police. Thanks in advance for your responses.

[Thaising]

There are many tourist attraction sites to explore in central - northern regions. Driving from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is a very nice trip to make, roads condition along the way is quite safe; just keep in mind that you don’t speed.

Direct route from bangkok to chaing mai is through ayutthaya, nakorn sawan, kampheng phet, tak, lampang and right into chiang mai province. Estimate driving time is about 9 hours.

Wish you a safe trips.

Edited June 19, 2006 by Thaising

[easy_jim]

Make sure you rent your car from a reputable company with good insurance. Make sure you have an international driving license. Make sure you get a good quality map - the atlas style road map books are the best option.

Don't drive into Bangkok - getting lost in Bangkok is a nightmare. Get directions before you leave the airport. When you leave the airport you should be turning right and driving north towards Ayuthaya & Saraburi. Once you are going away from Bangkok finding your route is easy enough.

I have never been fined by the police except when I have actually done somethng wrong. There is no doubt it does happen but it is not common. I wouldn't worry about it too much. If they do ask for money without giving you a ticket then they are pocketing the money. You have two options: 1) Pay the money and forget about it. 2) Insist on receiving the ticket and pay the fine at the local police station - that way if they are only trying to sting you for some cash they may well just let you go and move on to an easier target.

Have you driven in Thailand before? It is easy enough but you have to be aware at all times - local driving standards are variable to say the least. In all other ways driving around Thailand is as safe as anywhere else in the world.

And yes five days is probably about right to drive to Chiang Mai and still have time to enjoy the sights along the way.

Have a good trip and safe driving.

[wilko]

Bit late this...but you could consider a minibus with driver....2k + per day?? (about).

Only you might find after the first day you were driving yourself!

Driving in Thailand requires concentration at all times....they have all sorts of "other" traffic going against the flow.

police usually want a 200baht "tip", other wise you get involved in their bureaucracy and may spend the rest of the day waiting to pay a fine.

[jdinasia]

sometimes if you are coming during High Season you can get a great deal doing that trip backwards (from CNX to BKK) as many people take cars North and leave them and they need them returned.