what roads to navigate on a motorbike in and around bangkok area.

[dirtycash]

if driving motorbike 650cc in thailand especially around bkk am i allowed to drive this bike on superhighway ? how would i know which roads i am allowed on .

i drive a car in bkk without too many problems but ive been told i cannot drive a bike on some expressways . say i want to go from pattaya to hau hinn i wouldnt know which roads to enter etc.

[recom273]

Good question .. I was going to post this next time I try to circumnavigate Bangkok.

What's the best way to get from Hua Hin to the Korat road ( over Khao Yai ) It took me 3-5 hours to get around Bangkok on 2 occasions.

I also found it all too easy to get on the motorway and then hours and hours trying to get to central bangkok after being thrown off.

I find it OK getting from Wong Wien Yai to the south, it's just circumnavigation .. And I have a satnav and a smart phone.

Edited January 22, 2016 by recom273

[VocalNeal]

If you go to google maps and start your journey in Pattaya and end in hua hin and select avoid Hyws and avoid tolls it basically tells you the route. The only thing is that it wants you to use the industrial ring road which you cannot. So at the end of BangNa-Trat there is a small motorbike ferry over to Prapadaeng and then ride to Suksawat to get on 35 going to Hua Hin.

If you plan it out on Google maps first to get the big picture you can follow mostly but not blindly by Sat Nav. No sat nav then you can do it just as easy using google maps and your odometer.

[Familyonthemove]

A bike (of any cc) will need to take a different route to a car.

There's a clear rule to say that you should not use Expressways, but for other roads it's a bit of a grey area and I'm still not clear after several years of riding in Thailand.

This is my understanding - but in practice you'll see bikes using all types of roads .....

Bikes should not use:

• Toll expressways
• Overpasses
• Multi-lane carriageways when there is a 'frontage road'
• Outside lanes of dual carriageways

In general bikes are supposed to stick to the inside lane, where's there's a good chance the buses, taxis, tuk-tuks, soi dogs, chickens, pigs, ducks and massive holes will have you off your bike and skating down the road on your ar$@.

I tend to use the route, lane and road position I think is safest - and keep an eye out for any 'issues'. But I never use the Expressways on the bike.

[rodknock]

what about bridges??

[Namplik]

Yes there are several bridges where you easily can cross the Chao Praya, no need to find a ferry....

[VocalNeal]

^ several bridges? On a motorbike and avoiding the centre of Bangkok? I think not.

I was on the Industrial ring yesterday and there were bikes on Bumiphol 1 bridge so maybe the signs have been taken down? Google street view still shows the sign but picture maybe old.

[SS1]

I'm a little confused about this as well. They clearly have signs that prohibit motorbikes from underpasses, overpasses and bridges, but in some cases there isn't any alternative? Like for example the bridge crossing Chao Praya river, has signs for no bikes allowed, but how am I supposed to get to the other side then, swim? or is there some ferry.

Seems like no one cares about these rules at it wouldn't make any sense to stop on traffic lights just because you're riding a bike. Saw a guy in a tricky situation yesterday though from my balcony, on the overpass of the Rama 9 intersection. His bike broke just in the middle of the bridge and he was stuck on the side, no way to get down and no space with cars dodging him. I was thinking if I should go a good deed and drive up there to give him a hand, but soon some other guy arrived to push him out.

[VocalNeal]

I'm a little confused about this as well. They clearly have signs that prohibit motorbikes from underpasses, overpasses and bridges, but in some cases there isn't any alternative? Like for example the bridge crossing Chao Praya river, has signs for no bikes allowed, but how am I supposed to get to the other side then, swim? or is there some ferry.

There are some bridges Krung Thep bridge, Rama 5, King Bhumipol 1, Memorial Bridge, Nontaburi Bridge, Thaksin Bridge that come to mind. As I said I am not sure about Bhumipol II coming from the east as the Google Street view picture is about 3 years old. Interestingly though the sign says for bicycles, tractors, motorbikes etc. Don't use the bridge but it is not a sign with a red diagonal strike through it! Just a white sign with writing on it.

But none are convenient for people wishing to go from Pattaya to Hua Hin. So yes take the ferry at the bottom of BangNa-Trat. Me? I would probably risk Bhumipol II and use the Industrial Ring to Suksawat. As motorbikes use the Industrial Ring to go from Rama III to Suksawat.

Edited January 29, 2016 by VocalNeal