Car hire in Thailand

Thailand is pure eye-candy, from towering karst cliffs around Krabi, to the exquisite temples dotted about Chiang Mai. Exploring the country by car is a great way to see it all, petrol is cheap and the road network is good. Car hire rates in Thailand are very reasonable, and the best deals from Budget, Hertz, National, Alamoand other international brands can be compared here.

Car hire driving tips in Thailand

Driving yourself around Thailand in a rental is a sensible idea, in spite of the cheap taxis and drivers that are ubiquitous. Tourist destinations are notoriously blighted by transport mafia that monopolise airport taxi rates, so renting a car avoids the usual haggling. There are few challenges for those who hire a car in Thailand, though we suggest you pay attention to the driving habits of locals as elaborated on here; they are ill-disciplined and the road rules under-enforced.

Need to know essentials

Driving licences: carrying an international licence is obligatory, though a UK or national licence is accepted by car hire companies and police, provided it is in English.

Which side does Thailand drives on: the left

Speed limits:

Highways and dual carriageways (outside urban areas): 120kph

National or provincial roads: 100kph

Local roads: 80kph

Urban roads: 50kph

Alcohol limits: 0.05 percent or 50 mg/100 ml, 0.03 percent if you’ve been driving less than five years. Enforcement is rare so be wary of late night drunken drivers.

Driving age: 18 (21 if you wish to hire a car).

Seatbelts: should be worn in the front seats, police regularly check for this.

Mobile phones and GPS:  driving while holding a mobile phone is illegal in Thailand but it is rarely enforced and locals routinely flout this law. GPS devices can be operated while driving, and are offered by some companies with detailed Thailand maps, a recommended idea given the poor signage.

Cost of fuel in Thailand: unleaded petrol (95 and 98 octane) and diesel are considerably cheaper than in the UK.

Car hire and fuel payment: car hire agencies accept credit cards with pre-bookings and on-the-spot deposit payments. All major credit cards are accepted at petrol stations.

Insurance: full cover with minimal excess is highly recommended, this is because of a higher risk of collision and the fact that many locals drive without the compulsory third party insurance.

Traffic and parking: generally available, depending on the size of the urban area. Some of the older towns, such as Chiang Mai, have narrow lanes with limited parking and restricted thorough fares. Traffic tickets are routinely given for ignoring parking restrictions (from 15:30), but cost more time than money to settle. Parking on solid yellow lines is prohibited. Bangkok traffic is notoriously bad and can become congested at any time of day, especially during monsoon showers - driving in this city should be avoided. Phuket, Pattaya and other centres are also becoming chronic at times.

Our travel editor’s recommended drives

Phuket to Krabi – a jaw-dropping 90 minute drive between these two popular Andaman coast destinations among the arresting karst landscapes that make this part of the world famous.

Mae Hong Song loop – the best way to truly experience the sub-tropical highlands of Northern Thailand, setting out from Chiang Mai on a three day drive over this rollercoaster route to the Burmese frontier.

Kanchanaburi overnighter – by taking your own car to visit the famous Bridge over the River Kwai you get to stop off at the Floating Market near Bangkok and return via Ayuthaya to explore this ancient World Heritage site capital.

Mekhong meander – follow Southeast Asia’s mother of all rivers through the heartland of the gritty Isarn region, best done from the Loei Mountains to Nong Khai and onwards, you’ll be one step ahead of the tourist crowds.

Thailand travel tips 

Thailand is a favourite destination among Britons, attracting nearly a million of us a year. Repeat visitors are common, feeling comfortable with the friendly and accommodating locals, good infrastructure and wealth of affordable tourist attractions or services. It’s a relatively easy country to travel in but a few handy tips can help avert problems or ripoffs.

Thailand weather and tourist seasons

Thailand’s climate is simple to understand; however, it doesn’t follow the usual pattern of winter, spring, summer, and autumn. Instead, there are just three seasons, rainy, hot, and cool.  April and May are Thailand’s hottest months by far, with temperatures as high as 40°C. in some areas and with little rainfall experienced. From June to October, however, the rainy season takes over and fewer tourists are around, meaning better hotel rates while the humidity is more of a deterrent than rain. November through to March is the high season, when the weather is least hot, and the Europeans escape their frigid winters.

Thailand contact numbers (+66)

Emergency services – 191

British Consular Emergency Services – 66 2 305 8333

British Embassy – 66 2 305 8333

US Embassy – 66 2 205 4000

Irish Embassy – 66 2 677 7500

Canadian Embassy – 66 2 636-0540

Australian Embassy – 66 2 344 6300

Holidays and festivals

No matter which time of the year you visit Thailand, you are bound to have your trip coincide with one public holiday or another that is either tied to Buddhism, pays homage to the Royal Family, or coincides with an important political event. The main holidays are the King’s Birthday on 5 December and the Queen’s Birthday on 12 August and, should they fall on the weekend, the Friday before or Monday after will also see the vast majority of commercial businesses closed, but doesn’t affect shopping or tourist services. Songkran, the Thai new year noted for its riotous water fight festival, occurs in mid-April and is either great fun or a big annoyance depending if you’re young at heart. Loi Kratong in late November is an enchanting festival of light. There is no ‘busy’ month for local tourism as in continental Europe.

Money matters

Thailand has the baht as its currency and currency exchanges or bureaux de change are easy to spot in Bangkok and in most tourist destinations whether on the mainland or the islands. No matter where you are in the country, however, you will never fail to locate an ATM, although there is a THB150 charge per transaction. Using these is the safest option, but exchange rates are only unfavourable in hotels and remote places. Cash is favoured for discount bargaining, and credit card use is prone to fraud. Carrying large amounts around isn’t too risky. The exchange rate is conveniently pegged at roughly 50 baht to a pound in 2011.

Health and safety

Vaccinations aren’t really needed before visiting Thailand, and local hospitals offer a surprisingly good and affordable service. For the first few days of your holiday, it is common to suffer an upset stomach. Be careful choosing where you eat your meals, with particular caution taken over street food. Dehydration and upset tummies are the two biggest complaints. Malaria is rare but dengue fever in the rainy season is an increasing threat with no prophylactic. STDs from the sex industry is another threat, but reckless driving and inexperience with rented scooters is the number one reported killer.

Fitting in…

Thais are famously hospitable and relaxed, seldom losing their cool, and they expect the same from you. Their ‘mai pen rai’ (never mind) attitude is a good solution to avoid confrontation or impatience. But push them too far, in drunken bar argument for example, and the results can be ugly. It’s essential to know that they absolutely love their King and don’t tolerate any form of disrespect towards their royal family.

Visas for Thailand

Travellers from Britain, Ireland, the US, Canada, and Australia are all able to enter Thailand with a visa on arrival, good for 30 days by air arrival or 15 days by overland. A quick hop across the border, or once-off visit to an immigration office will gain you a 15 or 10 day extension. Applying in advance to your local Thai embassy or consulate will secure you a renewable 60-day tourist visa.

Electricity

The voltage in Thailand stands at 220 Volts, 50 Hertz, but there are three differing types of sockets. Because of this, most tourists will have to rely on a universal adaptor to power their electronics, with the standard Asian two pin (round or flat) plug the most common socket.

Business hours
Thailand is very much open for business, with most consumer services opening about 10am and only shutting up shop at 9pm or later, seven days a week, 365 days a year (including Christmas). Commercial businesses usually operate from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, sometimes on Saturdays. Banks and Government are regularly shuttered on the numerous public holidays.

Helpful phrases

Sawatdee - Hello

Karuna - Please

Karb khun – Thank-you

Chai/mai chai – Yes/no

Mai kao jai – I don't understand

Poot pasaa angrit dai mai - Do you speak English?

Nee tao rai – How much is this?

….u tee nai – Where is….?

Note! Men suffix sentences with krap and ladies with ka to sound polite.

Resources online

www.angloinfo.com

www.wikitravel.org