Travel around Thailand
 

Hi there has anyone got some advice on travel around Thailand for about a month... lve done a fair bit of biking in Aust n am a fairly good rider having bikes from the age of 16 until 2 yrs ago n a few years ago l did the tourist thing n hired a 125 in Bali n yeah what a blast.
Now my question is how easy is it to ride around Thailand l relise once ya get used to traffic and all but more the legal side of things licences do you need to get a international licence ? I heard somewhere they were doing away with them ?
Basic road rules over there ?
Rider insurance and health care insurance who does everyone go thru over there ?
I will be going Two up with my girlfriend ( girlfriend rides too so maybe better off with two bikes ?? ) so any bike hire shops anyone recommends ? We will be traveling light as it's going to be in April so the weather should be good.
Having a month off are there any places anyone suggests to see ?
Looking at any suggestions,hints,things to avoid......cheers in advance for everyone's help Mark

Have a look at Lonerider's recent trip ... brilliant blog and loads of pics :)

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...and-laos-79478

Cheers will do thanks mate

Sorry I missed this thread westaussie traveler, I am only using tapatalk at the moment as I am back in Thailand about 22km out of BKK and no wireless. If you have any questions just get in touch
I also put all my accommodation in Biker Friendly S Asia section

Wayne

Hi Thailand is very easy for tourists you will love it. Drivers licenses are sold beside the road and the traffic is not as bad as in Cambodia etc. Specialy if you stay on small winding roads in the north :)

http://schoene-motorradreisen.de/?re..._hong_son_loop

Its vey easy to travel on a rented motorbike in Thailand. Northern Thailand is the most interesting place with the most interesting roads. There is mountains, fantastic scenery, cheap accomodation almost everywhere, cheap and tasty food everywhere, plenty of gas stations. Local people are in general very friendly and helpful. The only negative thing is that thais in general dont speak much english. But its strange how much ca be explained by hands... :D
The traffic can be a little overwhelming in and around big cities of course but as soon as youre out on the countryside you will probably love it.

Head to Chiang Mai first as there are plentiful of shops that rent out motorbikes. There are also one or two in Chiang Rai. I am now talking about bigger bikes from 250 ccm and upwards. Smaller bikes like 100-125 ccm for rent can be found almost in every town in the north.

Dont plan to ride 5-600 km a day. Ride 150-200 km a day and stop and look at the local sights and talk to the locals. Do a little bit of reaserch before you set off. Eg - read a guidebook. Yeah - and read also Loneriders tripreport. He did motorbike travelling the way it should be (in my opinion).

There are only third party insurance for motorbikes in Thailand but talk to the shop you rent about that. I will strongly advice you to have a decent travel insurance and make sure it covers motorbike riding and things that can happen related to that.

April will be steaming hot in Thailand but as Ausssies I guess youre used to it (unlike me...)
Remember also that the thais celebrate their new year, called "Songkran" april 13-15 and some places even before and after those dates. This means that there will be mayhem in the towns and along the road. Accidents numbers will rice because of a lot more traffic than normal and a lot more drunken driving than normal. So consider staying off the roads those dates and just join in and celebrate with the thais. Most foreigners love it....

Good luck with your travel!

If you need advice for where to rent bikes and where to travel - just pm me. I am fairly well known in northern Thailand. And I will also be in Chiang Mai in april.

Solid "Land of Smiles" info and in particular Northern Thailand = http://www.rideasia.net

Westaussie
Get yourself an International Driving Permit, they are not expensive and may save you hassle. I took one but only used it once.

Wayne


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You definitely need an IDP. Last year I passed a police check in the Main Street of Chang Mai. Gave them my Vic licence, not acceptable. Gave them my IDP, all smiles and waved on my way.

I have been and hired bikes for many years in Thailand,riding this year from the UK if you go on the GT riders website and forum all the info you could every need is their if I can help let me know.
Safe riding
Paul

This is the most ill-informed post I have ever read.

Driving licences are 100% not available on the roadside, unless the poster is talking about the fake ones available in Khao San Road, then don't bother.

If you ride through one of the major tourist destinations, undoubtedly you will come across a police checkpoint which is pretty much a shakedown for 300-500B unless you are wearing a helmet and in possession on a IDP.

If you are out in the sticks where the intention is to catch drunk drivers / unlicensed vehicles / no helmets then a home country license will usually be OK.

If you carry a fake licence, then you will just complicate things, it will be more likely 500B for no licence and an extra fee, for trying to take the p*$$.

Passing a Thai driving test isn't exactly hard, but they are only issued to certain visas after a confirmation of address from the immigration service.

Some people will tell you all police are on a full-time shakedown, another myth. I have a local license, always correct with my tax sticker and government insurance, I do get stopped and after checking your licence they are more interested in where your home country is, football, bikes and your protective clothing.