FIRST TIME Driving in Thailand (From Suvarnabhumi Airport to Hotel)

We edited this video a few days after the first time driving in Bangkok and have driving each day since.
***We'll also cover the rental car experience in the description below.
It's not so bad and though there are several things to be cautious of (we'll tell you what those are below), it's a really neat experience.
If like us and from the United States or any country that drives on the right side of the road, driving in Thailand will take some getting used to.
But even if you're from a country that drives on the left side of the road, there may some driving habits in Thailand that you should be aware of.
TIPS FOR DRIVING IN THAILAND
Again, we've been driving a lot the past few days since this video (Bangkok, Pattaya, and several other areas in Chon Buri).
- The BEST TIP for driving in Bangkok or anywhere in Thailand is to understand that traffic moves like a school of fish. If you adapt to that, you'll should be ok.
- Motorcycles and mopeds do not follow the same rules other motor vehicles do. You will see them running light, stop signs, and riding in between cars. This is normal in Thailand.
- You may see some cars driving on the shoulder of the road as if it were a lane. This is normal, especially on busy interstates in Bangkok.
- There are times where lanes (and lines in the road) seem to disappear or there just may not be any in cases. Just follow the traffic patterns.
- Cars (and motorcycles) will pull out in front of you and sometimes merge into your lane.
- People don't seem to beep horns too much or get upset like they do in the United States (not saying this never happens but it's not something we've experience, whether driving or the many driving services we've used in Thailand). Remember: move like a school of fish.
- Some multi-lane roads many only have one traffic like. This is unusual coming from the US so you have to pay attention.
- Some traffic lights will turn yellow first, some will blink, and some have a countdown before turning red.
We'll reiterate that Thai driving is like a school of fish. Don't allow yourself to get emotion in Bangkok traffic. People just go where they need to go and move accordingly.
RENTAL CAR EXPERIENCE
We used Budget Rental Car at the Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok. The staff was super pleasant and helpful. The process took about 45 minutes total (we waited for them to clean a car that was just returned).
They also carried our bags to the rental car.
On top of that, we decided that we wanted to keep the rental car for three more days. So we called Budget and there were no issues.
The whole process was simple, easy, and painless. We'd definitely use them again.
That wraps it up for our driving experience in Bangkok for the first time.
Leave any questions you have in the comments and we'll do our best to answer.
Candy and Jason
***You can also follow our IG:
/ heyitscandyandjason

[@yunggarrett1468]

Awesome VDO, be safe and have fun in Thailand. My husband and I are going in June.

[@candyandjason]

Thank you, you’ll love it here! We have some other videos from this trip on our channel and will be going back soon!

[@werck09]

Quite the adventure. Waiting for the guitar store visit.🤘🏻🎸

[@candyandjason]

The first visit is coming within the next couple days!!

[@SirenBandUS]

Very cool. You are so much more chill than I would be trying to drive there. Have fun!

[@candyandjason]

It definitely requires a shift in thinking and completely different from driving in the states. Since this video has been out, we're on day 5 of driving around, and in different parts of Thailand! I'm growing accustomed to it!

[@topgammar3763]

You're very brave to be driving in Thailand. Cool video!

[@candyandjason]

It was scary at first but got used to it quickly. We drove 8 days throughout Chon Buri area.

[@JAYJAYTOKYO]

great vid 🎸🎸✌✌⚡⚡

[@candyandjason]

Thank you! We like driving in Thailand