been living and working in Thailand currently retired but till visit Thailand every year for a few months and I've never had any issues and driven for years in Bangkok while working and now while retired I drive from South to North and love it I wouldn't go to Thailand without a rented car it's fine but keep alert. Great video
Nice video, well constructed, and very informative with lots of practical advice. My first experience of driving in Thailand was in Bangkok around 15 years ago. A friend loaned me her Subaru Impreza. After two nerve-wracking days of trying to negotiate Bangkok's traffic, read road signs and dodge motor cycles flying in from every directions (not easy to do all at the same time), I gave up and left the Subaru in the parking lot under the condo I was renting and used taxis. But when I moved out to the more rural areas of Ang Thong and Khampang Phet, I found the driving experience slightly more relaxing. You are absolutely right. You need to be a confident driver but never be overconfident or cocky, leave that to the Thai's, and be aware that's how most of them drive. Make sure your driving documentation, international driving licence, insurances and passport, etc, are correct and up to date... you never know when or where the Thai police are going to put up one of their road check-points!
Hi David, thanks so much! And thanks for sharing your experience. Enjoyed reading it. Never driven in Bangkok myself. Can totally imagine it being on another level :)
Haha can be hectic for sure. And about the scooters, especially pay attention around tourists riding them. In our experience their driving is a lot more dangerous than the locals.
Interesting question. After doing a quick Google search we read contradicting things. You could be good with just your US license, but it could be wise to check a bit more if you want to know for sure.
I would NEVER get the idea of renting a car in Asia 😂 this is so brave of you! I am sure you will reach your goal soon and getting more and more subs because your channel is awesome! Proffessional travelers 😎 btw, did you later try to take the car in Bangkok as well? 😂
It's not much different to driving in Woodlands... just much more busy... and more surpsrises on the road... and we drove on the left side 😂😂 We didn't drive in Bangkok, that's another level! 😁
I’ve motorcycle toured in Thailand and drove in Thailand. Outside the cities it’s a pleasure, but you must drive defensively. I see a lot of westerners who are stupid.
For safety, we say always do it. Thailand does have a fair amount of accidents. From a law point of view Nationthailand.com says: Children under six years old must be placed in car seats that have proper harnesses and have passed the safety standards of the Thai Industrial Standards Institute or the drivers of the vehicles they are in will face fines of up to 2,000 baht, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) have announced.
I'm from Vancouver Canada and rented a car from BKK airport and drove down to Hua Hin for a few days. Some of the craziest roads I've ever experienced and you definitely need to be fully aware at all times. That and the traffic is absolutely crazy. Took us an hour and a half to go 5km near Terminal 21 mall
Great little overview!
Hope it gives some insight! 😊🙏
been living and working in Thailand currently retired but till visit Thailand every year for a few months and I've never had any issues and driven for years in Bangkok while working and now while retired I drive from South to North and love it I wouldn't go to Thailand without a rented car it's fine but keep alert. Great video
Thanks so much! 🙏
Nice video, well constructed, and very informative with lots of practical advice. My first experience of driving in Thailand was in Bangkok around 15 years ago. A friend loaned me her Subaru Impreza. After two nerve-wracking days of trying to negotiate Bangkok's traffic, read road signs and dodge motor cycles flying in from every directions (not easy to do all at the same time), I gave up and left the Subaru in the parking lot under the condo I was renting and used taxis. But when I moved out to the more rural areas of Ang Thong and Khampang Phet, I found the driving experience slightly more relaxing. You are absolutely right. You need to be a confident driver but never be overconfident or cocky, leave that to the Thai's, and be aware that's how most of them drive. Make sure your driving documentation, international driving licence, insurances and passport, etc, are correct and up to date... you never know when or where the Thai police are going to put up one of their road check-points!
Hi David, thanks so much! And thanks for sharing your experience. Enjoyed reading it. Never driven in Bangkok myself. Can totally imagine it being on another level :)
Hello. What about parking? Is it easy/enough parking space at the beach, restaurants or shops/markets? Driving it’s just a 1/3 of the hassle.
Never had any trouble with that really. It's fine. Had more trouble finding a spot in European beach destinations for example.
@ oh ok. thank you for the quick response.
😊👍🏻
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@@Jeronimus84 Thanks! 😃👍🏻
Thanks for the video, really informative! Thailand drivers are kinda crazy haha, you gotta be extra careful especially with the damn scooters....
Haha can be hectic for sure. And about the scooters, especially pay attention around tourists riding them. In our experience their driving is a lot more dangerous than the locals.
Does the American license suffice? Cos i didn’t bring my international drivers license
Interesting question. After doing a quick Google search we read contradicting things. You could be good with just your US license, but it could be wise to check a bit more if you want to know for sure.
NO IDP is required if get caught 2000bht is fine
You need an international driver’s license. They’re easy to get though.
I would NEVER get the idea of renting a car in Asia 😂 this is so brave of you! I am sure you will reach your goal soon and getting more and more subs because your channel is awesome! Proffessional travelers 😎 btw, did you later try to take the car in Bangkok as well? 😂
It's not much different to driving in Woodlands... just much more busy... and more surpsrises on the road... and we drove on the left side 😂😂
We didn't drive in Bangkok, that's another level! 😁
what is so funny about it driving in left hand side
UK also you drive left
I drive everyday in an ask an road and I bet i have better driving skills
I’ve motorcycle toured in Thailand and drove in Thailand. Outside the cities it’s a pleasure, but you must drive defensively. I see a lot of westerners who are stupid.
That's exactly what I wanna know. You deserve sub+like. Thx.
Thanks so much, that's great!
For kids, do we need baby/kids seat?
For safety, we say always do it. Thailand does have a fair amount of accidents. From a law point of view Nationthailand.com says: Children under six years old must be placed in car seats that have proper harnesses and have passed the safety standards of the Thai Industrial Standards Institute or the drivers of the vehicles they are in will face fines of up to 2,000 baht, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) have announced.
@@alittlesunshinewithjayandbee Thanks. Do you have to buy one or will it be supplied by car hire companies?
You can get it at most rental companies. You'll see it on the rental websites at extra options 👍🏻
Yes you do !
Actually they have a very dodgy roads here specially outside the cities where many attractions are and the weather can be nasty here for driving.
I'm from Vancouver Canada and rented a car from BKK airport and drove down to Hua Hin for a few days. Some of the craziest roads I've ever experienced and you definitely need to be fully aware at all times. That and the traffic is absolutely crazy. Took us an hour and a half to go 5km near Terminal 21 mall
Thanks for sharing your experience! Never made that trip from BKK to Hua Hin. It's on the list though... 😐 what was it that made the roads so crazy?
If you want experience real crazy, come to Indonesia 😂 Thailand traffic & roads are much much better
Bee is actually from Indonesia 😊 drove motorbikes there before. Cars not yet!
I wanted to rent as well but the thing IDP is required Car rental co. They dont ask abt it. For phuket
We noticed some do and some don't as well. Think insurance will definitely ask for it if something happens.
with a US Drivers License would you need a Int. Driving License?
Believe so! Think you always need it with a US driver's license, except for in Canada and Mexico.
Small random rental place on the road? I would not even use it if it was free
Whatever works for you 👍🏻
cool
Thanks!