Tips for renting a vehicle in Thailand

By Dave Rudd

Thailand is a fantastic country to explore by rental vehicle as you get to see the real place and check out sublime scenery. Most major Western car hire companies are represented in the Kingdom and you can book online nowadays, too. In addition, if you don’t feel like taking on the challenge, rental companies can supply drivers.

You can rent a vehicle, be it a car, four-wheel drive or motorbike, practically anywhere in the country. It is best to stick with reputable dealers (such as Budget or Avis) and spend a bit more for peace of mind of properly maintained vehicles and fully comprehensive insurance.

Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket, and Koh Samui are the main car hire bases in Thailand, where saloon cars, four-wheel drives and vans can all be rented. Four-wheel drives and vans are the most expensive, particularly those with driver included, while standard saloons, like a Toyota Soluna, can often be had at a snip.

Saloon cars such as the Toyota Soluna are pretty common in Thailand

The main international car hire companies in Thailand will generally charge more, yet they also have the best selection of cars and proper maintenance schedules. They will also invariably have insurance that comes with liability as standard, whereas a typical drive-by place with a couple of vehicles may not. It is also easy to book online from your home country with the main firms.

You will also see travel agencies up and down the country providing car hire services, as well as at airports and often in the better hotels of the main tourist areas. With these types of set-ups, always read the small print and check over the vehicle with a fine tooth comb with the rep, making sure they log any existing damage. As an addition to this, taking photographs of the vehicle with a digital camera is a good back up should there be any problem later on.

When going with the local rental companies, there is generally little back-up should you have a mechanical problem and there is also the chance of being scammed. The existing damage scam is the main one, where the owner claims you have damaged the vehicle and refuses to refund any deposit. Unfortunately, there is usually no come back if you haven’t already had them make a note of previous damage, although calling the Tourist Police (1155) may help.

Another scam usually involving rented motorbikes is the theft of the bike by the owner and the subsequent payment of a new bike as a result. When hiring a motorbike, only use places that offer full insurance and avoid handing over your passport as collateral. Instead, tender a cash deposit. If you suspect a scam, do not get angry with the shop; simply call the police to report the theft.

Prices for car hire in Thailand for new vehicles are in line with the West, although you can often pick up a cheaper, older Suzuki Caribbean in the likes of Chiang Mai, and also get deals on weekly and monthly rentals. Without doubt, the best rates for car hire nowadays (as with hotels) can be had online, where promotions can be quickly discerned.

Prices for fuel in Thailand are less than the west but double that of Malaysia. All highways and populated areas in Thailand have petrol stations where facilities are generally excellent. The ESSO and PTT stations on the main Bangkok to Chiang Mai route, for example, will generally come with all types of fuel with service provided by uniformed personnel, plus there are toilets and convenience stores. The larger stations may even have food courts, ATMs, public telephones, car washes, and more.

More on costs in Thailand.

In upcountry areas, facilities may be lacking and Thai-style (squat) toilets the norm, if any. In really out-of-the-way areas such as the mountainous north, look out for small roadside vendors with large drums and hand pumps on top, or whisky bottles with fuel in. Prices at these places per litre are invariably more, but they can be a lifesaver if you are running dry.

Visitors from the West are often taken aback by the quality and size of the roads in Thailand. They are much better than in neighbouring Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar, although below par compared with Singapore and Malaysia. Most major cities are served by big roads and also usually have bypasses, such as with Chiang Mai.

In general, the roads in Thailand are good and traffic is moderate, but driving conditions often leave a lot to be desired, with inconsiderate locals and often harsh driving habits. Rules of the road are poorly enforced and the incidence of drunk driving is high.

Bangkok is the worst place to hire a car in Thailand as the traffic is horrendous, yet there is a network of tolled expressways making getting around the city at large easier. Throughout the rest of Thailand, four-lane highways generally link most towns and cities, including from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, down to Pattaya, and all the way south to the Malay border in the south.

The traffic in Bangkok makes car rental extremely problematic

Thais drive on the left, for the most part, and official road signs are in Thai and English. The unofficial de facto ruling in Thailand, and with most of Asia, is that larger vehicles have the right-of-way. This is especially so for buses and trucks, who muscle their way along the highways and should not be challenged. Keeping out of the way of intercity buses at night is also advised as drivers often work ungodly hours and accident rates are high.

Keep a special eye out for motorcycles, on both sides of the highway, as they are the most unpredictable of the lot. Don’t be dismayed to see youngsters with no helmets and no lights riding motorcycles in the wrong direction. Give them a wide berth. Also beware that flashing headlights in Thailand is a warning as opposed to being courteous.

Although foreign drivers do not require a Thai driving license to drive legally in Thailand, having an International Driving Permit (IDP) is advised. Police have been known to wave tourists on when they show their home license, but, strictly, you are not legal and could end up with problems should you be involved in an accident, where any insurance may become null and void.

A yearly International Driving Permit can be obtained in your home country from a driving association, such as the AA in the UK. Always have the permit, your license and your passport while driving. If you are involved in an accident, call the car rental firm as they will send out an insurance representative to mediate with the police; the modus operandi in Thailand.

Important tips when renting a vehicle in Thailand:

Stick to the known brands, such as Avis and Budget
Book online where possible
Check insurance liability with the hirer
Obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) before visiting Thailand
Always carry your driving license, IDP, and passport when driving in Thailand
Drive on the left
Drive defensively and relax
Avoid driving at night
Always have your mobile phone (fully-charged) with you
If you have an accident, call the hire company
Speed limits are 50kph in built-up areas and 90kph on highways, unless stated
In Bangkok, hire a car from the airport instead of within the city
Give way to larger vehicles
Seatbelts for driver and front seat passenger are compulsory
The Thai blood-alcohol limit is 0.5 mg
Never argue with a police officer