Self drive Phuket – Bangkok April 2019

“Around scenic Phuket”

Next year 2019, I have in plan to organise a “Self drive trip from Phuket to Bangkok” for SilverHairsClub members only.

The period is likely April 2019, and unlikely during the mid April 10-15 Songkhran water festival. Approx 9 days in total.

Starting from Phuket, the drive will take us along beautiful coastal beaches, coconut trees, wooden villages, small seafood stalls, small towns and crossing the narrow land stretch between the Amdaman sea and the Gulf of Thailand.

This trip is for:
1. Drivers only with a valid Singapore licence.
2. Able to read and use Google maps.
3. The cost of car rental, insurance, car parking, petrol and toll will be equally split among all participants. Estimate cost SGD 100 per day, split 4 participants.
4. Each car will be 4 pax only. Each car will require to have two full time drivers.
5. We will not be driving inter-towns after 6pm. However, we will drive at night around the town at night. Therefore, drivers should not have night vision difficulties.

Start and end dates:

  1.  The start date will ne decided when all drivers decide, on a majority vote, on 15 Jan 2019.  Trip ends 9 days later.

Rented cars:

1.  Website: https://www.rentalcars.com/

2. Start point: Phuket Airport (HKT).  You may chose to start from Phuket Town.

3. End point: Donmuang, Bangkok. You may choose to end anywhere in Bangkok.

4. Budget rental: SGD 30 – 50 per day. Decision to be made by the two drivers of each.  For planning, please use SGD 100 per day for 9 days for all driving expenses.

Rooms:
1. Hotel room will be advised for 1st night in Phuket only. Plse wait.
2. All other nights will not be prebooked, and will be decided as we reach each town on a daily basis.
3. Participants should note we will go for 2 or 3 star hotels twin share only, approx SGD 30-45 per room night.

4. Non-driver participants. The front two drivers in each car will decide if and who they would take as non-drivers passengers.

Besides shared car rental, petrol, toll, car park, and insurance, the back two passengers will pay an additional SGD 15 per person per day to a pool fund for dinner, as recommended by the treasurer.

Unlike Chiangmai and North Thailand, this trip will see plenty of flat lands and long stretches of sea. Food wise, we can expect plenty of fresh seafood, southern thai food (spicy), both Chinese and Muslim style.

Plse note ALL participants will have to do some planning and research. We won’t be on a guided tour but our own holiday free and easy drive.

If you are interested, and meet the above requirements, please whatsapp me at +65 9489 4360. I expect to start planning in Jan 2019.

Please indicate if going as driver or passenger. All back seat pessengers are on waiting list, subject to driver approved basis.

Closing date: Max 4 cars only.

Thank you.

Terence Seah (EO)

Author: Terence Seah

Founder

17 thoughts on “Self drive Phuket – Bangkok April 2019”

    1. Hi Terrence,

      Chiang Cheng Pun, Ronnie Chow, Randy Toh and myself (All SHC members) are keen. Put us in the loop for any updates. We can be drivers or passengers. We have travelled together free and easy often. One perculiarity common among us is we always have a room each to oneself.

      Chan Keng Ngee

  1. From the looks of the registration, we would have more than 4 self drive cars. We will continue to enlist more drivers for this trip as some may dop out along the way.

    As the trip is in April, we shall cutoff on 31 Jan 2019. This will enable air tickets to be bought ahead of the travel SongKhran festival.

    So if you are interested to self drive with me please contact me or register here.

    Terence Seah

  2. Re our trip from Phuket to Bangkok in April 2019, drivers, please note we shall use this website to select and rent a car for the trip.

    1. Website: https://www.rentalcars.com/
    2. The 2 drivers of each car chooses, book and pay for the car rental. budget for rental SGD 30-40 per day.
    3. Start point: Phuket airport.
    4. End point: Donmuang Bkk airport.
    5. dates will be decided around mid Jan 2019.

    Terence Seah

  3. Hi guys!
    I’ve one this drive before and would.like to give my two cents worth:

    First: The total drive can be one over two days: This will determine your car rental arrangement…how many days do you allocate for the drive..I assume it would be a leisurely drive with two overnight stopover.

    Second: Driving conditions and style is quite different in Thailand compared to Singapore. Plase ensure adequate insurance and international driving license. Do not drive at night on trunk roads or expressways.

    Finally: Do have a safe and enjoyable time…plan the route.with stops.in.Khao Lak on the west coast and Hua Hin just before Bangkok.

    1. TQ Kenneth for the advice. The drivers have started to get to know one another, and we should decide the dates mid Jan.

      Thereafter, passengers can join, subject to acceptance by the drivers. We are likely to spend some time around Phuket Island after approval

      Terence Seah

  4. Hi Terence,
    Just my opinion, I noted that the response seem quite reasonably good. If there are 16 of members going then it is more worthwhile to hire a bus and get a professional driver to drive all of you around. Coordination is much easier and there is also economy of skill. I am sure it will be much cheaper and more enjoyable & relaxing to get a professional driver who knows the route well. Better still is to engage a local guide who can cater to your request & itineraries. Cheers.
    Bobby

  5. To-date, we are sure the dates for the Phuket trip are in the 2nd half April.

    We have starting dates as follows:

    A. 24 April to 2 May
    B. 25 April to 3 May
    C. 28 April to 6 May

    The first group to form 2 drivers will choose A, B or C.

    Plse choose one option. We confirm the dates based on the group that buys the first air tickets or confirmation of ETA Phuket. Decision Due date 30 Jan 2019.

    Remember start date is important. You can also arrive earlier date.

    This shall be an EC event, meaning friends of members can join the trip

    Terence Seah

  6. Please remember for driver :

    1. Thai highways are nice to drive, similar to Malaysian highways. Long and straight.

    2. If you are on the highways, always slow down when entering small towns. Police sometimes put cones to filter cars from the right-most lanes to the left-most lane to slow down the cars and to check each car as the car passes their police tentage.

    3. Honk only when necessary.

    4. Flashing lights from incoming lanes usually means there could be roadblocks ahead.

    5. When approaching a slower car from behind, 1-2 highbeam flashes means that you want to overtake.

    6. Be careful of trucks/buses/overladed pick-ups. They quite often pull out of their lanes .

    7. You will notice that in some places, you will have to park your car 2-3 cars deep. Do not pull your handbrakes. Just leave your car in neutral. The parking attendants will push your car out of the way to let other cars out. I will usually tip them 20-40baht, to look after my car.

    8. In proper carparks, remember to pick up the ticket from the parking attendant when you enter and don’t lose it! You will have to re-produce the ticket when you exit, otherwise the parking attendant will stop you and request for documentation to prove that you are the rightful owner/driver of the car.

    9. To be an experienced and careful driver. Most of the route has heavy traffic with fast moving trucks, buses and cars as well as motor cycles in town areas.

    10. In Thailand you are required to drive on the left hand side of the road. The maximum speed limit in cities and towns is 60km/h (35 mph) and varies between 90 and 120 km/h (52-60 mph) on expressways and country roads. Police regularly check motorists speed. Wearing of seat belts is compulsory and drink driving laws apply. All insurance is invalid if drivers exceed the legal alcohol limit.

    Stella

  7. Stella,

    Yes, your driving tips on Thai roads will help drivers joining the Phuket trip. Generally, we will take a slower driver, take note on overtaking and handling junctions, with no traffic lights.

    There has been a suggestion to have a minivan with local drivers. This idea is possible.

    I look forward to the slow and nostalgic South Thailand coastal drive.

    Terence Seah

  8. My suggestion only :

    With so many sights to see in Phuket to Bangkok,  the best way to experience the island is to hire a personal driver and guide to ensure you spend less time planning and more time enjoying yourself.

    Phuket private driver  are highly experienced local residents, who are fluent in both English and Thai. They are all extremely knowledgeable in everything Phuket to Bangkok. Service for anything that you would like help or assistance with simply ask your driver. This is perfect for seniors citizen like us.
    The drivers drove safe and and were polite too.
    You won’t be disappointed.
     I prefer not to drive OURSELF when on holidays overseas. We can then relax and focus on the scenery rather than the erratic traffic or trying to find where we need to go.  Driving by yourself in a new place would be much hassle..

    Stella

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