Renting cars and motorbikes.
Motorbikes and cars can be rented in most areas that are popular with tourists. The motorbikes that are available vary from 100cc/125cc fully automatic scooter type bikes (no gears or clutch-simply twist the throttle and off you go) - to the semi-automatic moped-type bikes (foot change gear lever but no clutch to worry about) - and then up to the fully-fledged motorbikes that we are more familiar with in the U.K. which can range anywhere in engine size between 250cc and 1000cc.
The fully automatic and semi-automatic bikes can be rented for as little as a couple of pounds per day. The bigger bikes are obviously more expensive - depending on their engine size.
Motorbikes are terrific for local sightseeing and shopping trips, being economical as well as easy to park, and they are by far the most popular mode of transport…
However… … a very serious word of caution!
The code of conduct that we are used to seeing in the U.K. (as written in The Highway Code, and enforced by police) simply does NOT exist in Thailand... where traffic rules are rarely enforced, particularly in the more rural areas.
Driving tests are NOT mandatory in Thailand, nor is having a driving licence, and it is quite common to see children as young as 10 years old driving around on motorbikes!
Although there is a (sort of) road tax license, many bikes have never had one since the day they were bought, and you will even see numerous motorbikes and cars driving around with no license plates!
Although the general rule of driving is "drive on the left" (as in the U.K.), there is an unwritten clause that goes something like "…unless it is inconvenient to do so, in which case drive on whichever side is easier for you"!
It is a very common sight to see motorbikes and cars heading towards you on the "wrong" side of the road simply because they are "not going too far and it makes things easier"!
Cars and lorries, as well as motorbikes, drive at break-neck speeds (ignoring any speed restrictions); tail-gate each other with only inches between them; overtake on blind bends; overtake on the inside-'undertake'? -drive at night with no lights; rarely use indicators etc!
Add to this general mayhem a pretty relaxed attitude to drink-driving and a total disregard for other road users, and you STILL only have around 25% of the full picture!
If I am painting a rather bad picture of driving conditions in Thailand, it is with just cause. Unfortunately, many tourists get to see the inside of a Thai hospital for entirely the wrong reasons (are there any "right" ones?), and, sadly, some never get to make the journey home.
In short, driving a car and, in particular, riding a motorbike in Thailand, should only be undertaken by experienced drivers/riders, as it can be extremely dangerous to your health!
If, against all common sense, you do decide to rent a motorbike, be aware that MOTs also don't exist in Thailand, and that rented motorbikes particularly rarely receive any preventative maintenance or get serviced regularly. They are (sometimes) only washed and cleaned before being handed over to the next "rentee".
If you are not able to competently check the motorbike over yourself, get someone who can (ask around in your resort/hotel). Wheels, tyres, brakes, steering, lights and chain adjustment should be checked before a leg is cocked over any machine.
NEVER be tempted to rent a bike that is outside your experience. If you haven't ridden a motorbike before, Thailand is most definitely not the place to learn!
If you have only limited experience, you should not be renting a bike anyway, but if you do, stick to the smaller fully automatic bikes. If you have always wanted to ride a "big" bike but never have, don't be tempted to rent one in Thailand… stick to the smaller bikes, and ALWAYS wear a helmet! If you are not offered a helmet, ask for one!
Once on the road, drive carefully, have eyes in the back of your head (i.e.: use your mirrors!) and be prepared for that huge cement lorry coming towards you on the wrong side of the road around the next blind bend!
It is very rare for motorbikes to have any insurance included with the rental, and if you damage your bike - or, even worse, cause or be involved in an accident, be prepared to lose a lot of money (even more so if you injure a Thai person)!
TIP!
Take a ride around your local area on a motorbike "Taxi" before you rent a bike. It will give you an idea of both the roads and the way other people ride/drive.
