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Is hitchhiking common in Thailand and what is the experience like?

HitchhikingTravel in ThailandTransportationExpat ExperiencesLocal CustomsSafety Concerns
Dec 19, 2023
a year ago
Martin *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
This definitely comes under "anything else " I have just spent the last few weeks touring the country by car, I started thinking about hitchhikers and the fact that I hadn't seen any, so I checked T'internet thinking maybe it's illegal or too dangerous, but no, according to Mr Google it's commonplace in the Kingdom and lots of people do it, in 4000 km that hasn't been my experience, so what is the situation?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation discusses the phenomenon of hitchhiking in Thailand. While some users mention that hitchhiking is not illegal and share anecdotes of having seen few hitchhikers, others express concerns about safety and the cultural differences in perception towards hitchhikers. Many expats noted they hardly see locals hitchhiking, attributing it to the availability of cheap public transport, language barriers, and a cultural taboo against walking long distances. Overall, experiences vary widely, with adventures and safety concerns highlighted.
Nick ************
Put them in the truck load space.
a year ago
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Jody *******
I've hitched a lot in Thailand & most of SouthEast Asia + many other countries. In SE Asia it's not about saving money, it's about saving time. You meet a lot of interesting people. Thais say it's very dangerous to do it in Thailand, so it's not for everybody.

Here's an example:

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a year ago
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Carsten **********
Saw only some foreign backpacker trying to get a ride. I guess mist This would not know what waving thump could mean. However, I have often take local people with me when they asked me if it was going there and if they could join. Traveling/wandering Monks are also sometimes happy to get a ride and come with some blessings.
a year ago
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Kool *******
Buses are dirt cheap so no one hitchhikes. There's also the language barriers.
a year ago
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James ********
I hitched around north Malaysia in 1981 and did it for a bit in southern Thailand too , but back them you didn’t meet many people who spoke English in the countryside and my Thai was minimal ….. so stopped . Did it again in wet season ‘82 in C Rai ….. got lifts everywhere as it happens ! Good times
a year ago
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David *******
even the poorest of the poor have a motorbike and Thai don't like to walk it's taboo
a year ago
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Sarick **********
If you pick up a person smuggling illegal drugs, drivers are busted too.
a year ago
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James ********
@Sarick *********
 interesting and reminds me of a good tale from the ‘80’s
a year ago
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James ********
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Tímea ******
I hitchhiked quite some part but some part it's very difficult and only locals help no tourists.

Locals said to me it's because they cannot communicate in English with us . 😉The people who hitchhike they cannot afford public transportation
a year ago
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Frank **********
I will never stop for a hitchhikers, too dangerous in today's world.
a year ago
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Fra *****
I tried it in the south when my bike broke down , ended up walking 20km , no one stops for a stupid farang , they are scared or just insecure or do not understand the concept , but many stopped and try to sell me their taxi service , farang that does not pay is cheap , or mad by local point of view
a year ago
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Ricky *********
@Fra ****
 To tight to buy fuel or pay for taxi
5 months ago
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Ricky *********
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John **********
In 7 years I think I've seen 2, both farangs. Thais assume they don't have any money but will pick them up.
a year ago
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Duncanc **********
Plenty of Thai people take rides from strangers/neighbours. It’s normally a local commute - but sometimes longer journeys.

Probably you just didn’t recognise it. They don’t stand with a thumb out
a year ago
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Jacob ********
#1 Dumbest idea ever and why? The Thai stops and understands what? Here you just look like a bum and there are more than enough sloppy foreigners here already.
a year ago
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Leon ****
I have seen backpacker tourist doing it at Chiang Mai. Only 2,3 times in 100k km driving experience in Thailand.
a year ago
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Marty *********
I’ve never seen a hitchhiker in Thailand. I haven’t seen hitchhikers in the US in decades either. People here don’t walk a lot on main roads. There are so many motorbikes and bicycles. I used to go for walks in the evening and I was constantly being offered rides to wherever I was going.
a year ago
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Diana ******
@Marty ********
 We have done a lot travelling in Western USA and see hitchhikers.
a year ago
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Rick *********
@Marty ********
 yup in the village they stop, hop in the back of the truck bed! I have gotten a couple rides.
a year ago
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Marty *********
@Rick ********
 I was out getting exercise so I declined the rides until I got caught in a downpour. The weird thing is that she knew who I was and where I lived. There aren’t many of us in the neighborhood.
a year ago
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Rick *********
@Marty ********
 oh ya they all know everything in the area it’s amazing the intel network!!!
a year ago
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Rick *********
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James **********
I can’t imagine it is illegal, and I have known farangs successfully do it
a year ago
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James **********
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