Is it a good idea to drive from Bangkok to Phuket in December-January?

Drivning license?

Probably never even left her small middle of nowhere town in the USA, and decided she is gonna come and drive a car in a foreign country cause she saw someone on YouTube do it and not to mention oneof the most dangerous countries in the world for traffic fatalities. What could go wrong 🤷🏻‍♂️ 🤡

Thailand has two season... Hot and Hotter... You will not need to worry about the cold (unless you go to the high country in the North).

It's possible to drive but more comfortable not to drive. I am also a US citizen and drive a motorcycle everywhere (including Bangkok).. I drove a car once in Thailand and hated it. They drive on the other side of the road, which isn't so bad, but you'll find that the windshield wipers come on every time you use your turn signal (... because its on the wrong side of the steering wheel). The driving customs are very foreign, confusing, signs are in a language you likely don't read, google maps helps only a little and less at 60/mph, and generally a pain in the ass. Eventually you'll get it figure out then you will go home. In the end you will have traveled half way around the wrong and all you've done is learned to drive on the wrong side of the road.

From BKK flights to Phuket are cheap, there is a train that can take you most the way (I think), and there are buses or if you want to spend the bucks you could rent a private car/driver. If I felt the need to go to Phuket from BKK by land, I would take a bus from one town to the nex, over the course of 2-3 days.

i have driven around Thailand plenty of times the trip is great some nice places along the way cheap hotels get a international licence its valid for 3 months message me if you want to know more and where to visit im not a fan of Phuket but each to there own

La Thaïlande est mon pays préféré pour des vacances en hiver 🙏

Forget Phuket! It’s over run with tourists. Go to one of the many off the road places. So many other fantastic places in Thailand. Travelfish.org

I’m from Mansfield, Ohio and have been going to Thailand for years. I would not recommend you make that drive and I absolutely love driving but not in Thailand. I practically live on a scooter while there but leave the cars to the Thais.

You might want to spend a little time researching the country, weather and everything else. It’s better if you have some kind of idea of what to expect and what you want to do. YouTube can be a great resource if you’re not super internet savvy. Look up Thailand trip videos to get ideas.

Lots of cool beaches on the way down. Stop as you need

train it to ST then bus to phuket

There are some beautiful spots to stop at along that route found the gulf coast. You could take a few days over it, since you have time. But I guess most would fly, be there in an hour and it costs much less than driving, especially with a couple of hotel nights along the way. Oh and don't listen to those who warn you against driving, so long as you have International Driving Permit

Once you get out of Bangkok it is quite an easy drive if you are a competent driver, it is dual carriageway all the way. Watch out for the orange (roadworks) signs as they often give very little notice of roadworks.

It is a long drive to do in one day, I have done it a few times from Hua Hin, but that is 3 hours less than Bangkok.

The statistics are high for road deaths here, but I suspect that is because of the number of deaths at night time on scooters when under the influence of alcohol (Thai and Foreigners), so avoid driving past about 6pm if you can. Good luck.

If you are going to do it remember to get your IDP before coming and remember they drive on the wrong side of the road here lol. I finally drove here (I normally just use a scooter) and I just have to say it is extremely weird to drive on the opposite side of the road and from the opposite side of the car. Luckily for me it was all country driving and my Thai friend did the city portions of the drive. I would recommend flying, taking the train or a buss.

I've been going to Thailand for 22 years. I always hire a car and driver, take a VIP bus or fly. I use Grab for local travel. I just think there are a lot less potential problems.

I agree with the flying suggestions too. I'm from America too, and I'll offer this 2 cents, I enjoyed Bangkok much more than Phuket. Maybe because I'm an old coot?

Check your life insurance then engage a long distance taxi

First why driving🤔 2nd no need worry bout cold/hot-Thailands hot. 3rd a day in Phuket more than enough with so many other destinations more appealing. Koa Tao, PhiPhiDon, Kph Lipi, and head northeast to experience the Isaan vibe🇹🇭

MAGA

Drive and enjoy take it in stop often you will love it

Get a flight. You're not ready for that drive if you think it can be done in the 'cold' 😏

We just had this choice to drive or fly to Krabi for a 7 day vacation and made the decision to fly and then rent a scooter.

Air Asia tickets are still reasonable, but all flights are 100% full. Busy season is already here, Ao Nang was a madhouse.

If we were told we could not fly, I would rent a van or take the bus before I would drive it. And I love driving here. 3 hours to Jomtien is just super fun watching the chaos. 13 hours to Phiuket would be exhausting for all of the reasons mentioned above. Is there and overwhelming reason to drive vs all of the other options?

If you like out the way small family owned resorts and variety of scenery you should go for it. Driving Thai highways is not bad. Cities are the areas that you'll have to be very careful of. And if you can go for a week without turning on the windshield wipers when signaling a turn, my hat is of to you. Seriously, the journey will be well worth it. Anybody can fly from point a to point b and not see or experience a thing. I spent a month driving the whole south looking for where I wanted to live. Having a Thai speaker with you will be very helpful.

Driving in Thailand is like Mr. Toads Wild Ride at Disneyland. I would fly or hire a car/transport. When we decide to travel we use people that own a van. It holds my wife’s relatives and we’ve ventured everywhere south of Bangkok but going north to chaing mai (sp) we take the night train. The van is comfortable and I think we paid $1200 baht per day.

Leave it to a genius fellow American to think Bangkok to Phuket would be even the slightest bit "cold" 🤡 and just to think this person might be sharing the road with a lot of of us..

Fly from Bangkok to Phuket

It's never cold between Bangkok and Phuket.

If you're planning to drive in Thailand, you must get an International Driver's Permit (IDP) before you leave your home country. Also, make sure your travel insurance covers you in a rental car.

Done it many times. Better and so cheap by Bus.

We did it (with a hired driver) about five years ago. We took three days to get there, stopped at beaches & temples along the way. It’s doable. But I would hire a driver.

One of the least beautiful drives in the country. If you want road trip that's not the one to do.

The trip south of Bangkok is fairly congested for three hours then it's awesome, the roads are really good quality and opposing traffic is separated for most of the way. Watch out for trucks and courier utes, they are inclined to move lanes quickly. Awesome scenery most of the trip. Definitely break it up, Chumpon is nice but there are numerous coastal towns worth stopovers.

That would be a nice 18 day road trip. I have enjoyed several 1 to 2 month road trips around Thailand, and it’s a great way to experience the countryside (in fact my next trip in Jan-Feb will be in the south). If you don’t already have it, download the Booking dot com app for excellent accommodation choices. Happy trails.

I drive for a living in the U.S and I drive when I come to Thailand. That being said, if you haven't driven in Thailand before, you might want to have someone drive you. Thailand driving requires you to know everything going on around you and that isn't something U.S driving gets you ready for. In the the U.S you won't have scooters on your left and right at the same time, not to mention the ones going the wrong way to get home. Factor in looking the opposite direction before you pull out so that you don't kill someone is a bit of a thing too. Have a great time here, but let others get you where you are going until you get some time on the ground here. Bangkok to Phuket is a big undertaking.

I was there in the beginning of January and the weather was just fine!

THAIS DRIVE ON THE RIGHT SIDE….. UNLIKE AMERICA…… LOCO!😜

And Thailand has one of the worst traffic accident records in the world! Fact!

Yeah. If you haven't driven in Thailand before, don't even think about it. Spend some time as a passenger and you will see how crazy some drivers are. And it is getting worse, everyone is in a hurry these days.

don't drive

It’s a scenic drive. Suggest you stop overnight in chumphon as it’s a long way. I do the drive regularly but I live just north of Phuket.

Cold?

@Kay **********

have you driven here before? Will you have an IDP with you?

Thailand driving is different.

I can give you an itenary if you want depends on what you like beaches temples, nature

Driving bangkok to Phuket is dangerous, tiring and boring. Don't waste your time.

Its not a bad drive i like going via Ranong via the isthmus of Kra. But if you are not used to Thai driving i wouldnt recomend it, totally different. I was just in the States and i only drove twice didnt like it 555.

I think you are much better to fly to Phuket and if you really want to drive yourself around, hire a car in Phuket