@Av *********

No buses needed, train only - I've done it fairly recently (well 2020!)

@Will ***********

Yes.

18 hours from Bangkok to Hat Yai alone - once at your Hat Yai you need to change and go to Padang Besar once you're there, you'll need to go through customs and border control, change trains again and ride down through Alor Setar, Ipoh etc. Long way, so you'll want to stop somewhere.

I'd normally suggest Hat Yai but having lived there it's pretty dead these days - ever since Covid it's had a tough time recovering.

@Pablo *****************

If it's the first extension they'll only give you 30 days in most offices from what I've seen. After that extra 30 days you'll be eligible for the 60 days. In some offices, where the tourists haven't been in masses, they'll give you the 60 days straight away - for example, in Phatthalung, which is a MUCH better deal. It's the same price for both btw!

I'll check it out. Cheers mate.

Do they have a website Andrew? Thailand being classic ol Thailand, there isn't much to see on Googlemaps. I think i would end up tripping up there to not be able to find it.

@Andrew *******

Great shout, cheers Andrew!

Cheers Paul, great spot, not a great price but beggars cannot be choosers. Will give them a buzz tomorrow. Appreciate the response.

Not exactly true. Riding a manual motorbike for a first timer is tough, get the basics with an automatic / scooter and then take the plunge on a motorbike at some stage.

If you can drive a car manually, you'll know the clutch can be tricky at first - the clutch on a motorbike is MUCH trickier. If you're going A-B, go with am automatic / scooter.

You can get licenses in Thailand - but the Land Transport Offices are currently closed to new licenses due to State of Emergency. When they are open you're able to do your test there and get the license, you'll have to sit through a theory exam though (i believe you can do it all in one day). The practical is in a safe zone where there are no cars and it's apparently quite easy.

I'm not advising you to practice in Thailand but you're best going somewhere super quiet - islands like Koh Yao Noi where there aren't many drivers - take it slow. Most people in parts of Thailand aren't insured, in fact word on the street in Koh Samui most locals don't even own a license. You can ride around, but if you have an accident you are paying out.

Haha, crikey. You've been through it all then!