Originally Posted by Wallstreet on March 03, 2003 - 10:31 am

I'll be back in Bangkok for my 2nd trip beginning March 21. I'm thinking about renting a car for a couple of days to make getting out to the golf courses a little easier. The courses I want to play are an hour or two outside of Bangkok. Anyone have experience in driving/renting a car in Bangkok? I wouldn't use the car for getting around town - I know how bad the traffic is. Any help is appreciated.

Originally Posted by Murasaki on March 03, 2003 - 21:47 pm

In Reply to: Rent-a-car in Thailand posted by Wallstreet on March 03, 2003 - 10:31 am:

I have read in several places that the Thai police have a fondness for pulling over farangs for a little wallet enhancement. Be forewarned.

Originally Posted by Khun_Mor on March 03, 2003 - 20:54 pm

In Reply to: Rent-a-car in Thailand posted by Wallstreet on March 03, 2003 - 10:31 am:

I rented a car once in Thailand and only had to drive it about 10-12 blocks to get to where my ex-brother in law was. He was going to drive me and my ex- wife around Bangkok,Ayutthaya,,Kanchanaburi, Samut Prakan ,etc. By the time I had driven those 10 blocks I needed a change of underwear. Not just traffic-- wrong lane--driving in wrong side of car-- shift with right hand--gas pedal and clutch backwards-- crazy streets going one way and bizarre traffic signals. I will NEVER do that again. I will pay whatever it takes for a driver in BKK. BTW at Nana ask for Khun Tom-- great driver speaks very good English and is good hearted. Tell him doctor Tom is your friend-- he will take good care of you.

Originally Posted by Wallstreet on March 04, 2003 - 6:23 am

In Reply to: Re: Rent-a-car in Thailand posted by Khun_Mor on March 03, 2003 - 20:54 pm

Thanks for all the input guys. I'll definately go the taxi route. Khun Mor - when you say Khun Tom is at Nana - I assume the Nana Hotel - is he out front or part of the hotel? Thanks

Originally Posted by Khun_Mor on March 04, 2003 - 13:43 pm

In Reply to: Re: Rent-a-car in Thailand posted by Wallstreet on March 04, 2003 - 6:23 am:

Yeah - he is one of the limo drivers that works in the parking lot of the hotel . He is not one of the assholes who tries to grab you or get you to go with him. Very low key. Totally different than the usual pushy a-holes . Very knowledgable about BKK can get you anywhere.

Originally Posted by Merlin on March 03, 2003 - 18:27 pm

In Reply to: Rent-a-car in Thailand posted by Wallstreet on March 03, 2003 - 10:31 am:

Wallstreet, I've rented cars in a lot of different countries, but I wouldn't even dream of doing it in LOS. They not only drive like maniacs, and on the "wrong" side of the road to boot, but you have hundreds of motorcycles, traffic, elephants, food carts, poorly maintained roads and signs (some in Thai only), etc. Who knows about insurance? Hire a driver or a cab. They have drivers at the NANA and Dynasty Inn (grey suits and large, comfy sedans), and you can negotiate with them for a fee that is probably less than what you would pay renting a car. There are also cabbies in front of Dynasty who speak passable English. I hired a car to Pattaya a few times, making detours at various tourist spots along the way for 1400 baht, plus tip.

Originally Posted by Mcdijj on March 03, 2003 - 11:07 am

In Reply to: Rent-a-car in Thailand posted by Wallstreet on March 03, 2003 - 10:31 am:

The tought of driving anywhere in LoS scares me (shudder). If you have such a desire to flirt with death why not just hire a tuk-tuk to take you there? (-; Seriously, the traffic outside of BKK is less dense but no less crazy. If farang in a taxi are sometimes targeted by the police think of what farang in a rental car would do to their little greed'O'meters.

McDIJJ