Here i will share the useful information i have found online over the years or discovered for myself on my travels. From Booking site advice to Scooter rentals and things not to do.
Renting and Riding Scooters
One of the most common activities for many visitors to Thailand has to be riding scooters. Look at any you tube video or travel video and you are bound to see people riding scooters along the beach or through the cities and along tree lined roads.
It is also safe to say that this is also one of the most dangerous activities for any tourist in Thailand. I am always amazed whenever I am there how many people i see or talk to who take risks they would never do at home while riding, just because they are on holiday. Riding without helmets or a license or even simply people riding around in what can be absolutely crazy traffic conditions, who have never ridden before!
Below are my suggestions to assist in keeping safe, when renting and riding scooters or motorbikes in Thailand.
Insurance - If you intend to ride a scooter on Thailand make sure your travel insurance covers this. While we never expect to have an accident you certainly do not want to foot the bill if you do.
License - Make sure you are licensed for the type of vehicle you are going to ride. As a general rule if you are not licensed to ride a motorcycle in your home country, then you are not licensed in Thailand either. This means that you will not be covered by any insurance policy you have. Obtaining an international license or International Driving Permit is also advisable. These are generally easily available and inexpensive to obtain.
Helmets - WEAR THEM!. You may want to look cool riding around with the breeze in your hair, but helmets are mandatory in Thailand. Your travel insurance will also not cover you if you have an accident while not wearing a helmet. In the last several months Police in holiday hot spots like Bangkok and Phuket have been enforcing the no helmet rules more stringently than in previous years so not wearing a helmet is likely at the very least to cost you a few hundred Baht and a trip to the local police station to pay your fine.
Drink Driving - DON'T DO IT. Simple really. It is dangerous and comes with some very hefty fines in Thailand. As at the time of writing fines of up to 20,000 Baht and or 1 year in prison can be applied if you are caught over the legal limit of 0.05
Renting Scooters - In most tourist hot spots in Thailand you will readily find an enormous amount of places who advertise Scooter for rent. 1 day, multiple day and even multiple week or months rental are common. Prices will vary by location, type of scooter, and length of hire. When looking to hire any vehicle in Thailand i always follow the below -
- Never give your passport for the vendor to keep during your rental period. Always only rent from a vendor who takes a copy of your passport.
- Always take a good look at the vehicle first to check everything is in operational order. Good tyres, lights work, brakes work etc.
- Always take photos and or video of the vehicle prior to leaving the shop, especially of any prior damage that may be visible. Also try to include at least one photo or a few seconds of video with the renter in the shot as well. This is extremely useful if the renter tried to charge you for damage that was done prior to you renting the vehicle ( not as common as i originally thought it was but it does happen )
- Ask to see the vehicle papers ( registration, rental licensing etc etc ) so you know where they are located if asked by police.
- Check that the fuel tank is full and if it not ensure this is marked on your rental agreement so you are not expected to pay to fill up the tank if you return it at the same level.
- Check everything on your rental agreement is as expected. Agreed return date and time, rental cost, deposit conditions etc.
Riding Scooters in Thailand is a great way to get around, it really opens up the ability to see a lot more of the beautiful country Thailand is. Be aware of the conditions around you. Traffic conditions, road rules and driving or riding in general in Thailand are VERY different to what most tourists are used too.
Most of all, just use common sense and enjoy your ride.
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