yumidesign

Need to store my small car in secure place for 6 months next year any Information including costs gratefully accepted

Looking for parking for small car anywhere around town or close to town any ideas on availability and cost appreciated

Has anyone been on the Samoeng to Pai goat track road recently, like after the last wet season. Went to Samoeng last weekend shopping for strawberries (not good too early in the season) and got the usual conflicting information from two of the locals. One said 4 wheel drive only the other no problems mate. Any real info much appreciated

Does anyone know where in Chiang Mai or close to CNX i can buy or obtain about 200 eucalypt seedlings for a donation to landscape a Wat in Wiang Haeng. Any help appreciated
Thanks on advance

During the past 5 years my partner and i have driver over 100,000 ks all over the country, without incident, in a Toyota Vios bought new from a dealer in Uttaradit, which incidentally was 30,000 tbt cheaper than the dealer in Chiang Mai.

We both have Thai drivers licences. The first twelve month ones obtained from Chiang Mai.
The following 5 year renewal. One obtained from Khon Kaen and the other from Chiang Mai. Different places follow different rules about what documentation is required for the issue of Thai licences to foreigners

The following tips are offered to help other would be road travellers avoid the many possible disasters that await on or near the roads in Thailand and to ‘survive the drive’

1. DRIVE DEFENSIVELY
Always assume the driver of the motor cycle in front with 5 riders all without helmets will veer across your path on their way to an unmarked road exit or the motor cycle with the mother on the back either breast feeding or bottle feeding a baby will make a track right across the lane in front of you to make a U turn

2. NEVER DRIVE AT NIGHT
Never ever. Driving under the influence in Thailand is decided when drivers after having an accident can’t stand up due to being too drunk

3. ONLY DRIVE FOR 4 - 5 HOURS MAX PER DAY
Make hourly stops to keep fresh and alert.

4. START YOUR DRIVE AFTER 11 AM
This will put you on the road with the least other traffic as most will be starting their lunch break

5. BE ON EXTRA ALERT  IF WITHIN 100 KS OF BANGKOK
Avoid BKK altogether if possible. There are plenty of alternative routes around the city, if you must park your car outside the city and take the bus, and stay clear of vehicles on any road with BKK number plates, they are the ones with the longest name under the numbers, doing 160 clicks swerving past you on the left hand side.
BKK drivers are by far the most dangerous followed closely by those from around the far east of the country particularly around Khon Kaen and Ubon Ratchathani. As well as Pratchub Kiri Khan where the wrong side of the road is favoured by most drivers

6. DON’T SPEED
On the highway stay below the 90 k / hour speed. Its easier to stop if you need to and you will avoid the highway patrol speed cameras. If you drive around a lot you will get to know the police speed camera traps. They are always set up at the same places. For instance going into Lumpang from Chiang Mai and on the road from Lumpang to Tak there is nearly always speed cameras. The road from Khon Kaen to Chum Phae on the way to Phitsaulok is notorious for police fining vehicles for driving in the right hand lane. You can also tell when other traffic is travelling at 90 instead of the usual 160 + or oncoming traffic flash their lights

7. USE YOUR HORN AND FLASH HIGH BEAM
Especially on blind corners on narrow country roads and coming up behind half asleep motor cycle drivers and people on bicycles wandering across your path

8. LIGHTS ON
Always drive with parking lights on during daylight hours

9. INDICATOR LIGHTS
Well before any change of direction use indicator lights and check in all mirrors before proceeding, paying particular attention to motor cycles passing on inside left lane or making turns in front of you

10. DON’T SPEAK THAI
When ever stopped by officialdom  never speak Thai. Always answer in English and never let any official inspect your car or belongings without you being present and showing them what they want to see. Whilst of course being super  polite. Keep copies of passport, insurance policy and registration papers in the glove box

11. DON’T DRIVE ALONE
If possible always drive with another driver in the car. Another pair of drivers eyes can prove very helpful

12. FULL INSURANCE
Make sure you have a good comprehensive insurance policy with a reputable company, offering good no claim discounts, which covers third party liability, costs of legal defence, liability of passengers, and bail payments. This is also very important if renting a car or motor cycle. In the event of an accident the foreigner will always be judged as being in the wrong no matter what the circumstances may be

13. DON’T  DRIVE ON RAIN SOAKED MOUNTAIN ROADS AFTER THE DRY SEASON.
In hilly areas the roads are covered with diesel residue which builds up to dangerous levels at the end of the dry season. With the first soaking rain these road surfaces resemble ice skating rinks. You will see the tell tail skid marks of pick up truck tyres disappearing off the road at every corner

Driving the roads exploring The Kingdom can be great fun and an absolute joy, the roads are generally wide and well surfaced and if you follow the above rules you should be able to motor happily and safely, with a generous helping of good luck of course