Thailand - Safe to drive from Singapore to Phuket

I'm thinking of driving from Singapore to Phuket in August and have some really basic questions:

1. Is it a problem for residents of the US to drive? Do I need any special permits (e.g., like in China)?

2. Is this a safe drive? There's no way that I will pass for a local anywhere, so obviously I'll stand out. Now, that being said, I've wandered around back alleys in Delhi, Beijing, Cairo, and Istanbul and have felt "safe," so this is a relative term.

3. Can I even rent a one-way car rental for a trip like this?

4. Are the border crossings relatively painless like the airport, provided I have the right visas? Are "bribes" necessary anywhere?

5. It is my understanding that this is monsoon season. Does this add to the complexity (e.g., roads being closed because of mudslides)?

Thanks!

Wow!! what a fantastic road trip!! PM me if you actually decide to go.. I may be able to offer some logistical assistance based on previous experience driving in and through Malaysia and Thailand. ^^

safety is hard to assess,
that is a disturbed area and tourists have been killed.
But I bet you know that !

More interesting Q is about the one-way car rental.
I can't imagine it works, but maybe...
More preferable might be to hire a car w/driver. ^

Ok, so far as I know, renting a car for a one way trip into Thailand is not possible, since the rules for entry state that the car is being temporarily imported into the country for tourism purposes, and will have to be returned to originating country, and there are stiff fines + bond forfeiture for non-compliance. A more preferred scenario is locating a car that is being imported into Thailand in the first place and offering to drive it into the country for them. Auto dealerships are probably a good place to start, but I must admit that I don't know how many cars are being imported from SG to BK.

safety is hard to assess,
that is a disturbed area and tourists have been killed.
But I bet you know that !

I know nothing about that, care to elaborate ...

I know nothing about that, care to elaborate ...

Well.. You would be driving through the insurgent south, would you not ?

Travel Warnings have been in effect for years.

UK: We advise against all but essential travel to the provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla on the Thai-Malaysia border. (http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/asia-oceania/thailand)

USA: The far south of Thailand has been experiencing almost daily incidents of criminally and politically motivated violence for several years (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1040.html#safety), including incidents attributed to armed local separatist groups. Although the separatist groups have focused primarily on Thai government interests in the southern provinces, some of the recent violence has targeted public and commercial areas, including areas where foreigners may congregate. On September 16, 2011, three coordinated bombs exploded in Narathiwat’s business and entertainment district, killing five people, including four Malaysian tourists, and injuring over 110 others. On April 18, 2011, a car bomb exploded in Yala’s business district, killing one person and injuring 23 others. On February 19, 2011, gunmen fired on a karaoke restaurant in Narathiwat municipality, injuring two; half an hour later, a car bomb went off nearby, injuring more than a dozen people. On February 13, 2011, a car bomb exploded in Yala municipality’s business district injuring at least a dozen people. The U.S. Embassy prohibits its personnel from traveling to the far south of Thailand-- Narathiwat, Pattani, and Yala provinces--without prior mission approval, and Embassy personnel may go there only on mission-essential travel.

Australia: Southern provinces - Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla: We strongly advise you not to travel at this time to the southern provinces (http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/Advice/Thailand) of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla, or overland to and from the Malaysian border through these provinces due to high levels of ongoing violence in these regions. This includes travel by train between Thailand and Malaysia.

In recent years almost daily attacks, many of which have caused deaths and serious injuries, have taken place in these areas. Bombings and shootings are commonplace in these areas. Arson and beheadings have occurred. The Thai Government has warned tourists not to travel to these areas.

Since January 2004, there has been heightened tension in these four southern provinces, where there continues to be violent incidents. Over 4,000 people have reportedly been killed and many more injured, including foreigners. An Australian was one of seven people injured in a bomb blast in Yala province in May 2007.

New Zealand: There is high risk to your security in the southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani and Songkhla (http://www.safetravel.govt.nz/destinations/thailand.shtml) because of ongoing criminal and politically-motivated violence. We advise against all tourist and other non-essential travel to these provinces. Since 2004 there have been over 4,000 deaths as a result of terrorist and other violent attacks. The Thai Government’s Emergency Decree is in force in the southern provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.

This is the first time I've taken a look at the warnings, though I've known about them for years, but now I'm rather surprised* that Songkhla is included on all but the US State Dept's list.

*Surprised because it isn't even listed on Thailand's emergency decree.

This is the first time I've taken a look at the warnings, though I've known about them for years, but now I'm rather surprised* that Songkhla is included on all but the US State Dept's list.

*Surprised because it isn't even listed on Thailand's emergency decree.

Thailand is careful not to rock the boat with tourist routes :)

You might want to look at this as well - a bit dated but interesting....
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/158206-drive-from-singapore-to-phuket/

Also found this trip report from Singapore to Chiang Mai last year...
http://roadtriptothailand.blogspot.com/2011/07/driving-from-singapore-to-thailand.html

I believe the troubled areas are on the south eastern corner near the Malaysian state of Kelantan.

I am also surprised to see Songkhla on the list, but since it's a seaside town it may be a target with a higher number of tourists.

I haven't driven to Phuket before, but I don't believe you need to drive through those regions to get there. I have also not heard anything about anyone from this side of the border being killed by terrorists on their way to Phuket, but plenty of people getting killed on the Malaysian highway in road accidents. Honestly, I would be more wary of Malaysian drivers than anything else .....

I am also surprised to see Songkhla on the list, but since it's a seaside town it may be a target with a higher number of tourists.



The mention was, most assuredly, for the province.

However the violence in the last decade doesn't seem to target tourism. Rather it's toward the gov/military/local population.

However the violence in the last decade doesn't seem to target tourism. Rather it's toward the gov/military/local population.

Agreed, but there were casualties involving tourists in Haadyai which is popular with Malaysians.

Those Aussie and Malaysian casualties were not the intended target. Collateral damage, I suppose. Nonetheless, travel warnings came out of it and for the super-cautious this may well influence their decision-making.

For the OP, I see no issues. As pointed out earlier: More likely to get wiped out by a crazy Malaysian / Thai driver.

I drive BKK-HKT and BKK-CNX sometimes and it's absolutely insane what goes on there.

While ago, just after the Western New year I drove CNX-BKK and we witnessed/passed over 12 accidents. About 1 every 50 minutes of driving time. Some with casualties.

That's the real risk on this road trip.

Becoming collateral damage to some violent incident is rather unlikely on this highway route through Songkhla.

I drive BKK-HKT and BKK-CNX sometimes and it's absolutely insane what goes on there.

While ago, just after the Western New year I drove CNX-BKK and we witnessed/passed over 12 accidents. About 1 every 50 minutes of driving time. Some with casualties.


You don't have to drive that far.

Everytime I drive around Chiangmai (on motorbike) I see fresh marks from an accident on the roads.

Car drivers are so rude. They pull in front of you from an exit or small road and don't give way. Cannot wait 3 seconds and not 10 seconds later they are stuck because some other stupid driver parked his car in the small street and the motorbike is unnecessarily stuck behind the car.

Entering the highway they don't care about the traffic. Just pull in and cut off the drivers on the highway. Leaving the highway, just cut from the right lane across one or two lanes to exit. Other road users??? Hey, I have a car, so what!

Most streets in Thailand are not made for car traffic, too small but still two-ways. Furthermore Thais don't "park", they just stop and turn off the engine regardless where.

Let's face it. Thais are not made to handle four wheels, that applies to shopping carts too. Cannot drive, cannot park.

Let's face it. Thais are not made to handle four wheels, that applies to shopping carts too. Cannot drive, cannot park.

Really ? I actually though the Thais are the better drivers in Asia ?

You should take a trip to Indonesia , it will give you a new perspective of what bad driving is all about ...

You should take a trip to Indonesia , it will give you a new perspective of what bad driving is all about ...

Or Cambodia. It's amazing what a new driver can do in a Lexus LX 570.

Regardless, I would put money on it being impossible to rent a car for a one way trip like this. Be prepared to drive back.

If you do try this, be aware of SG regulations on how much gasoline may be taken in/out of the country in vehicle gas tanks. Some border crossings can have long lines. Of course, be sure that your car insurance is valid in all countries you pass through.

I've driven a fair bit in rural Thailand and some of the provincial cities. Seemed pretty safe and easy. Not many rude drivers, but you need to keep an eye on bicycles and other incidental traffic.

I've driven a fair bit in rural Thailand and some of the provincial cities. Seemed pretty safe and easy. Not many rude drivers, but you need to keep an eye on bicycles and other incidental traffic.

And those drivers on your side of the street coming in the opposite direction around a bend.

I went back and forth between Penang-KL-Melakka quite a few times, extending once to JB. The (almost) all-motorway driving felt safe enough, though it was difficult to maintain safe distances between vehicles: and it was intensely boring after the novelty wore off.

Cross-border rentals seldom work well: think of picking up in Chicago and dropping off in Tegucigalpa.

You may have pressing reasons to drive: if not, and you have the time, you might think about a train/car combination. I think Surat Thani is the station to aim for, and there you could certainly negotiate a car/taxi or catch a connecting bus.

Good luck!

Air Asia

Hope I don't see you on the news!

Air Asia

One way international flights is about the only time I'd agree.

Air Asia

Perhaps you could increase your vocabulary, there is also Silk Air.

No need to contribute to the coffers of the fat man with a red cap who treats everyone as idiots.

What about if you rent the car in Johor Bahru and drop off in Penang or some other northen state. Take the rest of the ride with local driver. And rent an other car in Thailand.

Just an idea... no need for cross border rental, and drivers up in the North knows the current situation acroos the Thai border.

What about if you rent the car in Johor Bahru and drop off in Penang or some other northen state. Take the rest of the ride with local driver. And rent an other car in Thailand.
I've done precisely this (well, the JB to Penang bit by rental car, at least). As others have said, it's a fairly boring drive, especially if you stick to the motorway, although some of the karst-y, hilly bits around Ipoh aren't bad. Wouldn't really recommend it unless you've got the time to spare to make a road trip of it and poke around some of those bits of Malaysia where a car comes in very handy (Cameron Highlands, Fraser's Hill, etc).