scooter hire in Thailand

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Discussion

Blackpuddin

Original Poster:

16,704 posts

207 months

Monday 9th September 2013
quotequote all
What licence docs will Bangkok scooter hire firms want to see for a simple twist'n'go 125 scooter? Would be nice to get one each for me and the missus. I've got a full bike licence but the OH has no bike credentials, just a car licence.

Biscuits55

2,654 posts

212 months

Monday 9th September 2013
quotequote all
I have hired one out there plenty of times. most times the firms aren't too fussed about seeing any licence, let alone specifically a bike one.....


you should have no bother,

smile

Blackpuddin

Original Poster:

16,704 posts

207 months

Monday 9th September 2013
quotequote all
thanks, I was thinking that might be the case

smifffymoto

4,630 posts

207 months

Monday 9th September 2013
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Do yourself a favour and watch some videos of Bangkok traffic on Youtube(especially Sukhumvit),then ask yourself if you're being sensible.

audidoody

8,597 posts

258 months

Monday 9th September 2013
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Bangkok traffic culture bears no resemblance to the rest of the world (well, apart from India and Egypt). Make sure you carry a couple of thousand pounds of cash with you in case you hit anyone who jumps out in front of you.

Challo

10,359 posts

157 months

Monday 9th September 2013
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On the islands i got a scooter, but wouldn't bother in Bangkok. Tuk Tuk's are stupidly cheap so I would get one of them instead.

Shay HTFC

3,588 posts

191 months

Monday 9th September 2013
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I rode a motorbike in Ho Chi Minh City traffic for 6 months and I would still think hard about riding in Bangkok. Its a whole different world of manic, especially for a car driving lady partner.

essayer

9,126 posts

196 months

Monday 9th September 2013
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See what your travel insurance will cover!!

mudster

786 posts

246 months

Monday 9th September 2013
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Blackpuddin said:
What licence docs will Bangkok scooter hire firms want to see for a simple twist'n'go 125 scooter? Would be nice to get one each for me and the missus. I've got a full bike licence but the OH has no bike credentials, just a car licence.
They'll probably want to retain your passport but unlikely they even want to see your licence. If you go for it, wear a helmet even if the locals don't. Not only on safety grounds (although I'm not convinced their helmets offer any greater protection than a cycling helmet), but also because you're likely to be stopped by the police at the most inconvenient time.

Yes, I got stopped an hour before I needed to leave for the airport and had to go the police station and sort it all out.

anonymous-user

56 months

Tuesday 10th September 2013
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Can you ride? Thailand is not a place to learn, if you can ride it is OK, but I've seen some horrible accidents, scooters are the biggest killer of white men in the country.
Having said that you will not need a license, but do not give your passport as a deposit, same goes for jetskis.
I've picked two tourist up of the street in Thailand who got knocked off scooters, one of them seriously hurt, and loads of Thais, I ride in Thailand as much as any one, on proper bikes, and more than any one else on here, scooters are real dangerous if you don't know what you are doing, and of course you can not drink, better to just get a tuktuk.
We go to Phucket bike week most years and we always leave the bike at the hotel, have a bear and leave the scooter alone.

AJS-

15,366 posts

238 months

Tuesday 10th September 2013
quotequote all
Not many scooter hire companies in Bangkok, but plenty on the islands and in tourist destinations. Most aren't too fussy about documents but many places ask for your passport as a deposit. I've never had a problem with this but I have heard of others having big problems with excessive claims for pre-existing damage etc.

In defence of Bangkok drivers they are generally pretty aware of bikes, as it's hard not to be when there's a forest of them at every junction, but they can also be utterly nuts, selfish and aggressive in ways you just wouldn't see in the west. Unless you're very used to Asian traffic at it's worst I'd save your biking adventures for outside Bangkok and use the cheap and abundant taxis you'll find everywhere here.

Fishtigua

9,786 posts

197 months

Tuesday 10th September 2013
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I hired a TZR250r, one of the finest small bikes ever made, from a dealer, it was his wife's. It may be worth popping around the dealers and ask whats available.

Munka01

461 posts

141 months

Tuesday 10th September 2013
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Ridden scooters in Thailand a number of times (Chiang Mai, Phuket, Samui, Koh Phangan) and no way would I even attempt to get a scooter in Bangkok.

Absolutely unnecessary if you ask me, plenty of cheap transport options around bangkok all without risking your life.


XJSJohn

15,986 posts

221 months

Tuesday 10th September 2013
quotequote all
I drive in Bangkok daily, and honestly would not recomend riding scooters here if youa re not familiar with the driving style, where you are going and what other people will do.

Also a Farang on a bike in BKK is like a mobile ATM machine to police.

however in answer to your question - motorbike rental wont care what you give them, its police.

you will need to go to the post office and get this http://www.postoffice.co.uk/international-driving-...

Have it and your drivers lisence on you at all times, this will at least save you B1000 a stop smile

Riding bikes in Pattaya / Phuket / Samuia etc - no problem, just dont go off like a loon, and watch out for the pissed riders around you (90% of them)

Enjoy!

ETA - crash helmets - they are only there to protect your wallet - B200 - 400 a time without. Strangely the pillion does not need to wear one!?!?!?

Have a photocopy of your license and passport - if they ask for docs, give them that instead.

as mentioned in BKK, motorcycle taxi, Tuk Tuk and Taxi, all cheap.





Edited by XJSJohn on Tuesday 10th September 05:33

XJSJohn

15,986 posts

221 months

Tuesday 10th September 2013
quotequote all
AJS- said:
In defence of Bangkok drivers they are generally pretty aware of bikes,
Just watch out for the aholes driving Big Black Mazda Pickups hehe

paperbag

AJS-

15,366 posts

238 months

Tuesday 10th September 2013
quotequote all
XJSJohn said:
AJS- said:
In defence of Bangkok drivers they are generally pretty aware of bikes,
Just watch out for the aholes driving Big Black Mazda Pickups hehe

paperbag
Just steer clear of Nana, Cowboy and the road inbetween and I'm sure he'll be fine!

XJSJohn

15,986 posts

221 months

Tuesday 10th September 2013
quotequote all
AJS- said:
XJSJohn said:
AJS- said:
In defence of Bangkok drivers they are generally pretty aware of bikes,
Just watch out for the aholes driving Big Black Mazda Pickups hehe

paperbag
Just steer clear of Nana, Cowboy and the road inbetween and I'm sure he'll be fine!
hehe

thats good advice in general!!!

AJS-

15,366 posts

238 months

Tuesday 10th September 2013
quotequote all
laugh

Make sure to wear a helmet too.

XJSJohn

15,986 posts

221 months

Tuesday 10th September 2013
quotequote all
AJS- said:
laugh

Make sure to wear a helmet too.
are we still talking about motorbikes now?? hehe

AJS-

15,366 posts

238 months

Tuesday 10th September 2013
quotequote all
XJSJohn said:
AJS- said:
laugh

Make sure to wear a helmet too.
are we still talking about motorbikes now?? hehe
Those too!