Renting a Car or Motorbike in Phuket and Phang Nga

If you are not already an experienced motorbike driver, please don't rent a motorbike anywhere in Thailand, it is not a good place to learn.  If you are, go ahead and rent a bike and enjoy yourself.  Be careful - and know that the insurance on the motorbike is usually inadequate by Western standards.  But probably at worst you are unlikely to seriously injure anyone but yourself.

Second, an international driver's license (IDL) is a must, no matter how many times you hear that one is not required.  Though a rental agency may be happy to rent a car or bike to you without an IDL, the vehicle's insurance may be invalidated if you are in an accident.  An injury accident can be a criminal issue in Thailand and it is important to sort these things out BEFORE an accident.

This raises the next issue - don't rent the cheapest car you can find.  They will, invariably, have inadequate insurance.  The minimum car insurance can be as low as B15,000 - enough to take care of a broken arm and that is about it.  If someone is seriously injured you will be out-of-pocket to solve the problem - and can be prevented from leaving the country until it is satisfactorily solved.

Rent your car from an internationally reputable car hire - rental agency.  If you are going to do it - do it right. Check the forum on the Khao Lak Lovers website for a discussion of good agencies with proper insurance.

Enough scare-mongering!  Driving in Thailand is not difficult if you keep your speed down and don't do anything quickly.  Traffic here follows the "school of fish" principle in which traffic flows around any obstacles and always takes the path of least resistance.  As long as you know that - no problems.

Try to not drive at night as the roads are usually poorly lit - and unlit vehicles, animals and people will be on the road.  If you do drive at night - just take your time and keep your speed down, don't drive faster than what  your headlights can reveal.

Some rental/car hire agencies will want to hold your passport - don't let them do that.  Take a photocopy of the face page of your passport and that is all that the reputable agencies will require - along with a photocopy of your IDL.  Scam artists will hold your passport hostage as they try to extort money from you by claiming new scratches or dents on the vehicle when you return it.  Just another reason to rent from a reputable agency.

All that said, Thailand generally has good roads, that are usually signed in Thai and English - and having a look around the countryside is a great way to get to know the area.

Go, enjoy!