Car Hire in Thailand

Thailand rewards independent travellers like few other destinations. Hire a car and the country opens up completely — from the misty mountains around Chiang Mai and the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya, to the empty roads of the Isan plateau and the coastal cliffs of Krabi. Traffic can be chaotic in Bangkok, but venture beyond the cities and you'll find Thailand's roads remarkably navigable.

Best airports & pick-up locations

• Bangkok (BKK/DMK) — Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports. Best for central Thailand, Ayutthaya and Kanchanaburi.
• Chiang Mai (CNX) — gateway to Northern Thailand, the Golden Triangle and the mountain road to Pai.
• Phuket (HKT) — Andaman coast, Phang Nga Bay, Khao Lak.
• Krabi (KBV) — limestone karst scenery, beach roads and the Trang islands.
• Koh Samui (USM) — perfect for a circular island drive.

Driving in Thailand

• Drive on the left. Speed limits: 90 km/h highways, 60 km/h urban. Police checkpoints are common.
• International Driving Permit required alongside your home licence.
• Fuel is cheap by Western standards — fill up at major petrol stations rather than roadside vendors.
• Motorcycles dominate traffic — watch for them cutting between lanes, especially in cities.
• Flooding is possible on rural roads May–October; always check conditions before heading off the main routes.

Local tips & best routes

The Route 1095 from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son is legendary — 1,864 curves through mountain forest, taking 2–3 days at leisure. In the south, the coastal road from Krabi to Trang passes extraordinary limestone scenery. For history, drive the loop from Bangkok through Ayutthaya, Lopburi and Kanchanaburi — all within a weekend.