Thailand : SG - Ko Samui - Phuket - SG - 3300km Solo Trip

[Nainar]

Fellow MCFers,

 

Am fairly new to Singapore and have been lurking around this forum for a while after I got my car. Having done road trips in europe,India one of my goals of being in Singapore is to explore SE Asia by road. Started on the earnest by making a few trips to Penang, KL and was planning to make a trip to Thailand,Laos and Cambodia. But then broke it down to two legs. First leg to cover Southern thailand and then next trip to cover Northern Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. This though resulted in me working out this route for a week long trip.. It was just me driving as well in the entire care. So, it is "Me time" all through.

 

This is the route that I worked out..

 

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Singapor...amp;t=m&z=7

 

Some of the earlier posts by bro Fongmy, Shore gave pointers on requirements to drive a Singapore registered car in Thailand. Thank you guys for the wealth of information available. Being aware of all these made crossing the borders the least painful.

 

 

That is what my trip meter looked like for the entire trip. I started the trip meter after crossing Tuas checkpoint and having entered malaysia after @ 30 minutes from the checkpint. So, easily that will add up another 60-70 kilometers.

 

First day: 18th August 2021

 

Started from my house in Hougang at @7:00 AM. My plan was to hit Hat Yai by sun down and start over night there. Had our Friday beer bust at the office and went to sleep only at 12:00 making it difficult for me to get up at 4:00 as I wanted. Departure delayed by 3:00 hours. That is the fun of driving it aint it? You are on your own. Left home at 7:00 and hit Tuas. Singapore side was ok, and was thinking how is it that possible. The Malaysian side is when it really got delayed. Pile up of cars and it took more than 35 minutes to clear the Malaysian side. Anyway I was out of the Tuas Checkpoint by 8:15 which is not that bad given that it is Hari Raya Pooja.

 

Unevenftul drive all the way to KL and took the right exit heading towards Ipoh. The traffic was free flowing and I was left wondering what is going on, whether people are taking it easy on the roads. Was expecting heavy traffic. The trouble started only after crossing KL, joining E1. A few kilometeres before Slim river exit the jams started and it went on till I crossed Bidar

 

That is the E2 Expressway. The jam ran for many many kilometers. On the final count, the stretch of @38kms between Slim River and Bidar took more than 3 hours to cross. But the traffic eased after Bidar. I found many many cars parked in Slim River exit, and the entire stretch till Bidar. Am curious if any Malay bros could throw some light on the reason. It was interesting to see so many people out on the road having fun, though it was a problem driving. But hey, we are all on vacation to have a good time. I would have done Penang usually in 6.5 to 7 hours but that day took around 10 hours. I reached Penang by 5:00 PM and was contemplating whether I should drive all the way to Hat Yai or break at Penang as it is already sun down. But I was still feeling ok and decided to push forward. Crossed Alor Setar by 6:00 and was in Bukit Kayu Hitam by 7:00 after purchasing Thai insurance for 15 MYR and a Thai SIM card. The guy also filled up Thai Immigration form for 1 MYR. Quiet convenient and took around 15 minutes at this guy's shop. There are a series of shops and you can stop at any one of them as they all provide pretty much the same service. Saw many many Malaysian cars and the guy gave a second look when I said I am in a Singapore Car. The border crossing was bit of a pain in the neck, with the procedures.

 

I had to park my car in an open car park. As I hold an Indian passport, have to get Visa on Arrival. I had already confirmed with the Thai embassy that this border post issues that. Went through that, costed me 1500 Bahts Visa fee. They took a web cam picture, recorded my entry. The next process is to get the Customs declaration form. This gets filled by the official in a computer and it was not that bad. She entered all the vehicle details in a form, tore it away and gave me to give it to the customs officer. I gave it to him and then he instructed me to go to the parking lot and drive my car through that entry point. There is only one exit and when you drive through you will pass through this guy, who will check your vehicle number against the filled up form and give you a copy. Hold on to it as if it is yourlife. I had been asked this document in multiple places but it was easy once I was beyond Hat Yai. You need to return this while exiting Thailand and I dont know what they can do, if you dont have this document. So, keep this safely and if possibly keep a copy.

 

Anyway I was out of the customs and legally in Thailand along with my car by 8:15 PM. The bureaucracy took some time but it is not that bad. I saw many hotels as I cross the border but decided to hit Hat Yai, my planned destination. Reached Hat Yai by 9:15 PM. I had not booked any hotel and felt that I should have. After such a long solo drive you dont have energy to look for a hotel. Hat Yai has many one ways. Called a couple of hotels that I had the numbers and they were both full. Out of luck, drove to Tunes Hotel. They did not have any rooms but the front office lady was kind enough to call BP Grand Towers and book me there. It costed my 1280 Bahts for a night. Went to have a drink and asked for cashew nuts and beer, thinking I will get some handful of cashews. Imagine how much cashew nuts I got. A plateful, good enough to be consumed for dinner. And that is my steed parked in the BP Grand Tower parking lot. Asked the watch man to keep a watch and gave him 50 bahts. He was more than happy to keep watching the car when I was sleeping. - This is what Thai's call as Cashews for snack! Plateful good enough for dinner

That is my car in the BP Grand Towers parking lot among the Thai trucks.

[KaKiLang]

Next trip check in those hotels wif a below ground parking where they have their staff's clocking office at the entrance of the carpark. Much safer.

[Cba6p]

If Hatyai is not my destination or not in my 1st day itenery, I would overnight at Sadao...did that twice.

[Nainar]

If Hatyai is not my destination or not in my 1st day itenery, I would overnight at Sadao...did that twice.

 

I would think so as well. Hat Yai is more of a town and all I was looking for is a motel to spend the night. It took me #30 minutes of roaming around to find a hotel in Hat Yai. Would have been ok to stay in Sadao, as the hotels were in the roadside and would have been easy to sleep through and get out driving the next day. It is just that Hat Yai was in the planned route for stay and I just stuck to it.

 

Some how I find that missing in this part of the world. Highways in the US, Italy or India have road side motels, cost effective, clean, and safe, which cater to road warriors who are on long journey. I am not sure if I can find such place in Malaysia, Thailand.

 

Nainar

[Cba6p]

...Highways in the US, Italy or India have road side motels, cost effective, clean, and safe, which cater to road warriors who are on long journey. I am not sure if I can find such place in Malaysia, Thailand.

Nainar

In Malaysia, there're several along the HSHW, one of them:

 

http://www.agoda.com/asia/malaysia/kuala_l...tel_rawang.html

 

but I dun think I need them coz as usual, I overnite at Sadao and drive all the way home the following day. I think it's safer to drive during daytime.

 

Krabi is my favorite. I could stay there for a whole week. I call that real relax.

[Nainar]

In Malaysia, there're several along the HSHW, one of them:

 

http://www.agoda.com/asia/malaysia/kuala_l...tel_rawang.html

 

but I dun think I need them coz as usual, I overnite at Sadao and drive all the way home the following day. I think it's safer to drive during daytime.

 

Krabi is my favorite. I could stay there for a whole week. I call that real relax.

 

I agree totally. One can drive through entire Malaysia in a day, and into Thailand. But in case of exigencies which could happen any time, these kind of places help a lot. Example was the traffic jam that I encountered which could throw the plan into a tailspin.

 

I drove trough Krabi in the return leg. Looked like a nice place. Felt I should have spent one night there.

 

Nainar

[Nainar]

Day 2:

 

Had breakfast at BP Tower. Not that great a breakfast, just bread and butter toast, coffee. Left Hat Yai by 10:30 in the morning. Went around Hat Yai the previous night, did not find any interesting bars around BP Tower to have a couple of drinks. May be I did not explore further, but I was looking for some classy place with nice music to down a drink.

 

I had Sygic GPS. It runs on iPhone and iPad. I have a Garmin GPS but did not manage to load Thai Maps in that device. So, relied on Sygic and it worked fantasitcally The route was hitting the highway to Nakhon si thammarat and then taking a deviation towards Surat thani. And then a deviation to drive to Don Sak Ferry. The device logs the route, time taken and a lot of information. A sample summary and details as recorded in the software in iPhone.. A distance of 372 kms too @ 4 hours, averaging 90 kmph, a maximimum of 162 km/h

 

 

 

 

And this is the interesting part! It analyses my drive and notes down "g" values of my acceleration/deceleration and plots series of graphs. Quiet interesting to read..

 

 

 

Anyway without any hassles, thanks to the GPS I reached Don Sok Ferry terminal. It took me around 4 hours and I was there at the Ferry terminal to catch the 2:00 PM Ferry.

 

At the Don Sok Ferry..

 

 

And they do diligent stacking of vehicles. No wonder they dont run the ferry when the sea is rough. A little more than an hour and I am in Ko Samui. It is a great feeling having crossed two national borders, traveled through land and sea to enter and island. In one's own wheels. Given a choice will do it again. The ferry floats without any movement and it is as if I am still. It goes at @23 km/h on an average. Compare that with the land average of 90km/h and you know how it feels. But it is fun to sit in the Ferry, watch people, vehicles, people sleeping in their cars and stand in the deck with wind over the head.

 

Landed in Ko Samui and I did not book any hotels. I drove around and chose to stay at Bo Phut beach. Walked into Waterfront hotel and asked if they have any rooms. They do and at @2900 Bahts. It is by the beach, very quiet, laid back and run by a loving couple who took every effort to make my checkin and other things hasslefree.

 

A view from the hotel reception..

 

 

 

And the room..

 

 

And saw these cute little things to dispose shamppo, soap and conditioner..

 

 

Had a nice shower, got out of the hotel, walked to nearby Italian joint and had a nice dinner and sound sleep. Next three days are going to be in Samui and was taking it easy that night.

 

 

 

[Zxcvb]

Power lah!!! Very inspirational. But solo trip?? It'll be better to have at least a partner or buddy system lah.

[Nainar]

Power lah!!! Very inspirational. But solo trip?? It'll be better to have at least a partner or buddy system lah.

 

I wish lah bro! But timings and other things have to match. And above that wavelength of thinking should match as well for such long road trips. For my next trip to Northern Thailand, Laos one of the fellow MCFer has expressed interest. Let us see if the timings suit us.

 

But it was ok. I was not feeling threatened or unsafe at any part of the travel.

 

Nainar

[Cba6p]

But it was ok. I was not feeling threatened or unsafe at any part of the travel.

Yeah me too. I feel safer in Thailand when compared to the country at 6 o'clock.

[Nainar]

Yeah me too. I feel safer in Thailand when compared to the country at 6 o'clock.

 

Tell me about it!! Morning 8:00 at CTE to work, a drive of 14 kms is a lot more intimidating than the 900 kms drive in Thailand.

 

After arriving in Ko Samui, it was three days of roaming around in Ko Samui. Not much of driving except driving to the beaches of Ko Samui. Had a chance to have a drink at Cliff. The place was awesome and so was the Mojito the bar tender made. How is that for a view from the bar? They had tables outside also. Very nice place.

 

That is me with the mojito at the Cliff. The place is worth visiting. The food is Spanish and drinks are very good and the view was awesome.

 

The next long drive was to drive from Ko Samui to Phuket. Will post details when I get time.

 

Nainar

Edited September 4, 2012 by Nainar

[Raymondism]

I agree totally. One can drive through entire Malaysia in a day, and into Thailand. But in case of exigencies which could happen any time, these kind of places help a lot. Example was the traffic jam that I encountered which could throw the plan into a tailspin.

 

I drove trough Krabi in the return leg. Looked like a nice place. Felt I should have spent one night there.

 

Nainar

 

One day from Sin to Hatyai is very doable....

i just did tt in feb

 

Krabi is good for relaxing...

 

Btw u can loan Thailand map from navcomm... the distributor for Garmin

Edited September 4, 2012 by Raymondism

[Nainar]

One day from Sin to Hatyai is very doable....

i just did tt in feb

 

Krabi is good for relaxing...

 

Btw u can loan Thailand map from navcomm... the distributor for Garmin

 

I know, next time will plan a stop over in Krabi.

 

You told me about Thailand map that can be loaded. But I could not find time to get it done. May be I should do that now. I may have to get the trip recorder also I guess. Sygic has trip log which logs the data. Will try calling them and see if I can get the map.

 

With a car Ko Samui becomes quiet small. I drove around all the beaches, and could do that in a day. Stayed in Waterfront, Bo Phut for two days. One day stayed in Akyra Charasamui, in Chaweng beach. Some random shots that I took in Ko Samui

 

A place near Ang thong marine park..

 

 

One temple that I visited..

 

 

 

After three days stay, left Ko Samui to Phuket on Wednesday morning. Left Ko Samui by 10:30 AM after breakfast. The road from Ko Samui to Phukhet is as seen the first google maps. I updated the Sygic software in my iPhone and the damn thing erased all the travelbook details. Lost all the logs and now on it is only what I could remember and written down.

 

The drive to Ko Samui to Phuket was four laned divided carriageway. The divider was funny, that there is no structure, but just yellow lines drawn. Watch one of the traffic lights in highway that I captured.. All that says there is a divider is the yellow stripes. Quiet funny for a high speed highway. The speed limit is 80km/hour for the record. I did not notice any police, sped cameras or highway patrol enforcing it. But with such a sparse traffic, the roads are like heaven.

 

 

The drive from Ko Samui to Phuket is quiet scenic as we have to cut through Tennasarim hills. It is not high altitude, but the road cuts across mountains. Some random shots taken during the state highway..

 

 

It is a straightforward drive of around 350 kms. I reached Phuket by 3:00 PM and checked into Avantika Boutique hotel in Pa Tong beach. A view of the hotel I stayed.

 

http://www.mycarforum.com/uploads/1345390147/med_gallery_114255_248_653014.jpg

 

My car outside the hotel

 

 

 

The hotel did not have a basement parking. Had to park outside. Not a big problem as the place is not that crowded. Except the fact that the car is exposed to salty air when it was parked. Paid the security 50 bahts tip and asked him to keep a watch on the car. He gladly obliged and it is definitely worth tipping the security guards as they really need it more than any one else. Everytime I pass by or park the car, the guard will give a big smile and say that he will watch over.

 

Went rafting, @100 kms from Patong, Phuket, in Phang Nga province.

 

 

And if you thought phuket is only beaches, not so true.. Have a look at the rivers and mountains.

 

Here is a bridge you have to cross a small bridge enroute to rafting place

 

 

And another view of the river..

 

 

And here is the excellent crew of the raft. Both from Myanmar Cant speak a single word in English, but give them a raft and a paddle, they work out magic of giving a good time to the riders. Awesome guys.. Me in the middle.

 

 

The tour also had other boring things of elephant show, monkey show and a visit to fruits garden. Given a choice, I would skip all these. Next time, I will drive there myself and raft with the crew directly, not to go through these package tours.

 

One should visit the Bangla street. Atleast for the experiencing it once. It is a fun place and at times get on the nerves, but if you stay calm, it is a great place to party and have fun. I was surprised to see so many families walking with their kids.

 

Three days in that hotel and roaming around. I found the other beaches, Karon and Kata beaches to be very nice beaches. I would not recommend Patong if you are driving. You can choose to stay in Karon or Kata beach and still reach Patong for partying, while enjoying the laid back beaches on the other times of the day.

 

That completes the 7 days of my trip. The rest are driving from Phuket to Penang.

 

Take care guys. Catch you all later

Edited September 9, 2012 by Nainar

[Juzzme]

Thanks for sharing with us, enjoyed reading your thread very much.

How'd you find the CRV after driving it on the variety of different terrain/ road conditions?

[Ryosuke]

This is good stuff!!

Thanks for sharing

[Nainar]

Thanks for sharing with us, enjoyed reading your thread very much.

How'd you find the CRV after driving it on the variety of different terrain/ road conditions?

 

CRV was good. Did not have any problem. Except at one of the Shell pumps the guy inflated the tyre to 35 PSI all around. They did not have those automatic air gauges and he used a hand held gauge, to fill, measure the pressure and fill more. And it was night. The handling became distinctly different with braking and turning, which gave me a floating fleeing and jitters that something broke down. This was the night before my way back from Phuket and was driving carefully, till at a Shell pump in Malaysia checked the tyre pressures on a hunch and it was the culprit. Blew out extra air to bring the pressure to recommended 30 PSI and then it became the CRV I was used to. No problem after that. So, be wary of inflation pressures especially if you fill in stations with manual gauges.

 

But I think the terrain was not that challenging. I drove at some sand filled areas in Ko Samui for the heck of it, and the car was very able to handle itself.I dont think the AWD capabilities of the car was not challenged at all, except for some rainy situations. I am quiet confident of going further north with the CRV.

 

Nainar

[Cba6p]

You told me about Thailand map that can be loaded. But I could not find time to get it done. May be I should do that now. I may have to get the trip recorder also I guess. Sygic has trip log which logs the data. Will try calling them and see if I can get the map.

 

try noeman.org

got my free thai map there

btw im using garmin-asus m10

[Rezorn86]

wow u come from the future wor, 2021!! [laugh]