Is it better to have a car or motorcycle in Thailand

[TotallyOz]

There was a recent thread on having a motorcycle and GB suggested we start another thread. I am doing that. I also am curious to see the answer to the polls.

 

mahjongguy had said:

- If you are older than 55, consider carefully if you should be driving a motorbike. I am 61 now and I know that my reaction time and peripheral vision are not sufficient for driving in a country where the #1 cause of death (all deaths) is from motorbike accidents. Just last week a 64yo Belgian acquaintance of mine went home in an urn because he misjudged an oncoming car. A secondhand Toyota Corolla costs more but it's just as simple to purchase and a lot more likely to get you where you're going in one piece.

[mahjongguy]

Okay, I put in my vote (for "car", obviously).

 

Notes:

- Even a crummy old sedan costs at least twice as much as a shiny new bike, but my concerns weren't based on economics. If a bike is absolutely all you can afford, then do what you must.

- I do like motorcycles. My last one was a 750cc Norton Atlas. But that was long long ago.

- The b/f has a bike and uses it vs. the car, depending on need. I'm not much for long drives, but my b/f is happy that we have a car that he can occasionally drive to Surin.

- My favorite restaurant is in Sattihip. I love having the car so I can take visiting friends there.

- Today we went to Makro and loaded up on discounted necessities. If that had required taking a private songteow each way, I just wouldn't do it.

[Gaybutton]

I voted for car, mainly because that's what I drive. When I first came to Thailand I saw no need for personal transportation at all. One thing available just about anywhere in Thailand is public transportation. Then when we graduated to a motorcycle I didn't know how we ever lived without one. Later when we graduated to a car, I didn't know how we ever lived without one.

 

I can certainly see driving a motorcycle for local transportation. After all, it's far less expensive for everything ranging from fuel to maintenance to insurance, etc. But having a car allows me to go anywhere I want in Thailand any time I want, by any route I want, with stops anywhere I want for however long I want in air conditioned comfort and in any kind of weather. I am also able to do shopping much easier and am stopped by cops far less often. Also, there seems to be much more motorcycle theft than car theft.

 

Aside from the obvious difference in expense, the disadvantages I've encountered with a car are mainly difficulties finding a place to park, navigating narrow sois, and getting stuck in traffic while watching motorcycles breezing right on by.

 

For me, obviously I prefer a car.

[Guest painai]

I prefer to walk, at least in Pattaya. Having a vehicle--bike or car, I think I would get lazy and put on extra pounds for lack of exercise.

[Guest Patexpat]

I voted for car - in the 7 seven years I have lived here I have seen more corpses splattered over the road than I did in 45 years of living in the UK!

 

Having said that I do get my staff to take me short distances on a bike around town, simply due to parking problems. Had a couple of near escapes tho - not something I enjoy doing!

[Guest RichLB]

I voted for both. A motorcyble is far more convenient for getting around town and finding a place to park. But, for shopping, or when it rains, or in stifling heat, a car is sure nice. Although my bf has a car in which he takes me wherever I want to go, I find I go by motorcycle most everywhere. Frankly, I'm afraid to drive the car - with my eyes I drive like a little old lady, assume (correctly!) that everyone else on the road is crazy, and always wear a helmet. I figure that if i have an accident on the motorcycle, odds are I'll end up with a few broken bones. But, if I have one in a car, chances are I'll kill someone.

 

By the way, if anyone is interested in buying an old Toyota in perfect shape, the boyfriend got a new car and his old one is sitting in the covered garage with a For Sale sign on it under a dust cover. Try explaining to him that no one can see the For Sale sign since it's covered up! Drop me a note if you are interested.

[Guest Hedda]

Derek Humphry, founder of the Hemlock Society in California, authored a book in 1992 called Final Exit. It was a guide to various methods of self-delivered or assisted suicide. I wasn't sufficiently decrepit back then to buy the book but I'm told that "renting a motorbike in Thailand" was high on the list of preferred methods for taking the final exit.

 

Seriously, if you think that running around Thailand on a motorbike is the smart way to go, I have Jack Kevorkian's private email address if you're looking for someone to ride pillion.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

I would opt for a car if you have a Thai driver. Driving a motorcycle here is lunacy IMHO.

[KhorTose]

I too have both. Like RichLB I agree it is best to drive a car in the rain, or when it is hotter then..... I would also add that it is the only way to get around during periods of heavy traffic. Wear a helmet and stay alert and it is perfectly safe to ride a motorcycle.

[kokopelli]

Wear a helmet and stay alert and it is perfectly safe to ride a motorcycle.

 

Ouch! It is never perfectly safe to drive/ride a motorcycle. Ever, especially in Thailand. If you do want to improve your chances then also wear gloves, decent foot ware, long pants and a jacket, not the usual sandals, shorts, etc.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

I don't know of a single Thai who drives a motorbike who has not has an accident of some sort. How many die from motorbike accidents in Thailand everyday? Perfectly safe? I think not.

[Gaybutton]

I don't know of a single Thai who drives a motorbike who has not has an accident of some sort.

I agree. I've made the same observation.

[Guest]

Having observed how Thais drive, I would have a car & preferably a fairly solid Euro NCAP 5 star model.

[Guest pingalicker]

I voted motobike. I really enjoy riding and the freedom it provides. I've ridden for awhile having motorcycles in Wisconsin, Florida and Japan. Oddly enough, while in Japan, I owned a Honda 350cc motorcycle and a Honda 360cc (3 cylinder) car. Both were fun to drive. My usual trip to Thailand starts with a one week stay in BKK. After that one week of trerible traffic, having to take taxi's when needed, car or motobike, I am chomping at the bit to get to Pattaya or Koh Samui so I can rent a motobike and have my own transportation. I always take a trip all the way around Koh Samui, approx 3 hours, and see the sights. Yes, it is dangerous driving or riding on a motobike in Thailand. Luckily I've come away after 8 trips with only very minor scrapes. And no "Thailand Tatoo", thee painfull burn on the inside of the calf muscle on your leg from laying down a hot motobike exhuast pipe on it.

When feeling friskey, walking around Koh Samui one always see's farang with bandages on the elbow/knee/arm etc, and I will point to them on total stranger's and ask "Motobike?" They always shake their head yes, with a disdainfull look on their face. Being an American, accustomed to driving on the oppisite side of the road (notice I did not say right side of road), with roadways that are strewn with pot-holes, covered with sand/dirt sometimes, and the ocasional dog or farand darting out in front of ones motobike, your (mine) number will come up sometime.

[KhorTose]

I voted motobike. I really enjoy riding and the freedom it provides. I've ridden for awhile having motorcycles in Wisconsin, Florida and Japan. Luckily I've come away after 8 trips with only very minor scrapes. And no "Thailand Tatoo", thee painfull burn on the inside of the calf muscle on your leg from laying down a hot motobike exhuast pipe on it.

 

I've had ten trips to Thailand and been retired here for 8 month now. I have driven in Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai and once took the bike from Chiang Mai to the temple at Doi Suthep, and on another occasion through the mountains to Chiang Rai. I have had one minor scrape in Thailand and that was when I turned down a one way street and had to drop the bike to avoid a collision. I did not even scratch the bike, but I did scape my leg. Either I am lucky or 40 years of driving a motorcycle (Honda 250, 400, 750 and Yamada 1200) has taught me how to be carefull and how to handle the bike and how to look out for the road hazards. The only draw back my age now causes me (65), is that I get tired after awhile when driving the bike long distences, so I now make myself take frequent stops when that happens. I hope I never get to old to enjoy the freedom, fresh air, and the sites a bike allows you to witness that you would never see in a car. Oh my bike here is a Yamaha Nova 135cc and I bought it before I bought my car.

 

By the way, one thing I take my hat off to is the accomplishment of GT, who has pedaled extensively in Thailand covering hundreds of Kilos. That seems far more dangerous to be then riding a motorcycle.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

Last month we were in Malaysia and in the first 2 days we observed 3 motorbike accidents. All of them were single vehicle accidents occurring on dry pavement motorways. All three had helmets and proper clothing and all three walked away from the accident.

[Guest]

The standard of driving in Malaysia seemed to be well above that in Thailand.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

Yes, it is, but prices are not a lot higher.

[Guest]

I voted motobike. I really enjoy riding and the freedom it provides.

 

Looks like you are I are the only ones who voted this way.

 

By the way, one thing I take my hat off to is the accomplishment of GT, who has pedaled extensively in Thailand covering hundreds of Kilos. That seems far more dangerous to be then riding a motorcycle.

 

Thank you! I appreciate it. But, I'll tell you honestly that the ride was not dangerous. I did not feel unsafe except the one day we rode into Bangkok. That was a nightmare day to be honest. Other than that, we took mostly back roads and the roads in Thailand are made to have a motorcycle lane and we were riding in that most of the time when on major highways.

 

Riding a bicycle is a great way to see Thailand and it is very safe. May I suggest: Tour de Thailand - Tour de Thailand Charity Bicycle Tour / Bike Ride

[Guest beachlover]

The standard of driving in Malaysia seemed to be well above that in Thailand.

 

Heh... This happened on a Malaysian motorway.

 

It's hilarious... the Chinese 'Uncle' fights monkey style! The boy is cute.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZjORgUWpW4