Thailand Expats

basil111 · #1 11-01-2006, 19:38

Hi
I work as an expat month on / month off and I thought I would give Phuket a go as a base for my off-work time. I've gone through the forum threads and find a lot of confusing info so perhaps someone can clarify a few things for me. The common advice is to arrive, get a hotel room and then start looking for a long-term rental by riding a motorbike along the coast and up and down the side streets. Sound fair but then I've read a very strong advice not to rent a bike under any circumstances as they are uninsurable and in case of an accident you are in a deep s***. So I guess it will have to be a car...???
Speaking of which, if I don't want to buy a car, is it realistic to expact to find a rental car cheap enough to be able to rent it for a month at a time? How else do you guys move around? Does everybody buy a car?
Where should I look for a long-term rental place? I like an occassional action night out but it is not my top priority.

jimholio · #2 11-01-2006, 19:45

I rented an insured car for 600 for a day i think it was. Dont know what your budget is, 18000 a month for a car sounds expensive to me. But most of em will give discount for monthly rentals im sure.

Oh and im nowhere near experienced in this field btw so there are probably alot better options.

LivinLOS · #3 11-01-2006, 20:05

That price is almost certainly not insured.. Many places say they are but quite simply they are not.. AVIS and Budget are but a bit over 1000 for thier lowerst cars..

Me I would rent a scooter.. Always have done.. Had a couple of accidents but so far nothing serious..

And yes thets the best way to find housing once you know which region / area to settle in..

geespot · #4 12-01-2006, 06:12

This is a difficult one

Driving cars in phuket is generally not a nice proposition. If u r confodent & experienced go ahead u shouldnt have too many problems

As for scooters or motorcycles, my advice is stay away from them unless u have a licence & u r experienced. Why the accident & death rate is quite outrageous. There r many farangs running around with no competent skills for driving & the Thai's will scare the shit out of u too

Whatever u do get full insurance.........or u could be looking at big bills & remember after about 8pm at night most people driving r drunk, so try to avoid this period

In terms of sourcing accomm, go for a hotel 1st, u can trawl the areas but i would also suggest u frequent some bars, speak to the x pat owners they will give u an invaluable insight & will be able to provide u with information or point u in the right direction

Try to take advice in this post from x pats who live in phuket, they are in a much better position to provide u with good advice

G

stevem · #5 12-01-2006, 08:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by geespot

Driving cars in phuket is generally not a nice proposition. If u r confodent & experienced go ahead u shouldnt have too many problems

Sometimes you feel like your car is a big magnetic attracting all these little motorbikes towards you.

basil111 · #6 12-01-2006, 10:41

Thanks guys for the info so far. Keep it coming. The news about getting around isn't good. You guys must be all very fit doing all this walking

Tuk-tuks are no good as they rip you off, cars and bikes too dangerous, no buses....hmmm, I'm a bit mistyfied how DO you get around the island.

stevem · #7 12-01-2006, 10:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by basil111

Thanks guys for the info so far. Keep it coming. The news about getting around isn't good. You guys must be all very fit doing all this walking

Tuk-tuks are not go good as they rip you off, cars and bikes too dangerous, no buses....hmmm, I'm a bit mistyfied how DO you get around the island.

Regardless of what has been said, everyone rides a motorbike, or to a lesser extent drives a car. You have no other choices.

jimholio · #8 12-01-2006, 18:24

Actually it is probably cheaper to rent a driver then to rent a car. Thats dropping you off and picking you up whenever you want. And you dont risc to be held responsible for any suicidal thai's that decides to make some extra money driving right into the side of your car.

geespot · #9 12-01-2006, 18:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimholio

Actually it is probably cheaper to rent a driver then to rent a car. Thats dropping you off and picking you up whenever you want. And you dont risc to be held responsible for any suicidal thai's that decides to make some extra money driving right into the side of your car.

As said before take advice from people who stay there, being a tourist and staying there r 2 completely different things

G

jimholio · #10 12-01-2006, 18:38

I was comparing to AVIS prices tho, sorry about that.