Hiring A Scooter In Phuket Can Be A Bit Of A Minefield
Ridiculous transport costs on Phuket force many tourists to look at alternative options to get around. Although hiring a scooter is a cheap and convenient option there’s plenty of potential pitfalls to look out for. With Thailand recently being promoted to the world Number 1 spot in road accident deaths (Yay! congratulations), it’s a decision that you shouldn’t take lightly.
The Reasons For Such Terrible Figures
Of the estimated 24,000 people killed on Thai roads annually, 73% are motorcyclists. Thailand’s road system has rapidly increased in the last few decades bringing people with the small village driving mentality into contact with high speed dual highways but this is only part of the problem.
Driving standards can be described as weak at best. The motorcycle driving test can be completed in just one day with only 4 or 5 minutes actually spent driving a motorcycle. Despite the governments launching many initiatives and campaigns, law enforcement on traffic regulations is pretty much non-existent and if they are enforced the fines are not much of a deterrent.
Certainly on Phuket the lack of cheap affordable alternatives force people on to the roads who simply shouldn’t be, it’s not uncommon to get ‘burned off’ at the lights by a twelve year old. The parents and children haven’t really got alternative options to get the kids to school.
Tourists Can Be A Big Part Of The Problem
It can seem like a very convenient and cheap way of getting around and seeing some of the beautiful parts of the island on your own time frame. You can avoid the crowds, go shopping without having to walk for miles in blistering heat or just enjoy having the wind in your face and for experienced motorcyclists using a lot more than usual caution it is just that.
The problem arises when you arrive on Phuket and decide to try a scooter for the first time – absolutely DO NOT, this is not the place to learn. Traffic laws are seen as mere suggestions and interpreted to suit individual needs. Apparently there are speed restrictions and the traffic drives on the left. Both of those may come as a bit of a surprise to you after you’ve been driving for a few days. Mirrors and indicators seem to be for aesthetic purposes only. Countless divers have had to cancel their Phuket diving because of motorbike accidents.
Wear A Helmet!
The tarmac in Thailand is just as hard as it is in the rest of the world so will relieve your head of its contents just as efficiently. You make think it’s cool to drive around with no helmet but the only people who will show appreciation is the local constabulary at their frequent checkpoints. You’ll see plenty of tourists, locals and expats driving around without a helmet. It doesn’t mean they’re cool or clever, just stupid really.
The License
You are required to have a Thai driving license or an international driving license. You may get away with your normal driving license if it is clearly marked that you’re licensed to drive motorbikes. If not you definitely won’t. Checkpoints are placed on the major routes between the beach resorts so difficult to avoid.
Do’s
- Check your travel insurance, many exclude motorbike accidents
- Take a photo of any damage already on the motorbike
- Wear a helmet
- Rent from a reputable company
- Drive very very very very slowly and carefully
Dont’s
- Give your passport over, a photocopy is enough
- Park near a red and white painted curb
- Drive like a baffoon
- Drink and drive
- Think you’re invincible..
Potential Scams
Getting relieved of a few more extra coins than you should have is not unique to Thailand. You can get scammed anywhere in the world so this is advice that should be heeded wherever you rent a motorbike.
When hiring a scooter in Phuket you may be asked to leave your passport as a security deposit. There is a fair reason for this. Tourists have been known to crash motorbikes and just leave them on the side of the road so to avoid paying the repair bills or leave the motorbike at the airport to avoid an expensive taxi ride. However you should never hand over your passport a photocopy is enough. Some unscrupulous dealers have been known to withhold passports until alleged damage has been repaired for an extortionate amount of money.
If you’re unfortunate enough to have an accident, it would be better to try and get the damage repaired yourself at a local garage. Preferably the scooter manufacturers official dealership. It’s generally cheaper than what you would get billed from the renter who usually has a “special relationship” with a garage.
Have a good look at the bike and take photos of any damage, even the smallest scratch. You could find yourself being blamed and charged for something that was not done by you.
On rare occasions the motorbike renter will come to your hotel at night and steal the bike with the spare key, leaving you with a hefty bill. Buy a small security chain and lock or give the renter a false hotel name…
Bad Advice
I have read on other travel sites that everybody honks their horn in Thailand and you can have fun blasting away all day long. That’s certainly not the case in Phuket and terrible advice. You very rarely hear horns in Phuket, it’s seen as an insult – basically like shouting you’re a f*****g idiot at someone. It could land you in a bit of trouble. So no matter how ridiculous and dangerous the other driver, just stay off the horn and shout the insults inside your head.
Use A GoPro When Hiring a Scooter In Phuket
A good idea when hiring a scooter on Phuket is to attach a GoPro to the helmet. Not just for great footage of your adventure. Foreigners can get blamed for accidents regardless of who is at fault. Some locals don’t bother with insurance and want somebody to foot the bill even if they’re in the wrong. It’s not unheard for bystanders to give false witness in favour of a local. The vast majority of Thai nationals are honest and will rush to your aid. Having a Go Pro to prove your innocence will negate any arguments.
Insurance
With such a bad record of road accidents it’s no great surprise that the wonderful people who insure you are very reluctant to include motorbike accidents in the policy. So please check the small print for exclusions. Treatment in Thailand is comparatively cheap but serious injury results in serious bills. So if you don’t want your own ‘Go fund me’ page then please make sure you’re covered.
Not All Bad
Experienced motorcyclists will have a blast driving around Phuket and see some stunning parts of the island. You’ll avoid the high transportation costs and probably run into some random, fun experiences that you never planned.
In short – relax, go slow and enjoy.
By Justin Hartrey
Posted in Phuket Sights & Fun on .
