The best way to Bkk and Pattaya...

[MARKUK]

(geosight @ May 12 2008,10:40) if your staying in thailand for say up to or more then two weeks , i personally think its wise to look into renting a car . http://www.sawasdeerentacar.com/rates.html .

i dont think its wise for a tourist to really rent a car for two weeks, its so cheap to get car or minibus with driver and much safer for you. I drove for the 3 years i lived in BKK and it is different to other countries, takes a bit of getting used too - dont ruin your holiday by having an accident with a motorbike .....

[Snick]

(rxpharm @ May 12 2008,11:51) It is not wise to rent a car, unless you are sufficiently flush to hire a driver along with it, if you are thinking about BKK and Pattaya. Taxis are cheap enough why bother?

You don't have to be 'flush', hiring a driver is dirt cheap. 500-1000/day in addition to the car rental.
Don't bother asking for a driver who can speak English, they'll just charge you more and it will be the same driver w/o English

Watchout for the high price of gas, I rented a van for 2000 and spent another 2000 filling it up at the end of the day.

[EyeMahk]

(geosight @ May 12 2008,08:40) if your staying in thailand for say up to or more then two weeks , i personally think its wise to look into renting a car .

I agree if you are spending most time outside BKK or Pattaya. In Pattaya, a car is unnecessary. In BKK, it is a bad idea; parking is a hassle, traffic is shit and taxis are cheap. If I get a car to go to Gahnchanaburi or someplace like that, I pick it up in BKK as I am leaving and I return it when I come back.

[stogie bear]

Renting a car in Bangkok or Pattaya (or any large city) is insane. bangkok has probably the best and cheapest public transportation system in the eastern world.

Hua Hin it makes sense if you are living out of town. Of course in rural areas it can be useful to have a comfortable way to get around.

Renting a car is pretty pricey - unless you rent by the month.
Expect to pay from around 1,000 baht a day for anything new and comfortable and ONLY rent from names you recognize.

If you go cheap you will get badly hosed on your credit card as when you return the vehicle there will be all kinds of scratches and other damage that you will be charged for. (Why do you think it was cheap in the first place!)

Take LOTS of photos of your car before you leave the parking lot.

[EyeMahk]

(stogie bear @ May 12 2008,14:23) Expect to pay from around 1,000 baht a day for anything new and comfortable and ONLY rent from names you recognize.

If you go cheap you will get badly hosed on your credit card as when you return the vehicle there will be all kinds of scratches and other damage that you will be charged for. (Why do you think it was cheap in the first place!)

Good advise. The big names are fine (Avis, Hertz, Budget), I've used them all. Some have no drop fee if you return to a different place.

In Bangkok, there are two "non-brand name" outfits that I've found are fine, never had an issue whatsoever, and they never even looked at the car when I returned it. They are KrungThai (on Asoke, between Petchburi and Rama IX) and Lumpini Car Rent on Wireless Rd. Depending on where you are going, each is close to a highway out of the city. Both are very reputable and professional! (google them for their websites)

Some have free delivery of the car, never done that.

One note about renting for a long period. Some USA credit cards that give free insurance will not cover a rental of the same car for more than a month. So if this applies to you, and you want to rent for, let's say, 2 months, make sure to do a 30-day rental, return the car, then do another 30-day rental.

[geosight]

Sorry guys but I rented a car for a month before I received a company car and never had a problem. Sure traffic is a problem but so is driving around in cities like London and NY.

The thing I like about driving your own car is that you get to choose the time you want to go and its hassle free.

Sure Bangkok is probably the cheapest places regarding transport, but nothing beats your own wheels.
I remember driving to Pattaya/BBK like three times in one week, but I do see your point and driving down beach rd can be a nightmare.

[Guest]

Thanks for the advise so far guys ,I am still planning this stage of the trip hotel is booked about book majestic grande in bkk and my hotels in macau then its all done.

Except the golf game which is unplanned at this stage but will be welcomed to do some detox.