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Local Transportation: Walking is the preferred form of transportation in Hua Hin. Normally walking to the beach, restaurants and night market is a short, easy walk for most tourists. Bicycle Rickshaws may be a fun way to do a bit of sight seeing around town. Too long of a ride can sometimes become uncomfortable, but the experience will be unique. Typically 100 baht can be negotiated quite easily. Tuk-tuks (open trucks) are recommended for traveling longer distances within town. The cost varies depending on how far you are going but typically is 100 – 200 Baht is considered a fair price. Taxis: are available for tours or rides into Bangkok. Their rates are usually standardized so little savings can be gained by comparative shopping but on occasion can vary 50 baht or so from one driver to another. It is typical for a ride to Bangkok Airport to cost about1800 – 2400 Baht. Don’t book too far in advance or you will usually find they switch cars on you and you may be forced to endure a 3 hours ride with no air con and worse yet, questionable brakes. Usually, taxi drivers will not book a ride that takes less than 3 hours. Bus Services linking Hua Hin with Bangkok and Southern Thailand are frequent and fast. Overnight buses operate from Hua Hin through to Koh Samui (ferry boat to the island), also to Krabi, Phuket, Hat Yai. Rail services operate from Bangkok to Hua Hin, journey time is about 4 hrs. Most trains have 2nd and 3rd class, some have 1st class. Trains continue south to Prachuap, Khiri Khan and Chumphon (for ferry boats to Koh Tao and Koh Phangan) and to Surat Thani (for ferry boats to Koh Samui). There is an Overnight Express Train from Hua Hin to Penang (Butterworth Station). Some rail upgrades are under way, so check schedules first. A charter flight has also recently started up with 4 daily flights to Bangkok. Cost is approximately 5,200 Baht for a return ticket. A high-speed catamaran from Bangkok is also operational. There are also many shops in Hua Hin that rent cars, motorbikes and bicycles, if you prefer to do the driving. No matter where you drive in the world, it is always important to drive defensively. Each country will have their particular driving style and hazards and Thailand is certainly no exception. At times, driving in Thailand can seem quite treacherous, especially for the unprepared. Highway travel often includes high speeds regardless of visibility or weather conditions. Adding to the problem, Thai drivers will often stop unexpectedly or fail to give proper time or speed considerations when crossing or merging onto highways. Signaling seems to be more the exception than the rule. Thai drivers can be also be slow to put on their headlights once evening has arrived. The hours of twilight in which westerners are required by law, to put on their headlights, are left very much up to the discretion of the driver when in Thailand. Hired vehicles with drivers are often not up to proper safety standards, so keep that in mind when booking rides. The newer the vehicle - the better your chances are that the brakes are in good shape and the lights are working well. Based on experience, most of the drivers whether they drive a new car or a clunker are still able to get white knuckle speeds out of their vehicles regardless. So insist that your driver at least keep to the recommended highway speeds, normally 100 km per hour. A trip to Bangkok airport will typically cost 1,800 – 2,400 Baht. There are often animals that cross the road, so routinely check the ditches and nearby pastures for this. Also, note that the penalties in Thailand for drunk driving are not as severe and tend to be ignored a lot more because of this. Many roadside restaurants serve alcohol and at a bargain price –just a few more reasons to be on the defensive at all times. When driving in Thailand it will be imperative to have adequate if not extensive insurance. Often when a Thai is involved in an accident with a foreigner, the courts will rule on the side of the national and as a result the foreigner will be required to pay accident claims for all parties involved, regardless of fault. Although the seat belt law is not actively enforced in Thailand, it would be wise to wear them. Research has proven that wearing seat belts substantially improves survival rates and reduces injury if involved in an accident. Especially important in Thailand - since medical help often requires an ambulance ride into Bangkok. Thailand has a large percentage of hit and run accidents, when the guilty party will simply flee the scene of the accident. Therefore, it might be an idea to carry a cell phone in the car with the number of the police, ambulance or hospital programmed in just for such emergencies. Best to do your research on hospitals before an emergency comes up Driving in Hua Hin is usually quite predictable once a few of the unofficial rule have been explained. The drivers, pedestrians and motorcycle are not really as chaotic as they at first appear. Motorcycle drivers typically will remain in the left lane. Therefore at intersections and u turn lanes, when they enter onto the street they will want to cross all lanes of traffic in order to be in the left lane. They often will not signal their intentions, but if you watch closely you will see them check over their shoulder suggesting they wish to change lanes. You need to pay particular attention to this especially at night as often the motorcycles will not have tail lights and would be fairly easy to run into. Motorcycle drivers may also drive slower than the posted speed zones and sometimes even drive the wrong way down the road. In areas where there is no meridian to separate traffic there will be a area of yellow lines. This is used as a free zone so to speak for drivers turning, or pedestrian's trying to cross the street while waiting for lighter traffic. Typically when driving, it is best to stay in the center lane, as the right lane contains drivers wishing to use the u - turn and motorcycles will drive in the left lane, as well vehicles will often be randomly double parked in the left lane while they are unloading. Keep in mind because of this vehicles driving in left lane may swerve partially into the center lane to avoid hitting these obstacles. Generally traffic is more congested from 3 in the afternoon until 5 in the evening as school buses are blocking lanes and motorcycle drivers are anxious to get home for dinner. Pedestrians seems to give right of way to drivers even when they have a cross walk (white stripped area) provided there is no light. They generally wait until it is safe before they cross, as stated, they often cross the road to the half way point and then wait for lighter traffic before continuing. Traffic in Hua Hin is fairly brisk and sudden breaking or stopping is not expected by either pedestrians or other drivers. The driving speed varies from 100 km on the highway by the airport and then reduces down to 80, 60, and 50 respectively towards the downtown core. These speed zones are clearly marked but may be missed when a person is first beginning their driving experience in Hua Hin. Also take note of one way streets, especially the one passed the Hilton Hotel. Remember to keep in mind close to the Palace one lane of traffic is often blocked of the 3, on each side of the road for a length of approximately one long block. This is to ensure adequate access into the King's Palace. You may want to consider this well in advance so you aren't forced into merging suddenly into congested traffic. Motor cycle travel is common in Thailand and especially within the city limits of Hua Hin. Many foreigners will rent motor bikes to get around. Make sure you ask if proper insurance is in place. Insurance is often extra and not mandatory, so never assume that coverage is in place without asking. When renting a bike, it is a common practice for some sort of identification to be left as a guarantee that you will return the bike. Give this some thought before hand and never leave your passport or visa cards. This is just asking for problems, as many companies will accept a passport copy. Typically you can rent a motor bike for 190 baht for the day. Motorcycle accidents are common and can be quite serious. In fact - they are a major cause of death among expats in Thailand. Helmets should be worn and the straps fastened by both driver and passenger. Some of the rented motor cycles can be quite hard to control, especially if you’re not used to them. If you should receive a ticket for a driving offense in Thailand especially if it is a minor offence - be respectful, apologize and above all else, don’t become angry. As a general rule, you can pay the officer directly for the fine and he will take the payment for you to the police station. This way you can avoid making a court appearance or not have to worry about where fine needs to be paid. Fines for minor offenses are not expensive, driving the wrong way down a one way street for the unaware driver is only 200 baht. Buying a car is quite easy to do in Thailand, once you are resident. It is however not necessarily fast. The car dealership will generally take care of registering the car, getting plates and obtaining insurance, on your behalf. You will need a copy of your passport, a copy of your company documents, or a copy of your work permit to leave with the dealership. You will be given dealer plates until yours are processed typically in a month or two. The insurance may seems a little pricey but can include a 24 hour phone number of a representative, who will come and negotiate for you, in case of an accident and you will receive full replacement value of the car. The dealerships don't appear to discount on the price of the vehicle, as they do in the west, but will offer fairly good package deals, which they routinely change. For instance one buyer might receive free insurance, while 3 weeks later, another buyer might receive free servicing, undercoating, uv protection etc. If there are any negotiation to be had, it will be in these general areas. Typically if you want a standard color and the packages they are offering, delivery will be within a week or two. Try to buy a different color, however and the waiting time will be longer and more frustrating as the dealer tries to talk you out of it. However from personal experience, another color is possible, and at the same price and with the same features, despite what they try to tell you. You just need to gently but firmly stand your ground, and a suggestion you may visit a competitors showroom could definitely help in the persuasion. Feel free to send me emails with your questions, comments and concerns and we will answer your emails as best we can. |