Known to the Thai people as Krung Thep, Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and by far the most populous in the country. The hustle and bustle of Bangkok is unlike any other city in the world, with sprawling skyscrapers, busy streets filled with innumerable vendors, wild clubs and bars, and cultural landmarks swarmed with tourists. The city was revitalized during the Asian investment boom of the 1980s and 1990s, turning Bangkok into a global force in finance and business and causing the city to grow exponentially around those industries.
Bangkok was originally founded as a small trading post during the reign of the Ayutthaya Kingdom in the 15th century. The settlement eventually split into two capital cities, Thonburi and Rattanakosin, during the 16th century until the two were united under the rule of King Rama I in 1971. Bangkok served as the heart of many of Thailand’s political struggles during the 20th century, and the remnants of that political strife can still be seen throughout the city today. Bangkok today features incredibly affordable shopping, amazing and strange dining experiences, a wealth of cultural landmarks, a mind-boggling nightlife scene, and so much more. With so much to see and do throughout the city, a great way to experience Bangkok is to rent a motorcycle and explore the streets on your own.
Here is everything you need to know about hiring a motorcycle in Bangkok. Most things here can also be applied if you are renting a motor scooter. This guide includes:
- Whether it’s safe to drive a motorcycle in Bangkok as a foreigner
- The price of motorcycle hire in Bangkok
- Whether you need an international driving permit to rent a motorcycle in Thailand
- Where you can hire a motorcycle in Bangkok
- The best things to do in Bangkok by motorcycle
Is It Safe To Drive a Motorbike in Bangkok as a Foreigner?
First off, if you aren’t familiar with driving a motorcycle or motor scooter, Bangkok is absolutely not the place to try it for your first time. The streets of Bangkok are basically a free-for-all. Traffic congestion in most parts of the city is terrible, with cars switching lanes wildly and drivers on motorbikes weaving through the cars and driving up onto the sidewalks. The rules of the road are regularly ignored, and people in Bangkok tend to drive entirely too fast and very aggressively.
Thailand has the second highest rate of motor-related deaths in the world, and the city of Bangkok is the worst of the worst when it comes to driving in Thailand. If you do make the decision to hire a motorbike and drive in Bangkok, exercise extreme caution and always be aware of your surroundings. If you’re not comfortable with driving in Bangkok, the city’s BTS Skytrain will take you pretty much anywhere you want to go in the city, there are always an abundance of taxis (or tuk-tuks) around, and the Chao Phraya Express Boat will take you up and down the Chao Phraya River to whatever landmark you’re interested in seeing.
What Is the Cost of Motorcycle Hire in Bangkok?
In general, renting a motorbike in Thailand is extremely affordable, and Bangkok is no exception. If you want to rent a motorcycle, you can expect to pay around 720 Thai baht per day on the low end, which comes out to around $22. If you’re looking for something even cheaper, you can rent a motor scooter for around 600 baht per day, which comes out to around $18.
If you plan on staying in Bangkok for a while, you should see if your rental shop will give you a discounted weekly or monthly rate. You should also make sure that insurance is included in the stated price of your rental. You don’t want to be driving a rental motorbike around in a foreign country without insurance, especially with how common motor accidents are in Bangkok.
Do You Need an International Driving Permit To Drive in Thailand?
According to Thai law, you’re required to have an international driving permit if you’re going to operate a motor vehicle in Thailand. If pulled over by police, you’re required to present them with a valid copy of your driver’s license from your home country as well as your IDP. If you want to apply for your IDP, you can do so here. There is an application fee of $20, and you should apply at least two weeks prior to departing for Thailand because that’s how long it usually takes to come in the mail. Once you receive your IDP, it will be valid for up to one year.
With that being said, many police officers in Thailand are corrupt or are not aware of the law themselves. So, the majority of people who end up hiring motorcycles in Bangkok do not have an IDP. If you get pulled over without an IDP, a police officer may accept your domestic driver’s license as sufficient, they may solicit a bride from you, or they may enforce the law and hit you with a hefty fine. If you choose to drive in Thailand without an IDP, you’re taking a major risk. It’s better to just get the proper documents and drive stress-free.
Where Can You Hire a Motorcycle in Bangkok?
If you’re flying into Bangkok from out of the country, you’ll probably arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport, the main international airport serving Bangkok. If you’re flying domestic or flying from another Asian country, you may arrive in Don Mueang Airport. Unfortunately, there are no motorbike rental shops around the airports, so you’ll have to get a taxi into the city before hiring a motorcycle.
Once you’re in the city, you can find loads of rental shops in the Watthana, Thung Wat Don, and Bang Kapi areas of the city. In Bangkok, though, everyone is a salesperson, so any Thai native you talk to on the street will have a friend or relative that is willing to rent you a motorbike. If you’re uncomfortable doing business with a stranger, do a quick Google search for the nearest rental shop; they’re all over the city.
What Are the Best Things To Do in Bangkok by Motorcycle?
Now that you have all the information necessary for renting a motorcycle in Bangkok, her are some of the best things to do in the city:
Chao Phraya River Tour
Now, while you may be excited about the motorcycle you just rented, the first thing you should do in Bangkok is park your motorbike at one of the many piers along the Chao Phraya River and get on a Chao Phraya Express Boat. These boats allow you to pay a daily fee and ride up and down the river to pretty much all of the major landmarks in Bangkok. Floating along the river is a nice experience by itself, and the boats are the most convenient way to get from place to place in Bangkok.
There are many incredible locations along the Chao Phraya River, but there are a few you need to make sure you get to. For one, get off at Wat Pho and see the massive statue of the Reclining Buddha. You should also make your way to Wat Arun to see the ornate temple with its Khmer-style spire and hundreds of Buddha statues. The Bangkok Flower Market is also a sight for eyes with hundreds of workers trimming and packaging flowers into beautiful bouquets.
Khao San Road
One of the most famous tourist areas in all of Bangkok is Khao San Road. This bustling street is a little more toned-down than the crazier party streets in Bangkok, but you can still definitely have a good time there. Khao San Road features a wide range of bars and restaurants where you can have a beer or enjoy some authentic Thai food. There are also tons of small shops on the side of the street where you can buy souvenirs and apparel at extremely affordable prices.
One of the major draws of Khao San Road, though, is the weird food items that are sold there. As you walk around, you’re bound to run into someone selling fried scorpions, fried tarantulas, frog legs, and many other strange delicacies. Of course, you don’t have to try any of these foods if you don’t want to, but they’re definitely still fun to see.
Lumphini Park
If you want a break from the hectic street life of Bangkok, take a ride over to Lumphini Park, the largest park in Bangkok. You can see locals all around the park jogging, hanging out, using the exercise equipment, or doing Tai Chi. Get some food from one of the nearby street vendors and have yourself a picnic on the grassy lawns.
Lumphini Park is located about a 15-minute drive from the center of Bangkok. Along the way, you’ll pass Wat Traimit and Sam Yan Market, which are both definitely worth making a stop at. Parking is easy to find around Lumphini Park, and you’ll have no problem finding a quiet place to sit once you’re there.
Take On Bangkok by Motorbike
Riding around Bangkok on a motorbike is definitely not for first-time riders; however, if you can drive cautiously and defensively, you’ll have a wonderful time exploring the city. Bangkok is one of the busiest cities in Southeast Asia, and you’ll never have a shortage of things to do while you’re there.
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