Thailand: (Updated) Driving Trip to Phuket/Krabi

[Tomkurus]

I am keen to join but what's the cost break down like> any estimate?

[Hoppe]

hahah..interested. Wonder if my Swift can make it.

[Chalky_clown]

hi bro, my name is david and am driving a scooby. been to samui and phuket and very much prefer koh samui. havent been to krabi though. i would like very much to join u guys on this trip but can only make it after christmas, on the 26th. if i travel up will most likely be 1person, me...lol.

 

i would very much like to sit in your meetups to discuss further! please email me details thanks!

 

[email protected]

[Chucky2007]

if my friend's 200cc automatic honda scooter can drive to phuket & back, i'm sure yr Swift can make it too.

[Fondue]

Just did the 1st leg of my Sin-Phuket trip.

 

Night-stop at Awana Genting and Hatyai, so thats about 500km per leg.

Nice easy drive ave 110km/hr, while still have time for the kids to take cable-car ride p to Genting, lunch break at Ipoh and pit stop at Trang and Krabi on route to Phuket.

Total distace to Phuket is 1,450km.

 

Road condition in Thailand is excellent

[Genie47]

Woah!

 

Guess I have to get this thing out of my bucket list.

[Poortraveller]

no pix?

[Dwoon]

Think he's not back... or just about back?

 

That was the 1st leg.... if stay 7 days in Phuket, then not back yet.....

[Poortraveller]

will be cool if can update on the go ... but dun think he got the free time when in Thailand

[Fondue]

Finally back after a nice relaxing trip

 

Here are some stats of my itinerary, hopefully will be helpful for those planning on a trip :

 

Singapore [start] 0

Genting 415 - 1 night stay

Ipoh 626 - Lunch

Hatyai 975 - 1 night stay

Trang 1135 - Lunch

Krabi 1304 - Teabreak

Phuket MK Beach 1451 - Destination !!

 

Phuket MK Beach 1966 - Return leg

Trang 2242 - Lunch

Hatyai 2385 - pass thru

Kayu Hitam 2440 -(Thai-Malay Border) Sop at duty-free

Penang 2601 - 2 nights stay

KL 3032 - Lunch

Pagor 3227 - Petrol break

Singapore [end] 3424 km : Total Distance Travelled

 

My average speed for both Malaysia and Thailand highway are both about 110km/h.

The main highway in Thailand are very well kept. Nice 2-lane carrage-way with wide shoulder on each direction. Only about 25% of the route I took is single carriageway, and these are usually in the hilly part (before Trang and between Krabi n Phuket) or the less travelled parts (between Trang and Krabi).

 

In Thailand, most of the vehicles turning out from the small lanes are very careful. Just watchout for the cows gazing in the road-divider and by the road.

Edited November 18, 2008 by Fondue

[Redlavita]

kudos bro

 

any pictures to share

[Fondue]

One the 1st leg, I did about 500km/day, which is easy drive and still give you some time to look around your night stop. Return leg is tiring, esp for the kids as there are less and shorter rest stops for them to stretch their legs as we have to cover >700km a day.

 

Some parts to take note :

 

1. If you stop at Genting, can leave Genting via Batang Kali (road infront ofGenting Skyway station) and joing the NS highway at Tg Malim into really appreciate.stead of Rawang as recommended on Genting website. The road is good even if its raining, and you'll pass the road leading up to Fraser Hill.

 

2. Cross the Malaysia-Thai border is as confusing as Bro Poortraveller mentioned. You need to experience it yourself to appreciate it. But after 1st time, you'll realise its actually not complicated at all . Just remember to turn left into the big carpark once you see the Thai-custom. The drive thru booth looks inviting, but once you drive thru, you'll still have to turn back cos everything need to be done out of the car.

 

3. From Hatyai, go on 43 which will join back to 4, and head towards Phatthalung, then turn left towards Trang.

 

4. About 30km before Trang, thats where you'll need to cross the hills, and the road become single lane each way. There is a scenic spot with a nice eating place about 10km into the hills. Will be a good place to pit stop if you do not intend to to into Trang.

 

5. Trang is a very Thai-style city. No MacDonalds or KFC. If you intend to bypass Trang, go on the Trang by-pass (419) and join to 403, which is a new and wide and straight road that allows you to speed for 30km all the way to join 4 again at Huai Yot.

 

6. From Huai Yot to Krabi will be mostly single-lane, but traffic is light.

 

7. From Krabi to Phuket, take the shortcut on route 1002 (near Ao Luk) then join onto 415. Staying on 4 will lead you into to the mountains where the road is narrow and windy, and deserted . 415 is currently being upgraded to dual carriage-way.

 

8. Petrol price in Thailand is quite close to that in Malaysia 21.something bahts vs rm2.15 during my trip, but its ron 95 vs ron 97 in MY.

Edited November 18, 2008 by Fondue

[Fondue]

"El Capitan" near on NS Highway near Ipoh

 

Welcome to Thailand - Thai Immgration Check-point : DO NOT Drive Thru. Turn left to the BIG Carpark immediately after the flags and do the clearance on foot

 

Highway 4 from Hatyai to Phatthalung

 

Entering the Hills from Phatthalung to Trang.

 

Fountain at Trang City Center

 

Highway 403 from Trang to Huai Yot

 

Just after Krabi heading to Phuket

Edited November 18, 2008 by Fondue

[Fondue]

We stayed at the Marriott @ Mai Khao beach .... wonderful sand and waves. Could see my toes even when the water is up to my chest. Heard the sea will be real calm in december

 

Yellow flag : good swimmers only.

 

Wave looks strong but still safe to play in the waves cos the water is chest deep up to 30meters off the beach. Great to just float as the wave comes in.

 

Edited November 18, 2008 by Fondue

[Fondue]

This is the 1st of 3 resorts we visited. Its just by the airport and you can hear and see the planes landing and taking off.

 

Entarnce with a view to die for . They just had a movie shoot on site and are just filling up the water ponds.

 

Rooms with direct pool access

 

Walkway to the beach .... but the beach don't look that great to me. Airport is on the right across the bay.

Edited November 18, 2008 by Fondue

[Dwoon]

Wow.... which resort is that???

 

For the Thai border.... what day & time did you reach there and was it crowded?

[Fondue]

We reach the Thai checkpoint at 7pm. Silly enough to take 45mins to do something that could be done in 15 mins.

 

There were about 5 people per que at the 3 passport counters. The custom clearance for the vehicle took longer cos only one counter.

 

The resort above is Adamas Resort & Spa. View is good but service staff not as friendly as Marriott. Beach is so-so only ... water looks a little muddy on the left side of the bay.

 

Will post pictures of the other 2 resorts soon ... leaving the best for last

Edited November 18, 2008 by Fondue

[Norick]

hi bro may i know how much is the toll u paid for 1 way? From singapore all the way to end malaysia how much ah?