48 replies to this topic

[Bax]

I've always had a bike up until last year. I have never gone for a ride with a drop of alcohol in my system. Since DUI is such a major offense here in the States, I'm curious if there is jail time or what the penalties are in Thailand if busted..

I plan to rent a motorbike the first day I arrive in Patts, but only for daytime exploring. At night, it will remain locked up at the hotel.

Any horror stories from anyone..?

[Beerlao]

20000 baht + 1 night in jail is the official fine for failing the breath test for alcohol - if you have 5k or 10k in your pocket that might suffice especially if you do not want to pay in police station and stay overnight! It is half for thai offenders at 10k baht.

Not sure what the limit is - probably similar to european/american standard around.05 or .08
(quite a difference if you have just a few beers - but higher alcohol content in thai beer at around 6% may put you over the limit.

You would have to be very nice , polite and persuasive though - and maybe somewhat lucky - depends on how many police at the road block, their mood at the time and how they react to you.

All this is fairly new and a great source of tea money for the boys in brown so beware !

Edited by Beerlao, 04 February 2012 - 06:10 PM.

[Ivor]

^^^ call their bluff- spend the night in the monkey house, go to court and pay B2000. Better off- don't drink and drive in the first place- with the abundance of MB taxis and Song taews in Patts there's no excuse.

[Landslide]

I have always thought about renting a scooter in Pattaya, but being from America, I picture myself turning into the wrong lane and running smack into the front of a truck. Any desire to rent a scooter goes right out the door. I generally rent a car while in Thailand, but not for use in Pattaya, but for travel between cities. There is something about sitting in the right seat to drive that reminds me to stay left. The baht buses are so convenient and cheap, it is just better for my peace of mind to use them. I do always bring an international drivers license for use in the car, and always rent vehicles with full insurance, including 0 excess charges. Haven't had any problems.... yet.

[bkkldby]

bob2011, on 11 September 2011 - 02:49 PM, said:

Don't re-size or laminate any copies because they will think it is a fake.

i have been counseled to understand the opposite. i was told that a color copy of a passport that is the original size can be considered a forgery and that fact can be used to hold you if nothing else applies, and even if its obvious you are not trying to pass it off as a legit one.

my closest TH friend, who is a BKK attorney, has given me an over-sized color copy of my passport that has his company stamp on it and at the bottom it states in Thai language that he holds all my documents at his office for safe keeping and anyone who wishes to see them can contact him.

not only does this work, but they simply do not wish to be bothered hassling and jacking up someone who already has a TH attorney watching their back.

555555555555555 the look on their faces is priceless.

the other thing i have been doing since i had a rental bike stolen from me in PTY is i never tell them where i am staying. i give the name of another hotel and a fictitious room number. this way the rental people can not come to your place late at night and use an extra key to steal the bike and then collect the full value of the bike from you with the assistance of the regular police on top of selling it to the dudes who ship them out of country. apparently this scam is an industry in Chonburi. (the investigating officer told me he felt that is what happened to me but he lacked the resources or back-up to actually investigate further or press the case. apparently the rental people bribed the guard where my bike was parked at my condo, and most likely drove it off the lot. the ordeal cost me 30,000 THB.)

the tourist policeman who helped me with my case (circa New Years Eve 2000) told me that no less than a few hundred bikes are stolen every month in Chonburi province, mostly PTY. and within 36 to 48 hours they are in Cambodia or Laos.

Edited by bkkldby, 09 February 2012 - 07:19 PM.

[transgirls]

niftyjohn, on 01 February 2012 - 08:33 AM, said:

Lets get this right international drivers licence is just a translation of you home country licence, if you are not licenced to drive a motor bike back home you are not here!! so if you have a accident or god help you kill someone, you will pay pay pay!!
If a thai goes to your own country and does not have the right licence do you think he will be let off and not pay, don't think so.

not completely true.
The international license does not provide the distinction between scooters and motorbikes.
My home license allows me to drive scooters up to 125cc, but the international permit issued on basis of my local license does not show my permit to drive scooters.
So I carry a copy of my home license too, hoping that in case of a problem, I'll get away with it (but I know my home license isn't valid in Thailand).

bbkladyboy's advice is good, although I always carry my international driving license with me. It is also valid as a proof of ID (contrary to popular belief, a passport is not required, the Law explicitly requires "an official ID paper").

Regarding safe rental in PTY area, my recommendation is the lady at "Mai Pang" rentals, in the Jomtien complex just behind the tall empty building. She's benn there for years and is very honest and friendly. Good rates too.

Edited by transgirls, 09 February 2012 - 07:16 PM.

[Beerlao]

bkkldby, on 09 February 2012 - 07:03 PM, said:

i have been counseled to understand the opposite. i was told that a color copy of a passport that is the original size can be considered a forgery and that fact can be used to hold you if nothing else applies, and even if its obvious you are not trying to pass it off as a legit one.

my closest TH friend, who is a BKK attorney, has given me an over-sized color copy of my passport that has his company stamp on it and at the bottom it states in Thai language that he holds all my documents at his office for safe keeping and anyone who wishes to see them can contact him.

not only does this work, but they simply do not wish to be bothered hassling and jacking up someone who already has a TH attorney watching their back.

555555555555555 the look on their faces is priceless.

the other thing i have been doing since i had a rental bike stolen from me in PTY is i never tell them where i am staying. i give the name of another hotel and a fictitious room number. this way the rental people can not come to your place late at night and use an extra key to steal the bike and then collect the full value of the bike from you with the assistance of the regular police on top of selling it to the dudes who ship them out of country. apparently this scam is an industry in Chonburi. (the investigating officer told me he felt that is what happened to me but he lacked the resources or back-up to actually investigate further or press the case. apparently the rental people bribed the guard where my bike was parked at my condo, and most likely drove it off the lot. the ordeal cost me 30,000 THB.)

the tourist policeman who helped me with my case (circa New Years Eve 2000) told me that no less than a few hundred bikes are stolen every month in Chonburi province, mostly PTY. and within 36 to 48 hours they are in Cambodia or Laos.

I also use copy of passport in wallet with 'copy' printed on it in bottom corner - very handy for booking into hotels as they take it without any problem. Same for license - might do this as well with international permit
a kodak shop does this on soi buakhao - near soi diana corner heading towards south road on left

Edited by Beerlao, 10 February 2012 - 01:09 AM.

[Moo Yung]

Keep old passports. Since I renewed my passport 18 momths ago I've used my old passport for all this bollocks, and always got away with it. Just play dumb if they ask why the corners are cut off, and if they start flicking through for a relevant visa, ask them 'are you immigration or motocy rental?', with a cheeky smile of course. Never had a probelm yet.

Edited by Moo Yung, 10 February 2012 - 12:49 AM.

[Ringspun]

deepthroat, on 11 September 2011 - 10:33 AM, said:

There is an older thread about scooter rentals but it seems time for an update.

I've never rented a scooter, but I think this trip I'll try it. I want to be able to get out of Pattaya during the daytime hours and go see the beaches and areas around town, but don't want to be limited to the baht bus or where my feets can take me. Renting a scooter seems to be reasonable (100-150 baht daily average?) relatively safe if you drive carefully and wear a helmet, and a good diversion.

The earlier thread already answered the question about Passports - it was determined you should NEVER give your Passport to the rental company, only a COPY is actually necessary.

It was also determined that it's in your best interest to inspect the vehicle carefully and if there is even minor damage, photograph it - preferably with the rental guy in the photo as well - and save it for when you return the scooter.

It was also determined that an International Drivers License and insurance are not needed in Thailand if you are renting for less than 6 months, but the insurance is definitely a good idea for your own peace of mind. And always wear your helmet, you're in for more than just the 500 baht fine if you don't.


1. Where are the best places to rent in Pattaya? I'll be staying at the April Suites.

Next to August Suites down the road (their sister hotel) there is a guy who does scooters, great price and no problem whatsoever, including another BM whom likes Thai Whiskey too mutts and he rented a number of times again with no ploblem.

2. How safe is it to park your scooter around town? What about out at remote beaches and the like? Any chance of someone stealing it?

Never happened to me, although another BM had his helmet nicked (not that one)

3. Where should I go?

Golden Budda, the Pattaya Sign, Nakula, Vine Yard, Other beachs than Pattaya as that one is probably the worst about

4. Any other safety tips or recommendations?

We got busted 3 times last time for minor offences for around 1000 baht each time (£20) which kinda grates you after it happens twice in a day... ranging from riding down a one way street wrong way with around 20 other Thais on Bikes but Farang get stopped no one else does, then stopped for not having an international driving licence. However this never happened on any other trip just last one, and one reason was we not have thai girl on back of scooter!