International Travels

Thailand - 2010

Any visit by a Ulyssian to Thailand would not be complete without doing some Motorcycle Rides.
That was the case for Peter and Heidi Baulch during their recent visit to Thailand.

Based in Krabi, we took rides to many places across southern Thailand, including Krabi, Tup Kaek Beach, Ao Nang, Phi Phi Island and Railway Bay.

Motor Bike (and Scooter) riding in Thailand is very popular and is done mostly on lower powered bikes than those we are used to. Visitors to other Asian countries including those members just returned from Vietnam, would tell of lots of bikes and scooters, mostly of smaller engine capacity.
In Thailand, traffic is mostly very orderly; in keeping with the placid, considerate and polite nature of the Thai people. Speeds around villages and towns are around 30-40 kms while out on main or secondary roads speeds tend to average 70-80 kms. On the Freeways, where sometimes bigger bikes can be seen, speeds can be up around 100-120 kms. Road courtesy is practised and there is very little honking of horns...........quite different from Philippines, India or Korea, where my riding experiences resembled dodging kamikaze riders on bikes and scooters.

With the hot weather (mid 30's during day and very high 20's at night), and high humidity; riding was quite pleasant, particularly at night.

On one particular day we met three Malaysian guys on big bikes (a new BMW 1200RT, a 2009 Ducati and a near new Honda CB1300). We got chatting just as bikers everywhere do, and they told us that they had just ridden from Kuala Lumpur and had done the trip in 12 hours; including a fair chunk of night travel. WOW....... what a trip......!!!

Safety gear in Thailand is also very different from what we are used to in Australia. Standard attire consists of thongs, shorts and t-shirt optional. Helmets are rarely seen and if they are, it will be tourists (like us) who wear them. But the slower speeds and high level of road courtesy do seem to lessen the risks....... (for the locals at least). and in Thailand they travel on the left side of the road as we do here in Australia.

Bike riding in Thailand is recommended with the usual qualification of common sense and road courtesy.

We will certainly be doing more Motor Cycle riding when we next visit Thailand.

Peter Baulch

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A Travel Report by Ian Pope.

Last ten days spent holidaying in ideal Krabi Resort on the coast of Thailand. Ian & Peter visited a lovely Irish establishment to watch the AFL. Oh by the way, in case no one heard Geelong did beat Collingwood that Friday night. Surely Peter has notified most by now.

Would I recommend Krabi, YES YES. For you Honda riders, 200bhts a day (or less than $8) will get you the latest Honda to ride. Maybe a bit smaller, slower than an ST but still it is a Honda. Much like bums over there, everyone has one. We chose the more comfortable Yamaha. Damn those 125cc can take a load. One thing I noticed by observation of others, when hiring a scooter, do not take a red helmet, makes you look like a big @#&*. Choose another colour.

This site was last updated 06/03/10