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Many Thai people do not know that hitchhiking exists, but many others understand very well the concept and call it ''bow'' in Thai, meaning "wave". These people will always drop you at a petrol station or another proper place to continue hitchhiking.[[User:z-z-z88|z-z-z88]] ([[User talk:z-z-z88|talk]]) used a hitchhiking letter and it helped him a lot. Others report that they are being constantly driven to the bus stations. Although spoken Thai is understood in [[Laos]], Lao people had a lot of difficulties reading Thai.
== Getting In ==
[[File:Malaysiathailandborder.jpg|thumb|220px|right|[[User:Halt, Stop! Reudnitz kommt.|Craig]] tries thumbing up lifts at Bukit Ayer Hitam border (Malaysia).]]
Thailand borders [[Myanmar]], [[Laos]], [[Cambodia]] and [[Malaysia]].
=== Malaysia ===
Entering & Leaving Malaysia is swift and easy. Because of traffic volume choose ''[[Bukit Ayer Hitam]]'' over ''[[Padang Besar]]'' for the western Side. There are two more border crossings at ''[[Betong]]'' and ''[[Sungai Kolok]]'' in the center and on the eastern side respectively.
On the Malaysian side of ''Bukit Ayer Hitam'' border [[User:Halt, Stop! Reudnitz kommt.|Craig]] found it easy to get a lift near immigration and parking [http://thumbingasia.blogspot.com/].
→Getting In
|capital = [[Bangkok]]
|pop = 63,038,247
|currency = Baht (THB)<br />(symbol: ฿)
|hitch = <rating country='th' />
}}
There are ''lots'' of motorbikes in Thailand, who are happy to pick up hitchikers. Remember it can be difficult if you're wearing a backpack and always ask/signal/mime if they have a spare helmet.
Hitching you don't have to freeze in the buses and you can get acquainted with locals and some foreigners too. They don't ask money for the rides but if a someone not so rich offers you a long ride, it would be polite to offer him a lunch if you can afford it.
Many Thai people do not know that hitchhiking exists, but many others understand very well the concept and call it ''bow'' in Thai, meaning "wave". These people will always drop you at a petrol station or another proper place to continue hitchhiking.
The nature of the Thai people makes Thailand a really good country to use a [[hitchhiking letter]] if you can't speak Thai. You will often find yourself surrounded by locals who are willing to help you, but who are not familiarized with hitchhiking and cannot speak any English, which may lead to you being dropped at police offices or bus stations. The letter makes these situations much easier, and the hitchhiking in Thailand drastically faster.
{| class="wikitable"
| ผมเดินทางด้วยเงินจำนวนเล็กน้อยเพื่อเป็นค่าอาหารและที่พักราคาถูก ผมจึงโบกรถเพื่อเดินทาง ขอผมติดรถไปทางเดียวกับคุณด้วยได้ไหมครับ คุณจะส่งผมข้างหน้าที่ไหนก็ได้ที่สะดวก แล้วผมจะโบกรถต่อไปเอง
[[File:Amylin-thai-pickup.jpg|thumb|220px|left|[[User:Amylin|Amylin]] riding in the back of a hitched pick-up truck from [[Chiang Rai]] to the [[Laos]] border in [[Thailand]].]]
=== Exception: the The taxi mafia in the tourist areas such as Phuket ===
In some tourist areas like [[Phuket]] the taxi mafia is in charge. You ''have'' to specify at least three times that you are not going to pay. "No money", "no taxi", "free ride"; rinse and repeat. [[User:Guaka|guaka]] had a nasty experience with a guy who suddenly wanted 500 baht for a short ride. He then actually called the police. The corrupt police was actually ready to go to the police station so [[User:Guaka|guaka]] settled with paying 400 baht (100 baht was not enough). (This was after 4 very nice rides across the island, including a free veggie dinner in a restaurant.)
== National Parks ==
{{IsIn|South-Eastern Asia}}
== Personal Experiences == Pls add info == Links ==
* [http://therichmikehitchhike.com/route/ The Rich-Mike HitchHike] - A recent blog about hitchhiking from Bali to Jakarta and then on through Asia to England (20'000 km through 20 countries in 100 days) -'''Thailand is ranked number 1 country to hitchhike in out of 20''' ([http://therichmikehitchhike.com/michael-sale/ Day 21: Michael for sale])
* [http://marcandoelpolo.com/viajar-a-dedo-tailandia/ Information, tips and personal experiences of hitch-hiking in Thailand. A 3437 km journey in 96 vehicles] (only in Spanish), by Marcando el Polo
== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==
{{nomadwiki}}
[[Category:Asia]]
