Thailand
 Thailand | |
|---|---|
| Information | |
| Language: | Thai |
| Capital: | Bangkok |
| Population: | 63,038,247 |
| Currency: | Baht (THB) |
| Hitchability: | <rating country='th' /> |
| Meet fellow hitchhikers on Trustroots | |
Thailand is a wonderful hitchhiking country - but you have to be persistent. People are not familiar with the concept of hitchhiking and they always want to drop you off at a bus station.
National Parks
Cities
- Bangkok
- Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri
- Khon Kaen
- Lampang
- Nakhon Ratchasima
- Pattaya, Phuket
- Nong Khai
- Hat Yai
Hitchhiking in Thailand
Hitchhiking in Thailand is relatively simple and safe, on the contrary to what some people might tell you. Using the usual protocol of standing with your thumb out, where traffic is slow and leaving enough room for drivers to pull over is all you need to do. Prepare to spend a lot of time in the back of pick up trucks. By this I mean; bring a rain coat, some warm clothes (especially if hitching at night), a waterproof cover for your rucksack, even in the summer! There are wonderful experiences to be had hitch hiking in Thailand. In several cases, user haggismn was asked if he wanted a ride when simply walking on the path to a place to hitch from. Some people will also invite you to stay at their homes. Whilst people do not recommend it, sleeping outdoors is safe, especially where people do not often walk.
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.
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.
Experiences
- User Craig hitched along the Silk Road from Istanbul to Malaysia and wrote about his experiences here: Thumbing Asia From West to East getting out of Bangkok isn't easy ... but the rest of Thailand is endless fun to hitch-hike. Sometimes you'll get a lift with a police car yay!
