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Cycling in South Thailand

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It isn't a secret that cycling in south Thailand can be really exciting but it depends where you start. I have cycled the whole part from Bangkok to different Malaysian borders (Satun, Padang Besar and Betong) and all 3 are worth to cross into Malaysia.

• Bangkok to Chumphon
• Hua Hin
• Koh Tao and some hotels in Koh Tao
• Surat Thani to Satun
• Hat Yai to Malaysia including some hotels in Hat Yai and Songkhla
• South Thailand and North Malaysia, another route

What if you don't want to cycle all the way?

There's plenty of other transport forms available to almost any thinkable destination in south Thailand. The most convenient, at least to me, is the train (and no, not a bicycle, check further on this page). At the Bangkok railway station you can ask for a time schedule for the Southern Line.

There are 14 different trains daily from Bangkok anywhere south. The express trains will have a luggage carrier for your bicycle. Usually you pay a small fee to get your bicycle in the train. I have done this now countless times in trains to north and south Thailand and never had any troubles. It's a good way to get out of Bangkok before starting your adventures with cycling in south Thailand .

Remote beaches to be found when cycling in south Thailand: Pak Meng

What to bring

Bring as little as possible. Cycling south Thailand means cycling in a tropical country with day temperatures of about 30°C and night temperatures are usually not below 24°C.

Cycling in south Thailand becomes more and more popular, for foreigners as well as for locals. There are several good bicycle shops in Bangkok, here is a list.

I know there are two excellent bicycle shops in Hat Yai, and reasonable good ones in Yala and Betong (see some details a bout those shops at this page). Although I have been several times in Krabi, Surat Thani and Chumphon, I haven't been able to find a decent bike shop there. Phuket has several bicycle shops that will be able to do repairs and have tires.

If you are moving to Malaysia. Here are some shops in Kuala Lumpur but if you are come to Penang, you should visit Mohd Faisals Dreamwerkz where I usually do my repairs and maintenance. See this page what I did in 2011 on my own bike with Faisal.

Mohd Faizal's Dreamwerkz Cycles
163f-1 wisma seri perak,
10150 Penang, Malaysia ·
04 2262181

Maps

For cycling in south Thailand a good map is useful. I use is the Nelles Thailand map. The scale is 1:500.000 and is sufficient. The Michelin maps are on a better scale: 1:350.000 but they are less detailed.

Both maps have their inconsequence and faults. In Asia I normally to use Nelles plus a local map. All over Thailand you will be able to find local maps, either provincial or city maps. As Krabi and Phuket are tourist places, you will easily find local and international (English) maps. Some of these small roads are no more then just dirt paths and end up in no mans land.

One problem I found with the Nelles maps is that they do not always offer the exact right distances between cities, even on some of the main roads it's not always correct. Now when you are cycling in south Thailand, for example to Krabi, you won't find many problems as the road directions are clean. Besides, in Krabi you will be able to find excellent local maps of the whole Krabi area.

Free map from the Krabi area

Dangers and annoyances

Thailand is a safe country to ride your bicycle. Avoid as much as possible big and on going road, never use the expressways. But even the main on going road (road 4) out of Bangkok was still OK to cycle. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't fun and I wouldn't recommend it. But it wasn't dangerous.

Using smaller and more local roads give you the possibility to get in touch with many local people. And even close to major tourist areas, you may be one of the very few tourists ever visit the place.

Many of the roads you want for cycling in south Thailand are in excellent condition. And they are kept in excellent condition. Road marks are almost everywhere clear and reliable.

Hotels, restaurants, camping

Thailand is not like China, where every little village has a rest house, guest house or hotel. However, you will find every 50 km at least a place to stay.

If you can't find a hotel, you may try your luck in the local Buddhist temples. They sometimes give travellers one of the empty rooms in the temple or allow you to pitch your tent on the temple grounds.

Camping, as in most Asian countries is not common. There are some camp grounds here and there in Thailand, mostly in tourist areas at beaches. You may like to pitch your tent on the beach, if the locals allow you. And, if you camp, do not leave any garbage, keep the area clean.

• Hotels in Koh Tao
• Hotels in Krabi
• Hotels in Hat Yai
• Hotels in Hua Hin
• Hotels in Phuket

I don't feel I have to recommend hotels in cities like Chumphon, Prachup Kiri Khan or Surat Thani. These cities get few visitors, so walk/cycle around and inform for accommodation. You will always get a room, regardless the season. Most travellers go direct from here further to their next destination and do not stay here.

On the road from Hat Yai to Sadao and the
Malaysian border at Padang Besar

Road side restaurants are everywhere available. A good bowl of noodles or rice is always possible to find without much effort. Drinks can be bought too. Here's some of my own experiences with food in Thailand.

Back to top of cycling in south Thailand

Check out other hotel recommendation for Krabi, Hua Hin, Phuket, Koh Tao and Hat Yai

Back to the Bicycle Adventures.com homepage

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