In This Guide
After six years in Phuket, I ride a scooter every day. I've also seen the aftermath of serious accidents, visited friends in Bangkok Hospital Phuket's trauma unit, and watched the motorbike casualty section at Vachira fill up on Songkran night. I ride carefully and I get around well. I also know that scooters in Phuket kill and maim people regularly, including experienced riders.
This guide will help you make an informed decision — not scare you off, but give you the full picture before you decide.
Phuket Road Safety — The Real Numbers
Phuket Province consistently records 300–400 road fatalities per year, with motorcycles and scooters accounting for over 70% of all serious accidents. The highest-risk periods are Songkran (April 13–15), public holidays, and weekends between 10pm and 2am when alcohol is involved.
Most Dangerous Roads in Phuket
- Chalong Circle (Roundabout) — four roads merge at speed; 12-o'clock position is a death trap for scooters
- Thepkrasattri Road (Highway 402) — high-speed trucks, impatient drivers, minimal shoulder
- Bang Tao to Kamala coastal road — beautiful but narrow with blind corners
- Patong Hill / Karon Hill — steep gradients, wet in monsoon, poor road surface
- Central Festival roundabout, Phuket Town — high volume, poor visibility, frequent minor collisions
Basic Safety Rules for Phuket Riding
- Helmet, always — full-face is significantly safer than open-face "bucket" helmets
- Never ride drunk or after a single large drink — Thai penalty is ฿15,000+ and licence suspension
- Avoid riding between 10pm and 6am unless you know the road well
- Watch for sand on corners — Phuket roads develop sand deposits after rain that are invisible at speed
- Assume every vehicle will do something stupid at every intersection
- Monsoon rain on Phuket roads is like a skating rink — slow dramatically
Rent vs Buy vs Grab — Which is Right for You?
| Option | Monthly Cost | Freedom | Risk | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent scooter (monthly) | ฿2,500–฿4,500 | High | Medium–High | Long-stay, flexible, no large upfront |
| Buy scooter (used) | ฿700–฿1,500 (running costs) | Highest | Medium–High | 1+ year stays, frequent riders |
| Buy scooter (new) | ฿1,000–฿2,000 (running costs) | Highest | Medium | Long-term, higher budget |
| Grab only | ฿4,000–฿8,000 | Low | Low | Infrequent travellers, safety-focused |
| Rent car monthly | ฿12,000–฿20,000 | Medium | Low | Families, non-riders |
For most long-term residents who ride regularly, buying a used scooter at 6–12 months into your stay is the best value. Month-one arrivals typically rent first to test the waters, then buy after they've settled into an area and know the roads.
Monthly Scooter Rental Guide
Monthly rental is the standard entry point for new arrivals. Prices vary significantly by area, season, and scooter type.
| Area | Basic Scooter (125cc auto) | Mid-Range (150–160cc) | Deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rawai / Nai Harn | ฿2,500–฿3,200 | ฿3,500–฿4,500 | ฿3,000–฿5,000 |
| Bang Tao / Laguna | ฿2,800–฿3,500 | ฿4,000–฿5,500 | ฿3,000–฿5,000 |
| Chalong | ฿2,200–฿2,800 | ฿3,000–฿4,000 | ฿2,000–฿4,000 |
| Patong / Kata / Karon | ฿3,000–฿4,000 | ฿4,500–฿6,000 | ฿3,000–฿5,000 |
| Phuket Town | ฿2,000–฿2,500 | ฿2,800–฿3,500 | ฿2,000–฿3,000 |
What's Included in Monthly Rental
- The scooter and key
- Basic compulsory insurance (Por Ror Bor — covers third-party bodily injury only)
- Roadside assistance from some larger rental shops
Not included: Comprehensive coverage for your injuries, damage to the bike, damage to other vehicles, theft. You need to add voluntary insurance (฿500–฿1,500/month) or ensure your personal insurance covers motorcycle riding abroad.
Buying a Scooter or Motorcycle in Phuket
New vs Second-Hand
New scooters come from authorised dealers (Honda Wing, Yamaha, NMAX dealers on Chao Fa East Road and Thepkrasattri Road) with a warranty and clean registration. Second-hand is cheaper but requires due diligence.
| Model | New Price | Used (good cond.) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Wave 110i | ฿40,000–฿45,000 | ฿15,000–฿25,000 | Semi-auto, very reliable, cheap to run |
| Honda Click 125i | ฿52,000–฿58,000 | ฿28,000–฿40,000 | Automatic, most popular expat choice |
| Honda PCX 160 | ฿78,000–฿88,000 | ฿45,000–฿65,000 | Automatic, larger storage, highway stable |
| Yamaha NMAX 155 | ฿82,000–฿90,000 | ฿50,000–฿68,000 | Automatic, excellent build quality |
| Honda ADV 160 | ฿95,000–฿105,000 | ฿70,000–฿85,000 | Adventure-style, off-road capable |
| Honda MSX 125 | ฿55,000–฿65,000 | ฿35,000–฿50,000 | Manual, fun, city-oriented, small |
| Royal Enfield / large cc | ฿180,000+ | ฿120,000+ | Manual gearbox — requires car licence + motorcycle |
Buying Second-Hand — Due Diligence Checklist
- Check the Kor Ror 3 (blue book / vehicle registration) — confirm the engine and chassis numbers match the bike physically
- Check if there is outstanding finance — call the finance company number if listed
- Verify the registration is current (annual tax label on plate)
- Get a pre-purchase mechanical check from a trusted mechanic (฿200–฿500)
- Transfer at the DLT (Department of Land Transport) — takes 1–2 hours, requires seller present, costs ~฿1,000 in fees
- Don't buy without a legitimate blue book — "no blue book" = legal risk
Getting a Thai Driving Licence
The Land Transport Office (LTO) is on Chalermprakiat Road, Phuket City — open Mon–Fri 8:30am–4pm (closed 12–1pm). Tuesday and Wednesday mornings are the least crowded.
Motorcycle Licence (Foreign Licence Conversion)
If you have a valid foreign motorcycle licence (or a foreign car licence plus motorcycle endorsement), you can convert to a Thai licence with minimal testing. Required documents:
- Passport + photocopy
- Valid visa (Non-OA, Non-B, DTV, or tourist visa — tourist visa accepted at most LTO offices)
- Foreign driving licence (original + photocopy) with official Thai translation OR certified English translation
- Medical certificate from any clinic (฿150–฿300, same day, many clinics near the LTO)
- House registration or rental contract showing Phuket address
Process: medical test → submit documents → colour/depth perception test (booths at LTO) → theory test (15 questions, available in English) → wait for licence. Total time: 2–4 hours. Cost: ฿205 (motorcycle).
No Foreign Motorcycle Licence?
Without a prior motorcycle licence, you need to complete a driving school course (฿1,500–฿3,000, 1–2 days) before applying. Several driving schools operate near the LTO — ask at the LTO reception for current approved schools.
Insurance — What You Actually Need
| Insurance Type | What It Covers | Annual Cost | Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Por Ror Bor (compulsory) | Third-party bodily injury only — limited to ฿80,000 per person | ฿800–฿1,500 | Yes — legally required |
| Voluntary Class 1 | Comprehensive: your bike, third-party property, medical for you | ฿8,000–฿18,000 | No, but recommended |
| Voluntary Class 3+ / 2+ | Third party property only, fire and theft — not your injuries | ฿2,500–฿5,000 | No — minimum sensible option |
| Personal accident rider | Hospital and income protection for you specifically | ฿3,000–฿8,000 | No — add to full health insurance |
Using Grab Instead of a Scooter
Grab operates island-wide in Phuket and is genuinely excellent. For many expats — particularly those who work from home most of the time, live near Grab-dense areas (Bang Tao, Rawai, Phuket Town), or simply aren't confident motorcycle riders — Grab is the better choice.
| Grab Route | Typical Fare | Peak Hour |
|---|---|---|
| Rawai to Phuket Town | ฿120–฿180 | ฿180–฿250 |
| Bang Tao to Central Festival | ฿150–฿220 | ฿200–฿300 |
| Patong to Kata | ฿90–฿140 | ฿140–฿180 |
| Chalong to Phuket Town | ฿100–฿150 | ฿150–฿200 |
| Nai Harn to Rawai seafood market | ฿50–฿80 | ฿80–฿100 |
| Airport to Bang Tao | ฿350–฿450 | ฿400–฿500 |
If you ride a scooter every day, monthly Grab costs would reach ฿4,000–฿8,000 — comparable to a rental scooter but without risk. Many expats use a hybrid approach: scooter for local errands, Grab after dark or after drinking.
Rental Scams — What to Watch For
Phuket scooter rental scams are well-documented. The most common:
The Pre-Existing Damage Scam
You rent a scooter with existing minor damage. When you return it, the rental shop claims you caused it and demands ฿3,000–฿15,000 for "repairs." Prevention: photograph every scratch, dent and mark on the bike before you leave the shop. Make the rental staff acknowledge the existing damage in writing or on video. Do this without exception.
The Passport Deposit Trap
Some rental shops ask for your passport as a deposit. This is illegal — rental shops cannot hold your passport. If they won't accept a cash deposit instead, find another shop. Handing over your passport as security gives them leverage to demand whatever they want.
Tuk-Tuk Mafia Pressure
In some tourist areas (Bangla Road, Patong beachfront), tuk-tuk operators pressure tourists to return scooter rentals, claiming various rule violations. These are not official and should be ignored. Contact Tourist Police 1155 if harassed.