Cycling in Thailand - a review

After 6 weeks and 1800km pedalling trough Thailands landscapes I would like to share some experiences. Some people warned me: it will be dangerous, how can you do that? Thais won't mind when you are struggling...

In fact, it's right: people don't mind when your bike is broken down and you stay, your bicycle upside down at the street. For sure nobody will stop.
I had some punctures to repair and people were just smiling and looking. So you have to be prepared for each situation and self-sufficiant enough to handle difficult situations for your own.

Thais keep often some distance, treated me with some reserve. Did I start a talk, first distance broke immediatly and people were very interested in what I am doing. I was often asked who I am, where I go... I felt some mistrust, probably because I was a single travelling man.
Particulary on countryside, in untouristic regions, farmers were very friendly and open minded, I was surprised. They let me take part at their life and work and enjoyed it apparently to meet a foreigner.

It is important to have enough tubes and reparingmaterial with you, even some tools to fix your bike. Only in bigger towns like Chiangmai and Bangok is mountainbikegear available.

Thais regulary don't cycle. Cycling might be something for for children or poor people (my interpretation). Only in bigger cities recover westernorientated Thais the bycicle as sportvehicel. To have an engine is very important. Motorcycles are everywhere - if affordable Thais have to have a car. Don't start a dicussion how fantastic it is to explore Thailand by bycicle. It just makes no sence for a Thai to buy a bycicle that is more expensive then a motorcycle and - how much the bike was, was usually the first question.
I won't forget that smiling Thaiboys face who was kidding me:" Your funny, how many years have you?" A middleaged rich Farang who is cycling?...very confusing.

Last but not least: I would do it again... some recommondations:
- Dogs are everywhere, mostly peaceful, sometimes annoying. I was happy to have a Dazer with me. (A small device which sends high signals. Humans aren't able to hear them. Dogs react afraid and run away.)
- It's much more interesting to take small streets on countryside. You won't move fast, but it's worth. Roadconditions are mostly good. Remarkable: during my 6 weeks in Thailand I had 2 flat tyres, in New Zealand (Christchuch) I had 3 in 1 week.
- Streets have regulary a lane on both sides, which is used from motorcycles or as parkinglot as well. But in my experience I felt much safer then on mainstreets in Europe.
- Thais often don't have a drivinglicense, but they drive regulary careful...
- Right of way is quiet simple: truck - car - motorcyycle - bycicle - pedestrians, the lighter gives way! (and it's working fine)
- In public trains: it was never a problem to take the bycicle with me. You have to declare it by buying a ticket - employees were very helpful. Motorcycles were transported as well.
- Transport by bus was more difficult. It depends on the driver. Once I had to take the first bus in the morning which was not so full. Once a driver declined to take the bycicle on bus... I asked the next driver who was very helpful.
- Accomodation: can be on countryside quiet difficult to find something appropriate, even in smaller cities are hotelstandards poor, bugs not unusal. (Bites disappeard after 1 week.) I was happy to have my sleepingbag with me and used it of course after that experience)
- Last but not least: for checkin on the airport has the bike to be boxed. In Bangkok I was looking for half a day for a box. There is one bycicleshop where you can get it, near to the Lumpinipark. (see Link)
- Do you have questions about cycling in Thailand? Give me a message!