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Getting around Thailand wasn’t just about moving from one place to another. It was about figuring things out as we went—negotiating rides, choosing trust over certainty, and laughing at the moments that didn’t go as planned. As a solo traveler, I learned to rely on instinct, kindness, and a willingness to adapt. Some rides were loud and wild, others slow and silent. But each one gave us something to hold on to. Not a souvenir—something better. A moment. A memory. Another story to tell.
Table of Contents
- Tuk-Tuks: Fun but Pricey
- Scooters: Cheap, Popular, and Dangerous
- Songthaews and Buses: The Easiest Choice
- Taxis: Worth It Sometimes
- Organized Tours: Transportation Included but Never on Time
- Speed Boat Tour
- Phang Nga Bay Canoe & Caves
- Final Thoughts
Tuk-Tuks: Fun but Pricey
We were soaked. The kind of soaked that turns your clothes into cling wrap and makes your flip-flops slap like applause on the pavement. My husband and I had just wandered through a downpour in Phuket when we spotted a tuk-tuk idling under a neon-lit overhang. The driver waved us over, grinning as if he knew we had no better options. We didn’t haggle. We just climbed in, dripping wet and grateful.
That short, rainy ride wasn’t cheap—but it felt like a small price for dry seats, laughter, and a memory I still smile about.
Getting around Thailand wasn’t just about moving from place to place. It was part of the adventure itself—equal parts joy, frustration, and learning curve. These are five rides I’ll never forget, and the lessons they left behind.
Scooters: Cheap, Popular, and Dangerous
My first scooter ride in Thailand wasn’t one I drove. It was a Grab. The driver pulled up and handed me a pink helmet like it was no big deal. I paused, wrapped my locs in a silk scarf, and buckled the helmet under my chin.
He must’ve noticed my nerves. I hovered before getting on, hesitated just a little too long. As soon as we pulled into traffic, he started talking—loud, steady, and constant. I didn’t catch most of the words, but his voice was a welcome distraction. He weaved through cars and buses like it was second nature, while I held on and tried not to look down.
The city blurred around us—while I counted breaths, not blocks.
The ride was short and sweet. But I stepped off feeling different, reminded that I keep choosing to do things that feel new to me. My only regret— I wish I had a picture of me in that pink helmet. I wanted to keep it. I know I looked good!
- LINE – Stay connected with hotels, restaurants, and friends in Thailand, Japan, and Taiwan
- WhatsApp – Essential for communication with drivers, guides, and hotels across Asia
- Grab – Ride-hailing across Southeast Asia
- GrabFood – Convenient food delivery across Thailand and Southeast Asia
- Air4Thai – Real-time air quality tracking in Thailand
- Coffee Meets Bagel – Dating app in Thailand for serious connections
Songthaews and Buses: The Easiest Choice
We flagged down a red Songthaew just outside the market. It slowed with a soft groan, and the driver tapped the side of the truck. We climbed in, joining two older women with shopping baskets and a young man scrolling through his phone.
There was no music, no announcements, no English. Just the hum of the engine and the breeze pouring through the open back.
One of the women caught my eye and smiled. Then, without a word, she reached into her bag and offered me a couple of rambutans. I took them with both hands and nodded. The fruit was cool and slightly sticky, the kind of sweetness that sneaks up on you.
We sat shoulder to shoulder with strangers, bumping gently as the truck rolled through town. No one looked rushed. No one stared. It felt like riding through someone else’s rhythm—and being invited to join.
When we reached our stop, we rang the bell and handed the driver a few coins through the window. He nodded once and pulled away before we’d even turned around.
It wasn’t fast. It wasn’t private. But that ride made me feel like I belonged there, if only for a few stops.
Taxis: Worth It Sometimes
We called a taxi in Bangkok one night, dressed for a club we’d found online. As soon as we got in, the driver asked, “You know that’s a ladyboy club, right?”
Steven blinked. I stared. Then the driver grinned and said, “Maybe I take her back to hotel—you go alone. You’ll have more fun!”
I laughed so hard I nearly cried. Steven just shook his head and said, “With all the clubs in Bangkok, how do you know that one so well?”
The driver laughed too. Steven was a good sport about it. We skipped the club and ended up at a rooftop bar instead—city lights, loud music, and a story we still tell.
Organized Tours: Transportation Included but Never on Time
Many tours include transportation, making them an easy way to explore. Book through hotel lobbies, kiosks, or online. I booked all my tours through Viator. Drivers were often late but always polite.
Speed Boat Tour
We sat near the front of the speedboat, legs stretched out, salt drying on our skin. The wind pulled at my hair like a ribbon unraveling, and for a second, it felt like we were in a movie. Not watching one—living one. Thailand’s light has a way of doing that—casting shadows that make everything feel golden and a little unreal.
We skimmed across the sea toward Maya Beach, Bamboo Beach, and Monkey Beach. The water was the kind of blue that makes you stare. We snorkeled over coral gardens, drifted through silence broken only by the sound of our breath, then ate lunch under palm trees with sand between our toes.
It was crowded. But it didn’t matter.
That boat ride wasn’t about the stops. It was about the in-between—the feeling of motion, the shared glances, the joy of arriving together.
Phang Nga Bay Canoe & Caves
The longboat drifted between limestone cliffs as the sky dimmed. We stopped on a narrow beach where the guide handed us palm leaves, flower petals, banana stems, and slices of fruit. “Make a blessing,” he said, gesturing to the soft sand.
No plastic. No wire. Nothing that could harm the bay. “No nails,” he said firmly. “Fish don’t need that in their mouths.” We sat in the sand and folded what we were given—simple offerings shaped by our hands. Mine kept falling apart until it didn’t. Steven tucked a piece of pineapple into his and gave it a soft push into the water.
Tiny flames floated out like stars trailing the tide.
Later, we followed the guide into a low cave by canoe. The walls pressed in, the air cooled, and the water turned black beneath us. It was so still we held our breath.
Then, with no warning, the guide stood up and jumped. The canoe rocked hard. I gasped, grabbing the edge. Steven spun around.
The guide landed in the shallows, laughing, and swept his arms through the water. The bioluminescence bloomed—soft, blue sparks swirling like fireflies underwater. Steven leaned forward, his eyes wide. I reached out and let the glow dance from my fingertips.
We didn’t speak. We didn’t need to.
Final Thoughts
Getting around Thailand taught me to slow down, ask questions, and not assume everything works the same way it does at home. Tuk-tuks are thrilling, scooters are risky, and Songthaews are the easiest way to travel. Every ride, whether good or bad, added to the story of my trip.
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