How to Rent a Car in Bangkok, Thailand

Are you planning a trip and wondering how car rental works in Bangkok? We had rented cars for trips, such as to Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya, and Pattaya. If you are planning the same, let's explore how to make renting a car stress-free.

Required Documents

1. Your passport
2. Driving license
3. A credit card

How Much Does it Cost?

A hatchback like the Yaris typically costs around 800 baht per day. A sedan usually costs around 1,000-1,200 baht per day. Most rental services don't rent to you if you don't have a credit card. There will be a deposit hold of 8,000 to 10,000 baht, which you will get back when you return the car without new damage. If you rent for more extended periods, you can get a discounted rate that varies by service. If you don't have a credit card, the rental fee will be higher, like 1,100 baht per day for the same Yaris, and 1,500 for the same sedan.

In-person Rental Procedure without a Credit Card

You first choose a car from their catalogue. You provide your passport and driving license. You pay your deposit of around 8,000 baht. They will explain their rules, what type of fuel you need to use, and some basic insurance policies. You can pay an additional fee for comprehensive insurance coverage. Sign some papers, and you are good to go. Next is the car inspection. They will take you to the car's location and check its condition in your presence. They will hand you the inspection report with the damage and ask you to check it yourself and sign it. So what do you need to look at?

Car Inspection

The cars may already have scratches or dents from previous renters, so you must scrutinize the vehicle and agree on its current condition before you rent it. The service will provide a paper with a written description of the damage location. Please carefully review and add any missing spots if you find any. When you return the car, they will conduct a thorough inspection, so you mustn't miss any already-damaged spots.

Check if the car’s navigation system is working. Ask them how to use it if you are not sure. For the music, you can use Bluetooth, but for navigation, you usually need to connect your phone to the car using a physical cable.

Check if the car’s air conditioning is working. And also check the fuel level. It should be full because usually the agreement is full-to-full. They will rent you the car with the fuel tank full, and you have to return it that way.

Insurance

Most cars have insurance to help protect them. Usually, they come with basic insurance that covers some of the repair costs if you are at fault in an accident. If it is not your fault, you do not have to pay anything. You can get comprehensive insurance coverage for an additional fee.

Some Basic Rules

1. No pet
2. No alcohol
3. No smoking
4. No smelly food
5. No driving on flat tyres
6. No driving in flood

They will fine you 5,000 baht if they find out that you smoke in the car. All cars are equipped with cameras of the surrounding area and a voice recorder inside the vehicle.

Returning the car

You can return your car earlier than the scheduled time, but you cannot be late. They will charge you a full-day rental price if you are late. It is part of the agreement. Most services are up and running 24/7, so you can return anytime you like.

Always remember to fill the fuel tank to the brim, as the agreement is fuel full-to-full. If you forgot to refuel, the service will charge you the fuel price they set, which is higher than the actual price.

Ask the service about the destination for returning the car. Drive there on time and let the staff check the vehicle for any new body damage and the fuel level. After that, they will return your deposit, and the process of returning your vehicle will be complete.

This is the process for renting a car in Bangkok, Thailand. Do you think the article is helpful to you? We would like to know what you have in mind. Have you experienced the process before? Please feel free to share your experience in the comments.