We’ve been on just about every imaginable form of transportation in Thailand including airplane, bus, van, train, water taxi, longtail boat, tuk-tuk, bicycle, and motorbike. But one thing we’ve completely overlooked was traveling Thailand in a campervan! For all of those travelers who find RVing nostalgic, you’ll be happy learn about Thailand’s first campervan company, Campervan Thai.
It never occurred to us to travel in a campervan in Thailand. It’s probably because of all the different modes of transportation we’ve used, we’ve never seen one during our travels. And we think the local Thais can agree – we caught several of them staring at our unique ride and pointing in awe as we drove down the highway.
These vehicles are ideal for a group of friends or a family and the perfect combination of a comfortable sleeping area and transportation. Even tour groups are encouraged to use Campervan Thai to explore Thailand’s countryside.
Touring with the Small Terra Campervan
We took a three-day/two-night trip not far from Bangkok in Campervan Thai’s smallest vehicle. It’s good for two to four adults, but there are bigger vehicles available too. This includes a mid-sized that holds six to eight people and the largest size that holds eight to ten people.
Main Cabin Area
The area above the driver’s cab offers ample storage for luggage. There are also several interior drawers with locking doors as well as cubbies and shelves to hold items. There is even a small wardrobe area to hang up clothes.
The vehicle is equipped with a microwave, mini fridge, flat screen TV, and radio with a speaker system. There is also a small sink attached to its own small water tank.
The interior lighting, air conditioning, and converter run off the campervan’s battery. We only used these amenities when the vehicle was running. At night, we used the generator for power.
The dining table can seat four people, but it’s more comfortable if two people sit at the table and the other two sit on the bench across the narrow aisle. There are four cup holders and several small shelving areas to keep containers and other small items from sliding around.
Bathroom
The bathroom is equipped with a shower and toilet, which are hooked up to a water tank in the campervan or an external water source. There are a shower curtain and two small shelves for toiletries. Although the bathroom is small (wide and tall people may find it tight), it’s completely functional and also has a sink and a small trashcan.
Sleeping Area
The camper has two sleeping areas that fit two adults comfortably each. One is above the driver’s cab, which expands by 1.5ft to produce extra sleeping room. Even though Chris is 6’1″ tall (185cm) with broad shoulders, we were both able to sleep next to each other comfortably with room to spare. The second sleeping area is made by converting the dining table in the main area. There is a privacy curtain that separates the two sleeping areas.
The windows can be opened at night (not while driving though) to let in a nice cross breeze. There are mosquito screens and privacy screens on every window.
Extra Features
- 220V converter for electrical appliances
- Two double prong outlets on the fridge and two additional double prong outlets next to the TV (one of which is used by the TV)
- Wifi and GPS, which can be provided by requesting in advance
- Onboard first aid kit
- 5kW generator
- Freshwater, grey water, and sewage tanks
- Automatic transmission with four-wheel drive and ABS
The Cost
Campervan Thai offers three different vehicle sizes:
- Small (Terra): 6,000 baht (180 USD) per night
- Medium (Zil): 9,000 baht (270 USD) per night
- Large (Vega): 12,000 baht (360 USD) per night
Long-term rentals will receive a discount on the total price. Although the original price and discount is subject to change, as of March 2015 you can receive 10% off your total booking if you book a week or more and 20% off if you rent a month or more.
We realize that the per night cost is more than your typical hotel in Thailand but you’re getting a lot of value for your money. If you split the cost among friends, the Terra model only comes to about $65 USD per night per person, for both a vehicle to get around Thailand and a nice place to sleep.
This price includes the rental fees, insurance coverage for road accidents, and the overnight cost of the campsite which include electricity and water hookup.
The cost of gas is not included in the price. Approximate gas mileage is 5Â to 8Â KPL and fuel tanks vary in size from 76 to 100 liters. Gas currently costs about 30 baht per liter (3.45 USD per gallon).
A driver is optional. You can drive the campervan yourself or hire a driver starting at an extra 1,500 baht (45 USD) per night, depending on the program and period of rental. The driver will sleep outside the vehicle in a tent or a nearby hotel and will not impede on your privacy.
| NOTE: Campervan Thai limits driving to 500 km per day. There is a 10 baht/km fee associated with exceeding this distance. |
Our Experience with Campervan Thai
Let’s keep it short and sweet: we were very impressed with Campervan Thai. Everything from the helpfulness of the owner, the professionalism of our driver, and the amenities of the campervan were amazing.
The interior was in excellent condition and very clean. The smallest model was plenty of room for the two of us and our driver, but we agree that up to four adults and certainly a family of four can travel comfortably in the smallest vehicle.
The wardrobe area was a convenient spot for keeping one of our smaller luggage bags. We also liked that there were two drawers immediately upon entering the campervan that were a perfect spot to store our shoes.
The ambient lighting was a nice touch (four different settings), in addition to single overhead light in both sleeping area and the bathroom. The air conditioning was powerful and ran smoothly all night.
Our driver did an excellent job anticipating our needs. He drove responsibly; was always there to pull out the stairs when we stopped; kept our doors locked when we were exploring areas away from the campervan; tidied the van’s interior every day; turned on the AC before coming back into the vehicle; and even turned down the bed in the evenings.
In short, the service was impeccable and we were really impressed!
Suggestions
As excited as we were to hear the campervan had Wifi, it was spotty at best. However, from past experience while traveling in Thailand, cellular service is limited in some areas. Our lack of Wifi may have had less to do with campervan’s abilities and more to do with our route and lack of good cellular service.
Packing RecommendationsÂ
Since you aren’t staying in a hotel room, make sure to pack the following items:
- Toiletries, preferably in a small bag that you can clip or hang from the small rails in the bathroom
- Trash bags
- Towels, pillows, and a blanket
- Drinking water and snacks
- Three prong plug adapter to charge large appliances, such as a laptop
Things to Know Before You Go
- The owner will make sure you are well prepared for your trip. Allow an extra 30 to 45 minutes before your planned departure time for instructions on how to use the generator, to test drive the vehicle, how to fill up the gas, and how to hook up the water and electric sources at a campsite.
- Vehicles are equipped with a GPS locator to be able to find you in case of an emergency. There is a second unit that can be mounted to your windshield and gives directions in English.
- Campervan Thai has agreements with 18 different campsites and guesthouses around Thailand where you can park overnight and use their facilities for a small fee.
- If you are lost or need assistance, there is a 24-hour hotline to contact; if you need help, Campervan Thai will send someone to help you.
- Campervan Thai is located in Bangkok but will deliver their vehicles to any major city. Please contact them for their rates as prices will vary.
| NOTE: In the event you do not make it to your evening destination, Campervan Thai recommends parking overnight at a gas station and to not park on the shoulder of the main road. |
Contact Information for Campervan Thai
Website: www.campervan-thailand.com
Office Phone: (021) 709-292 Ms. O
24 hr Emergency Contact: (080) 810-8085
Email: info@campervan-thailand.com
Address: 37/3 Khum Thong-Lam Toi Ting Road, Khwaeng Khum Thong, Khet Lat Krabang, Bangkok 10520
Disclosure: We received a three-day guided tour with Campervan Thai compliments of Travel Bloggers Exchange (TBEX). Although we were not obliged to write a review about Campervan Thai in exchange for this expedition, we were genuinely amazed by their services and wanted to pass along the details of this unique campervan experience to our readers.
It is a great way to Explorer the country. But for 700 baht + you rent a car, unlimited kms, far better on patrol and for the money you save you can stay 5 star hotels and eat in top notch restaurants. For me, the price have to come ways down to be interesting.
There is certainly a trade-off regarding price. While this option may not be good for you, groups of travelers who have higher budgets and who have a nostalgia for riding around in a camper may find this option to be perfect :)
Hi, very interesting, but yes so expensive, price of a 5 stars to sleep in a box :-)
Still, interesting when traveling with dogs.
Thanks for the review !
Hi Chris and Angela! Do you require to pay an upfront of 50% deposit through bank transfer to secure your booking?
Please contact the Campervan Thai company directly by emailing them at info@campervan-thailand.com or calling them at +66 (0) 80 810 8085. We do not arrange bookings. This article is just a review of our experience. Hope you have a great trip!
Yup, I have already contacted the company and they require me to make an upfront deposit to secure the booking. Just wanna check with you guys whether were you require to make a deposit as well previously?
Ah, now we understand. We received a three-day guided tour with Campervan Thai compliments of Travel Bloggers Exchange (TBEX). We cannot answer as to whether or not there is a deposit. However, it doesn’t surprise us that they do ask for one.
How much will it cost to rent a medium camper van out for a month we’re coming over in September cheers
Please contact Campervan Thai directly – their contact info is included in the post!
We need to get from Bangkok to Chiang Mai with our family. We’ve flown before but wanted more adventure this time, so booked train tickets but the trains are full :( So just saw this idea….looks awesome! Can you drive the camper van from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and leave the camper there? Do you know how the drive is? I know it’s about 700km in distance, but what are the roads like?
Yes, the company will drop off/pick up the van anywhere in Thailand. The drive is pretty easy and the roads are in good condition. This would be a fun way to travel with the family!
hi, i’m trying to contact them using all numbers you gave and also email but no reply. Do you have other contact details?
Thanks
Nadia
Hm, we’ve definitely used both Khun O’s email and phone number in the past. We’re not sure why you aren’t having success :/
Has the fridge working on propane or 12v? I’m actually thinking of shipping my RV from Canada to Thailand for a few months. It would actually still be cheaper than renting this RV for an extended period of time.
We’re not sure what the fridge runs on, but you can certainly contact the company directly (they can respond to you back in English) with that question. We can’t believe that shipping your RV all the way from Canada would be cheaper. You staying for a long time? :)
Hi Chris and Angela – Can you only rent a campervan in Chang Mai or can you rent in Bangkok. Coming in mid December and was looking at renting a truck/car to drive down from BK to South Thailand.
Campervan Thai’s company is actually located in Bangkok (the exact address is located in the “Information” section at the bottom of the post), so this will be perfect for you.
Very interesting. We’ve been to Thailand a few times and certainly hadn’t seen these before. A fun new option for traveling. We’ve rented campervans in New Zealand and Australia and are currently getting ready to embark on a trip driving the PanAm highway to South America and LOVE having the self-driving option.. very fun (although it is pricy for Thailand… I was surprised at the cost)
RVing is so popular in America and Australia – it’s a new thing in Thailand and (at least for now) doesn’t have all those restrictions in place. It’s a great option for those who like to travel at their own pace. We could definitely tell campervans are unusual in Thailand… we got many interested looks from local Thais :)
Cool concept! You mention that a driver is included. Where does the driver stay when traveling overnight?
The driver is optional. You can drive the campervan yourself or hire a driver, and they actually will sleep outside of the vehicle in a tent or a nearby hotel.
That’s so awesome!! What a way to see Thailand!!
It never crossed our minds but we definitely agree that it’s a cool way to explore Thailand.
As a campervan-dweller, these vans look amazing! I’d never have considered it either for Thailand but this is a great idea. Quite expensive (not that I’ve ever looked at how much it costs to rent a van elsewhere) but could be a good alternative for an interesting trip!
Wow, the new way to see South East Asia! Think the price might have to come down first before most people give it a go though!
We agree it’s a bit of a sticker shock, particularly because we’re in a land of $5 per night guesthouses and $1 plates of food. But for the people who have fond memories of RVing and love traveling independently, it’s money well spent.
It’s not too bad if you love RVing and get a group of friends together and split the cost. It’s all about what you think is worth spending money on, and for some, it’s totally in their budget. We’re happy to see this option available though because a lot of people like traveling this way.
It is the first time that I read about RV camper in Thailand let alone seeing one. It is so cute and looks pretty modern, efficient, but kind of pricy for Thailand standard, unless traveling with a few people. It is still very nice to know that there are more traveling options. I don’t know where campsites located but it sure comes in handy when traveling beautiful countryside. Thank you for this information.
We’re excited to share this company with our readers. Many people seemed really curious about the details when we were instagraming and tweeting about it last week. Campervan Thai’s site lists their campsites (18 of them) with which they have agreements already. If you choose to take a route that is not near these, the owner is happy to make other suggestions. Glad you found our post useful!
I just love reading your blog. You cover so many aspects of Thailand that I have never seen anywhere else.
Thanks so much, Keith. We love exploring the uniqueness that this country has to offer!
They look so small from the outside. The interior is fantastic! They are well equipped and very spacious!
Yeah, we were amazed! So spacious on the inside. We absolutely loved every second of it. Such a great way to explore Thailand, and the drivers were excellent all around!