Is it possible to hire a motor bike in Bangkok and tour the country and islands on it.?

And return it back to Bangkok when you go home? Do you need an international license? Can you take them on the ferries? Are there restrictions to what you can carry? i.e. in India a family of 8, 4 dogs and the kitchen sink can travel on a moped!! Special insurance? Does anyone recommend it or is a whacking great big NO?

It is possible, but only to be recommended if you are an experienced driver. For renting, international DL is required, but checking the validity is normally not too thorough.

You can take bikes on all car ferries and mopeds can be transported on/in longtail boats.

The law limits you to carry one passenger. The law will apply to you, so even if you see locals carry tons of stuff around on mopeds, you'll be "fined" if you attempt to copy them.

Helmets are required in major towns and cities.

I've made motorcycle some trips myself in Thailand and Vietnam ... it is a great way of seeing things, but it is slower than going by car, bus, train or airplane.

I wouldnt travel on a motorbike in Thailand. As a visitor you arent aware of the statistics, your on holiday, travelling having the time of your life. The roads are notorious. Jump on a bus or coach. Its not worth it.

I think there's a company that specialises in bike tours of Thailand. I saw a brochure in Bike magazine a coupla months ago. I think it's about 拢3000-ish with a support vehicle so you don't have to cart your gear around. I would look into it but I'm afraid I can't be bothered and you'll research it properly before you go anyway so..

hire a car bike not safe in Thailand they overtake and undertake .and you need a international driving license you can drive for 6 months on it in Thailand then you swap it for a Thai license

Here is the deal - three vehicle related deaths an hour - my guess, 90% of that on the moto-syyyy -

If you are from a country w/left hand drive - uh oh!!

The hwys are dangerous and people in cars drive fast, crazy and rules of the road are vague concepts. Lanes are merely ideas and some paint on the road.

However, riding a moto-sy is fun and this is what I do. I might go to a beach area, especially an uncrowded one, not a name brand - and rent one for a few days - same in the mtns - but travel there by bus so you avoid the hwys... it's lovely to tour around on the back roads away from the traffic - I am in a small agrarian village and look forward today to riding around some back roads through the rice fields.. have fun but stay safe - -

Nah, I wouldn't do it if I were you. I live in Bangkok, and ride a motorbike almost everyday, but unless you're used to riding a motorbike inches away from terrible drivers, inhaling huge clouds of black exhaust from the buses and running the obstacle course of bbq chicken carts and motorized fruit stands on the roads, it's not a good idea. What you can do, is to take planes, buses and trains to your destination and rent a motorbike when you get there, but it would be very hard, if not impossible to go long distances on a bike, not to mention the 90 degree heat and the daily thunderstorms you would have to deal with. Almost all the islands and resort areas rent motorbikes and it's a good idea to have an international driver's permit, also as a tourist, you will most likely be considered at fault in any accident you might have, unless you can absolutely prove otherwise. As far as insurance, just make sure you're up to date on your health coverage and check to be sure you can be reimbursed for any health care needs over here. To expound on what Spanky said, dozens of people a day leave home in the morning and never make it home for dinner. Have fun and be careful.

Just don't do it. listen to the other people's advice who live there. Hear too many horror stories of holiday nightmares.

You can rent a car from around 3-4 thousand baht a week and that's a far safer option. I wouldn't recommend traveling long distances or inner city riding to anyone, but especially not someone new to the country and its roads.

What the other guys have said is mostly true but buses are dangerous and planes are good but small accident in Phuket a few weeks ago 88 people dead? I have been riding bikes in Thailand for 7 years and witnessed loads of accidents... My advice is to ride in the north only where most of the time you will have the road to yourself but avoid Bangkok and the south.
The terrible stats on Thailand's roads are mostly from 12-20 year old kids racing bikes without helmets without any training on the main roads. Regardless of the country the risk is always high when biking but providing you are competant and you avoid Bangkok etc you will be fine. If you are novice forget it mate!

Another word on buses....Avoid all buses that have the word VIP on them. Most of these are driven at breakneck speeds by krap drivers trying to make as much money as possible however Nakhonchai air bus company are very good. If you decide to ride also avoid the VIP buses when riding.

Trains are slow but good!

Im from thailand and i don't think it's a good idea to travel alone in a motor bike especialy in the countryside. It can be dangerous as you may get robed if you stop at a place like a gas station, especialy if you don't look thai. You should maby take a tour bus or a plane instead ( note: don't eat anything a stranger like a taxi driver gives to you, as i have been ofered some small cakes from a taxi driver before)