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Rental terms

Car rental terms in Phuket

Documents, deposit, insurance, the permitted driving area and the return procedure. The contract is in Russian and English, and all the terms are on this page.

Prices and terms updated:

Renting a car in Phuket: what you need to know before booking

There is no public transport in the usual sense in Phuket, taxis are expensive at rush hour, and routes between Patong, Kamala, Surin, Karon, Kata, Rawai, Chalong and Phuket Town are easiest to drive in your own car. The rental terms below are described in detail so that there are no disputes on return, either for the client or for us.

The contract is in Russian and English. The deposit is refundable, its size is set for each car, and it is returned in full if the car comes back with no new damage. Insurance is valid in the provinces of Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi. Fines, overrun rates and the rules for handing the wheel to another driver are described below.

If you are renting for the first time, check three things: the IDP, the photos of the car's condition at pickup, and what to do after an accident.

1

Vehicle details and price

When the agreement is signed, the make, model, license plate, and color of the vehicle are recorded. The rental period is defined to the hour. The total rental price and the deposit amount (if applicable) are specified in an annex to the agreement or in the text of the agreement itself.

  • Recording of the vehicle's model and license plate
  • Clear rental time frames (dates and times)
  • Transparent calculation of the price and insurance
  • Full Insurance may be included in the price depending on the selected tariff.
2

Subject of the agreement and territorial conditions

The Owner hands over the vehicle in good working order, fit for use. The vehicle may be operated in the provinces of Phuket, Phang Nga, and Krabi.

  • Travel into neighboring provinces is permitted only with prior arrangement.
  • Mileage is unlimited.
  • In the event of unauthorized travel beyond the permitted area, the Owner has the right to terminate the agreement unilaterally without a refund.
  • Payment of a special additional fee may be required for trips beyond the core provinces.
3

Handover and operation rules

Mandatory photo documentation: both the Owner and the Renter must record the condition of the body and interior in photos/video at the moment of handover. Media evidence held by both parties is required to resolve disputes.

  • Claims regarding defects not recorded at the time of rental are not accepted.
  • Use for commercial passenger transport, driving instruction, or towing is prohibited.
  • Driving while intoxicated is strictly prohibited.
  • Handing over control to third parties is possible only to a driver named in the agreement.
  • Media evidence is your main protection when returning the car.
4

Financial obligations and fines

When the Full Insurance option is selected (available on rentals of 7 days or more), the car is rented with no deposit. In all other cases, a refundable deposit is paid.

  • Free buffer on return: 1 h. After that each hour costs 10% of the daily rate, and from hour 6 a whole extra day is charged.
  • Smoking in the cabin is prohibited (a ฿1,500 fine for dry cleaning).
  • All traffic fines are paid by the Renter.
  • Long-term rentals are paid monthly: one payment a month.
  • Cancellation: at least 24 h before pickup: there is no prepayment, so cancelling in advance costs nothing. Later than that, the deposit, if it has already been paid, is not refunded.
  • The insurance does not cover lost keys (from ฿5,000), glass damage (windscreen, side and rear windows), wheel damage (tires, rims, punctures), or damage to the vehicle's interior.
5

Liability and insurance

In the event of an accident caused by the Renter, they are liable up to the amount of the insurance deductible. The Full Insurance option is voided in the event of a violation of the rules: intoxication, absence of an IDP, or leaving the scene of an accident.

  • Leaving the scene of an accident before the paperwork is completed is prohibited.
  • A police report or an insurance agent's report, drawn up on the spot, is required.
  • Damage must be documented strictly at the moment of the incident.
  • Insurance excess (deductible) is ฿5 000: the Renter never pays more than this for damage to the car itself, provided the rules are followed.
  • The Full Insurance option is available on rentals of 7 days or more: it removes the excess entirely, and no deposit is taken with it.
  • Leaving the scene of an accident forfeits the right to any insurance.
6

Termination procedure

If the vehicle fails (through no fault of the customer), the Owner is obliged to provide a replacement promptly. The Owner has the right to terminate the agreement early if the Renter breaches the conditions, without a refund.

  • A replacement guarantee in the event of a technical breakdown.
  • Compliance with the rules is a mandatory condition for keeping the rental.
  • We always accommodate customers who follow the operating rules.
7

Dispute settlement procedure

If there is disagreement about damage or the deposit after the trip, the resolution relies on what was recorded at pickup and return, not on verbal claims.

  • The starting point is the photo record made at pickup: damage not shown in those photos cannot be raised at return (see section 3).
  • In the event of an accident, the decision is based solely on the police report: without it, no insurance payout is possible under any circumstances.
  • Damage to the car caused by the Renter is limited to the insurance deductible, except in cases that void the insurance entirely: intoxication, the driver at the wheel lacking a valid licence, leaving the scene of an accident, handing over the wheel to someone not listed on the agreement, or driving outside the agreed territory (see section 5).
  • Damage at return is assessed against the same photos taken at pickup, with the Renter present, and not by verbal judgement.
  • Disputes are resolved directly with the manager on Telegram or WhatsApp, with support available 24/7. There is no separate claims process or complaints email; everything is settled in chat.

Full Insurance: damage is covered regardless of fault

Full Insurance removes the excess: the insurer pays for damage to the car regardless of who is at fault in the accident, and you pay nothing beyond the cost of the policy. You are not left with a repair bill after a bad manoeuvre on a switchback or a collision with a motorbike.

On rentals of 7 days or more, Full Insurance lets you take the car with no deposit. The policy is valid in the provinces of Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi.

The insurance covers damage to the body, bumpers, headlights, mirrors and components of the car in any accident, including ones with no other party: hitting a kerb, hitting a post, falling on a slippery road. If another car or motorbike was involved, we help with the police report and translation, and the insurance company settles the damage for both sides.

What Full Insurance does not cover: damage to the wheels (tyres, rims, punctures), glass and the interior, lost keys, and gross violations: driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, driving without a valid IDP, and leaving the scene of an accident. In these cases the policy is voided, and the Renter pays for the damage in full.

Why rent a car with us

MonkeyCar is a local car rental in Phuket: free pickup and return at HKT airport, support in Russian 24/7, and clear terms. Before every handover the car is checked, washed and fuelled; every car has a current service record, insurance and registration.

Choose a car in the catalogue and give the dates, time and pickup place (including HKT airport). You pay at pickup, with no prepayment. Pickup and return at the airport are always free; delivery to a hotel or villa is charged at the district rate, which you see before the booking is confirmed.

Long-term rental (from 7 days, and monthly rates) comes with a discount, a fixed price for the whole term and monthly payment: one payment a month. For seasonal prices, Full Insurance with no deposit (from 7 days) and the terms for trips to Phang Nga and Krabi, ask the manager on WhatsApp or Telegram.

Read more by topic

Driving licence and IDP in Thailand

Prices and rental terms

Insurance, accidents and breakdowns

Airport and pickup

Driving in Phuket

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about car rental in Phuket

Short answers to the main questions, from documents and insurance to accidents and returns.

What documents do I need to rent a car in Phuket?

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You need a passport and a valid national driving licence. We will hand over the car even without an International Driving Permit (IDP), but get one at home: without it police at a checkpoint can fine you about 1,000 baht, and after an accident the insurer may refuse to pay, leaving all the damage to you. In Russia an IDP is issued by the traffic police in one visit, is valid for three years, must cover category B, and is valid only together with the original national licence. You cannot renew an IDP in Thailand, so check its expiry date before you travel. Drivers must be 21 or older with at least one year of driving experience. At pickup we check your documents, sign the contract in Russian and English, and photograph and film the car's condition together with you. Carry the originals: by Thai law you cannot drive without them, and the insurance does not apply if you are stopped without documents. Keep copies of your passport and visa or entry stamp in your phone: police run spot checks near the bridges and at the entrances to Patong. A second driver is added to the contract on a national licence; an IDP is recommended for them too.

Is a deposit required?

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Yes, the deposit is refundable. Its size depends on the car class and is shown in the calculator and in the contract in advance. You pay it at pickup in cash in baht or by card (on a card the amount is held, not charged), once, whatever the length of the rental. We return it on the spot right after inspecting the car, if the car comes back with no new damage and a full tank; the card hold is released at the same time. There are no hidden fees for taking or returning the deposit. Nothing that was already on the car before the rental is deducted: we compare its condition with the photos and video taken at pickup, so film the body, wheels, interior and any existing scratches. Camera fines are deducted from the deposit. Lost keys or documents and damage caused by breaking the contract (drunk driving, driving without an IDP, or driving outside the permitted area) are paid by the renter on top of the deposit. With Full Insurance on rentals of 7 days or more, no deposit is needed at all.

Where can I drive the rental car?

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Insurance is valid in three provinces: Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi. You can drive freely around the island and over the Sarasin Bridge to the mainland (it is free). Going beyond these provinces (Samui and Phangan, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, the south of the country) is possible only by agreement with us and, as a rule, with a surcharge for extending the territory. Once agreed, the insurance is valid on Samui and Phangan; the trip is booked with the "Trip to Samui or Phangan" option in the booking form. Without agreement the insurance stops working, all damage falls on you, and we may terminate the contract without a refund. So tell us about a long trip in advance. On the mainland the roads are hilly and police run spot checks on documents: carry your passport and licences, and allow more time in the rainy season (May to October). There are fuel stations along the main roads but fewer between provinces, so do not let the tank run low. If you are not sure whether a place is inside the zone, message us on Telegram or WhatsApp.

What does the insurance cover?

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Basic insurance is included in the rental price and applies from day one. Damage to the car that is your fault is limited to an excess of ฿5 000, which is withheld from the deposit. Full Insurance costs extra: it removes the excess if the rules are followed and removes the deposit on rentals of 7 days or more. It pays off if you drive a lot on unfamiliar roads, go outside the tourist areas or travel in the rainy season; for short, calm trips basic insurance with a deposit is usually enough. Even Full Insurance does not cover drunk driving, driving without an IDP, leaving the scene of an accident, lost keys, and damage to windows, wheels (tyres and rims) and the interior. After an insured event, message us at once: support works 24/7 and will help you call the police, find an interpreter and complete the police report, without which there is no payout.

What to do after an accident

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Do not leave the scene or move the cars until the police or an insurance agent arrive: leaving the scene of an accident voids your insurance, even if you were not at fault. Call the police (191) and, if anyone is hurt, an ambulance (1669); the tourist police (1155) speak English and help foreigners. Photograph and film the scene, the damage to all cars, the number plates and the position of the cars on the road, and note the contact details of other drivers and witnesses. Message us on Telegram or WhatsApp at once: support works around the clock, will find an interpreter and help with the police report. Without a police report there is no insurance payout, so wait until it is completed. Do not sign papers you do not understand. Even a light bump in Thailand is handled through the police: if you settle with cash on the spot, the insurer may refuse to pay. Insurance does not apply if the driver was drunk, had no IDP, or went outside Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi. Keep the numbers 191, 1669 and 1155 and copies of the contract and policy at hand.

Is there free delivery?

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Only at Phuket International Airport (HKT) is it free: pickup and return there cost nothing for any rental length, around the clock and with no night surcharge. Delivery to other areas (Patong, Karon, Kata, Kamala, Surin, Bang Tao, Rawai, Chalong, Phuket Town and others) is paid; its price is shown in the calculator when you choose the place, so you see the total before booking. Our representative brings the car to your hotel, villa or apartment at the agreed time, hands over the keys and documents, and inspects the body, wheels and interior with you, with photos. When booking, give the exact address and time, and for the airport your flight number: we will adjust to a delayed flight. Return works the same way: we collect the car from your hotel or meet you at the airport before your flight; agree the time in advance. For the rate to a remote address, ask us on Telegram or WhatsApp.

Can I let someone else drive?

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Yes, but only if the second driver is added to the contract: send us photos of their passport and national licence in advance. Adding a driver at MonkeyCar is free and takes a couple of minutes. An IDP is not required for the second driver but is recommended: with it a police check goes smoothly, without it there is a fine, and after an accident it is an argument for the insurer. The same requirements apply: age 21 or older and at least one year of driving experience. If someone not named in the contract drives, the insurance pays nothing, and all the damage (to our car, other cars and property) falls on the renter. Both drivers must follow the rental terms: no driving under the influence, no leaving the permitted provinces, and carrying original documents. If a new driver joins you on the island, send us their documents before they get behind the wheel.

What happens if I return the car late?

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The free buffer after the agreed return time is 1 h. If you are later than that, each further hour costs 10% of the daily rate, and from hour 6 a full day is charged, because by then the car has dropped out of the next booking. We never charge more than one day for a single late return. These terms are written into the contract, and there are no unexpected deductions from the deposit for overrun. If you cannot make it, message us on Telegram or WhatsApp at once: in most cases we will extend the rental at the usual rate or move the handover time, which costs less than a penalty. Allow time for traffic (it is heavy in Patong and Phuket Town at rush hour) and for refuelling to a full tank: we use a full-to-full rule. When returning at the airport, arrive early: check-in and the car inspection take time too.

Is a prepayment required when booking?

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No, no prepayment is needed. You book for the dates you need and pay when you receive the car: the rental in cash in Thai baht, US dollars or euros at the exchange-office rate, or by card via the terminal with a 7% bank fee, and the deposit in cash or as a hold on your card. The manager's confirmation secures the price and the specific car. In the calculator choose the dates, time and place of pickup and return and leave a request: if the car is free for your dates, we confirm the booking straight away. The total, including the length-of-rental discount and delivery, is visible at once, with no hidden fees. At confirmation you can add a child seat or booster at the listed rate (the phone holder is free) and a second driver. In the high (January 11 to March 31 and December 15 to December 24) and peak (December 25 to January 10) seasons popular models go quickly, so book early. If you pay by card, ask your bank about conversion terms: sometimes cash in baht from a local ATM or exchange office works out cheaper. Have the rental amount and the deposit ready for pickup.

Can I cancel a booking, and will the deposit be returned?

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Yes. Before pickup, cancelling costs nothing: there is no prepayment. Tell us on Telegram or WhatsApp at least 24 hours before the pickup time, so the car can go back into the available dates. If you tell us later, the deposit, if already paid, is not returned: we held the car for you and turned other clients away. On a rental with Full Insurance there is no deposit, so there is nothing to lose. You can also change the dates: if the car is free, we will move the booking at no extra cost. If your flight was rescheduled, tell us at once and we will adjust the handover to your actual arrival time.

Are there discounts for long-term rentals?

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Yes, length-of-rental discounts are applied automatically: no promo codes or requests needed. The longer the rental, the lower the daily price: a short rental is charged at the base rate, the rate is noticeably lower already at a week, and the discount is greatest from a month. Enter your dates in the calculator and it will show the total with the discount and delivery. A long rental suits those who come for the winter or work remotely: one contract covers the whole period, and a daily taxi would cost more. Rentals from one month are paid monthly, one payment a month. There is no prepayment: you pay at pickup in cash (baht, dollars, euros) or by card via the terminal with a 7% bank fee. In the high (January 11 to March 31 and December 15 to December 24) and peak (December 25 to January 10) seasons popular models run out fast, so book a long rental early. If you decide to extend, we almost always keep the discounted rate: tell the operator in advance and the extension is arranged without changing cars. For a long rental, message us on Telegram or WhatsApp and we will suggest a price and a model.

From what age and with how much experience can I rent a car?

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Rental is available to drivers aged 21 or older with at least one year of driving experience. Insurance rules and safety require it: Phuket has left-hand traffic with the wheel on the right, mountain switchbacks between Patong, Kata and the viewpoints, dense motorbike traffic, and from May to October slippery roads and poor visibility. For pickup you need a passport and a valid national driving licence. An IDP is not required but is recommended: with it a police check goes smoothly (without it there is a fine), and after an accident it is an argument for the insurer. In Russia an IDP is issued by the traffic police in one visit and is valid for three years. The same requirements apply to a second driver, who must be added to the contract in advance. When paying out, the insurer checks whether the driver met the contract terms: if the driver was under 21, had too little experience or had no IDP, the claim is refused. If you are close to 21 or your experience is close to the minimum, message us on Telegram or WhatsApp before booking: in some cases we can discuss the terms individually. If it is your first time driving in Thailand, we advise driving calmly for the first half hour while you get used to left-hand traffic.

Are child seats provided?

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Yes. A child seat or booster costs ฿100 a day each, up to two per car; the phone holder is free. You do not need to bring a seat from home or look for one on the spot. It is also a legal requirement: in Thailand young children must travel in a child restraint, and seat belts are compulsory for all passengers, including those in the back. When booking, give the child's age, weight and height so we can choose the right one: a car seat for small children, a booster for older ones so that the standard belt runs across the shoulder and hips, not across the neck and stomach. If you have several children, tell us in advance: we will check that all the seats and your luggage fit in the chosen car, and a larger model may suit you better. The seats are clean and checked; at handover our representative helps fit the seat, and you should check that it is firmly held by the standard belts and does not shift. The phone holder is useful for navigation: holding a phone while driving is prohibited. It is best to order the seat in advance, not on the day of pickup.