Driving Mushi from Bangkok to Phuket

We drove Mushi, our 1.6-year-old Shih Tzu, from Bangkok to Phuket over a long weekend. It took about twelve hours with breaks, so here is what worked for us. First, pack a small bag of her food, water and a sealed container, and keep it within reach of the front seat. Second, give her a short walk every two to three hours, even if she only sniffs the roadside grass for a minute. Third, use a secured carrier or harness. A sudden brake can hurt a small dog badly. She slept most of the way on a fleece blanket, but she got restless near the Chumphon bends. Turning the air con to a comfortable level and sitting her near the window helped. Plan your stops at places with shade, because parking lots get very hot in the afternoon sun. Mushi reached Rawai happy and tired, and she still doesn't understand why the beach is so noisy. Plan well and the trip is easier than it looks.