Off to Thailand for 3 weeks... share your tips and advice please!

Richdog

Richdog

Richdog

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Well, i'm doing my first trip to Asia the week after next and it's a long one... 3 weeks! I'm going with two great bloke friends so it's going to be amazing. Flying to Bangkok and then straight to Koh Samui for the first week, then winging it unplanned for the middle week (may go to a nearby island), then back to Bangkok for the last week or so. It's the start of the rain season but after doing a lot of reading up it shouldn't rain more than one or two days per week, which is fine with me as i'm not a sun worshipper anyway.

So, aside from the obvious puns about Lady Boys and Ping Pong shows... any tips from previous travellers? What's are must-see's and must do's'? Any tips? Will it be full of Swedish or Russian backpacker chicks? :D

YES, I SAID BESIDES LADY BOYS AND PING PONG SHOWS.:p

Please keep it nice and civil like the vast majority of the thread has already been. Cheers. :)
 
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Richdog said:
? Will it be full of Swedish or Russian backpacker chicks? :D
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You wish, best i can tell you is Russian prostitutes trying to pass off as German. Stay out of the 'red light' areas if its not your thing as you will be harassed to no end by girls at the bars etc..

It'll be hot, so prepare for that. Beautiful country though, DO NOT get involved in drugs or do drugs etc.. penalties are harsh and do not try to fight any locals etc.. you'll lose even if you physically win.
 
Koh Phangnan is much nicer than Samui, Samui is full of chavs. Check out coco gardens for somewhere to stay there, great place. It's the party island, full moon is on the main beach but there are half moon and black moon parties in the forest which are awesome!
Bangkok, 3 days max! Check out the siam@siam Design hotel, even if just for one night and have a drink on the roof terrace of the hotel from the hangover 2!
As already stated, don't bother fighting or taking drugs. It just will not end well, avoid playing pool in Bangkok too, a few friends have been set upon after beating some locals before.
Typed this on my phone do that's all I can be bothered with for now!
 
Head up north to Chiang Mai. I did an overnight train from Bangkok and there's a totally different vibe. Jungle and possibility of trekking into the jungle to meet the hill tribes staying overnight with them. Don't spend more than a few days in Bangkok. It's horrible, dirty, busy, all those things cities can be.
 
Justintime said:
You wish, best i can tell you is Russian prostitutes trying to pass off as German. Stay out of the 'red light' areas if its not your thing as you will be harassed to no end by girls at the bars etc..

It'll be hot, so prepare for that. Beautiful country though, DO NOT get involved in drugs or do drugs etc.. penalties are harsh and do not try to fight any locals etc.. you'll lose even if you physically win.
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You don't have to tell me twice... drugs are a complete no-no, the last thing I want is ending up in a Thai prison... the thought actually scares me. As for fighting... no intention, and the guys im with are the same (although one intends to Thai box which should be fun to watch).

sHo0sH said:
Koh Phangnan is much nicer than Samui, Samui is full of chavs. Check out coco gardens for somewhere to stay there, great place. It's the party island, full moon is on the main beach but there are half moon and black moon parties in the forest which are awesome!
Bangkok, 3 days max! Check out the siam@siam Design hotel, even if just for one night and have a drink on the roof terrace of the hotel from the hangover 2!
As already stated, don't bother fighting or taking drugs. It just will not end well, avoid playing pool in Bangkok too, a few friends have been set upon after beating some locals before.
Typed this on my phone do that's all I can be bothered with for now!
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Cool, thanks for the advice. :)

The_Baron said:
Head up north to Chiang Mai. I did an overnight train from Bangkok and there's a totally different vibe. Jungle and possibility of trekking into the jungle to meet the hill tribes staying overnight with them. Don't spend more than a few days in Bangkok. It's horrible, dirty, busy, all those things cities can be.
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I think we are actually only spending a few days in Bangkok... not a full week. My friend mentioned Chang Mai so hopefully we will end up there,

By the way, do I need jabs or not? With only a week to go im guessing it wouldnt be worth it, but my friends said jabs arent necessary unless youre venturing into the wilderness.

Thanks for the advice guys and keep it coming, really appreciate it!
 
Currently sat in my hotel in Koh Pha Ngan.. Here with my girlfriend, doing the standard SEA travels.

We both loved Bangkok, there is so much to do, if you like shopping you will be in your element as the malls are immense. I recall someone on the boards wrote a great guide to Bangkok, so have a search for that.

We went to Chiang Mai and Pai in the north of Thailand, both great places if a little touristy. Get the overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, it's great.

We haven't been to Koh Samui yet, but I think it is the more developed of the islands, so think your standard beach resorts. Koh Pha Ngan is less developed, but still quite touristy, but its easy to rent a bike and explore the island. Koh Tao is tiny and only really worthwhile going to if you want to dive/learn to dive. I did and it was awesome. :cool:

Oh and we have a netbook, and two smartphones. As does everyone. Not had any problems in four months in SEA, just be smart and don't leave it lying around. It blew my mind how stupid some people can be, for example a guy staying in a hostel in Hong Kong just left his Ipad in the unlocked dorm ... :rolleyes:

Anything else, just ask. But to be honest, we've been winging it and its easy peasy. The whole tourism industry is set up for it, so to much prior planning isn't really necessary, plus its more fun this way. :)
 
the shadow said:
smartphone do you need to bring one?
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I believe it is theoretically possible to go to Thailand without one.

Fergie said:
Currently sat in my hotel in Koh Pha Ngan.. Here with my girlfriend, doing the standard SEA travels.

We both loved Bangkok, there is so much to do, if you like shopping you will be in your element as the malls are immense. I recall someone on the boards wrote a great guide to Bangkok, so have a search for that.

We went to Chiang Mai and Pai in the north of Thailand, both great places if a little touristy. Get the overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, it's great.

We haven't been to Koh Samui yet, but I think it is the more developed of the islands, so think your standard beach resorts. Koh Pha Ngan is less developed, but still quite touristy, but its easy to rent a bike and explore the island. Koh Tao is tiny and only really worthwhile going to if you want to dive/learn to dive. I did and it was awesome. :cool:

Oh and we have a netbook, and two smartphones. As does everyone. Not had any problems in four months in SEA, just be smart and don't leave it lying around. It blew my mind how stupid some people can be, for example a guy staying in a hostel in Hong Kong just left his Ipad in the unlocked dorm ... :rolleyes:

Anything else, just ask. But to be honest, we've been winging it and its easy peasy. The whole tourism industry is set up for it, so to much prior planning isn't really necessary, plus its more fun this way. :)
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Sounds awesome man, hope you're having a great time! How much is average accommodation (think 3*, good location)... around £20 a night? I take it street food, or meals in a non-fancy restaurant, are cheap as chips?
 
Fergie said:
We went to Chiang Mai and Pai in the north of Thailand, both great places if a little touristy.
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Looks like everyone has caught on about Pai, when I went 2 years ago it was very quiet and non touristy. Think everyone caught wind of how good it was. I spent 11 days there just chilling, trekking and floating down the river.
 
Only advice I can offer is avoid Phi Phi Don central, over developed and too touristy after The Beach movie. If you do go then make sure you go to one of the secluded beach resorts on the east coast.

We spent 4 days here at the end of our 3 weeks and it was the best part of the holiday.

http://www.phiphirelaxbeach.com/

No electric from 12AM til 6PM either, was bliss!
 
Richdog said:
Sounds awesome man, hope you're having a great time! How much is average accommodation (think 3*, good location)... around £20 a night? I take it street food, or meals in a non-fancy restaurant, are cheap as chips?
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£20 sounds about right for a resort. But you can get yourself a hut on the beach for 500 baht (£10) or less I would say. Though you would have to live without aircon.. Not great on those sticky Thai nights. :o

Food is relatively cheap, like you say street food is the cheapest. But there's only so many 50 baht Pad Thais you can stomach before you want a better meal.
 
Liquid_Entity said:
Looks like everyone has caught on about Pai, when I went 2 years ago it was very quiet and non touristy. Think everyone caught wind of how good it was. I spent 11 days there just chilling, trekking and floating down the river.
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Oh yea it's fully on the backpacker trail now, still, it's a cool place to chill out and and it's nice and cool with a real friendly atmosphere. We stayed in a bungalow just outside the town, open to the atmosphere so.. Bugs.... Bugs everywhere.
 
[FnG]magnolia;22397567 said:
Robgmun will be in shortly to make inappropriate comments about hot Thai chicks.
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Yeah stay away from the ****s. Seriously why don't you go somewhere less cliqued then Thailand? China is way better
 
robgmun said:
Yeah stay away from the ****s. Seriously why don't you go somewhere less cliqued then Thailand? China is way better
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WTF? Its a totally different country with a totally different spectrum of things to do. E.g. You wont find any decent beaches in China that aren't overcrowded and filthy, whereas there are plenty in Thailand.
 
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