Off to Thailand!

[Scouse]

Booked a couple of flights into Bangkok for a week on Sunday for me and the bird. I'm kind of regretting buying flights for her but that's a whole other story

So. Any handy tips and advice? I know bugger all about Thailand other than it looks pretty and I bet the food is great!

How much cash should I take? Where's your favourite places? Things you did? Customs? Habits? Things to avoid? What's unmissable?

I've only got a couple of weeks ('cause that's all she can get) so are internal flights easy to get? What's the best way to get 'em?

I could ask questions all day but you get the idea!

 

[nath]

Always look for the adams apple.

That is all.

 

[djpringle]

Well, two weeks in Bangkok will probably do your head in and you'll need a holiday afterwards.
Easiest possible thing would be to spend a couple of days in Bangkok, do the touristy things (markets, temples etc) then fly down to Phuket, Kata beach for quiet, Patong for a bit more life, for a week. Finish off the trip with a few days in Bangkok shopping.
Flights are dead easy to get and reasonably cheap, just find a Thai Air office.
Cash...er I just get it out of the wall whenever I go to Thailand as getting Baht in Vietnam is a pain.
Eating, some of the best food is at the open air street stalls / restaurants rather than proper restaurants.

 

[Jonty]

Hi Scouse

Wikitravel and Lonely Planet have some good overviews of Thailand.

djrpingle is right that Bangkok is an insane place; busy, noisy, and polluted; but a really special city once you get used to it. Thai people are some of the friendliest you will ever meet, especially towards foreigners. Like most places, younger people and hotels and businesses near tourist spots stand more chance of understanding English, but regardless most people will be very happy to help you. If you can learn five simple phrases in Thai ('hello', 'googbye', 'sorry', 'please', 'thank you') then people will love you for making the effort.

It was a long time since I went, but I would recommend you visit the night markets in Bangkok (but watch your wallet), be adventurous with the food (as long as it looks reasonably hygienic), visit the Buddist temples, and of course the beaches are very beautiful too. Thai dress can be a little conservative, and people will cover up when visiting temples.

All the other advice is just general common sense: watch your belongings (especially in crowded areas), be careful of scams (there are many), be prepared to bargain on markets (but don't insult them, because you can afford more than the locals), don't get plastered or touch drugs (especially drugs, it can mean serious trouble), and stay safe if you visit more remote areas (always have a guide or contact you can trust).

Anyway, these things aside, just relax and have fun. I hope you'll both have a great time

Kind regards

 

[phazey]

If you're gonna be in The Kok on the weekend of the 26th, drop me a PM and we'll meet up for a beer. Everyone is right with the general consensus to only stay for a few days in town. A few tips:

Dont give money to beggers
Don't get talking to "i got a deal for you mate" foreigners (ferrangs in Thai)
If you carry money, evenly disperse it around your pockets.
If taking a taxi (especialy late at night) Insist the meter is turned on - if you get the "no workie" excuse, jump out and get another one.
DO NOT in any way insult the Royal family.
Have a photocopy of your passport on you at all time - leave your originals in the hotel safe. It's a finable offence to walk around with no ID - and there have been clampdowns.
And i don't know if you're the type, but do not "'ave a go" if a Thai narks you - you will fail.

If you're travelling from the airport to downtown, you'll take the Toll Ways - have some small notes or coins (10/20/50 baht notes) as the taxi man will ask you. (sam sip baht = 30, song sip baht = 40)

If you are going to any places such as the royal palace & emerald buddha, make sure your missus dressed "respectfully" - no short skirts/shorts - and i think string tops are also frowned upon.

i'd say maximum 4/5 days in town, i usually last 1 before i go mental - luckily i've a house on the outskirts about 20mins from the airport.

Phuket is ok, so is Samui, but also try to check out places like Krabi & Hua Hin. Chaing Mai is also nice if you like inland places. Getting domestic flights is usually a few hours affair - maybe the hotel you stay at will organise for you.

The local food is fantastic, but some of it IS rocket fuel, a useful term if you are unsure is "mai pet" - means "not spicy" - i'm just getting my chilli tongue after 10 years, but in no way can compete with the missus.

if you've got any more specific questions, then fire away - will give me something to do.

 

[DaGaffer]

Hi Scouse, there's loads of choice; depends on what you want to do tbh. As everyone says, Bangkok will drive you mad after a few days, so then its a choice of South towards the islands or north into the Mountains. Chang-Mai,, Chang-Rai in the north, great for temples and cultural stuff, and hiking around the jungle (but tbh if you really like that kind of thing, fly to Siem Reap in Cambodia and go visit Angkor Wat. Its no more expensive, takes the same amount of time by plane, and is one of the most amazing sights in Asia).

If you want the beach, then you need choose west or east (with the time you have). Both sides are good. In the west Phuket is the most commercial, although you may regret visiting with your GF . Phuket is OK, but Phi Phi or Krabi are more chilled. On the other side, Ko Samui is the most developed (nearly as much as Phuket these days) and be aware Bangkok Airlines has an exclusive domestic route deal, so its more expensive to get there than it is to Phuket, where there's lots of competition (Air Asia are a good bet). If you do go to Samui, check the timing for the Full Moon Party on Ko Phangan. If its on, go, it's a great night (you can catch a speedboat from Samui, or stay on Ko Phangnan, but if you want to do that you'll need to find accommodation in advance. )

Places to avoid: Pattaya. And that's about it.

 

[taB]

Lots of good advice here, will join the "don't stay very long in Bangkok" brigade too

If you are going to any places such as the royal palace & emerald buddha, make sure your missus dressed "respectfully" - no short skirts/shorts - and i think string tops are also frowned upon.

From what I remember it's best to cover the shoulders i.e. short sleaved T-shirt as minimum.

Have fun!

 

[Cyradix]

Same here... don't stay in Bangkok!!
We stayed there for 2 days before moving to Chang-Mai. It is still a reasonable large city, but it's very tourist friendly. (and has a nice Belgian restaurant were you get wine for free if you can prove you can speak a few words of Thai ) If you want to go to a tourist beach go for Phuket or Patong. Although I found Phuket had a few more guys "selling" little children...

 

[old.Tohtori]

To thailand...with a girl already?

I don't get the general idea...unless...ah you cheeky one you! Thaisome!

 

[phazey]

Oh, and avoid Pattaya - the place is an armpit. Full of crime and low lives from all nationalities now. We used to holiday in Jomtien, but that got overrun too - i got SO tired of having to walk past the German gay bay every night to go for a pint (i did say "past" there, right). They'd overflow on the street with the manwhores courting fat germans.

If you do decide to go to Phuket, i can highly recommend hopping on a boat and doing some snorkeling around phi-phi - when we went, we stopped at a tent site on Similan and decided to hire a tent - totally unprepaired - best 500 baht i ever spent (and jungle nookie is fun!)

 

[Scouse]

...Thaisome!

I'll broach the subject at the right time - things can't get much worse anyway

Am hoping to spend a couple of nights in Bangkok then bugger off to a beach for a while before doing something cultural. I kind of figured Bangkok might remind me of Delhi somewhat, so a couple of days would be fine. Not hugely fussed with going to particularly touristy places but beach action is most definately needed. (I fancy a bit of fishing, strangely).

I wouldn't mind a hop up to Chang Mai as well. Would you guys advise booking internal flights in advance or dya reckon we should just wing it as and when we feel like it?

Ta muchly. Lots of good advice. Keep it coming!


All I need now is to buy a semi-decent digital camera...

 

[Scouse]

Oh, and booking accomodation... some people have said don't bother - just do it when you're there, and some people advise doing it in advance...

???

 

[DaGaffer]

Oh, and booking accomodation... some people have said don't bother - just do it when you're there, and some people advise doing it in advance...

???

When are you actually there? I have a feeling you'll be there during songkran (13-15 April I think?). If so, you should book, at least around those days. And prepare to get very wet.

Ditto with flights. Normally I'd say get flights when you're out there, but once again, around songkran things get busy.

NB. Why don't you buy a camera when you get there? A lot cheaper in Bangkok than here...

 

[Scouse]

You're right. Leaving the 6th I think. Will look into it. I know it's chucking it down this week but the Beeb says April's not so bad?

As for the camera being cheap out there - that true? I heard that places like Singapore are much cheaper but Bangkok wasn't too hot for electrical goods?

...you'll be there during songkran... prepare to get very wet...

Ah, I get it now

 

[DaGaffer]

You're right. Leaving the 6th I think. Will look into it. I know it's chucking it down this week but the Beeb says April's not so bad?

As for the camera being cheap out there - that true? I heard that places like Singapore are much cheaper but Bangkok wasn't too hot for electrical goods?




Ah, I get it now

Bangkok's not as cheap as Singapore, but its not far off, and there are some huge malls in Bangkok selling good quality gear. Of course I'm not sure what the exchange rate is at the moment so it would be worth checking. Also, if you do buy a camera out there, make sure its got a global warranty (I had to buy a replacement cybershot in Peru after my old one got nicked and Sonys def have a global warranty, I think Canon do too).

 

[phazey]

Pantip Plaza on Petchaburi Rd would be a good start for a camera.

And as Dagaffer said, you'll be there for Songkran - You should go to KaoSan Rd at least once. If you get wet - get even ;-). The only time of the year a grown man (or woman) can get a big watergun and go crazy.

 

[phazey]

Something else that's just came to mind. If you do buy a camera or any other pricy item, make sure you get a Tourist VAT Refund form with your receipt. You can claim back the 7.5% (i think) VAT at the airport on your departure.

 

[Scouse]

Danke!