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Any suggestions for Thailand Travel Appreciated!

Thailand Travel Questions

17 years ago, April 25th 2007 No: 1 Msg: #13321 Delete Edit

YouKnowIt
E Ko

N Posts: 13

Hi -
I am going with 2 friends (guy, girl) to Thailand in Aug. We will be there 10 days.
We thought about flying into Bangkok, going to Chiang Mai and then to a beach location (or vice versa).

1. What\'s the best airline to travel from states to Thailand? We\'ve concluded we\'re not flying an American airline (since other airlines offer more room - imperative when in the plane for ~25 hrs)
1a. Did you find it\'s best to fly into Bangkok?
2. Beach area you suggest? Sounds like Phuket and Phi Phi are too $$ at the moment and too \'crowded\' (though not sure what thailand terms \'crowded\'? Are we talkin like club MTV Spring Break Cancun?)
3. Hotels you suggest? We\'re late-20s (no high rollers here!) and looking for best deal w/o compromising safety, enjoyment, etc.
4. Suggestions for inter-country travel - most economical and most logical - among Bangkok, Chiang Mai and a random beach town?
5. Any must-sees in your opinion?

I know these are a lot of questions so any input would be appreciated. Thank you in advance for advice you have. Reply to this

17 years ago, April 27th 2007 No: 2 Msg: #13401 Delete Edit

Jashuang
jasmine haung

B Posts: 11

2. there're lots of beaches in phuket, depends on what you like. if you want night life, patong beach and yes will be crowded, but won't be as crazy as spring break. Phi Phi is too expensive to stay, do a day trip there.
3. good hotel online booking is www.latestays.com, great deals there. I always wait until right before the trip to book the last minute deals. worked well for me.
5. not sure about must-sees...i think everything there is eye opener. a must-do is to rent a scooter and ride around the island and be careful about the road police. you see a lot more with freedom that way. Read more on Through the Lenses Reply to this

17 years ago, April 28th 2007 No: 3 Msg: #13402 Delete Edit

YouKnowIt
E Ko

N Posts: 13

Thanks so much Jashuang!! Appreciated. Reply to this

17 years ago, May 1st 2007 No: 4 Msg: #13489 Delete Edit

cammo
Paul Camilleri

N Posts: 10

There's plenty of budget accommodation on Phuket at that time of the year. iIt shouldn't be very busy at that time of the year. Follow Jashuang's
advice about riding around this beautiful place. Have a nice holiday. Reply to this

17 years ago, May 1st 2007 No: 5 Msg: #13490 Delete Edit

Linden
Linden McFarlane

B Posts: 2

Of course, everyone has their own experiences while travelling, so I will give you some advice from my perspective. I do not know your budget, but my friend and I are 24 and only had $5,000 New Zealand dollars to last the both of us 6 weeks, and we found it easy.

If you only have 10 days, I would recommend:

- Unless you are really desperate to go to Chiang mai, I would skip it and spend more time in the islands. The journey up north is quite long, and unless you take a night bus or train you will waste two days in transit. Chiang mai is great value and the treks are amazing, but you can use the money you would spend on transport for the two of you and put it towards 4-6 nights twin accomodation in the islands.

- Use VIP buses that travel at night if possible, it will save you a night's accomodation. The buses are usually pretty direct, so it saves time and its more comfortable than the train that goes south (which I have heard is quite bumpy).

Me and my friend's favourite islands were Koh Pangan (as long as its not at full moon) on the East side, and Phi Phi and Railay Bay (Krabi) on the west side. I think it is still low season at that time of year, so finding well-priced accomodation will be easy. Since Phi Phi is still rebuilding you can get good deals because the locals are trying to encourage tourists to come back after the tsunami.

If you are thinking of skipping out Chiang Mai, it would be a good idea to fly directly to Phuket (if possible) and then you can see Phi Phi and Krabi without having to travel too much. This will save time and money. Since you have the time restriction, I can honesly say that you will enjoy your time much more if you can spend more time exploring! With the benefit of hindsight, that's what I would do.

Hope this has been helpful. My friends and I have just left Thailand and loved it completely. Do not be afraid to eat from the road side vendors, as that is some of the best food we ate while we were there. In the main tourist centres, they have plenty of access to clean water, so the food, drinks and ice is fine to eat and drink.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask!

Linden McFarlane
From New Zealand, currently in London Reply to this

17 years ago, May 1st 2007 No: 6 Msg: #13494 Delete Edit

Pen Ash
Penny Wilson

N Posts: 1

Hi

we are in Thailand at the moment but about to hop over the border to Malaysia. We have seen quite a bit of the country and would suggest the following:

1. Kanchanaburi, its a great place to see central thailand, we didnt have time to go to Chang Mai so opted for here ( not that far from Bangkok) its a fab friendly place, bridge on the river kwai is here too. A great place to stay is the Phong Pen guest house, really cheap and very clean, lovely food and lovely people. You can go elephant treking here and to tiger temple (you will hear bad press about this place and you will hve to decide ethics for yourself but when you go you clearly see what they are tryingto acheive without any funding or charity money) its where tigers live with monks that were rescued from poachers, its a great experience!

2. Ko Phangan, its by far the best island, (and we went to islands on both coasts) but we avoided the full moon partys, not cos we are past it but its not what thailands about and many people choose not to go, you can party without going there. We stayed on bottle beach on the north which is like desert island... amazing, then on to Ban Tai which is also gorgeous, we could have explored this island for the whole 8 weeks we have been here. Ko Chang is also nice, not far from bangkok either, beach bbqs are great.

3. Krabi, this is a nice area with lovely beaches, Railey and Ao Nang, stay a few days and get a day trip to Phi Phi (you cant stay on the bit thats featured on the film 'the beach' as its a national park

4. Everyone starts in Bangkok but we didnt warm to it much, very big and difficult to get your bearings but good fun for a day or two... it will eat your money so leave early and save your cash for the better places

they are just some of the highlights of our trip so far. Just a bit more advice:

be aware that on the islands they have LOTS of flies, when you eat which is always outdoors, you will hve about 50 flying around your food, the mainland is not like this for some reason, this may be why we enjoyed Krabi so much, the beach location without all the flies.

Travel by train is good fun and you can do sleeper trains too
!st class buses are cheap and easy to get around, the thai people will really help you out and put you on the right bus etc, better to buy your own tickets when you get to the station so you get a proper bus not a private mini bus which are scary and they squeeze a lot of you on!
Try and stick to Thai food as its so tasty and they know what they are doing, western food is a bit hit and miss, except bbqs and the breakfasts, french toast is really good in most places.
watch the ice on the islands (only eat the ice with the big hole in the middle, its made with drinking water)
Get yourself a lonely planet book, it will be your bible!

finally, have a great time and enjoy, its a brilliant country where you will be made to feel very welcome.

hope this has helped, if you wnt to see pics http://pen-ash.spaces.live.com/ thats our blog site!

all the best
Pen

p.s if you want to know anymore let me know!
Reply to this

17 years ago, May 1st 2007 No: 7 Msg: #13500 Delete Edit

YouKnowIt
E Ko

N Posts: 13

OHMIGOSH. Thank you so much everyone. You have been so helpful. It is so greatly appreciated. Reply to this

16 years ago, May 6th 2007 No: 8 Msg: #13644 Delete Edit

deleted_11679
deleted_11679

d Posts: 3

Have a look here, you get most question answered including great photos http://www.thailandsouthern.com ...and...http://www.thailandmagic.com. Reply to this