What to expect in Thailand

We never once felt threatened in Thailand. Yes, there are some people who will try to get money out of you but it's not as bad as some people say. If you meet it with a smile which says, 'I know exactly ehat you're doing, no thank you', you tend to get a smile back. The only one that really springs to mind is tuk-tuk drivers telling you places are closed to try and get you on a jewellery shop tour.

I'm sure that Bangkok, like most cities, has areas in which you would feel less at ease than others but we always felt safe. More than safe, welcomed. The Thai people really are so friendly. We got more culture shock coming home when we realised how miserable the people here are. Reply to this

Just use common sense and you'll be fine.Just expect you will pay a little bit more for certain things than what Thais do.Just smile. Reply to this

Sometimes it is easier to spend a few days in Bangkok when you first arrive and then head out to other cities or areas in Thailand. With a follow up final day in Bangkok the night before you fly home. But you are on an organized tour so things ought to run pretty smooth if they have done these trips before.

If your tour group intends to immediately fly to some other city keep in mind that some connecting flights may be in a second airport - Don Muang - that airport is on the other side of the city. Your tour company must allow enough time between flights to make your connections. (Suvarnabhumi is way out in the sticks, not close to the tourist areas of Bangkok, Don Muang Airport is on the far side of Bangkok.)

Yeah, you will come across bars in Bangkok (same for many countries in the world) and you will on occasion see women with their "boy toys" heading for hotels or some retiree with a pretty Thai girl - that's life! You can find hookers in Rotterdam, Amsterdam, London, Nevada and even Rhode Island where prostitution is legal. Lots of places in the world! No one in a bar will force you into a bar! You will see more nudity and crudeness on a beach in Europe than you will on a street in Bangkok!

Thousands of people pass by bars every day and are not molested in any way! Besides you can avoid Pat Pong, Nana area and Soi Cowboy if you really, really want to! Many men who protest the openness of Bangkok nightlife often head for those same areas when they think no one is looking!

From your list of countries to choose from - Thailand will probably be the most tourist friendly as well as the cheapest too! You will find the Thai people friendly and helpful. But keep in mind that tourism is big business in Thailand, as a foreigner (Farang) you will be considered very wealthy and when you bargain for things from street vendors you may be asked a higher starting price than a Thai citizen! It's like a flea market back home, someone offers a price and you accept it or try a counter offer with a lower price. If you look like you have money your first price offered may be twice what another tourist might get - organized tours are often full of wealthy travelers and they know it!

Enjoy your visit to Asia. Reply to this