"Roam Thailand" trip, anyone been or have any advice?

Donnie

Hey, it's only good natured banter.

Used to give my girlfriend serious 'gib' for overpacking(I'm guilty of it. Too many clothes, but end up wearing the same things). You just don't use 50% or more of what you take.

But seriously, do you think that you need to tell her to take a toothbrush?


Hey, you have a really high Thanks ratio.

Stardust

Let us know how it was when you get back That trip is something I would love to go on :j

annie123

Donnie wrote: »

Hey, it's only good natured banter.
I know that


But seriously, do you think that you need to tell her to take a toothbrush? Sorry habit, I have to remind my husband:rolleyes:

OP have a fab time.
xx

pipmoss

My only advice is enjoy Thailand it will change your life.

ps if you get the time you must visit Pai not a lot there but for serious chilling it is the best

Have a great trip

bc3000

I agree with what a lot of the people above said. You can buy everything you can get in the UK in Thailand. I took my mp3 player, it saved my life- long bus journeys etc, couldn't have survived without it lol. I also took my phone, it's unlocked. Buy a True Move sim- 4baht/min after 6pm to England (mobiles and landlines).

Don't freak out about what you might not be able to find there, they're so so used to tourists, you'll find everything!

Defo agree with hand sanitiser!

And take a backpack, so much easier to carry around than a wheely bag...

I've just come back from a trip around Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam so if ya have any q's feel free to ask

bluffer

jeese! i just had a look at the itinary of your trip. it looks like one of these "if its tuesday it must be xxxx"

they are cramming in far too much in too short a time. with all those overnight trains ( 4 in a 16 day stay! ) unless you are a sound sleeper you will get very tired very quickly. the amount of time you get in each place is far too short to even scratch the surface of them.

But, since its already booked...

Bangkok - avoid Khao San Road - its a tourist trap full of "travellers" and people who know the locals and the customs after being there 3 days. The Palace is a must as is Wat Po.

MBK is a good place for cheap shopping, eats and movies ( just beside National Stadium BTS ) as well as Panthip for software on Petchburi ( nearest BTS Ratchetewi ). The night market in Chinatown or Charoen Krung or Lumpini ( Sala Daeng BTS / Silom MRT )

Avoid the XXXX is closed today but I know somewhere better scam. Unless it is a National holiday which everyone knows about then the Palace etc is always open. The 20 Baht ( it used to be 10 baht but inflation you know! ) tuk tuk ride can be quite good but you do get taken to a couple of tailors and or gem stores to buy something. The tuk tuk driver gets a petrol coupon from the stores, so after taking the tour, do go in but dont buy anything, he still should get paid. As long as you know you are being taken for a ride enjoy it.

Chiang Mai - avoid the thai friends who have a relative in your town at university now, in the past, in the future, who lives there etc. Same as bangkok tuk tuk scam but with less charm and they take you straight to the gem store.

Samui can be nice but it depends on the beach you go to, the further south the less commercial and better.

the trains dont get too cold but take the eye mask from the airplane and use them when you go to bed early - they make the beds up 8/9 ish. i tend to go to sleep quite soon unless the bed it right beside the door at the end of the carriage. the rocking motion sends me to sleep easily. dont drink too much the toilets are ummmm basic!

bottles of water from 7-11 at 5baht, get a methol nasal inhaler from the same place( trust me!)

lots of other tips for you since i lived in bkk for 4 years but too little space!

Moonchild

bluffer wrote: »

Bangkok - avoid Khao San Road - its a tourist trap full of "travellers" and people who know the locals and the customs after being there 3 days. The Palace is a must as is Wat Po.

Well, its somewhere to avoid if you've lived in a place for a long time, but if you're young, and visiting Bangkok for the first time, and a traveller instead of a tourist, I thought it was compulsory to stay somewhere cheap in Khao San Road make buddies, swap travelling tips and get completely trashed! I know I did, and most other people people who backpacked Thailand. It definitely has it's perks and no-one is pretending it's the real Thailand. Apart from a couple of bed bug incidents I've had some amazing times there!

Mind you havn't been back in my last 5 visits, so it might have changed. Doubt it though.

Everyone has there own tips and ideas, and everyone is right for themselves. Most useful thing I used to carry was a sheet sleeping bag (cotton) that folded away small and lightly. You can get a poncy one for £20 or get a sheet and sew it yourself!

pipmoss

you could always buy a "silk"sleeping bag liner for that extra bit of comfort

The markets a Chang Mai are very reasonable

tuftyclub

buy a travel towel, it's like blotting paper and folds to a tiny size. Teva style sandals are very good - don;t buy the knockoffs at the market - as it is a false economy.

As indiacated above - be very careful of the train station/shop museum/ closed scam. Read lonely planet on the journey - it's pretty helpful

molby73

Moonchild wrote: »

Well, its somewhere to avoid if you've lived in a place for a long time, but if you're young, and visiting Bangkok for the first time, and a traveller instead of a tourist, I thought it was compulsory to stay somewhere cheap in Khao San Road make buddies, swap travelling tips and get completely trashed! I know I did, and most other people people who backpacked Thailand. It definitely has it's perks and no-one is pretending it's the real Thailand. Apart from a couple of bed bug incidents I've had some amazing times there!

Mind you havn't been back in my last 5 visits, so it might have changed. Doubt it though.

Everyone has there own tips and ideas, and everyone is right for themselves. Most useful thing I used to carry was a sheet sleeping bag (cotton) that folded away small and lightly. You can get a poncy one for £20 or get a sheet and sew it yourself!

Totally agree with you there. I love Khao San Road. It's a great laugh and you meet loads of people. We're going back to Bangkok for the start of our honeymoon and staying a 5 star hotel etc but will be heading there for a good night.