1st time holiday in Thailand - advice please

warnski

Hi everybody. My partner and I have just booked a 2 week holiday in Thailand. Neither of us has holidayed outside Europe before, and I am after some advice to help us prepare.

Is it worth my while applying for a Halifax clarity card, as recommended for use overseas on this website, or should I expect to pay for everything in cash when I get there?

Thanks in advance.

warnski

also - am I right in thinking that I don't need an EHIC card as Thailand is outside Europe?
Thanks again

Nobjocki

warnski wrote: »

Hi everybody. My partner and I have just booked a 2 week holiday in Thailand. Neither of us has holidayed outside Europe before, and I am after some advice to help us prepare.

Is it worth my while applying for a Halifax clarity card, as recommended for use overseas on this website, or should I expect to pay for everything in cash when I get there?

Thanks in advance.

There are ATM's everywhere - your normal debit card and cash will be fine.150bhts per withdrawal.
EHIC card not recognised.
Where,when and how are you going ?

warnski

Thanks - we are going late March / early April flying with Virgin. Spending some time in Bangkok, and then onto Phuket.

startingtosave

Very jealous! I spent 2 weeks in Thailand travelling around a couple of years ago and it was amazing! As the poster above says, there are plenty of ATMS. I've just got a clarity card for a trip later in the year and plan to use it to withdraw cash and avoid being stung!

Nobjocki

warnski wrote: »

Thanks - we are going late March / early April flying with Virgin. Spending some time in Bangkok, and then onto Phuket.

Where are you staying in Phuket ?

socrates

warnski wrote: »

Thanks - we are going late March / early April flying with Virgin. Spending some time in Bangkok, and then onto Phuket.

Trip Advisor Forums is your best bet for all questions you can also check out your hotel on there

warnski

Nobjocki wrote: »

Where are you staying in Phuket ?

Patong Beach

Nobjocki

warnski wrote: »

Patong Beach

It's certainly lively :beer:

Moonchild

warnski wrote: »

Thanks - we are going late March / early April flying with Virgin. Spending some time in Bangkok, and then onto Phuket.

Virgin don't fly to Thailand. Do you mean you booked through Virgin Holidays? Or you are flying via Hong Kong (closest destination Virgin fly to?).

Doshwaster

warnski wrote: »

Thanks - we are going late March / early April flying with Virgin. Spending some time in Bangkok, and then onto Phuket.

Bangkok is one of the craziest cities in the world. It's manic fun for 2 or 3 days then you just want to get the hell out of the place to find some peace and quiet and some fresh air.

Phuket is... well it depends on what you are looking for. I found Phuket, especially the Patong resort, to be the most expensive place I have been to in Thailand. The whole area is just set up to extract maximum cash from the tourist market. Outside of Patong the rest of the island is a lot calmer. Try a day trip to Karon, the next resort down the coast.

What is good is that there are some fantastic day trips you can make to the surrounding region such as Phi Phi island, "the James Bond" island, the "The Beach" beach and the floating villages. Negotiate hard before paying these trips as there is a load of competition. Don't book through your hotel.

Hope you have a great time. Thai people are just about the friendliest in the world and it's a country which keep attracting people back.