Should we go to Thailand? Advice please...

luke222010

Hi all,

Looking for some advice really...

Myself (27) and the other half (26) are looking at holidays for next year.
We normally only do your average package beach holidays with your well known holiday advisers, so we are looking for something much more adventurous this time. This means booking everything ourselves (flights/hotels/tours etc) which we've not done before.
Really struggling on somewhere to choose, but have been toying with the idea of Thailand. Considering going next April for around 11 nights - 2 weeks (would like longer but work leave only allows so much time off).
Been looking at Bangkok for 2 nights just for the experience, then up to Chiang Mai for 3 nights to see some sights, then say 4-6 nights in Phuket for some beach time.

I am a bit of a worrier (good reason to be with my partner being blonde, gullible and too nice for her own good!!!) and the sort of person to read up and try and find out as much as possible about places I visit thus leading to things you wouldn't want to hear, and from this i'm looking for some input on your personal experiences on the following:
Bangkok airport - I've read about scams where people are setup by corrupt policemen for stealing. Is it safe? Has anyone witnessed or been targeted on this sort of thing? What's the airport like in general?
Bangkok as a city - Is it safe for the average person to explore? Any area you shouldn't travel to in the city?

I'd also like to hear your thoughts on Chiang Mai, and Phuket, and whether there are better alternatives to consider.

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Luke.

Relocationrelocation

Hiya, TOTALLY go for it! I went with my O/H a few years ago and we had the most fantastic time!
We booked everything ourselves - there is a proper taxi service at the airport, just make sure you go to the desk in the airport and they give you a ticket which guarantees the price in to Bangkok, make sure you have the address of your hotel they will ensure the driver takes you there and you pay the right price (rather than getting a random taxi).
We booked all our hotels through a g o d a dot com and I can highly recommend it. We stayed at place called Glow Studios in Bangkok that was cheap and brilliant for the price, very high spec. We then went on to a beach resort called Ao Nang which is a good place to spend a couple of nights if you want to explore other islands such as Ko Tao (good for diving). We did a fantastic cookery course there, and other excursions such as white water rafting and kayaking near by.
For some of our stay we stayed in beach huts on literally on the beach which was fab - very very basic but amazing to open your door and be a few steps from the beach. Had some amazing food their all cooked by the chef on site... (google J2B).
Basically, don't be put off by scare mongering. There are scams in every country, you just have to have your wits about you and not take risks that you wouldn't at home.

Relocationrelocation

Bangkok was fine, I felt really safe. Get a lonely planet book, their maps aren't great but the advise and listings are.

luke222010

Relocationrelocation wrote: »

Bangkok was fine, I felt really safe. Get a lonely planet book, their maps aren't great but the advise and listings are.

Thanks for the reply!
What is Bangkok airport like in general?
It's not so much me I worry about, but my partner as she doesn't like to say no and can come across a bit timid in some situations!

littlereddevil

It's just like any other airport!

pipmoss

Me and OH paid a visit to Thailand 4 yrs ago. I can only agree with fellow posters that it is an absolutely fabulous country. Bangkok is a lovely city if a bit sprawling.We took the overnight train from Bangkok to Chang Mai (its an experience). We stayed for 3 days in Pai and again the scenery is fabulous.We have stayed in beach huts,wooden huts on stilts,hotel rooms and dorm type rooms.

My advice is to research as much as possible and as someone has already said keep your wits about you. We never felt threatened once and it definitely was the holiday (so far) of a lifetime.

Hope you have a great time

schoolrunmum

Been to BKK many times, and never felt in danger...airport is just like a massive T5 at LHR, very clean and modern. I saw no evidence of scams etc although I have read about them in the papers. Always felt safe in downtown BKK, just be sensible like you would in any strange country- go for it !!

Doshwaster

Don't let the scam stories put you off. Millions of people pass through the airports, Bangkok and the rest of the country every year without problems. Yes, there are dangers and things to be aware of in Thailand but so are there in any other city or country in the world.

There are lots of Thailand threads on here and many of us are regular visitors. I just got back from another trip last weekend and I'm already longing for my next visit.

A trip of Bangkok + Chiang Mai + Phuket would give you a good mix of parts of Thailand. Personally, I'd rather go to somewhere like Krabi or Samui rather than Phuket but the great thing about Thailand is that there is something for everyone no matter what your budget or tastes. Do go - but just be warned that it's a highly addictive country so if you go once you will keep going back.

luke222010

Doshwaster wrote: »

Don't let the scam stories put you off. Millions of people pass through the airports, Bangkok and the rest of the country every year without problems. Yes, there are dangers and things to be aware of in Thailand but so are there in any other city or country in the world.

There are lots of Thailand threads on here and many of us are regular visitors. I just got back from another trip last weekend and I'm already longing for my next visit.

A trip of Bangkok + Chiang Mai + Phuket would give you a good mix of parts of Thailand. Personally, I'd rather go to somewhere like Krabi or Samui rather than Phuket but the great thing about Thailand is that there is something for everyone no matter what your budget or tastes. Do go - but just be warned that it's a highly addictive country so if you go once you will keep going back.

Thanks for this. I will look into Krabi and Samui. After the hustle and bustle of Bangkok and Chiang Mai, we would like to relax so I think I need to do more reading into possible destinations since i've read that Phuket is quite busy also.

Any recommendations on the best place to go weather wise in April for the beach scene and also can you tell me if Krabi and Samui are quieter untouched areas?

Thanks again.
Luke.

Watto30

GO! lol! I just got back on 26th October from two weeks in Phuket (will add more on this shortly) had never been to Thailand before and already itching to go back! I am female and a bit of a worrier too but had an amazing time and as others have said its an addictive country

I can't comment on Bangkok itself as unfortunately didn't have a stop over there but I flew into Bangkok airport then transferred onto a short flight to Phuket, the airport itself is modern and clean and we had no problems there and were never approached with any scams etc toilet facilities etc are all modern and people are helpful


My partner did a tour ten years ago and still raves about Chang Mai and have heard from other people its a very nice part of Thailand, I don't know anything about Samui and Krabi so cant add anything there but from Phuket we visitied the islands of Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh (1hr 20 mins on ferry) they come under Krabi and the famous beach Maya bay is beautiful (look up maya bay sleep aboard tour).


Now for Phuket... I didnt actually stay in the town, we stayed in the Cape Panwa area which is away from the hustle and bustle and to be honest I was glad of that, we drove through Phuket town and Patong a number of times during the day on tours and it looks very busy there, it depends what you like really if you are into your bars and clubs and nightlife then am sure you would have a great time there but I think there are probably some nicer places, that said I had a wonderful two weeks there, did lots or brilliant tours and boat trips and never had a problem, had my wits about me at all times but generally felt safe and was never approached with any scams etc but I think like any country you have to be on your gaurd.


Hope you have a wonderful time wherever you decide to go

Doshwaster

luke222010 wrote: »

Thanks for this. I will look into Krabi and Samui. After the hustle and bustle of Bangkok and Chiang Mai, we would like to relax so I think I need to do more reading into possible destinations since i've read that Phuket is quite busy also.

Any recommendations on the best place to go weather wise in April for the beach scene and also can you tell me if Krabi and Samui are quieter untouched areas?.

First of all, Phuket is actually a large island. What most people call "Phuket" is actually the resort of Patong which is indeed very busy (and relatively expensive). There are however quieter areas of Phuket such as Karon and Kata which are more relaxed and cheaper but still allow you to do a day trip into Patong to see what all of the fuss is about.

The same goes for Samui - there are over-developed areas such as Chaweng but also quieter parts too, although some would say too quiet. It's all a matter of taste - one person's "relaxed" is another person's "dead".

Krabi is the least developed of the three areas but that too is quite a large province with a range of towns from the fairly touristy to the hardly discovered.

In terms of weather, there are big season and regional variations though Samui would tend to be drier than Phuket or Krabi in April but it will be the hottest time too. Take a look at http://www.travelfish.org/weather/thailand for more info.

So, yes, you have a lot of research to do - but that's part of the fun of planning your own holiday rather than just picking a package out of a brochure.