Should we go to Thailand? Advice please...

martinsurrey

I felt safer on every night out in Bangkok (over several different trips)than I do on similar nights out in London.

Just follow normal and sensible safety advice (like not walking around with a wad of cash on show) and you should be fine.

If you're going to Chang Mai, I would make it for 4 nights min, that way you can do a mini trek or a couple of the good tours.

I once flew from Chang Mai to Phuket (around £50 per person), a quick and easy flight and a real time saver if time is limited.

Island wise, it depends what you are looking for, my personal favs are KoTao and Ko Phi Phi Don, but I haven’t been to the latter for many years, infact last time I was there was 12 months after it was flattened in the 2004Tsunami, so I probably wouldn’t recognise it these days.

Phuket has its place, but the others are beter for the tropical island feel (IMO)



GO GO GO, you won’t regret it!

luke222010

Thank you all, it seems I may be worrying over nothing on the airport/safety concerns. We are definitely considering going on the back of some of the comments on here and on TripAdvisor.

Can anyone recommend a good "pocket" book for research? I see lonelyplanet do quite a few on Thailand so i'm not sure which one to get or if indeed it is required.

paddyrg

There are a few low-level scams and some quite organised ones. You stand a good chance of trying to find Wat Po and being advised that it's closed, but another driver can take you to some other temple complex, then at that temple complex you accidentally meet a trustworthy man claiming to be an economist suggesting a particular export centre for some bogus tax-free tourist sale ending today... Basically quite involved, layered scams with independent convincers to get you to buy overpriced gemstones. And Wat Po was open the whole time. Basically, check with your hotel concierge, they can also get you a meter taxi there or you can hop on the MRT.

We personally experienced another bit of sharp practice, river taxi, hopped off at a cafe for a drink, was handed a flannel napkin (no choice) on arrival, we had one drink each (10 and 13B) and had a bill of nearly 90B - charged for those napkins, charged for ice (that wasn't even in the glass, the bottle stood in it, charged for extra drinks that were delivered without asking). It was a pound or two, but certainly made me wary for the future. Shame, we'd thought of having dinner there but no chance after that!!

fifeken

If you're going in April there's a chance you'll be there for Songkran which is the Thai New Year.

Some people love it, some don't, but Chiang Mai has a reputation as a good place to celebrate it. Just read up about it first so you know what to expect.

jtr2803

We are off to Thailand in January and when looking to resorts less 'in your face' than Phuket, Khao Lak was recommended to us and that's where we are heading. Unfortunately not doing BKK as I couldn't get enough time off work but looking forward to seeing Khao Sok

sarah69696pink

Definitely go! Like Doshwater said its highly addictive. Went for my 30th in 2011, then OH took me in 2012 and proposed and now we're planning on going back April 2014 for honeymoon.
I still feel like I know hardly anything about the country as there is so much to do and explore. But would highly recommend Bangkok (I know lots of people don't like it but I LOVE it......yes there are some scams but that can be said of anywhere in the world, just be sensible!) I've never felt unsafe there and the airport is just like any other in world!
Islands I've visited as Koh Samui, Koh Phangnan and Ko Tao...recommend then all for different reasons, although Koh Phangnan was my personal favourite.
I'm hoping to do Krabi next on honeymoon but I'm aware that I'm not going at the ideal time for that area so I'm undecided!
I highly recommend the Lonely Planet Thailand book if you're unsure where you want to go, or they do specific area ones if you are decided. Enjoy!

Leanne1812

Thailand is a great introduction to Asia. Bangkok is worth a visit to see the sights and enjoy the many aspects of the city. If it were me I'd splurge a bit on a hotel there, my preference is down by the riverside but on the "right side"of the city.

Tuk tuks are more expensive than metered taxis but are fun except when they tell you to visit their friends shop just for a look. We agreed this once and then changed our mind en route. I told my husband to tell the driver I didn't feel well so just to return to the hotel. He just stopped and told us to get out! It obviously wasn't worth the small fare without the chance of commission had we bought something at the shop. We had a giggle about it but it wasn't frightening at all. If this would bother you I'd say stick with the metered taxis.

Small time scams are fairly common but just have your wits about you, smile and say no thank you. A dead giveaway is walking around with your map in hand. A local may approach and in a friendly way ask where you are from, where are you going. My advice would be to just politely say you are having a wander round and not looking for a tuk tuk, boat ride, rug, jewelry or anything else they may try to tempt you with. Thais are very poor in comparison to us and most tourists especially 1st timers are naive so they can easily persuade you to go look at this shop as the palace or temple is closed. They are never closed so know right away they are trying to scam you. I'm not trying to scare you, they are very gentle, friendly & quietly spoken but it's a good way to make a living for some people. There's lots to do and see in Bangkok and its vibrant and exciting. Shopping is good too especially fake designer if that's your thing.

I haven't been to Chang Mai but have heard it is worth a visit. I've been to Phuket, Samui, Ao Nang ( day trips to Phi Phi) & Koh Lanta. Ao nang & Lanta were the cheapest. Phuket the most expensive & commercial and Samui the most upmarket of all I've visited. If I return to Thailand my choice would be Ao Nang & Lanta or possibly Bophut in Samui as it ticks the boxes for what I wanted. Quiet with a few bars & restaurants with particularly nice beaches in Lanta. Its also very easy to travel between the two by minibus,taxi or boat. Visit the forums on tripadvisor for lots of great advice.

I hope my advice on scams hasn't put you off, it's a minor irritation sometimes but definitely not a serious problem. I just felt its good to be aware before you go.

Good luck with planning.

Leanne1812

fifeken wrote: »

If you're going in April there's a chance you'll be there for Songkran which is the Thai New Year.

Some people love it, some don't, but Chiang Mai has a reputation as a good place to celebrate it. Just read up about it first so you know what to expect.

We loved Songkran, it was a fabulous day with everyone, locals and tourists joining in the soaking of each other with water pistols. They also like to smother you in paint but will ask if its ok 1st which was nice. I loved being in the taxi and spraying everyone with water on the way past. Felt like I was 5 again, brilliant!

skea56

This is a great thread, we too have just booked for 2weeks at end of January.
We're flying into phuket and then home from Bangkok. We were thinking a day or two in Phuket (possibly around kata or karon??) to get over the jet lag and then maybe move onto krabi or koh samui?
We've 2/3days set aside for Bangkok at end then.

Wondering what is everyone's view on booking hotels? I'm one of these people who needs to know where they're going and researching the hotel well beforehand. But anyone we speak to says just walk into a hotel and you'll have no bother getting a room for next to nothing....this scares me lol!!

Sk56

Leanne1812

I've did both and never had a good deal walk in. They know its hot and you probably can't be bothered to keep walking around with luggage to get a deal. You'll probably just be offered the rack rates and to take it or leave it.

My best advice is check reviews on tripadvisor. compare prices on kayak or skyscanner then go through quidco and compare cashback through the accommodation providers. Quite a few have 10% which adds up.