Should we go to Thailand? Advice please...

totallybored

Definitely go and book everything yourself. Bangkok is a great city so don't worry about scams. I spent about 4 days there on my own last year and I felt perfectly safe. I read about all the tuk tuk scams and people telling you that temples were closed but these are easy to avoid (in my case I did no cultural stuff and only went shopping!). Make sure you have a Saturday in Bangkok so you can go to the weekend market.

The one thing I did find annoying were taxis. I had a couple of instances where the driver refused to take me as I insisted they used the meter. However, there are so many taxis in Bangkok that I just got in the one behind.

The only beach place I've been in Thailand is Ko Samet. It's nice enough and has more of a backpacker feel about it as it's quite quiet and not over developed. It only costs a couple of pounds to get there on the public bus from Bangkok too (it's about 4 hours I think then a ferry).

If you want somewhere a bit different I loved Kep in Cambodia. I went there this summer as part of my Cambodia / Bangkok holiday and Kep was my favourite couple of days.

paddyrg

skea56 wrote: »

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.

I believe in pre-booking a decent hotel for the first few nights in advance. When you first arrive you're tired from the hell that is Economy flying, the last thing you want is to get a taxi, get yourself to a hotel, and hope to negotiate a rate - you just want to get clean and comfortable! Book a good hotel somewhere pretty central with a private transfer from the airport - you could probably get the transfer cheaper on the ground, etc., but the convenience of having someone waiting to collect you and take you straight to the door is worth the extra couple of quid, and gets you to your shower faster!

I rather liked the Davis Hotel http://www.davisbangkok.net/ which also seems quite well received on Tripadvisor. It has a nice spa as well.

blunther

I'm jealous - Thailand is my favourite place on Earth. Have been twice for three and a bit weeks each, and it was amazing. Bangkok is a fantastic city -0 never felt unsafe at all, and if you just follow the rules you follow at home, you'll be fine (as in if someone approaches you and offers you a great deal, it's a catch. In fact if someone approaches you at all, there's probably a catch - you wouldn't fall for it at home so I don't know why so many do when abroad!). The Thais are a lovely bunch, and even the people trying to get your money by 'scamming' you will do it in a friendly manner - just smile and enjoy the experience - it is the land of smiles after all! I've spent about 12 days in Bangkok in total and never been bored. Always stayed at a place called Bangkok Loft Inn which is remarkable value for what you get, and the breakfasts are amazing. It's a bit out of the city but a taxi anywhere is a couple of pounds, and it'#s right by the excellent Skytrain which gets you to most places quickly and in air-conditioned comfort.

Chiang Mai is a must if you can. You can get a night train which saves a night's accommodation, or just fly. Air Asia fly often, cheaply and are great value.

Regarding beaches, I hear Hua Hin is nice and it's a bit closer to Bangkok. Phuket is Phuket... overdeveloped in places but good to see. I preferred the Krabi side, and you can fly there in an hour from Bangkok for not much money either - good old Air Asia. Ao Nang near Krabi is a great town which provides a good balance of nice beaches and town life.

My overall favourite place is Koh Phi Phi which is the most stunningly beautiful place I've ever been. The town area is overdeveloped, but we stayed at Long BEach in a place call ed Paradise REsort which lived up to its name - I never knew such colours existed. It's a bit of a pain to get to on a short trip though, as you have to get a ferry from either KRabi Town or Phuket Town, and the timing might not coincide with your flights. For less than five or six days I'd probably do Ao Nang or Railay. Railay has the better beaches, and is a short hop on a boat from Ao Nang. They're actually connected by land but there are limestone karsts blocking any road.

Have fun!

Doshwaster

blunther wrote: »

Regarding beaches, I hear Hua Hin is nice and it's a bit closer to Bangkok. Phuket is Phuket... overdeveloped in places but good to see. I preferred the Krabi side, and you can fly there in an hour from Bangkok for not much money either - good old Air Asia. Ao Nang near Krabi is a great town which provides a good balance of nice beaches and town life.

I'm just back from my first visit to Ao Nang. After 3 nights of partying in Bangkok, first reaction was on arrival was "This place is too quiet. I'm going to be bored all week" but I soon adjusted to the pace of life of there and ended up having a fantastic time there. I'll certainly be going back.

Heliflyguy

blunther wrote: »

Regarding beaches, I hear Hua Hin is nice

The town is ok but the beach isnt, Cha am up the road is nicer so are beaches to the south.

blunther

Heliflyguy wrote: »

The town is ok but the beach isnt, Cha am up the road is nicer so are beaches to the south.

Will bear that in mind if I ever manage to get back there, thanks!