Thailand = Scamland?

jumperabv3

littlereddevil wrote: »

I think your biggest problem is carting a baby around these places!

Why? :eek:

Doshwaster

jumperabv3 wrote: »

Why? :eek:

Really depends on how you are planning on moving the baby around. Thai footpaths and streets really aren't pushchair or pram friendly - they are hard enough for grown ups to cope with without occasionally tripping up.

You will also have the problem of how the baby copes with the heat and humidity and what you are going to for baby food. Just sure you have good travel insurance in case of any mishaps.

I love Thailand but it wouldn't be my first choice of somewhere to go with a newborn.

jumperabv3

Doshwaster wrote: »

Really depends on how you are planning on moving the baby around. Thai footpaths and streets really aren't pushchair or pram friendly - they are hard enough for grown ups to cope with without occasionally tripping up.

You will also have the problem of how the baby copes with the heat and humidity and what you are going to for baby food. Just sure you have good travel insurance in case of any mishaps.

I love Thailand but it wouldn't be my first choice of somewhere to go with a newborn.

Thanks for the tip.
We are planning to use a baby carrier there, a pushchair would be used only in the airport or in shopping malls (on days where we don't plan to walk a lot).
You think that's reasonable?

jumperabv3

warehouse wrote: »

Why are you taking a baby to Thailand and all that it entails?

If this thread isn't a windup then I'll be surprised.

No, I don't make this up ... my wife always wanted to go to Thailand so we are going, just having a baby now so he joins us, I have no problem with him being with us, I do have a problem being with scammers around me which is why Perth (Australia), Manila (Philippines) or Hong Kong sound like a great alternative for me.

Doshwaster

jumperabv3 wrote: »

Thanks for the tip.
We are planning to use a baby carrier there, a pushchair would be used only in the airport or in shopping malls (on days where we don't plan to walk a lot).
You think that's reasonable?

I've never done Thailand with a baby but I've seen a lot of tourists struggling with pushchairs on the very uneven footpaths so I would consider leaving it at home.

If you are serious about this then you should start with getting some professional medical advice about how to protect your little one against the local bugs and nasties.

globetraveller

i can see why people would think this is a windup. You book flights for a 3 week holiday. You are taking a 7 month baby and have nothing planned beyond that and you are going in 3 weeks time. you are now thinking about a side trip to Australia!!!
Are your immunisations up to date? What about your baby? To be honest i think really you would be best to leave Bangkok out- you are already frightened of it and to be honest the scammers will probably see you coming. Your best bet - as you are staying beside the airport for the first night( which hotel?) is to book a flight to Koh Samui for the next day. Stay somewhere like Bophut. Its a nice place and easy to get into Chaweng if you want some variety in the evening. Far more relaxing when you have a little one to think of. Perhaps spend a day or two in Bangkok at the end of your holiday when you are not jetlagged. Whatever you do, sort it out before you go. Honestly 4+ stars hotels are not cheap as you seem to think and the worst tarriff will be when you turn up on the day with no booking. Hua Hin does not have to involve flights but it is a long drive - about 3 - 3 and half hours. I like it and if you fancy there, be aware that the beach is not great for swimming and building sandcastles. A nice pool would do the trick.
I have combined Thailand at various times with Hong Kong, Vietnam and Cambodia. With Hong Kong, I was so exhausted at the end of it that I found Bangkok great but i collapsed in bed at the end of the day and wished it was time for the beach part! Quite heavy rain at times in HK in the summer.Vietnam and Cambodia at this time of year is hot and very sweaty, and again can have a fair amount of rain if you are unlucky. Fantastic places but not for trailing around a baby imo.By the way, expect rain in Thailand where ever you go but Bangkok, Hua Hin and Koh Samui usually(but not always) will have short, heavy bursts.
Make this a learning experience- have an idea of what you want from your holiday before you book the next time.
I am so glad i sorted my money out way before the referendum, the exchange rate is a bit of a nightmare.

SmallL

I have visited thailand on many occasions and most the scams are 'obvious' if you use your common sense.

However, I did fall foul to a rigged taxi meter from the airport to my hotel (I didn't notice as I kept napping during the journey). This was a taxi from the official stand and I stupidly handed over my receipt so I couldnt get my money back. It should have been a 1200 baht journey and was reading as 4000 which I haggled to 3000.

bigadaj

jumperabv3 wrote: »

No, I don't make this up ... my wife always wanted to go to Thailand so we are going, just having a baby now so he joins us, I have no problem with him being with us, I do have a problem being with scammers around me which is why Perth (Australia), Manila (Philippines) or Hong Kong sound like a great alternative for me.

Manila is a whole new ball game for scammers, it ranks with Cairo as the dodgiest airport I've been to, in terms of organisation and transit/ onward journey to hotel.

littlereddevil

jumperabv3 wrote: »

No, I don't make this up ... my wife always wanted to go to Thailand so we are going, just having a baby now so he joins us, I have no problem with him being with us, I do have a problem being with scammers around me which is why Perth (Australia), Manila (Philippines) or Hong Kong sound like a great alternative for me.

No scammers in Manila? 🙄

globetraveller

By the way, if you did think about Cambodia- the scams start with the airport visa officials demanding more money! We were lucky we werent asked as i had read about it and had no intention of paying!