Thailand = Scamland?

Doshwaster

globetraveller wrote: »

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!

I never had a problem in Cambodia. The people couldn't be more friendly or honest. In Vietnam you have to keep your wits about you (especially with the money as there are so many zeros to think about!) but I still found it less hassle than Thailand.

The dodgiest airport I've ever been through was Mumbai where everyone was out to extract money from you from the moment you land - though I'm told it has improved in recent years with the opening of the new international terminal.

Voyager2002

What an extraordinary OP!

I spent a month in Thailand earlier this year, and it was nothing like long enough (although I was working part of the time). So the idea of getting all the way to Thailand and then interrupting the holiday to go to Hong Kong or Australia makes no sense at all.

About scams: unless you are very foolish (which generally means greedy) the scams that you will encounter will mean that if you fall for it you will pay twice as much for something that "should" cost three pounds there, and in the UK would cost more like ten pounds. I have actually experienced more scams in Hong Kong than in Thailand, and far more in the Philippines. Yes, some taxi drivers try to take you to their "brother's" shop, but you just say that you are not interested and go to your destination. Uber always worked well for me. And I have to say that I encountered plenty of honest and helpful people who charged me less than I thought the cost was.

You are right that costs are low, particularly if you book in advance (often that means an on-line booking a few hours before you turn up). Agoda has some very good deals: for some of my time in Bangkok I stayed in a hotel with a well-equipped Gym and an Olympic size swimming pool, paying about twenty pounds a night for a large room.

All in all, you need to relax and prepare to enjoy your trip. Start by getting the necessary injections and health advice, then grab a good guidebook and start planning.

NiftyDigits

Voyager2002 wrote: »

What an extraordinary OP!

I spent a month in Thailand earlier this year, and it was nothing like long enough (although I was working part of the time). So the idea of getting all the way to Thailand and then interrupting the holiday to go to Hong Kong or Australia makes no sense at all.

About scams: unless you are very foolish (which generally means greedy) the scams that you will encounter will mean that if you fall for it you will pay twice as much for something that "should" cost three pounds there, and in the UK would cost more like ten pounds. I have actually experienced more scams in Hong Kong than in Thailand, and far more in the Philippines. Yes, some taxi drivers try to take you to their "brother's" shop, but you just say that you are not interested and go to your destination. Uber always worked well for me. And I have to say that I encountered plenty of honest and helpful people who charged me less than I thought the cost was.

You are right that costs are low, particularly if you book in advance (often that means an on-line booking a few hours before you turn up). Agoda has some very good deals: for some of my time in Bangkok I stayed in a hotel with a well-equipped Gym and an Olympic size swimming pool, paying about twenty pounds a night for a large room.

All in all, you need to relax and prepare to enjoy your trip. Start by getting the necessary injections and health advice, then grab a good guidebook and start planning.

Which hotel would this be?
Injections? Which injections are necessary for the tourist areas in Thailand?

jumperabv3

globetraveller wrote: »

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.

Hotel for 1st night = Miracle Suvarnabhumi Airport.
It's a miracle I agreed to take it to be honest.

PompeyPete

globetraveller wrote: »

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!

Nor did we on the two times we've entered at Phnom Penh Airport. I'd done my homework too just in case, but had no problem.

Never had a problem leaving Cambodia overland at Poipet either, although scams are supposed to be rife crossing the border there.

Never [knowingly:)] got scammed anywhere in Cambodia for both visits [totalling 4 weeks]. Like I mentioned earlier in the thread you won't even notice some of the scams, but being on your guard whenever money involved is sound advice

PompeyPete

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Which hotel would this be?

It's not the New Siam Riverside.;) But I'd like to know too.

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Injections? Which injections are necessary for the tourist areas in Thailand?

Only an appointment with a travel clinic at least 6 weeks in advance can accurately answer that one. This is what our GP Travel Clinic has on their website...

http://www.watersidemedicalcentre.co.uk/clinics-and-services.aspx?p=J82113

It's also worth having a scan through the FCO Travel Advice...

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/thailand/health

Voyager2002

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Which hotel would this be?

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g293916-d1527484-Reviews-The_Aiyapura_Bangkok-Bangkok.html

Incidentally I thought several of the reviews were unfair, so I have just added one.

Doshwaster

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Which hotel would this be?
Injections? Which injections are necessary for the tourist areas in Thailand?

The only one I make sure is up to date for Thailand is tetanus but anyone considering taking a few months old baby there should really seek professional advice (and that means a travel expert - not your GP)

Voyager2002

Doshwaster wrote: »

The only one I make sure is up to date for Thailand is tetanus but anyone considering taking a few months old baby there should really seek professional advice (and that means a travel expert - not your GP)

Agreed, but standards of hygiene are generally much higher in Thailand than in many other countries, so it is not as scary as you make it sound.