Thailand tips wanted please

bestyman

Hi all,

The wife and I are going to Thailand next week, 3-4 days in each resort

Belaire princess- Bangkok
Krabi thai village
Karon beach resort
Elephant hills tented camp

Any advice appreciated as we have never been before .

Where should we shop ( clothes/possibly electrical goods) ?
Kick boxing in Bangkok?
Best place for a ping pong show in Bangkok ( or elsewhere ), any dangers?
Best place to snorkel or even scuba( been scuba only once before)
Whats the local cheap drinks and ( without sounding like a P head )where to go for a good cheap boozy night out ?
Recommendatons for good food at sensible money ?

Thanks in advance

Donnie

For shopping, MBK(MahBoonKhrong) and Siam Discovery are centrally located.

For Thai boxing, there is Lumphini and Ratchadamnoen boxing stadiums. There's also a stadium with no entrance fee.
http://www.bangkok.com/sport-thai-boxing-(muay-thai)/where-to-catch-the-action.html

As you are already on the Sukhumvit Road, you can head over to Soi Cowboy(off Sukhumvit Soi 21) for adult entertainment. The Patpong area is geared towards tourists and as such more predisposed to overcharging.
Soi Cowboy is probably visited by more expats.

Due to the unsettled weather in the South of Thailand, I would recommend that you direct your questions to a specialist Thai forum: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum

bestyman

Thanks for the help Donnie, even the bad news regarding the weather . I didnt realise it was raining there. Ive just looked at the 10 day forecast and its scattered thunderstorms for the next 10 days. We arrive southern Thailand in 10 days so hopefully things better by then .

Donnie

Thank goodness you didn't choose Samui.... They are ruining that place through greed and stupidity.

bestyman

Hi ,
Those pics are not of anywhere Im going are they?
If the weather is that bad I suppose we could always book into a resort in northern Thailand, but that would be such a shame as we are so looking forward to our hol, especially Elehant hills.
Just had a quick look at the Thai forum, thanks for that , will have a good read later on .

Donnie

No, you aren't going to Samui.
No need to panic. Seems that you arrive in Thailand in a week. The weather could be clear by the time you arrive.
Just keep an eye on the ThaiVisa forum and ask questions in the relevant sections. There will be people on the ground who can answer your questions on a day to day basis.

The area around your Bangkok is interesting, but it wouldn't have been my first choice. It looks as if you've chosen from a package holiday company such as Virgin.

With whom are you flying?

I'll be in the region in a few weeks. Just as you're leaving.

bestyman

Yes you are right, we are going with Virgin. Thanks to Mr.T ( thats tescos) we had 3k to chuck at a holiday so from the Virgin brochure riding elephants in Thailand seemed like a good an idea as any.
The hotel in bangkok is really near to a train?? station so we figured that this was the best hotel as we could get around easily.
All the hotels do well on tripadvisor but not much info anywhere about the tented camp at elephant hills.
We fly with Thai airways from heathrow to Bangkok, not sure who the flight is with from Bangkok to southern Thailand.
Looks like Im packing a brolly rather than suncream but nevermind.
If you can think of anything else that we might need to know its appreaciated.
Thanks

If you need any tesco info Im happy to help .

Donnie

Thai Airways. I can see why you were thinking about purchasing the Grundig PMP. (It's back on sale for £100) No personal screens(unless they've recently upgraded the aeroplanes on that route).

Bel Aire Princess on Sukhumvit Soi 5, in proximity to the Nana SkyTrain station(an overland transport system). It's been renovated recently, though when I last visited, over a year ago, not all of the rooms had been completed.

There is a Foodland Supermarket a few minutes walk away, so don't weigh yourself down with unnecessary packing before you leave. Leave space for your Thailand purchases. Half filled suitcases. (I know you won't listen )
It's not a fashion show, it's a holiday.

You'll find ample "nightlife" in the area leading to your Bangkok hotel. Nothing dangerous, just eye catching. Thousands of girls plying their wares to be exact. They will become more apparent after 1 am.
Since you appear open minded, it shouldn't put you off your location.
You are situated quite close to the Nana Complex on Soi 4, where you will find "shows" of all kinds, including the 3rd sex.

The reports are that the weather is clearing up on the Andaman side, so keep asking question on the ThaiVisa forum.

The last time I stayed on Karon Beach, I was asked to be an Extra on the file "The Beach", so I can't give you an updated view. Again, refer to ThaiVisa.

As to Elephant Hills, it looks very nice. Sadly the only thing I will add here is not to go Caving if there is adverse weather.
Just reminding you of the recent tragedy in that area(it wasn't the only one). Again, refer to ThaiVisa for current weather reports.

Now, what do I need to know about Tesco?

saffiedale_2

my husband and i stayed at the belaire princess. very close to train station. we had to ask for a room change, we did not know there were smoking and none smoking rooms. also ask for room over looking the pool. very clean hotel. also do go to gullivers bar on the same side of the road as you turn left out of hotel. great...... the little stalls around are so strange. try cook frogs, crickets, bugs, ects.lol. have great time. we loved it.:T

trf1960

Hubby and me stayed at the Bel Aire for 3 days earlier this year. We overlooked the pool in one of their 'deluxe' rooms which was great, very spacious and clean. You won't spend much time in your room while in Bangkok anyway. Yes you are right in the middle of the adult district but can't say I even noticed it - and I was expecting the worst - but then we probably didn't stay up late enough. The train is literally five mins away so great for getting around. Gullivers is a great place to eat and just sit and watch the antics of Thai girls and ugly old men - fascinating.

Will definitely go back to Bangkok soon as we had no time to do some serious shopping - did a quick visit to MBK and regretted leaving it to the end.

Can't comment about your other places as we went on to Phuket - can't say I would rush back there though. Northern Thailand appeals more. Oh and Thai Airways were superb bar the lack of back of seat screens but then you will more than likely sleep on both journeys so doesn't really matter.

Have fun.

littlereddevil

trf1960 wrote: »

Hubby and me stayed at the Bel Aire for 3 days earlier this year. We overlooked the pool in one of their 'deluxe' rooms which was great, very spacious and clean. You won't spend much time in your room while in Bangkok anyway. Yes you are right in the middle of the adult district but can't say I even noticed it - and I was expecting the worst - but then we probably didn't stay up late enough. The train is literally five mins away so great for getting around. Gullivers is a great place to eat and just sit and watch the antics of Thai girls and ugly old men - fascinating.

Will definitely go back to Bangkok soon as we had no time to do some serious shopping - did a quick visit to MBK and regretted leaving it to the end.

Can't comment about your other places as we went on to Phuket - can't say I would rush back there though. Northern Thailand appeals more. Oh and Thai Airways were superb bar the lack of back of seat screens but then you will more than likely sleep on both journeys so doesn't really matter.

Have fun.

I thought Karon Beach was in Phuket?