Thailand-nieve holiday questions

[j2h0]

Can anyone help, me and my boyfriend would really like to go to thailand, but im very nieve and i cant seem to find a website that answers the questions im looking for.

Will I get ill? - do I need to take any precations.

I'm a vegitarian, is there much for me to eat?

Are there any flights direct to Phuket, if not, how long does it take to get from Bangkok to Phuket?

Is it cheap?

Are accomodation standards the same? - Is a 3* here the same as a 3* there?

Where can I interact with the elephants?

Where is the best place to go, what are the main things I should do whilst there?

Is a week long enough to see the elephants, see where "The Beach" was filmed,etc?

What time of year is best to go?

[snagged]

Take Malaria pills - see your doctor about the choice available and what will be best for you

Plenty to eat if you're a veggie

Only flight 'direct' to Phuket are if you book an 'all in' holiday package - Bangkok to Phuket takes about an hour and costs approx �30

Yes it is cheap compared to holidays in Europe or UK living

All levels of accomodation are available... don't 'always' expect Western equivalent standards though

Elephants: up north - Chang Mai or North East - Surin

Best places to go/what to see: get on the internet and do some research!!

A week is no way long enough!

Best time to go for not too hot temps is between Nov and Jan

[rockyracoon]

I go to Thailand in Feb eather not to hot or humid, don't need malaria tablets at that time

[auntiebertie]

You will not get ill if you are sensible - I have never taken maleria pills.
Tons of noodles and rice dishes for vegetarians.
BangkokAir fly direct to Phuket daily
Yes it is very cheap
Hotel accomodation 3* and above beats anything England has to offer IMHO
Google to find out what to see - Bangkok is fascinating,
The Beach was filmed on Ko Phi Phi which is about a 3 hr boat ride from Phuket
Phuket is a dump IMHO

http://www.phuket.com/bangkok.htm

Naive is spelt like this FYI...

[snagged]

bertie, it really depends on where you go within Thailand as to whether you follow recommendations on malaria pills... it is true that for many of the more touristy areas they are not required, but there are definately other areas of the country where you'd be wise to take them... it does depend on where you are going... and I'd say it is better to be safe than sorry... and please post a link of where flights are available to Phuket 'direct' from the UK 'without' them being part of an 'all in holiday package'... as I'd rather fly direct to there than Bangkok any day!

[j2h0]

Whats wrong with everyone? 1st snagged emails me to do research, then I'm corrected on my spelling. So sue me for being lazy and thick! I was asking for recommendations on the paces I can go, you get snowed under with options on google, so wanted some suggestions for places I should definatly see. Obviously there are temples and beaches to see, but are there any other things I must do in my short time?

Thanks for your information, but your ruining my excited holiday spirit with the nagging ....keep the info coming.

[snagged]

j2h0... what I meant by 'do some research' was: find out a bit more about the Country in general and decide for 'yourself' what interests you... there is so much to see, do and experience in Thailand. You will also be limited as to what you 'can do/where you can go' in just a week... if you think about it: you'll lose 2 days arriving and returning... that leaves you just 5 days... if you want to just lie on a beach then that'd be fine... if you want to see elephants, go to Phi Phi, Phuket, visit temples etc. you will spend more time just 'travelling' than 'experiencing'... go for longer if you can...

[Pomp]

Here are some answers to your questions:-

Will you get ill? Possibly, but then you can get ill at home. You can minimise the risks, by drinking bottled water, avoiding ice cream, ice cubes and salad. Eating hot foods which you have seen to be cooked. Can avoid market stalls, but that is part of the experience!!

In terms of malaria, I wouldn't take anyone's advice from here. As everyone will say that they have been to Thailand, not taken malaria pills and not got ill. I suspect that they won't be around should you get recurrent malaria. Check out this website for information on tropical diseases, it is run by NHS Scotland:-

http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/

You will see that the malaria map indicates a pretty high risk of malaria over the country. If you still have concerns, I would go and see a doctor who specialises in tropical diseases. Your local GP should know of one.

From memory the very high risk areas are the north and border areas with cambodia. I have been to most of Thailand and not taken malaria pills, but I would do your own research on this area.

There is lots of food for vegetarians. All of the rice and noodle dishes can be done without meat. Tofu (yuck) is used extensively in cooking in thailand.

Can you fly direct to Phuket. It doesn't look like it now. Phuket Air used to fly from London to Phuket, but then they got black balled by the EU for having a poor safety record. You may be able to get a charter flight. You will have to fly from London to Bangkok, airlines which fly this route include British Airways, Thai and Eva. All of which are pretty good airlines.

Once in Bangkok you can either fly or get the bus. If you fly your options include Thai and Air Asia. The flight is about an hour and should cost about �30. If you get the bus it is about 12hrs by night bus

[Pomp]

cont'd from above

Is it cheap? Relative to the UK and Europe yes very. You will have to negotiate for most things, so that you don't pay over inflated prices for everything. But everything is cheaper generally.

If you stay at a large chain ie Hilton, Marriott etc, then 3* star is the same. If you stay at a guest house, then quality will be lower, but you get what you pay for. Thailand has plenty of accomodation, which you can sort out when you are there. If you don't like it move.

Best place to interact with elephants is in the north ie Chaing Mai or Chang Rai. We went to Chaing Mai and saw an elephant display and left with mixed feelings. Parts of the show are very interesting, and I brought a picture painted by an elephant. But when an elephant is playing basketball, this doesn't seem like natural elephant behaviour.

Main things to do are (a) Bangkok, (b) the south for beaches Krabi, Phuket etc, and (c) the north for walking, elephants, hill villages.

Is a week enough? I went in March for a little over a week, a weekend, the following week, and the weekend. And spent some time in Phuket lying on a beach, and then went to Chaing Mai. We didn't feel rushed. Have been to Thailand before and we were pretty organised. If you literally have 7 days, by the time that you fly there and back you're going to be cutting it a bit fine.

The beach was filmed at Phi Phi Le, and it is beautiful. However, the bay is now clogged with tourists and boats. There is no accomodation, so the only way to get there is by boat.

Try and avoid wet season. But even if you go then you can be lucky and not see any rain. I would look at going April to October time.

You say that you are naive. Thailand is a pretty safe place. And there is little to be concerned about.

[thedelbwa]

Been to Thailand 4 times and yes it is a great place, and I agree with many of the points discussed above. For any specific queries (and less pedantic people more concerned with your spelling), I would visit the Thorn Tree forum on the Lonely Planet website. I visited this may times before embarking on a year away travelling, and was very nervous / clueless before I went. Just register a username and post questions....dead easy! Good luck

[auntiebertie]

A million apologies if I have offended anyone...

I forgot that PhuketAir got canned last year - I know Malaysian fly via KL to Phuket as well. They are a very good airline.
Not that you probably have any interest in what I have to say but I have been to Thailand 7 times too - a good site for hotels I have found is http://www.sawadee.com/. I did not like Phuket, I loved Phi Phi and Ko Lanta.
I agree that a week is not nearly long enough - it will take you a day or so to get over the jet lag and get used to the heat.
I will now go and bury my head in the sand........

[j2h0]

Thank you to everyone who has posted a reply.within a day things are more clearer in my head now. i think iv decided that at the end of the day its still my holiday and im not there long enough to see and do everything so i might just go to phuket-but is there enough to entertain me there for 10 days my boyriend struggles with the heat so i cant be selfish by sitting on those idealic beaches all day so il need to keep him occupied wed like to go to phi phi island, go snorkelling, is there anywhere on phuket where my boyfriend can go cave canoeing! iv read they do it in krabi how far away is that and how long would it take to get there?

pomp you were a great help im so glad you said the elephants behavior wasnt normall cos i find that so disturbing i wont be contributing to their funds.i guess im more of a elephant sanctury kinda person

this may sound odd but is there a cheapest time to go in the better season, and is it dearer to stay in the more popular beach resorts like karon and patpong beach

how much spending money do you suggest for 10-14days

could �2000 be enough for flights to bangkok then on to phuket,accomadation and just 1 persons spending money

if not can anyone think of any other interesting places to go

[j2h0]

And before anyone mentions it i am aware that there isnt full stops or correct spelling, thanks for the help

[Waaii]

Pop into your nearest STA travel, they will have been there and can advise, chat and arrange if you want, They are young not intimidating and there travel can get you a great deal. My son went and had a great time.