Thailand

[Littlep]

I'm going to Thailand in Feb and wondered if anyone has any hints/tips/advice for a first time visitor.
Thanks

[vehelpfulguy]

Plenty of book on Amazon about Thailand

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h_/202-0 106652-5408678?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&f ield-keywords=Thailand

[up4it999]

My advice is ... Get out of Bankok as soon as you can

A lot of people I have spoken to think exactly the same as me, move on as there are far nicer places to go in Thailand

Also haggle for everything, start at about a quarter to a half of their asking price and see where it goes - a friend actually started going down in price as they were haggling and the person selling agreed very quickly before my mate went any lower!!!

[tingirl]

First of all, be wary of tuktuk drivers - even though you may say exactly where you want to go, they will try to drive you to diamond shops etc. en route, as it is them who provides them with petrol in the first place.

When haggling always do it with a friendly smile on your face. The thai don't like harsh bartering.

If going to the jungle, take some Jungle Gel mosquito repellant and a mossie net.

Be warned, the hill tribe children might follow you around, begging and saying "hello money".

Try out the amazing food - although the proper versions of the curries are somewhat hotter!

Thai women in general don't wander around town wearing bikini tops - when I went, the tourists were doing this and upset the locals a bit - they tend to dress more modestly despite the heat (t-shirts/short sleeved shirts etc) I think it's also a way of differentiating themselves against ladies of 'ill-repute'! Save beachwear for the beach.

enjoy your trip!

[epiboy]

Go everywhere not just the islands, bangkok, or chiang mai, although the latter is cool. Me and my girlfriend went to many off the beaten track places and ended up staying with a family (they just asked us when we went into their cafe) and being asked to teach english by a woman we were staying with. Its far better than those three destinations. Also don't believe people who tell you the food off stalls is bad, it's probably the most authentic you will taste and if you visit them often enough they will cook you whatever you want. Thai people are also lovely, so take any notice of people who have had things stollen, watch your belongings but they are not criminals. Also go to the east, there is a hill that the monks lived on and has a walkway that clings to edge and goes right round, can't think of the place and can't find my book but it's a retreat and it's unbelievable.

[thedelbwa]

I can see where you're coming from with Bangkok, but I think that despite it's heat, pollution, smell, congestion, it's still a fantastic city. OK, if you have only 2 weeks in Thailand, then the beaches may be a priority, but I would seriously consider spending 3 days / 2 nights there, just to sample it. Yes, there's temples all over Thailand, but a visit to Wat Pho is worthwhile, as is the Grand Palace, a boat trip along the (rather dirty and typhoid-friendly) river among the floating villages, Chatuchak weekend market (excellent), Jim Thompson's House (google him), Baiyoke Sky Hotel (for the bar on the 83rd floor - great views), street stalls for food, some great bars, restaurants & hotels too. So, yes, there are fantastic places away from Bangkok (and yes, I would spend the majority of my time out of it too), but by no means, escape Bangkok as soon as you get there, because I think you would miss out on what a great city has to offer.

[dannydingbat]

Do not drink the water or clean your teeth with it! Do not eat the salad (if it has been washed, it has been washed in local water) Do not use ice in your drink. Wash hands with antibacterial gel and do it often especially after handling the money. If you touch anything at all do not put your hands anywhere near your mouth until you have cleaned them. I did all of the above and still ended up with the runs and went to hospital for the night. The good news is that Bumrungrad (I kid you not) Hospital in Bangkok is very good and clean. I cost me $250 for an overnight stay with injections.

[Kerplunk]

Check for the Adam's Apple.

[aurelia]

Do not let anyone hand baggage or anything for you to carry as you could spend the next 50 years in the Bankok Hilton

[Compostella]

You are going to one of the most fantastic places on the planet so my advice is saviour every last little drop.

Places to visit

Chang Mai
Ko Phang Nan island on the full moon
Suritani

Don't know if the spellings are correct but its been a while since I went.

Anyway, eat at the stall on the roadside-you'll not find better, see the Bangkok bit, take the buses to get around the county, Don't drink the elephant beer (can't remember the name) drink the Singha beer and wash well.

Just let Thailand wash around you and you'll love it

I'm really jealous of you

[Mr Jagger]

I have to disagree with Compostella.....Singha is nice beer but the elephant beer in question (Chang Beer) is the dog's danglies. It's say's 6.4% on the bottle but irregular brewing causes a vast difference in alcohol content (I sh*t you not!) and could actually be anywhere between 6 and 9%.

You aint lived till you've woke up with a Chang-over!

Also try Thai Red Bull and SangSom thai whisky.

Ask for a SangSom bucket - a toxic mix SangSom, Red Bull and coke, served in a kids sandbucket with lots of straws. Enjoy!

[Compostella]

Thats it! Beer Chang!

I was told that iit contains a high level of formaldahyde (the stuff they embalm dead bodies with) which explains why I felt like death after a night on it

[Mac attack]

Take a very good jungle rating mosquito repellant such as this:
http://www.fieldandtrek.com/product.asp?src=uk wm&pf_id=25536&sfile=1&name=expedition%20100&u ser_search=1&filter_cat=EQUITRAVINSEREPE&cid=M NTHBD5ANWIZSE07PUWNSZ4V87ND2AFR

and in case you get bitten, one of these:
http://www.boots.com/shop/product_details.jsp? productid=1033153&classificationid=1020131

Its a truly beautifull country. Have fun.

[badlands]

Dont spend too much time in Bangkok and head for the Islands.. Coh pang yang is nice . Get the train ( overnight from Bankok ) You can book all your travel arrangements from most Hotel/ guest house lobbies) Eat the street food its excellent!!!!!!

[don1982]

I went last year and have guide books maps and phrase book now not needed

[Oneeyedvic]

Buy gold - I got engaged at the Baiyoke Sky Hotel - bought an engagement ring out there for �850.00 - value here at �2550.00!

Part of me hopes she loses the ring - the insurance will be enough to go back out there to replace it!

[The Gardener]

Thailand Is a great place, Blew me away with its beauty and its people. Theres so much to say about this country that it would take an age, also its better to find out for yourself. So here are a few tips.

1. At Bangkok airport lots of lovely ladies will try and get you to take taxis on arrival. Dont as they are a rip off! Go outside and que at the rank where there is a small office and it is all done officially and the price is set there. (to Ko shan Rd roughly b3.50) and you dont have to tip.

2. Dont take loads of clothes travel light, a t shirt costs maybe �2 so if you need you can get cheap.

3. Depends on what luxury you want but you can get a decent room ( no mod cons for b400 a night thats about �3

4. You will get used to it, but at first you will gag at some of the toilets. ( welcome to the bum gun)

5. You can eat really well for very little eg. �5 for amazing meal.

6. There are 3 main beers singha, Tiger and cant remember.

7. If you are travelling from Bangkok to the islands like I did Ko tao or Koh pgan Yang ( scuse spelling) Use the LOMPRAYAH company. It sets you up from BKK to the islands

8. If offered drugs never take them especially from a Thai person as they could be trying to ensnare you for the cops who are as bent as anything Ive heard the horror stories as you probably will. If you do just be careful. Its cool on the islands everyone does it but just go down the beach etc.

9. Its mega hot so wear cream etc.

10. I would definately go to Ko Tao Its the one for diving and the snorkelling will blow your mind. The capital of KT is Mae Hat where you can buy anything you want or need I stayed there, as my mate runs a resteraunt therecalled the Lighthouse. If you go up to the top of the hill you will find it. Its a small cinema showing all the latest movies. Just tell him the rouse sent you.
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[moon174]

Beware of people trying to lure you to buy thai gems, its a Fraud, nothing but a way to rip you off by selling cheap gems on the context reseeling it back in UK to make a fortune, dont fall for that.

Otherwise its a beautiful country, enjoy your visit.

[h_taylor69]

Hi - I lived in Thailand for a year on Koh Pha Ngan which is well worth a visit - home of the full moon party if you are into that sort of thing - if you aren't then visit away from Full Moon as the island is wonderful - stay at Charm Beach Resort. Bangkok grows on you. The Thais are a wondeful race. Wear any money inside your clothes when travelling by bus as lots of thefts but trains are fine. Ignore the reply about the water and the runs - the Thais don't drink the water either and they wash all food in the water you drink - I doubt he/she got the runs the way he thinks. I wasn't sick once. I'd highly recommend Kanchanburi - bridge over the river kwai

[kaonashi]

Hi,

Like h_taylor69 I stayed at Charm Beach resort on Koh Phang-Ngan... Best mixed-fruit smoothies ever! It's a great family run place, they have 3 adorable kids, some puppies, etc. Very idealistic indeed.

If you go tell Am that Joe says hello, and give the dog Sudai lots of love! Haha

[kaonashi]

Um, Koh Pha-Ngan sorry.