Trip To Thailand

[peterbaz]

hello everyone im planning a trip to Thailand but have never experienced it before would like to take in culture, food , history and everything else have been told Phuket , pattaya, and bangkok . planning 10 days . any thoughts and advice please

[ummmm]

I wouldn't spend too much time in Bangkok, it stinks.

Krabi is nice and so are the islands.

[auntie-bertie]

Pattaya is a seedy dump; I would not recommend it. I would spend a few days in Bk and then go down to Koh Lanta or over to Ko Chang to experience true beauty and relaxation.

[rockyracoon]

Bangkok is a wonderful hellhole, you have to see it once though, just to say that you've been there. I stayed in Phuket twice, it's very idyllic in some resorts, not so much in others, do your homework before you go. Patong is very brash and so is Karon, though on a smaller scale, I stayed in Kata Noi which was gorgeous, just the right mix of everything for a family, I also stayed in Cape Panwa, also highly recommended. Hua Hin on the mainland is great and the restaurants are fab, but you have to hunt out some decent beaches, they are there apparently.

What are you looking for out of the holiday?

Pattaya has a certain reputation but I understand that they are trying to appeal to a wider audience of tourists.

[ummmm]

I really enjoyed Karon.

We booked a hotel just off the Koh San Road for 1 night and had nothing else booked after that.

[rockyracoon]

How long ago were you there? All I saw were hooker bars and a mad crazy golf thing ;)

That was in 2009 I think.

[rockyracoon]

Mind you, we had the kids with us.

[Sqad]

Plenty of good hotels in Bangkok (best in the world),,,3 days should be enough as you will need a rest after a long flight.

Then try a short flight to Chiang Mai...again good hotels.

You will enjoy your trip.

[ummmm]

Gosh...must have been about 10 years ago now. Loads of hooker bars but the girls were lovely. They were much nicer to me than they were to him. They obviously knew who controlled the purse strings :-)

[trt]

As above, stay away from Pattaya, and Phukets a bit better.

You must have a couple of nights in Bangkok, especially in the Pat Pong market, bars etc, so full of life and fun.

Chang Mai up North is beautiful, 5* hotels very cheap and a trip to see the Tribe People up in the mountains is fantastic, and not as hot.

[jno]

Bangkok's hard work especially if it's hot and steamy, but it's good for culture.

Dunno about the beaches so much - they look gorgeous, but I don't know that their cultural appeal goes much beyond ladyboys and local food. Upcountry places like Chiang Rai are supposed to be very nice but I've never been that far.

[Hymie]

My first trip to Thailand was to Hua Hin, a 100 miles or so from Bangkok – quite a nice seaside destination.

As others have said, avoid Pattaya – even though I was with Mrs Hymie, the Thai women were like flies (unless you want that type of attention).