Going to Thailand for 2 weeks

[globetrotter]

1. I've been dozens a times with no problems at all
2. you are bigger than pretty much everybody in thailand
3. don't go north or west. go to the islands in the south east. much less crowded, much better
4. make sure you get to a thai boxing match or two

 

[Eason]

Wow, thanks for the advice everyone. My friend must have mis-spoke about the islands, she recommended villages in the north and islands in the south.

I typically only carry less than 100$ USD with me a day and that's what I want to do in Thailand, but the thing is I've been told to keep all my valuables on me or they'll be stolen. Any recs for that?

Also, about hotels/accommodations: We aren't bringing so much money between the two of us, about 1000 USD. What should we expect to pay for hotels/lodging, and how should we arrange it? (Just walk around and look for a place? Back to the first question, I'm wary about leaving my valuables/money out of my sight)

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by globetrotter

1. I've been dozens a times with no problems at all
2. you are bigger than pretty much everybody in thailand
3. don't go north or west. go to the islands in the south east. much less crowded, much better
4. make sure you get to a thai boxing match or two

This I don't understand at all. Chiang Mai and the North is beautiful

 

[Largo]

Originally Posted by gdl203

This I don't understand at all. Chiang Mai and the North is beautiful

Seriously. Chiang Mai (again) is a great destination with a lot of sights, parks, temples, you name it you can hit in the course of a day. Krabi down south-west a bit from BKK is a really nice coastal town, definitely worth a day or two to go out to the massive crazy island-rocks that have been carved out of the ocean. The island recommendations (Koh Pi Pi is nice, Koh Phan Ngan I haven't been to, Koh Chang was pretty good too).

As for accommodations, rates will be all over the place, but definitely try to reserve ahead of time online. It's more than worth it to avoid haggling, or potentially finding better spots that are already booked out. My Thai friend recommends http://www.hotelthailand.com/.

And lastly, I'll back up what everyone said about safety. If you get jacked in Thailand, you probably really really ran into it. I've seen the most incredible inebriates stumble their way through the seediest red light districts and manage not to get accosted, so yeah. Basically keep an eye out around tourist hotspots, and make sure your taxi driver turns his meter on. Have fun!

 

[Eason]

So again, where to keep valuables? If all my cash isn't on me, where is it safe to keep? Will all hotels have a safe?

 

[BrandonM]

Originally Posted by Eason

If all my cash isn't on me, where is it safe to keep?

Use credit card.

 

[Eason]

****, don't want to use a CC because it's a pain ********** to get money out of China to pay it off. Are there going to be ATM's in the south-eastern island areas/northern jungle?

 

[globetrotter]

Originally Posted by gdl203

This I don't understand at all. Chiang Mai and the North is beautiful

no arguments, have you been to the south east? its beautiful, empty and cheap. people usually go to the islands in the west - pucket and the like.

 

[globetrotter]

Originally Posted by Eason

So again, where to keep valuables? If all my cash isn't on me, where is it safe to keep? Will all hotels have a safe?

did you see papilion?

 

[Eason]

um... no?

 

[Cordwinder]

Every tourist place has touts trying to tale you to a famous Buddist temple. Dont go as you will end up in a jewellery trade show. Drivers get a comission for bringing people in. Driver and the staff at the show will make you sit for 10 mins just so they get their commission.
My bro and parents ended up in this situation when they went on a city tour planned by the hotel they were staying. They were not treated well by the guide, left at the trade show and came back much earlier than what the tour or hotel had agreed to. I think the hotel apologized and refunded my family the tour charges. Pretty ****** experience.

Transportation in the city is pretty easy to follow and understand. You can definately go without any tour guide.

I suggest Wat Po and the near by Emerald Buddha. Wat Po is where they teach thai massage. Emerald buddha is near to it, but check timings before you go. I can't remember details but I took the boat up the river to the temple.

The hotel I stayed in had a in room safe, Windsor Suites. Its near a skytrain station. Very convenient.
And there is also a 24hr massage place across the street. The each room has a shower where you wash before getting an oil massage. Happy endings are separate from the charges listed.

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by globetrotter

no arguments, have you been to the south east? its beautiful, empty and cheap. people usually go to the islands in the west - pucket and the like.

The SE islands, as in Samui, Pan Ganh, etc... or further up like Samet? I've been to all these places - they're great but I didn't see a lot of elephants in the jungle there. There's a lot to the North too - and far less tourists overall. I recommend the North as well as the islands

 

[Eason]

Tickets bought, July 20-August 3rd. Can't wait.

 

[globetrotter]

Originally Posted by gdl203

The SE islands, as in Samui, Pan Ganh, etc... or further up like Samet? I've been to all these places - they're great but I didn't see a lot of elephants in the jungle there. There's a lot to the North too - and far less tourists overall. I recommend the North as well as the islands

you're right, the elephants are nice. I went down to Ko Chang, and that was so quiet it was great. I've been for work related thing to pucket and ko pi pi and they were so much more crowded.

 

[modanajames]

you are right, i agree with you really Bangkok is nice for shopping, but at the same time what i am saying is it is better to BUY gold jewellery in shopping