Greetings all.
We are three young british females who have just booked tickets arriving in Bangkok (mid July) and departing from Singapore (mid August).
We'd like as much info as possible about how to get from Bangkok to Singapore in the time allowed, what to see/do along the way, etc.
We've never travelled in South-east Asia before so please send us lots of useful info !
Thanks in advance.
[There are 6 posts - the latest was added on Tue 25 May, 16:41]
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Are you planning to see the rest of Thailand or just head
down the Peninsula? If you're headed south from Bangkok,
possible stops along the way:
Ko Samui, Phuket, Hatyai...........then you have a choice
of the Malaysian West Coast or the East Coast
West....Langkawi, Penang, Ipoh, KL, Malacca
East....Kota Bharu, Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan, Tioman, Kota
Tinggi
Some folks may disagree with me but I feel that Malaysia is
one of the most under-rated places to visit. For most it
has to be Thailand 'cos all the fun can be had while M'sia
is a rather conservative society. It's true but I've had
some wonderful times up and down both the East and West
coasts.
If M'sia doesn't fit your bill, you should consider heading
north and then skip straight to Singapore. Bangkok to
Singapore is roughly about US$175 (or less) return.
Are you planning to see the rest of Thailand or just head
down the Peninsula? If you're headed south from Bangkok,
possible stops along the way:
Ko Samui, Phuket, Hatyai...........then you have a choice
of the Malaysian West Coast or the East Coast
West....Langkawi, Penang, Ipoh, KL, Malacca
East....Kota Bharu, Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan, Tioman, Kota
Tinggi
Some folks may disagree with me but I feel that Malaysia is
one of the most under-rated places to visit. For most it
has to be Thailand 'cos all the fun can be had while M'sia
is a rather conservative society. It's true but I've had
some wonderful times up and down both the East and West
coasts.
If M'sia doesn't fit your bill, you should consider heading
north and then skip straight to Singapore. Bangkok to
Singapore is roughly about US$175 (or less) return. Either
ways, I know you'll have a ball. Asia's a great place to
visit.
I'll be headed north to Vietnam, from Indonesia, and will
be in Bangkok in the middle of July.
Why not go north first, to Maesai by bus or by air to
Chiang Rai, then Maesai at the northernmost point in
Thailand, then work your way south and you can honestly say
you have seen all of Thailand. Then Malaysia, then
Singapore. In Maesai, you can cross into Burma for the day
or longer, local visa avail., and Laos is only half hour
away and can take a boat across for little to nothing.
Contact me if you need more info, and it doesn't cost that
much more to go slightly out of your way and see twice as
much!!!!!!!!! Cheers, KJ
The Thai railway system is fantastic and a heck of a lot
safer than buses. (Ever seen what's left of a bus after it
hits ANYTHING at high speed? And the drivers all have lead
feet.) The Malaysian railways are good too. What's fun is to
buy food etc. from vendors through the train windows along
the way. But make a lot of stops as you travel, as Templar
advises. And since you've got a month to play with, why not
start in Chiang Mai and work your way down to Singapore?
Malaysia really is under rated. Let's hope it stays that
way. Thailand was a lot nicer before it became a major
tourist destination. Unfortunately, as soon as tourists
discover a place, the tourist market quickly transforms it
from what it was that attracted people in the first place.
20 year ago, for example, Phuket was a quiet place with no
bars or hotels. And Koh Samui was hardly even known among
Thais. Now Phuket's a top destination in Asia and Koh Samui
is jammed with backpackers "getting away from it all."
I recommend going north first and then checking the weather
reports in the Bangkok post each day.
Koh Samui can be really wet sometimes.
The guidebooks are not very clear on this.
Well, you don't have enough time, but I would highly
recommend Koh Phi Phi, which is one of the prettiest
islands you'll ever see, and Malacca. If you're heading
north in Thailand first, Sukothai is one of the most
interesting places I've been there, and is not very well
known. Rent a bicycle and spend the day exploring the
ruins. Have fun!