I've booked a flight to BKK early June and now after hearing loads of horror stories from people around me and on certain web sites and even guide books I'm starting to wonder if I haven't made a huge mistake. I'm not a backpacker, it's either my case on wheels or a large bag, and I tried to find a decent safe hotel but I'm not sure now about loads of little things ie-the best way to get from the airport without any hassle as I'm arriving early evening.I know this maybe sounds really silly compared to other peoples queries but I've never been to Asia before and I'd like to get the most out of my holiday. How did others get on ? Please let me know both good and bad. Thanks for all your help.
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If it's your first trip to Asia I would advise you to
prebook an hotel (midrange, we did book the Trang hotel)
for the first night. Then you only have to take an official
taxi at the airport, they wait outside. Just look where
other people waiting for a taxi are standing en join them.
Ask him to put on the meter if he doesn't, but most of the
drivers do. For some Bangkok areas the taxi will take the
toll-highway. It's ok if they charge you for that (the LP
also says that). Anyway, you don't have to be afraid, we
found Bangkok (and the rest of Thailand) very safe, even at
night out on the street. We never had one moment of unsafe
feeling. So enjoy your trip, Thailand is a fantastic
country!!
Hi Caz,
When I was in Bangkok last year I sayed at a reasonably
priced hotel called the Viengtai Hotel. The address is 42
Tanee Road, Banglumpoo, Bangkok. People on the front
reception at this hotel speak reasonable English and you
will feel as though you are in a safe area as there are a
lot of Western travellers around this location. Have fun!
Sorry Caz,
Forgot to add that Intrepid Small Group Adventures are based
at the Viengtai Hotel. I went on their 'Taste of
Thailand' tour which included elephant riding,
bamboo rafting, Thai cooking lessons etc. - definitely a
highlight of my trip! If you want further information on
Intrepid - visit their web site at
www.intrepitravel.com.au. By the way - I don't work for
them.
Dear Caz,
Last Christmas I went as a single female traveller to Thailand, and like you arrived in the evening. I was incredibly nervous, after hearing all these horror stories like you have.
You will see the taxi rank outside the airport, and most of them are pay before you ride (from my experience). I headed (like the majority of backpackers) to the Koh San Road (not a particularly long journey) Although its not the most attractive road in the world, i felt safe because there are so many people there from all over the world, and you never feel really alone. I didn't pre book accommodation, just found a room when i got there - which was easy, even in high season. There's an array of accommodation from the very cheap to the expensive (but still affordable) - lots of cafes and the whole place buzzes from morning till morning!
Koh San Road is also quite a good place to be for deciding what you want to do next. There are loads of travel places if you are heading up North or down South - but make sure you spend time shopping around for the best deal.
I don't know if you have any particular plans for your stay in Thailand - but form my experience I would recommend taking an overnight coach and ferry to Koh Pha Ngan. (Coaches leave around 5/6 pm from the K S Road - 12 hour ride to Surat Thani then 3 hour ferry via Koh Samui). I found my own personal paradise on this island at a place called SeaFlower (on the West side therfore PERFECT sunsets!) If you are looking for fantastic food, warm, friendly relaxed safe atmosphere and great bathrooms (if you go there you'll see what i mean!) then this is what id call perfect!
Well... i wish you all the best on your journey, and im sure you'll have a fantastic time and meet some wonderful people.
Remember to keep your wits about you, haggle hard and relax
Best wishes
Cheraline (age 21)
Seaflower do these amazing seatreks (Intrepid Traveller groups go on them, but general travellers are more than welcome as well) When I was in Thailand ( the first time) i went on this.... on a long tail boat over to the National Marine Park Islands) where we caught our own fish, slept in hammocks and snorkelled in the sea for 3 days (2 nights)
I would highy recommend this adventure
If you want to know anything more about anything, ill try and help... and even if i don't have first hand experience i know lots of people who've travelled all over Thailand -
Take carel
Seaflower do these amazing seatreks (Intrepid Traveller groups go on them, but general travellers are more than welcome as well) When I was in Thailand ( the first time) i went on this.... on a long tail boat over to the National Marine Park Islands) where we caught our own fish, slept in hammocks and snorkelled in the sea for 3 days (2 nights)
I would highy recommend this adventure
If you want to know anything more about anything, ill try and help... and even if i don't have first hand experience i know lots of people who've travelled all over Thailand -
Take carel
Thailand was never colonized by any country. Because of this, most Thais could not speak English, unlike the Filipinos, the Malaysians and the Singaporeans. You should learn a few Thai words, otherwise, you will get confused in your trip. Speaking of Asian travel, why don't you try to visit my country, the Philippines. We have some of the best beaches in the world. For more information about the Philippines, please visit these websites: http://www.lakbay.net.ph or http://www.tourism.gov.ph.
Whilst some of the factual information in the above mail
maybe correct (Thailand was never officially colonised) and
a few Thai words maybe courteous, not speaking Thai will not
'confuse' you in your trip.
Oh and the Phillipines were colonised by the Spanish so
unless you are proficient in Spannish...
if you are travelling alone you might have more fun and feel
safer in a hostel. As a woman alone I prefer hostels
because I believe the "safety in numbers"
hi..
iam going too VIETNAM
and any informatie
and storries are helpful
tanx
In full humility, I apologize for what I have stated if you find my statement offensive. It was never my intention to insult or degrade anybody. All I did was give CAZ some advice regarding her trip to the wonderful country of Thailand (I went to Chiang Mai during the 1995 SEA Games). Speaking of my country, the Philippines, I would like to point out that for 3 centuries of Spanish colonization, Spanish was never taught to the Filipinos. The Spaniards focused more in converting the Filipinos to the Roman Catholic faith. When the Americans took over in 1898 after the Battle of Manila Bay, they introduced to the Philippines their system of public education. English became the medium of instruction. Most of the top high school graduates at that time were even sent to the Ivy League. This medium of instruction was passed from generation to generation even after the Americans have left. In fact, all subjects in our schools (whether public or private) and universities are being taught in English. Textbooks are being written in English and most daily newspapers are also in English. There's a saying that there are more English-speaking Filipinos than the combined populations of both Australia and New Zealand. Therefore, contrary to what you wrote, travellers going to the Philippines does not have to be proficient in Spanish because only a few Filipinos speak the language. As an Asian, I am also proud that Thailand was never colonized by any empire. Again, my sincere apologies.