1st trip to Thailand and need advise

[Kalafior1978]

Hi Everyone,

as you can see im new to the forum. I was trying to find all the info i need but there is just so many topics ...

Hope im not abusing you by asking few questions ...

 

I plan to go to Thailand for the first time. Since 1st stop is in bangkok i posted here and need all sorts of info

about the city and country. I plan to do a round trip and see all i can. This is not a "girls" oriented trip. Pure tourism.

Im going with my GF and 4 of my friends.

 

So ... the general idea is to do a map of POI first in Bangkok (we plan to be there about 3 days) and than go for the

rest of Thailand. We plan 2-3 weeks for the trip. I know its not enough to see it all ... thats why i need your help.

 

Need to pin the most interesting places to see. Ofcourse i promise to post pics and rapport from my trip

(most interesting means history, culture and the most important nature. Animals, views, plants ... for example temple

that keeps tigers. I heard there is one but have no idea where. )

 

1) hotel

since we will be there for the first time i need a place easy to find and close to transportation with possible trips organized

by the hotel (if it is a good way to see something, maybe i should look in some kind of travel agencies in town). Rates i can find

on the internet. It's easy. But i dont know what part of town is safe, better for tourists, and gives a good picture of Bangkok "soul".

 

2) Best places to see in Bangkok

Three days is not much so we need to pick the best there is to see

 

3) Best places to see in the area surrounding Bangkok

same as point 2)

 

4) Food

i heard few stories about food and "complications" after eating on the streets ... is it safe ? How to pick the right spot ?

 

5) Best way of moving around

no idea ... rent a car ? use a taxi ? public transportation ?

 

6) Any other advice that might be useful for a newbie in Thailand.

I was trying to read as much as i can but got so confused that i finally decided to start my thread.

 

Last thing. The budget is not that big. I dont have a number yet but hotels around 100$ / night is to much and that goes for

all kinds of expenses. Middle class. Or adventure class ;)

 

Thanks in advance for all help

[hope i can get any ;)]

 

 

PS: If this thread is in wrong section please let me know ill move it (if possible) or just move it to the right place.

[SlickMonkey]

Start here and then tell us what places you want to see and do.

http://www.tourismthailand.org/

 

Once you have a idea of what YOU want to see and do then we can show you what hotels would be best and how to get around. Since you are traveling with several people I would suggest getting a Mini-van with driver and split the costs. Once you lay out where u want to go the driver can take you to all the places like a tourist. The travel agent at the hotel can arrange for a great itinerary for all one price.

 

hotel will be dependent on where the places are that you want to see.

 

Do you want to be near the Pussy or far away so the other members wont know? Or do you want to visit the Monger areas??

[lbfmlover]

I could write a 50,000 word essay on all you have asked, but havent got time so i will give you a few suggestions.

 

Things to do in bangkok - Kings palace

Have a drink at the top of the baiyoke sky hotel around sunset.

Have a look down soi cowboy and Nana plaza, GF probably wont like it though.

Things to do near Bangkok- I wouldnt take my girlfriend to Pattaya.

 

Most first timers/back packers stay around Ko shan road. I always stay sukumvit, has the best transportation and shopping also many good hotels, Ko shan is cheap has loads of travel agents and cheap guest houses but full of rip offs. can get a nice hotel for aroung £50 a night in sukumvit, have a look on Agoda.com check out the Citidine on Soi 8.

 

Public transport is a must dont rent a car in bangkok.

 

I eat street food alot have never been sick from it. just make sure its cooked.

 

If i was with a girl i would check out Ko chang, Ko Lanta , Ko samui and when in bangkok have a look around MBK shopping centre or maybe go to the weekend market at Mo chit sky train station Called Chakuchat i think.

 

I would avoid pattaya unless you just want to party or your planning on leaving your lady in the hotel. Pattaya is a single mans paradise and in my opinion a faithful mans nightmare.

 

Could go on for ever but hope i have helped a little.

[illuxion]

No offense, but this really doesn't look like you did much research on your own. Read through these and other forums and try to glean as much information as you can.

 

Only you can truly know what you want to see and on what budget. Go to google and/or yahoo and type in "things to do in Thailand" and maybe "places to see in thailand"

 

 

hotel? The Mandarin Oriental and Banyan Tree are great(although I prefer the Banyan Tree on Bang Tao in Phuket) but only if my company is footing the bill. Personally I like the Landmark as it's a great place(claims to be 5 star, but not up to snuff with true 5 star hotels), the price is reasonable(about $100 a night) and it's within sneezing distance of Nana Plaza.

 

Best places to see? That's up to you, do some research. Far too many things to list. It's a big place. I could list enough to keep you busy for months. Best to look on the web and decide for yourself.

 

Food? Up to you. If you have a weak stomach stick to McDs and KFC, or follow some northern thai around(look for light skin) they aren't terribly keen on really spicy food. I've seen just as much bad things from so called 5 star restaurants as I have from hawkers. For me personally I follow the working class in LoS and watch where they eat. That usually gives up some good hearty food and burns twice which I love.

 

Best way to travel: Short distance = taxi, long distance = bus or train. getting around in BKK = MRT

 

Advice? Read, read some more, then read some more. Don't come to LoS with any preconceptions. Bring some pepto, immodium, and a smile.

[wimpy]

How old are you, do you like a decent chill out beach party or a full on rave. I went Koh Chang 2 weeks a go, im 34 and thought it was boring. If you're Russian or 45+ then it might suit you. If you like a decent chill out beach partys but not too hard core then look around the Krabi area. I like Koh Lanta, hire a motorbike for 200/300 baht a day, dont stay at the north of the Island, go to the middle/south. There are always decent chill out beach partys. Ive never been to Phi Phi but that could be good. Dont book accomadation with travel agents in Thailand, they over charge a lot. Try doing it direct on the net or just turn up, you will find something. Beach hut on Koh Lanta can be as cheap as 300baht a night.

If you want a full on party rave type of place go to Koh Pang Gang, I've not been, it'd be too mad for me.

I cant comment on Koh Samui, Ive nev er been.

 

You can have a very good time around Krabi, research the area. There are also small very peaceful and beautiful islands like Koh Jum, I had 3 days there which was good but no more than taht.

 

Bankok to Krabi is approx 1000baht with Air Asia.

 

Note on Thai Travel agents. I went to one to sort out my trip to Koh Chang. he show me hotels, first ones were 4000baht+, i said i want something cheaper. Then he show me one for 2300baht but he said he would do it for 2000baht. I recognized the name of the hotel, web price 1100baht, so I told him and he said ok, 1100baht. They can get a hell of a markup. Same thing happened to a mate in Krabi town, booked a hotel for 1 night for 1300baht with a Thai agent, he stayed one more night, that night just going through hotel was 800baht.

Just use those agents for mini buses. hotel, do yourself.

 

When I say thai travel agents i dont mean web based ones. Asia rooms, Agoda etc are all good but they dont tend to cater for the budgett raveller.

 

Buy a Lonely Planet for Krabi, loads to see and do.

[wimpy]

Also in Bangkok, avoid tuk tuks, they will take you everywhere you dont want to go, ie shops where they get commision for taking you. Taxi Meters are also cheaper than tuk tuks, always say you want the meter on, some may sense your new and try and pre arrange a price.