Can anyone help me plan my upcoming return to Thailand???

Question

I will be returning to Thailand after 30 years and still speak and even read and write some Thai, so I am looking forward to it. Definitely on the agenda will be Bangkok/Pattaya and Udorn (where I lived in the 70s). I know prices have unfortunately risen, but wonder how much I should plan on spending on things like decent but not extravagant hotels, the occasional company of sexy but not rip-off women, good but not gourmet food. Also, what is the best way to travel to Udorn from Bangkok. I assume by air, but how much is that and I am better off arranging that once in country if I am not sure when I will leave (only there for three weeks)? Are the massage parlors still ever-present -- as comfortable shelters from the oppressive heat, I mean?:P
And do I need anything special to cross into Laos from Nong Kai for a short visit? It would be nice if NOTHING had changed in 30 years, but maybe there have been some changes for the better -- like air-conditioning EVERYWHERE, I hope.

Answer 1

I live in Thailand now. feel free to contact me to answer questions and provide information. I am ex-military and understand your dilemma.

Answer 2

Hi there, sounds like you are nervous about your trip back home! You need not worry, Thailand is still a very pleasant place, the people are still the same, only prices have change :)

For your accommodation, depending on your selection, you can get a nice room for 500baht, in a guesthouse up about 2500baht in a 4-5 star hotel. You may want to check www.asiarooms.com for an idea of the cost of the hotels at the various locations you mentioned.

Company of women, if you are looking at the bar and pub scene, or one of those singing bar, you can have the lady's company for the price of her drinks. Flower garlands will be from 200baht upward, the limit is your choice. So you can spend little to have company with you. Especially since you still phuut thai. If you want more than that, talk to the lady concerned and she will advise you correctly, better than me for sure.

Thai food is still way cheap. By any country's standard. A bowl of sen lek will cost between 25-45baht, depending on where you are eating at. Cheaper of course at the roadside stall, which I find tastier too. Get into a restaurant and have a few Thai dishes and rice will just set you ack by about 500baht, thereabout. And it will be a full meal to your stomach. In fact, 2 can eat the amount that is served.

As for your travel to Udon Thani, there is direct flight between Bangkok and there. There is Nok Air at www.nokair.com and you can buy ticket at the airport terminal. Price about 800baht one-way. Book earlier price can be cheaper. Or you can go with Thai Airways at www.thaiairways.com for about 3100baht one-way.

Massage parlours, I guess have not changed much. Only the ladies change frequently. You can get a 2-hour massage in Bangkok for about 500baht. Elsewhere, just bargain to find a suitable price. As usual. You need not take their list price for massages as fixed price.

For your trip into Laos, you just need to obtain a visa before your entry. This you can do at Nong Khai before you cross over. There will be agencies who do trips and they can help you with this visa arrangement too.

Hope I have managed to put your mind at ease. Need other query answered< you can email me at [e-mail].

Have a good return trip.

Answer 3

Here's my March 2007 itenerary:
DAY 1, Shopping
DAY 2, Shopping
DAY 3, Tour some of the most unusual Buddhist temples in Bangkok; Wat Trimitr, Wat Po, and Wat Benjamaborpitr. This evening, enjoy dinner with Thai music and dancers: BANGKOK
DAY 4, morning tour to the vibrant and colorful floating market at Damnoen Saduak. tour to the Grand Palace. Stroll the sprawling courtyards and palaces including the Funeral Palace, the Reception Palace, the Throne Hall, Coronation Hall, Royal Guest House and the beautiful Emerald Buddha Temple. Dinner and show at the Calypso Cabaret at the Asia Hotel: BANGKOK
DAY 5, Depart Bangkok to Ayuthaya, the historic capital of Siam and home to a collection of ancient wats dating from 1375. View the gigantic bronze statues at Wat Mongkol Borpitr. Continue to Wat Yai Chai Mangkol, then stop at the Wat Chai Watthanaram. Proceed to Lopburi to visit Prang Sam Yod (the three sacred sandstone spires): PHITSANULOK
DAY 6, Visit Wat Maha Dhat Phitsanulok with its revered Buddha statue, Phra Buddha Jinaraj. Depart for Sukhothai then continue to Sri Satchanalai. Visit Wat Phra Sri Ratana Maha Dhat, which stands on the site of the Khmer fort called "Chalieng." Proceed to Lampang: LAMPANG
DAY 7, Drive to Ko Kah to view the Emerald Buddha at Wat Phra Dhat Lampang Luang. Depart for Phayao, a unique rural town with a short stop at Kwan Phayao, Thailand's largest natural lake. Drive to Chiang Saen, the former capital of the first Thai Lanna Kingdom, located on the Mekong River. Visit by boat the Golden Triangle where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos converge: CHIANG RAI
DAY 8, Tour by boat to visit some hilltribe villages and hamlets. Board a typical long-tail boat and sail the Kok River to the water shed at Pa Kaew Village and visit Akha Village. This afternoon, visit the town of Mae Sai, the northern most point of Thailand on the border of Myanmar, for a chance to visit a jade cutting factory and a local market: CHIANG RAI
DAY 9, Depart to Chiang Mai. En route, visit handicraft villages and view the spinning and weaving of Thai Silk and a gem factory. Kantoke dinner with a presentation of traditional dances from Northern Thailand: CHIANG MAI
DAY 10, Visit an elephant camp, where elephants demonstrate their formidable and highly valued forestry skills. Visit the Orchid Nursery and Butterfly Farm. Balance of the day at leisure. Tonight, farewell dinner at hotel: CHIANG MAI
DAY 11, Tour to visit Wat Doi Suthep, a famous landmark of the city, tucked away in the mountains at an elevation of 3,280 feet. This afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Bangkok. Arrive and transfer to your hotel: BANGKOK
DAY 12, More shopping and prepare for flight home