Traveling to Thailand?

Question

Has anyone out there ever traveled to Thailand? If so, do you have any tips or suggestions? I would like to travel cheap, but have a good time...

Answer 1

Sheraton is not cheap. Thailand is big, there is so much to do and anything is possible. Since I've been to more than 60 of Thailand's 76 provinces, I think I can offer some advice.

Here is some advice assuming you are looking for some outdoor adventure (and not shopping in BKK or drinking your brain numb in the company of longhaired dictionary). Beer buddy advice you can get from s.xtourist forums.

Up north (see map), the only city I like is Chiang Rai. The TAT tourist info office is near a private school, which has been converted into a guest house run by the former principal. The city has plenty of impressive temples and can be a good base for day trips to the mountains.
Chiang Mai is far too touristed for my liking; only interesting as the destination for a ride on the night train from Bangkok

http://www.travelfish.org/region/thailand/northern_thailand

You could also opt for a more "original" experience by deciding to stay in a town rather than in a city.
You will definitely love Mae Hong Son, but it is quite a drag getting there. Four hours drive on winding mountain roads. I don't recall cheap places there -- due to the transport issue, you better investigate first or expect around USD 40 / night.

Mai Sai is near Burma (Mae Sai Guesthouse on the river bank is recommended) but also a bit far from any other sigths unless you are up to renting mopeds or a car. Chiang Saen is at the Golden Triangle.

Off the beaten track are places like Lampang, Phrae and Nan Very few tourists, which means it is easy to find accommodation at USD 10 / night per room; I anyway anywhere rarely pay more than USD 25 / night.


If you don't want to rent a car, you can get around using air, train, and bus without any problems.
The bus service between the provincial capitals is excellent and cheap. VIP normally means the bus has air con. A lower price means more stops (i.e., longer time to reach the destination), so for long trips, don't save a few cents.
The same goes for trains. I once ... and only once .. took third class. Don't do that. Go second class (with or without air con is up to you -- hardcore budget travellers like me have never tried a Thai train with A/C) but, again, check how many hours the train ride is expected to take. As far as I remember, they have three "grades" of express, which can mean a time/speed difference of up to 25%.


Another interesting location is Loei province, but I doubt you will find enough there to fill a week's itinieary.
However, some really interesting places to explore are the Kaeng Krachan National Park (Thailand's largest) in Petchaburi province, the Khao Sok NP (in Surat Thani province), and the Khao Lak NP (in Phang Nga province). I have been to the first two and they are impressive. At Khao Lak, I stayed on the beach :-)
KK is not that well known, but can easily be accessed from Bangkok or from Hua Hin (a beach resort town).

Khao Sok is also relatively unknown. Tours are arranged from the Khao Lak beach area as well as from Phuket, but you can also get there yourself by using the inter-provincial busses.

You can search on the net for info on these NPs.. For example:
http://www.nature-travel.org/kaengkrachan.htm

http://www.limestonelaketours.com/?gclid=CNyarKqoqYwCFSQHEgod8gKwRQ

Answer 2

Your question is very broad and there is so much to tell about Thailand - especially for a first timer like you.
There are plenty of answers on this topic on Yahoo!Answers if you care to search for them.

A few tips - it IS a different country with different cultures and customs and way of doing things. DO NOT go there expecting people to be your servants and DO NOT expect things to operate the same way things do in your country.
Be patient. Smile a lot. DO NOT ever make fun or silly remark about the king or the royal family. Smile a lot.

But... for really comprehensive advice and a good investment - buy yourself a copy of the Lonely Planet Guide to Thailand or even the smaller guide "The best of Bangkok" (also by the Lonely Planet Guide). These two books are invaluable for first timers to Thailand.

Answer 3

To travel cheap in Thailand you can do these things:
1) Don't drink in bars. Get your alcohol from the 7-11
2) Don't book using Agoda. Turn up at a place and look for a cheap guest house, resort or dorm. If you don't book in advance you have room to negotiate.
3) Eat street food and at small hole in the wall places where Thais eat.
4) Try using public transport. Avoid taxis in places like Koh Samui, Phuket and Pattaya. They rip you off and won't go on the meter.

Thailand is cheap if you avoid the obvious tourist trap rip offs.

Answer 4

Hi I go all the time and my wife is Thai. What do you wnat to see? Mountains, Bangkok, the beach??? I'll give you a great sight with a forum that's loaded with expats and frequent travellers.

You have to register to ask a quetion but it's worth it. The site is organized by activites and locations. These guys are slty but they hav eth eprices and the reality in the ground down. Also go buy a Lonely Planet Thailand.

You can email me too. I love thailand and the Thai people.

Answer 5

It really depends on what you want to do.Bangkok is very much a bustly city wheras Chiag mai is a bit more laid back and the there is the coastal places to see which are beautiful Air asia flys to a lot of places now so you can go further afield in your time. Malaysia, Penang is good. There is also the oppertunity to visit vietnam, Laos, Cambodia from Bangkok. Singapore is also very accessible so you need to think how you want to spend your time. I have been going to that area for the past 3 years and still have got lots of places I want to see. Relax and enjoy, travel, hotels and food are pretty cheap but you will need to do your homework. look at hotels on trip advisor as you can see other travellers comments and they have always been spot on for me.

Answer 6

Thailand is a very good country to go to if you do everything correctly and not go against the law

Answer 7

If you've ever had a chance to go to Thailand, go to one southern province of Thailand called "Phuket". It has the best crystal-like beach and seawater I've ever seen.

Answer 8

Thailand is very nice country to visit.

Answer 9

There is an ebook as guide for you to get cheap luxiry
not only in Thailand but also in another places in asia pacific such as, philipines,bali,laos and vietnam

http://tinyurl.com/3cqv2s

Answer 10

Bangkok