Thailand???

Chris · 22 Mar 2004, 00:25

Has anyone here ever been to Thailand??

I was talking to a customer today who went a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it! I was thinking how it sounded like a good holiday destination and was wondering if anyone knew anything about going there.

Before anyone says it, i know i could search the net but i would rather find out what people think from personal experience rather than the touristy stuff.

The area i am interested in is around the islands around Koh Samui.

Em · 22 Mar 2004, 01:13

spent 2 months in Thailand a few years ago
Koh Samui far too touristy for me, only spent one night there but stayed a while on one of the smaller islands nearby, much quieter and, at least then, less spoilt by tourism. Wouldn't go to Koh Samui again.
Depends what you want from a holiday, but lots to do and see in Thailand.
Bangkok worth at least a few days.
Spent most of my time in jungle areas and would go there again.
Will check out my old travel dairies, if I've still got them and add more.
Area around Krabi is worth visiting.
Just go for it Chris.

Chris · 22 Mar 2004, 23:14

Cheers Em

I fancy the idea of a couple of nights in bangkok, train to Koh Samui and then sunbathing on the islands for a couple of weeks!!

One of my customers went last year adn rented a beach hut with a hammock on one of the smaller islands for a couple of nights!!

The idea sounds cool to me!

Weezy · 23 Mar 2004, 12:07

One of my friends spent a year out there 2yrs ago and said the place was amazing....it looks and sounds very nice...and his photos were excellent! Definately somewhere I would like to go one day.

Gez · 23 Mar 2004, 20:53

Can't you get a wife for a fiver there???

Cheaper by the dozen me thinks guys

Kitty Kat · 23 Mar 2004, 22:04

I went to Thailand a few years ago and stayed in Ch am (cant really remember how to spell it). Its on the west coast of the bay. It was really cheap then. The people are lovely but the mosquitoes are vicious. Only landed and took off from Bangkok but from what I saw it was very crowded. Think that its probably worth two or three days there now. Also went on a trip to the Burma Railway built by prisoners of war. Can't begin to describe it.

Em · 23 Mar 2004, 23:11

Gerry wrote:

Quote:

Can't you get a wife for a fiver there???

And I believe Indonesia is a good place to go if you are looking for a husband.

A friend went on a package holiday to Koh Samui and was disappointed. Didn’t think it much different from a beach holiday anywhere in the world, said it didn't feel much like being in Thailand. As I wrote before I fled from the place after one night, far too crowded and full of tourists. Choose one of the smaller islands if/ when you go Chris. Beach bungalows are easy to find and as Kitty Kat said Thailand is relatively cheap once you get there.

Usually hate cities but must admit I liked Bangkok in spite of the crowds and the pollution.

Most of my Thai photos are of insects, plants, snakes etc with the ex on a few when I needed a bit of scale. Got a good photo of a bloated leech on his leg.

Although didn’t laugh quite so loud when I found lots of them on my body. Some good bat photos too....................do I see your eyes glazing over............

maybe you'd be more interested in the Meat Loaf photos I took this year....

Chris · 23 Mar 2004, 23:16

I was chatting to a customer today who used to travel all over the world in the days before it was fashionable!! He has been going out to Asia since the 1950's and was telling me how bad Bangkok is compared to how it was before the Americans arrived during the Vietnam War!!

Anyway, He suggested that I try looking at flying to Singapore and then using the train or coach service to travel up to Penang for the beaches. That is an idea that really appeals to me so I have been online ordering tour guides/brochures for the whole area this evening!!

Em · 23 Mar 2004, 23:30

Isn't Penang in Malaysia Chris?

Chris · 23 Mar 2004, 23:47

It is.

Apparently there is a great luxury coach service between singapore up to Penang.

And very reasonably priced too.

Em · 24 Mar 2004, 00:26

You into luxury Chris?
My ex was into 5 star hotels, but on trips to Malaysia and Thailand even got him sleeping on bare boards

I can sleep anywhere but he used to look pretty shattered by the end of trips. Believe he's gone back to staying in 5 star hotels

Coach services are good but prefer train journeys. Also cheap. Tiaman (sp?) Island may be worth a visit if you go via Singapore. Found Malaysian people more friendly than Thais. This talk of travel's got me restless again....

I studied tropical biology at uni...furthest we got then was a trip to Edinburgh zoo and botanical gardens

Chris · 24 Mar 2004, 00:32

Not too fussed on luxury.

Must admit i prefer the train to coaches.

My one indulgence when travelling is that I always prefer to spend my final night ina posh hotel. That is one of the good things about going via singapore. if i finish there i cna spend the final night at Raffles. If not i cna spend it in London somewhere.

22 Mar 2004, 00:25	#1
Chris Mega Loafer Join Date: 14.04.2002 Location: Somewhere in the real world. Posts: 7,527	Thailand??? Has anyone here ever been to Thailand?? I was talking to a customer today who went a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it! I was thinking how it sounded like a good holiday destination and was wondering if anyone knew anything about going there. Before anyone says it, i know i could search the net but i would rather find out what people think from personal experience rather than the touristy stuff. The area i am interested in is around the islands around Koh Samui.

22 Mar 2004, 01:13	#2
Em Super Loafer Join Date: 08.07.2003 Location: Sweden Posts: 495	spent 2 months in Thailand a few years ago Koh Samui far too touristy for me, only spent one night there but stayed a while on one of the smaller islands nearby, much quieter and, at least then, less spoilt by tourism. Wouldn't go to Koh Samui again. Depends what you want from a holiday, but lots to do and see in Thailand. Bangkok worth at least a few days. Spent most of my time in jungle areas and would go there again. Will check out my old travel dairies, if I've still got them and add more. Area around Krabi is worth visiting. Just go for it Chris.

22 Mar 2004, 23:14	#3
Chris Mega Loafer Join Date: 14.04.2002 Location: Somewhere in the real world. Posts: 7,527	Cheers Em I fancy the idea of a couple of nights in bangkok, train to Koh Samui and then sunbathing on the islands for a couple of weeks!! One of my customers went last year adn rented a beach hut with a hammock on one of the smaller islands for a couple of nights!! The idea sounds cool to me!

23 Mar 2004, 12:07	#4
Weezy Super Loafer Join Date: 05.01.2004 Location: N.Ireland Posts: 324	One of my friends spent a year out there 2yrs ago and said the place was amazing....it looks and sounds very nice...and his photos were excellent! Definately somewhere I would like to go one day.

23 Mar 2004, 20:53	#5
Gez Knicker thief Join Date: 17.04.2003 Location: auch...not on the fence Posts: 5,633	Can't you get a wife for a fiver there??? Cheaper by the dozen me thinks guys

23 Mar 2004, 22:04	#6
Kitty Kat Senior Loafer Join Date: 03.09.2003 Location: West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 198	I went to Thailand a few years ago and stayed in Ch am (cant really remember how to spell it). Its on the west coast of the bay. It was really cheap then. The people are lovely but the mosquitoes are vicious. Only landed and took off from Bangkok but from what I saw it was very crowded. Think that its probably worth two or three days there now. Also went on a trip to the Burma Railway built by prisoners of war. Can't begin to describe it.

23 Mar 2004, 23:16	#8
Chris Mega Loafer Join Date: 14.04.2002 Location: Somewhere in the real world. Posts: 7,527	I was chatting to a customer today who used to travel all over the world in the days before it was fashionable!! He has been going out to Asia since the 1950's and was telling me how bad Bangkok is compared to how it was before the Americans arrived during the Vietnam War!! Anyway, He suggested that I try looking at flying to Singapore and then using the train or coach service to travel up to Penang for the beaches. That is an idea that really appeals to me so I have been online ordering tour guides/brochures for the whole area this evening!!

23 Mar 2004, 23:30	#9
Em Super Loafer Join Date: 08.07.2003 Location: Sweden Posts: 495	Isn't Penang in Malaysia Chris?

23 Mar 2004, 23:47	#10
Chris Mega Loafer Join Date: 14.04.2002 Location: Somewhere in the real world. Posts: 7,527	It is. Apparently there is a great luxury coach service between singapore up to Penang. And very reasonably priced too.

24 Mar 2004, 00:26	#11
Em Super Loafer Join Date: 08.07.2003 Location: Sweden Posts: 495	You into luxury Chris? My ex was into 5 star hotels, but on trips to Malaysia and Thailand even got him sleeping on bare boards I can sleep anywhere but he used to look pretty shattered by the end of trips. Believe he's gone back to staying in 5 star hotels Coach services are good but prefer train journeys. Also cheap. Tiaman (sp?) Island may be worth a visit if you go via Singapore. Found Malaysian people more friendly than Thais. This talk of travel's got me restless again.... I studied tropical biology at uni...furthest we got then was a trip to Edinburgh zoo and botanical gardens

24 Mar 2004, 00:32	#12
Chris Mega Loafer Join Date: 14.04.2002 Location: Somewhere in the real world. Posts: 7,527	Not too fussed on luxury. Must admit i prefer the train to coaches. My one indulgence when travelling is that I always prefer to spend my final night ina posh hotel. That is one of the good things about going via singapore. if i finish there i cna spend the final night at Raffles. If not i cna spend it in London somewhere.