Thailand

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Trufflehound

Re-enfranchised
Aug 5, 2003
14,131
The democratic and free EU
I love the area along the Mekhong west of Nong Khai (although Nong Khai itself, not so much): Chang Khan, Pak Chom, Si Chiangmai... I'm a sucker for a good sunset and the dust in the air there makes those over the Mekhong as good as any I've ever seen. But as others have suggested, if you're going that far, then carry on into Laos and experience what Thailand used to be like 35 years ago.
 














StonehamPark

#Brighton-Nil
Oct 30, 2010
10,133
BC, Canada
Can you not get one when crossing the border like Laos or Thailand? I didn't have the chance to visit Vietnam or Cambodia last time I went, so looking to do that next year.

Nope, Vietnam is the only country around S.E Asia you need a visa for before you go over the border.

The visa can be obtained quicker if you go to the London embassy, but it is obviously better and cheaper to do it with plenty of time to spare.

Vui choi

It's 10x quicker to get your visa from http://www.myvietnamvisa.com/. No Queue times and no need to take time out. Do it via the website and follow the general instructions.
 




South Stand Bonfire

Who lit that match then?
NSC Patron
Jan 24, 2009
3,118
Shoreham-a-la-mer
Royal Palace, River trip, Reclining Buddha and the Night markets in Bangkok; Koh Samui, depending on where you are staying: Elephant ride, Grandpa/Grandma rock, snorkelling trip, moped hire, Poppies restaurant, The Reggae bar and getting your towells around the pool before the Germans (sad, but true!). Have a great trip. Do NOT be fooled into buying any gems unless you know what you are buying.

I'm off to Thailand in June and am turning to the wisdom of NSC for recommendations of things to do and see. We are planning to spend time in Ko Samui and Bangkok amongst other places. Any tips? (Apart from 'check out the ladyboys) ???
 


StonehamPark

#Brighton-Nil
Oct 30, 2010
10,133
BC, Canada
Royal Palace, River trip, Reclining Buddha and the Night markets in Bangkok; Koh Samui, depending on where you are staying: Elephant ride, Grandpa/Grandma rock, snorkelling trip, moped hire, Poppies restaurant, The Reggae bar and getting your towells around the pool before the Germans (sad, but true!). Have a great trip. Do NOT be fooled into buying any gems unless you know what you are buying.

Sorry but I wouldn't advise any of that. Reading that sentence 'towels around the pool before the Germans' make it seem like an all-in cheap holiday destination... Which is entirely what Sumui is. Avoid.
If you have time constraints, visit only one temple in Bangkok and do either Wat Po or Wat Arun as they are cheap and cheerful, they all offer pretty much the same thing at 10% of the price of the Grand Palace.
Have a proper day out with the elephants in Chaing Mai where you can swim with them and see them properly rather than a rushed & touristy half day in Samui.

Spot on about the Gems though, avoid:
TukTuk drivers offering to take you to jewel dealers, suit makers or any other side-trip. Negotiate a price before you get into any tuktuk and don't take any shit from them. Be blunt but with a smile.
 


StonehamPark

#Brighton-Nil
Oct 30, 2010
10,133
BC, Canada
Cheers mate, very good of you. Would really appreciate some advice about thailand over Christmas and new year too, where to go, what to see etc. Thanks again.

Roughly how long are you going for, rough dates and other countries you may be visiting during the trip.
Let me know and I'll write up a rough itinerary for you to have a look at.
 




Windels

New member
Jan 15, 2011
95
Tunbridge Wells
I have spent quite a lot of time in that part of the world and I have to say that Thailand has become pretty horrible in a lot of places. Despite what a lot of people on here say, I definitely wouldn't go to Pattaya (disgustingly touristy destination full of sex tourists, with nothing to do there but sit on a crappy overpopulated beach scratching your arse). For similar reasons I wouldn't recommend anywhere like Phuket. I found the best parts of Thailand are actually away from the islands. Up north there are much nicer places. Chiang Mai is quite a nice city and there are other cities not far from there worth visiting. Bangkok has some great parts of it and in the surrounding areas there are some other nice places to spend a couple of days, such as Ayutthaya and Kanchanburi. Be prepared for some absolute wankers on holiday in Thailand. Very disrespectful, obnoxious and may of them there just for the sex, drugs and booze. At times feels like Magaluf or somewhere equally disgusting. But main thing is just to do what you want to do I guess, it's all about what sort of holiday you enjoy. If you have time, try to visit some of the other countries in the area, I found most of them a lot more interesting than Thailand
 


StonehamPark

#Brighton-Nil
Oct 30, 2010
10,133
BC, Canada
I definitely wouldn't go to Pattaya (disgustingly touristy destination). I wouldn't recommend anywhere like Phuket. Chiang Mai is quite a nice city and there are other cities not far from there worth visiting. Ayutthaya and Kanchanburi. Try to visit some of the other countries in the area, I found most of them a lot more interesting than Thailand

Spot on bud.
 


Drumstick

NORTHSTANDER
Jul 19, 2003
6,959
Peacehaven
im going for 3 weeks end of August

- 2 days bangkok
- 3 days Pattaya
- 5 days chiang mai (supposed to be the best place)
- 5 days Hanoi Bay (vietnam)
- 5 days Cambodia (supposed to be the next new thing, Angkor Watt or whatever it is)

sacking off the islands, dodgy rainfall that time of year!

Misses just came back from Vietnam ankorwatwatwat was brilliant I heard plus when tubing in loas please be careful a lot get hurt! Stay away from mushroom pizza!
 




fire&skill

Killer-Diller
Jan 17, 2009
4,296
Shoreham-by-Sea
1993 - went to Bangkok for a few days followed by Kanchanaburi for the Bridge on the River Kwai and then down to Koh Samui for a proper beach holiday. Astounding country.
 


StillHateBellotti

Active member
Jun 17, 2011
861
Eastbourne
Defo recommend Chiang Mai if that's how it is spelt, saw people wearing gloves and hats whilst I was in t-shirt and flip flops!

Ayuttaya brilliant place, got to have a tuk tuk race.

Phuket, never got anywhere else as on boxing day I lost everything in the tsunami (Brown pants moment and what a way to ruin a Honeymoon!). Really want to go back as still got the hotel room key to hand in! Smile Inn about 50 metres from the beach, deeply recommended and cheap.

Can't really advise on anywhere else, but from what I saw and did get out of Bangkok a.s.a.p and only go to Pattaya if your looking for bars full of old pervs!
 


South Stand Bonfire

Who lit that match then?
NSC Patron
Jan 24, 2009
3,118
Shoreham-a-la-mer
I never knew that. I was there with the Mottram boy the year before you. Banana milkshakes at Kanchanaburi with the National Anthem 9am sharp at the bus station.

1993 - went to Bangkok for a few days followed by Kanchanaburi for the Bridge on the River Kwai and then down to Koh Samui for a proper beach holiday. Astounding country.
 






StonehamPark

#Brighton-Nil
Oct 30, 2010
10,133
BC, Canada
SP. I am planning to go to South West France this Summer. About 40km North of Biarritz on the coast to a place called Moliets. Any places I should visit/avoid around there at all?

Really sorry matey, I've been to France twice years ago. Both poxy school trips which resulted in a mass 'bangers'/firecracker & BB Gun haul back over the border to terrorize our younger brothers & sisters with! So, cutting a long story short, I have no valuable expertise on France I'm afraid.

The places I've lived and worked for a good amount of time which I can give good guidance on are:
- Australia - New Zealand - Thailand (with good knowledge and experience of the rest of S.E Asia) - Spanish Islands - Greek Islands -
 


Wilko

LUZZING chairs about
Sep 19, 2003
9,929
BN1
Hi Thailand experts. So, could any of you give me some advice, I am looking at jobs in any of the following areas. Does anyone know of these places which are nice, which are to avoid etc?

1) Hat Yai
2) Songkhla
3) Phattalung
4) Nakhon Sri Thammarat
5) Trang
6) Ranong
7) Surat Thani
8) Satun
 


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