Australia Via Thailand

MightyMurvin

Hi, Myself and a friend of mine are looking to head off on a working holiday to Australia, leaving at the start of October, visiting Thailand for a bit first but I have no real plan, which I'm a bit sceptical about as I like to know exactly where I'm going and what I'm doing.

The only thing in Thailand we want to go to is the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan.

Based on information from a friend of mine I don't need a plan as we he went out to Oz via Thailand and Cambodia he didn't have a plan either, and he had a blast.

So based on his info my half plan is:
-Get the holiday visa for Oz
-Book flights to Oz via Thailand, 1 year Open Ticket. Ireland - Bangkok - Oz - Bangkok - Ireland
-Buy a lonely planet travel guide to Thailand, i already have one for all south east Asia but don't think i'll bother with anything other than Thailand, so may have to get a Thailand one.
-When i get to Bangkok get a taxi to Khaosan Road(Which shouldn't cost anything more than €8 or the equivalent in Baht) as this is the main back packers area and you'll find accommodation fairly easily, and maybe hook up with other travellers.
-Stay a few days in Bangkok.
-Head to Koh Phangan for the full moon party
-Head back to Bangkok or maybe some other of Thailand, Phuket or Pataya
-Head to Oz
-Find Hostel for a few nights.
-Find accommodation
-Find job
-Have fun

-How easy is it, for a travel virgin like myself, travelling around Thailand to all these different places. Bangkok, Phuket, Pataya, Koh Phangan considering I've only ever been on package holidays.
-Should I be looking at going by bus, train or air.
-Are internal flights easy to come by as i think ill need one to get to Koh Phangan, I've heard Air Asia is there Ryan Air equivalent and offer the best option.
-Should i book these through a travel agent over there or via the airline website or go to the airport and wait for flights.
-I don't trust Internet Café's here and would prefer to avoid them over there and maybe pick up a free wifi area in a hotel to use my laptop in, if I were to book on-line.
-On that point, should I bring my a laptop since I'm gone for the year, I'd like to as I think I'd be lost without it.
-Is there a big language barrier when dealing with the locals, i don't want to come across as the ignorant tourist but don't thing I'd be able to learn Thai.

Sue85

Hi, Myself and a friend of mine spent one month travelling around thailand last september.
- Most thai's can speak relativley good english
- There is a bus from the airport to kosan rd its only about €2
- Best place to stay on kosan rd is D&D hotel ( when you walk from the bus its about half way down the street on the right) its €14 per nite for a double room ( single will be cheaper) its clean, has a roof top pool and fresh fruit breakfast and cereal is included.
- Right next door to D&D is the travel agent we used to book our boats and flights . ( we took a two day tour up to the river kwai, elephant trekking and tiger temple) this cost €60 each - the hotel was fantastic and meals were included, and all travel was included.
- We also used a travel agent in Kho pangan ( next to green bungalows- where we stayed - wud recommend)

To be honest most of the people we met were travelling on there own and they had no problems.

MightyMurvin

Cool Thanks for the feed back

Lovethinking

Hi Folks, I just booked my flights for Oct 24th to Thailand then on to OZ on November 23rd.
I'm gonna book Koh Panghan through facebook (my bro did it before). Let me know if ye want the contacts.
I have heard that it will be rainy season, but worst case is that we get rain for a week.... no problem if we've got a good group together we'll still have fun:).

byrner51

hi love thinking im headin to thailand on the 9th of october and staying for 3 weeks going to new zealand and australia then.
could you send me the details of that facebook page please thanks
also have a look here and let me know what you think im quite worried after reading it!
http://tmb.exodus.ie/exodus/news.asp?title=Dengue-deaths-reported-from-Thailand-bringing-total-for-2010-to-70&id=179133

that website also names the injections you need to get and the clinics located around ireland that do them