Another F'in SE Asia thread!

ladiesman216

First off I’ll apologise for the length of the post and the questions but I will defend myself by saying that I did read all the threads relating to SE Asia up as far as page 55 before I wrote this post in a bid to stop repetitive posting (which, after reading 150 odd threads, is unbelievably common)


Ok here it goes…

All I know is that myself and a friend will be heading to SE Asia in June and then possibly on to New Zealand for the world cup. No solid plans, hope to have about 20K with me.

Flights
Based on the fact that we’ll probably head for the popular islands should we fly to Bangkok of Kuala Lumpur? And if we don’t have any set plans should we just buy a one way ticket?

Visa
Is the best bet to get a 90 day visa for Thailand before leaving here?

Travel insurance
No one really seems to know much but I think I’ll go with ACE. Anyone disagree?

Money
Travellers checks seem to be the safest option, that and just suck up the charge on the ATM card.
Has anyone ever lost their ATM card over there? Are you proper fcuked if you do?

Clothes
Can anyone recommend somewhere reliable that I can get some really good suits made and shipped home? (from research Vietnam seems to be better for this )

dearg lady

ladiesman216 wrote: »

Based on the fact that we’ll probably head for the popular islands should we fly to Bangkok of Kuala Lumpur? And if we don’t have any set plans should we just buy a one way ticket?[/FONT]

Is there anywhere else you're heading or just the islands? Which islands are you planning to go to?

ladiesman216 wrote: »

Visa
Is the best bet to get a 90 day visa for Thailand before leaving here?

If you have a flight booked back out within 30 days this isn't necessary.
If you don't have a flight booked, it's unlikely to be a problem, I've never been asked (YET!) for proof of onward travel in Thailand.
If you plan to stay longer than 30 days and don't want to have to make a visa run, then yes, a 90 day visa would make sense.

ladiesman216 wrote: »

Money
Travellers checks seem to be the safest option, that and just suck up the charge on the ATM card.
Has anyone ever lost their ATM card over there? Are you proper fcuked if you do?

I've always used my credit card to withdra cash, as in load money on to my credit card, €500 at a time, then withdraw as needed. have never sued travellers cheques, so don't know how useful they are.

ladiesman216 wrote: »

Clothes
Can anyone recommend somewhere reliable that I can get some really good suits made and shipped home? (from research Vietnam seems to be better for this )

there's a lot on Bangkok, and Hoi An in Viet nam is well known for tailors, there's so many of them!

Jesper

Hey,
I'm in Chiang Mai north Thailand at the moment Been here a month but I've also been to the philippines, laos, cambodia, vietnam and the south islands before coming up here.

Ok firstly 20 would last you 2 yrs in Thailand as long as you live of it and not treat it just as a holiday fund.
KL is a massive transport flight hub for Asia followed by Singapore and then Bangkok. If your going to the south islands though fly into BK as you'll get a 30 day visa on arrival.
Buy a one way ticket. Air Asia is the Ryanair of Asia. Also very good for offers. In the last 2 days I'm after booking return flights to Myanmar(Burma) for 100E with bags. Also One way from BK to Delhi for 100e including meal and luggage (plan is to go to Nepal to trek)).
Visa's for Thailad are 60 days and u pay another 50e if you want the last 30. THERE FREE UNTIL NEAR THE END OF MARCH. GET IT NOW BECAUSE THE 90 DAYS ONLY START ONCE YOU CROSS THE BORDER. If you flew into Malasyia etc. u can get a Thai visa in a day or 3 before going in if you need more than 30 days.
I am using World Nomands travel insurance. Thankfully haven't needed it yet but i know of a woman here who had a motor bike accident and she can't speak highly enough of the service she got. Sore leg so even flying back to america on first class for the leg room.
Travellers cheques... what. Just use your ATM card and take out a fair bit when you are taking out money. if travelling with friends take turns taking out money and share it.
Hoi An in Vietnam for the suits. Class place as well.

Just give me a shout if you need any more advice.

Try and get time to visit Laos. Go tubing in Vang Vieng.

20K with me.[/FONT][/SIZE]

Flights
Based on the fact that we’ll probably head for the popular islands should we fly to Bangkok of Kuala Lumpur? And if we don’t have any set plans should we just buy a one way ticket?

Visa
Is the best bet to get a 90 day visa for Thailand before leaving here?

Travel insurance
No one really seems to know much but I think I’ll go with ACE. Anyone disagree?

Money
Travellers checks seem to be the safest option, that and just suck up the charge on the ATM card.
Has anyone ever lost their ATM card over there? Are you proper fcuked if you do?

Clothes
Can anyone recommend somewhere reliable that I can get some really good suits made and shipped home? (from research Vietnam seems to be better for this )[/QUOTE]

Wudyaquit

ladiesman216 wrote: »

Based on the fact that we’ll probably head for the popular islands should we fly to Bangkok of Kuala Lumpur?

Assuming you mean the popular Thai islands, you should go to Bangkok - there are buses, trains and vans leaving for Surat Thani every hour from bangkok and it's a better place to get more concrete plans on where to head. if you're heading for Langkawi or Penang, they're both kind of out of the way (so once you go there, there's nowhere else any way close to go to), and geared more towards holiday makers and honeymooners.

ladiesman216 wrote: »

And if we don’t have any set plans should we just buy a one way ticket?

Imo definitely yes. It's obviously cheaper to get a return ticket but your plans are guaranteed to change over the months. Having a ticket, even with a movable date, restricts you so much. For the extra 200/300 you might pay, you'll end up losing a good bit of that by having to get back to BKK / KL on your way back. It's more than worth it for the freedom it gives you.

ladiesman216 wrote: »

Is the best bet to get a 90 day visa for Thailand before leaving here

Wouldn't bother me arse if I were you unless you're planning to stay a long time. Tip to the border if ya want to. If you overstay they just charge you a couple of hundred baht per day. Can't remember how much exactly.

ladiesman216 wrote: »

No one really seems to know much but I think I’ll go with ACE. Anyone disagree

Someone told me that no multi-trip travel insurance covers you beyond 30 days out of Ireland. Maybe someone else can confirm that - never heard it before so could be a load of dung.
There's a thing in the Indo every thursday i think comparing the prices of different financial products out there including travel insurance.

ladiesman216 wrote: »

Travellers checks seem to be the safest option, that and just suck up the charge on the ATM card. Has anyone ever lost their ATM card over there? Are you proper fcuked if you do?

Bring 2 ATM cards if you can - a credit card and a bank card that you can stash away in your baggage. It's worth setting up a new bank account for the purposes of the second bank card, as it can take a week waiting about for a new card to be sent to your home and then for them to send it on.
Never met anyone with their own teeth who used travellers cheques.

Your text formatting is seriously annoying btw

ladiesman216

Thanks for replying guys, appreciate it. And i dont know what was going on with the font, sorry.