Thailand Queries

Pandoras Twist

Hi All,

I'm heading to thailand for 28 days (July-Aug) and I have a few questions I haven't found answers for in the other threads. I will be starting in Bangkok, going north to Chiang Mai, then down to Phuket/Phi Phi and then Kho Tao for diving, Kho Pha Ngan and then home.

1. Cash
What is the best way to carry cash over there. Should I bring over some baht for the first few days and then just make ATM withdrawals as I need? I have a student account with AIB but I can't find too much information about the transaction costs/atm costs. One of the other threads suggested setting up a bank account in Thailand. Would you need to be staying at a hotel longer than one night in order to open it? Should you close it again when you leave to avoid any annual charges there might be?

2. Mosquitos
Whenever I have travelled before I've been fairly devoured by mosquitoes. Should I invest in a pop up mosquito net for sleeping under ( I will be staying in hostels/cheap enough hotels)? Is there a recommended mosquito spray?

3. Packing
What would be a reasonable sized backpack to bring. I was thinking 55-60 litre? Also, could I just buy a cheap suitcase to get everything over there and just buy a backpack in Thailand? They seem to be around 150 euro for the type I would like here.

Unfortunately I'm being a bit female and bringing a hairdrier and a straightener. Other than that I'm just bringing a few tops, a few pair of shorts, 2 light cardigans, a pair of linen trousers and a large scarf. I will buy a pair of light runners for walking in during the week. Is there anything else I should bring clothes wise?

4. Accomodation
So far we have booked our accommodation for the full moon party and our first night in Bankok through Booking.com and found the prices to be quite reasonable. For the rest of our journey is it better to walk around and check out hostels/hotels or might we be better off just booking through the internet?

Thanks!

jadie

Hi, you won't be able to get baht over here so just use your ATM card, the charges aren't too bad. You could bring over some US dollars with you, handy for changing.

Most (cheap) places have mosquito nets so just use a spray or cream and you can get those mosquito coils very cheaply over there.

A 55l rucksack seems a lot for 28 days, a 40l one would be a better bet and a small rucksack for during the day if you wish. I wouldn't dream of packing a hair dryer/starightener personally, it will be so hot and humid your hair will dry really quickly anyway plus its the rainy season over there then.

cooperguy

I was there with my girlfriend last year. Trust me, the hairdryer/straightener wont be used! Leave it at home, save lugging it around for the month.

Take out your money in relatively large amounts from the ATM cause the fees can be high enough. Booking your hotels when you arrive will save you money but you should probably book the days round the full moon AND the following Islands you go to before you leave Ireland (especially if you are doing diving after the full moon) as the Islands will be very busy at that time.

koeln

Bangkok Bank atms in Shopping Malls are the best options. Max withdrawal 25k Baht.
SCM Bank Max withdrawal 20k.