Thailand

JB81

Hi All

Heading to Thailand ( Phuket and Phi Phi ) in a few weeks, and was looking some advise from people who have been there. We are going for 2 weeks. What have people done in relation to spending money. We dont want to carry around too much cash, but dont want to be using our laser cards all the time ( and is there even plenty of ATM's ) as we will be charged for taking out the money every time. What have people done before? Any advise would be great.
Also in relation to use of a phone and for internet, how have people got around the savage roaming costs of say Vodafone? calls and texts from abroad? Again all advise for a first timer would be great

Thanks in Advance

Regards
JB

orac53

There are ATMs everywhere. They usually charge 150 (€3.75) baht per withdrawal plus you own bank will add a few euros
as well. Best to avoid withdrawing small amounts.

If your phone is unlocked you can buy a sim card with credit locally.

If you have a smartphone use Viber or Skype apps for calls home. There is free wifi available in most hotels and restaurants.

Enjoy your trip.

The Davestator

AIB will only allow 100 euro withdrawals per day so you may need to bring cash for trips etc as not all take cards

geecee

The Davestator wrote: »

AIB will only allow 100 euro withdrawals per day so you may need to bring cash for trips etc as not all take cards

AIB have thankfully withdrawn this stupid limit and reverted it back to €250 per day again

Nody

Bring cash and change it once you're in Thailand; the exchange rate will be much better then if you do it from here excluding the airports (but make sure it's at a real exchange station, you'll notice them quite easily). As for trips, there are plenty of islands you can go to, massage etc. but as you're in a tourist area expect to pay accordingly. Also strongly recommended is to look up getting suits/shirts/dresses etc. done by a tailor (you want to visit one early on to givfe you plenty of time for modifications) and as always haggle, haggle, haggle.

lisij

hey People, apologies to OP for asking my question here, dont wanted to start a new thread
anyways, im planing a trip to Thailand, somewhere in March, start of April for 2-3 weeks, im going there with my wife, mostly for relaxing and enjoying the sunny beaches, i read some where that April 13 i think is the new year in Thailand, is it ok to go at that time there or it will be to much crowds in there, like i said we would want more enjoying/relaxed trip instead of going out to much or hang out in the pubs.. Also could anyone recommend any quiet/low tourist spots in Thailand ? (it could be more than one city) and is it better to fly to Bangkok and take a bus to desired city, or take a flight straight to city where we want to stay? thank you and much appreciated

The Davestator

geecee wrote: »

AIB have thankfully withdrawn this stupid limit and reverted it back to €250 per day again

I'm in Thailand at the moment and it's 100 per day as they told me. Could be different for some but check it out.

geecee

The Davestator wrote: »

I'm in Thailand at the moment and it's 100 per day as they told me. Could be different for some but check it out.

I withdrew 250€ on my laser on both Thursday and Friday in Thailand without any problems... Only issue was a call from AIB to verify the transactions


Lisij:
The Thai New Year (Songkran) is one of the busiest times of the year to go in terms of hotels and transporation being sold out.

It is also the water festival... so expect to get wet with water fights starting from approx April 11th-20th (depending on the part of Thailand you are in)

Songkran is a real "love it or hate it" festival...If you don't fancy the mayhem of Songkran i suggest you leave before the 11th

Gatica

If you're mostly going to fancier restaurants and staying at good hotels, you'll be able to use your credit card, which I personally find more convenient and cheaper. Most allow you to put tips on the card as well.
You will need small cash for tipping other staff though. We stayed at Phi Phi Island Village Resort and everything went onto our room bill, so didn't bother carrying cash around except a couple of small notes for tipping. These resorts are very expensive though compared to the rest of Thailand. Where we were was quite isolated from the rest of the island but we were on honeymoon and just enjoyed chilling out near the pool or the beach. It's great for 4 days, wouldn't want to do more though.
We withdrew cash from a credit card (after putting money into it at home though), which costs less than withdrawing from laser card. They still charge you the flat rate at ATMs though. In the states I withdrew the money from a bank directly, which does not charge this commission. Didn't try that in Thailand, but I'm guessing it could also work there.

Alidilly

Hi everyone.

Sorry for posting on this thread but this is my first time using this and wasn't sure how to start a new trend.

My friends and I are planning on going to Thailand in the summer for roughly 4 weeks.

My problem is that I have a very very bad fear of dogs and I've heard there's a serious problem with stray dogs in Thailand.

For those who have been there, is this mainly just in bangkok or are there just as plentiful on the islands/beaches etc? Would they approch you?

I hate to miss out on experience like this because of a fear but I dont want to be in a situation where I'm afraid to leave my accomodation!

Any help or advice at all would be greatly appreciated as I had planned on booking the flights over soon.

Thank you!:)

ulinbac

Can anyone recommend a travel agent to do 4-6 weeks in Thailand?

Thanks

duffman13

Alidilly wrote: »

Hi everyone.

Sorry for posting on this thread but this is my first time using this and wasn't sure how to start a new trend.

My friends and I are planning on going to Thailand in the summer for roughly 4 weeks.

My problem is that I have a very very bad fear of dogs and I've heard there's a serious problem with stray dogs in Thailand.

For those who have been there, is this mainly just in bangkok or are there just as plentiful on the islands/beaches etc? Would they approch you?

I hate to miss out on experience like this because of a fear but I dont want to be in a situation where I'm afraid to leave my accomodation!

Any help or advice at all would be greatly appreciated as I had planned on booking the flights over soon.

Thank you!:)

Ive been twice and only seen a few stray dogs on koh phangan and even then they were queit relaxed and didnt really approach anybody. Wouldnt let it worry you being honest, your likely to see 2 or 3 but they wont approach you

T-K-O

Alidilly wrote: »

Hi everyone.

Sorry for posting on this thread but this is my first time using this and wasn't sure how to start a new trend.

My friends and I are planning on going to Thailand in the summer for roughly 4 weeks.

My problem is that I have a very very bad fear of dogs and I've heard there's a serious problem with stray dogs in Thailand.

For those who have been there, is this mainly just in bangkok or are there just as plentiful on the islands/beaches etc? Would they approch you?

I hate to miss out on experience like this because of a fear but I dont want to be in a situation where I'm afraid to leave my accomodation!

Any help or advice at all would be greatly appreciated as I had planned on booking the flights over soon.

Thank you!:)

I was just there a few months ago, Bangkok and various islands. I did not see a single dog in bangkok and only one on the islands.

No need to worry enjoy the experience

T-K-O

ulinbac wrote: »

Can anyone recommend a travel agent to do 4-6 weeks in Thailand?

Thanks

The internet!

Booking.com is great for hotels.

Alidilly

Thank you!:) That's such a relief! reading stuff on the internet was making it seem so much worse!

chopper6

The dogs,though mangy arent really agressive...it's far too hot for them to do anything but mope around.

Do NOT pet or feed them though and cover your feet on beaches where dogs roam as they can transmit hookworm through cracks in the skin.

anto9

Alidilly wrote: »

Hi everyone.

Sorry for posting on this thread but this is my first time using this and wasn't sure how to start a new trend.

My friends and I are planning on going to Thailand in the summer for roughly 4 weeks.

My problem is that I have a very very bad fear of dogs and I've heard there's a serious problem with stray dogs in Thailand.

For those who have been there, is this mainly just in bangkok or are there just as plentiful on the islands/beaches etc? Would they approch you?

I hate to miss out on experience like this because of a fear but I dont want to be in a situation where I'm afraid to leave my accomodation!

Any help or advice at all would be greatly appreciated as I had planned on booking the flights over soon.

Thank you!:)

As stated the street dogs are sleepy ,and not agressive .The poster who said that they did not see one street dog in Bangkok ,has nevery been in Bangkok.The whole of Thailand has many many street dogs due to the Thais Buddhist beliefs.They will not put down a street dog as they believe in reincarnation.

T-K-O

Are you for real.

That was my third time in Bangkok and No I do not recall any dogs

anto9

T-K-O wrote: »

Are you for real.

That was my third time in Bangkok and No I do not recall any dogs

>>I DO NOT RECALL << You must have been going around with your eyes closed then .

Stinicker

anto9 wrote: »

>>I DO NOT RECALL << You must have been going around with your eyes closed then .

Too true, I got bitten in Thailand on my first trip there ironically not by a dog but by a cat and it involved a trip to Hospital to get the emergency Post Exposure Rabies Vaccine. There is lots of dogs in Thailand and us westerners in our flip flops and shorts don't stand a chance if they bite.

Another Military Coup out there at the moment, more shenanigans and fun and games and I wouldn't get too worried by it considering all the corruption there.

T-K-O

anto9 wrote: »

>>I DO NOT RECALL << You must have been going around with your eyes closed then .

Eyes wide shut. :rolleyes:

anto9

Stinicker wrote: »

Too true, I got bitten in Thailand on my first trip there ironically not by a dog but by a cat and it involved a trip to Hospital to get the emergency Post Exposure Rabies Vaccine. There is lots of dogs in Thailand and us westerners in our flip flops and shorts don't stand a chance if they bite.

Another Military Coup out there at the moment, more shenanigans and fun and games and I wouldn't get too worried by it considering all the corruption there.

I live over here in Th. I got bitten myself by a dog here last week for the first time in 10 years .Had to get the shots as well .Its very unusual though as they are usually very plasid and sleepy with the heat.
Where i did meet very aggressive dogs ,was last month in Savanaket ,South Laos .I though i was going to be attacked by a pack of them till the owner of one fortunately called them back .

chopper6

anto9 wrote: »

I live over here in Th. I got bitten myself by a dog here last week for the first time in 10 years .Had to get the shots as well .Its very unusual though as they are usually very plasid and sleepy with the heat.
Where i did meet very aggressive dogs ,was last month in Savanaket ,South Laos .I though i was going to be attacked by a pack of them till the owner of one fortunately called them back .

I went to the 7/11 on koh samet about 4am and kind got lost on my way back..i took a wrong turn up a laneway and suddenly found myself sorrounded by snarling,hissing dogs..i was literally inches away from being mauled.

These are the same dogs that mope around the beach during the day bumming scraps off people but they are actually wild..they are dangerous at night especially.

For what it's worth..if you *do* encounter a hostile dog DO NOT RUN,animal instinct is to chase prey.

Stare them right in the eye and rush towards them..they will back off...then get out of there,walk backwards if you're lost or forward if you arent..be assertive even though you might be crapping yourself but do not take your eyes off the dog/dogs.