Last minute trip to Thailand - any recommendations?

industrialhorse

Heading at the end of next week so I need advice on things like vaccinations, places to avoid, do's and dont's etc

gramar

A woman is not always what it seems.

Chorcai

You'll be considered a walking ATM

industrialhorse

Chorcai wrote: »

You'll be considered a walking ATM

The Irish government considers every resident to be a walking ATM!!

folan

see the travel forums.

check your regions for curfews.

what vacinations have you got? theres a few you should have, required a little before you go. Also, parts of thailand are malaria spots, so could be an issue.

dont go to the sky bar in bangkok, but everything else around there was great. if you get a taxi, ensure they run the meter. Tuk tuks are rarely the bargin they say they are. The temples are amazing and beautiful, but wear long pants and cover shoulders. the street food is fine once its being cooked infront of you. if you like swimming, i recommend going to Tao and going snorkling.

Vojera

Be aware of the current activities of the Thai military: Irish Department of Foreign Affairs advice

biko

industrialhorse wrote: »

Heading at the end of next week so I need advice on things like vaccinations, places to avoid, do's and dont's etc

Do - go to Thailand
Don't - not go to Thailand.
Avoid - other places than Thailand.

industrialhorse

folan wrote: »

see the travel forums.

what vacinations have you got? theres a few you should have, required a little before you go. Also, parts of thailand are malaria spots, so could be an issue.

Thanks Folan. I cant remember the last time I actually got anything injected into me. I used to give blood but in regards to vaccinations I have done my best to avoid them for the last 5 years or so for personal reasons.

If I do have to get any shots from the GP or clinic before I head over, do you know what the cost would be? I'd prefer to keep the extra euros for spending over there:)

Jonny Blaze

I recommend you donate your ticket to the Jonny Blaze travel trust.

RoyalMarine

1. Don't do drugs. EVER.

2. When you go out, only bring the essentials. Small cash, cheap phone and a condom..... (You may get robbed / spiked and robbed..)

3. When you buy stuff, haggle. It's great fun.

4. Try to learn some of their language... Even if it's just a greeting or some numbers or the name of some foods and stuff.

5. Your a visitor to their country. Don't be a typical Irish tourist who gets drunk and acts like a fool. Trust me, there's plenty of those over there already.

6. If your going to "rent" a girl for the night....
Check if she's 18... I mean, REALLY FÚCKING CHECK. You could end up in prison for that... A lot of Thai girls look young and it is hard to tell.

7. Shop around for a hotel. My first time there we went to Pattaya. Found an apartment in a high rise, and it was average. Checked in, went for a walk, found a gorgeous smaller apartment block 200m down the road. Moved our stuff over 10 minutes later. It was amazing. Cheap. Cleaner and an outdoor swimming pool

sabat

Don't go to Samui or Pha Nang-you might as well be in Santa Ponsa.
When quoted a non-fixed price, pay 50% of the first figure asked.
Don't tell a local it's your first visit when they ask, it makes you a target for scams.
Clothes shopping is ok-ish for Western men but the tailored stuff is incredible value. Dont skimp on price though- go to a tailor on Sukhimvit Rd near Nana skytrain and pay a minimum thb1000 for a shirt. Don't go to any place with touts or in a shopping centre

industrialhorse

RoyalMarine wrote: »

1. Don't do drugs. EVER.

2. When you go out, only bring the essentials. Small cash, cheap phone and a condom..... (You may get robbed / spiked and robbed..)

3. When you buy stuff, haggle. It's great fun.

4. Try to learn some of their language... Even if it's just a greeting or some numbers or the name of some foods and stuff.

5. Your a visitor to their country. Don't be a typical Irish tourist who gets drunk and acts like a fool. Trust me, there's plenty of those over there already.

6. If your going to "rent" a girl for the night....
Check if she's 18... I mean, REALLY FÚCKING CHECK. You could end up in prison for that... A lot of Thai girls look young and it is hard to tell.

7. Shop around for a hotel. My first time there we went to Pattaya. Found an apartment in a high rise, and it was average. Checked in, went for a walk, found a gorgeous smaller apartment block 200m down the road. Moved our stuff over 10 minutes later. It was amazing. Cheap. Cleaner and an outdoor swimming pool

Sounds like you are speaking from experience so I will defo take everything you mentioned into consideration.......especially number 6;)

desultory

RoyalMarine wrote: »

1. Don't do drugs. EVER.

2. When you go out, only bring the essentials. Small cash, cheap phone and a condom..... (You may get robbed / spiked and robbed..)

3. When you buy stuff, haggle. It's great fun.

4. Try to learn some of their language... Even if it's just a greeting or some numbers or the name of some foods and stuff.

5. Your a visitor to their country. Don't be a typical Irish tourist who gets drunk and acts like a fool. Trust me, there's plenty of those over there already.

6. If your going to "rent" a girl for the night....
Check if she's 18... I mean, REALLY FÚCKING CHECK. You could end up in prison for that... A lot of Thai girls look young and it is hard to tell.

7. Shop around for a hotel. My first time there we went to Pattaya. Found an apartment in a high rise, and it was average. Checked in, went for a walk, found a gorgeous smaller apartment block 200m down the road. Moved our stuff over 10 minutes later. It was amazing. Cheap. Cleaner and an outdoor swimming pool

That is surprisingly great advice. Who knew you'd get some on AH with a random thread?

wretcheddomain

When you get to the airport in Thailand, fly out and go to an unknown place called Birmingham. You won't regret it.

stoneill

The great and glorious Twink has all the advice you need:
Zip up your mickey.

folan

industrialhorse wrote: »

If I do have to get any shots from the GP or clinic before I head over, do you know what the cost would be? I'd prefer to keep the extra euros for spending over there:)

when i went i got a few that i didnt exactly "need" for Thailand, so my full bill came to something around 200 euro, but that could be brought down. but i cant tell you what they were or individual prices.

beano345

Stay away from the buckets

industrialhorse

beano345 wrote: »

Stay away from the buckets

Why so?

industrialhorse

industrialhorse wrote: »

Why so?

You'll end up very drunk!

Soups123

Buy the buckets, they'll get you drunk

folan

Deleted User wrote: »

You'll end up very drunk!

or in my case, very very drunk and violently ill.

thats not thailands fault though. totally taking the blame for that myself

folan

oh, yeah, and by the way, invest in suncream. lots and lots of it. And after sun. And aloe vera.

industrialhorse

Its not my plan to go to Thailand just to get f*cked up but I'm sure there is a time and place for sipping from a bucket.....and Thailand seems to be that time and place:pac:

folan

my highlights were scuba diving in Tao and the walk in the mountains at Chang Mai.

upinthesky

RoyalMarine wrote: »

6. If your going to "rent" a girl for the night....
Check if she's 18...

And remember, she doesn't really want sex but she has to for the money, and she has probably being doing this since she was a child..

industrialhorse

lisar816 wrote: »

And remember, she doesn't really want sex but she has to for the money, and she has probably being doing this since she was a child..

I think the same goes for most hookers and some p*rnstars

folan

lisar816 wrote: »

And remember, she doesn't really want sex but she has to for the money, and she has probably being doing this since she was a child..

also, contrary to popular opinion, prostitution is NOT entirely legal in Thailand (its not exactly illegal either and is more tolerated than anything) and is not regulated in any real way. so you can usually safely assume that either the above is true or worse.

bangkok

industrialhorse wrote: »

Heading at the end of next week so I need advice on things like vaccinations, places to avoid, do's and dont's etc

did you recently just book your flight and if so how much did you pay if you don't mind me asking?

whisky_galore

Don't buy gemstones at a knock down price on the recommendation of a tuk-tuk driver.

Leave your dvd of The King And I at home....they don't seem to like that for some reason.

suicide_circus

The Ping pong shows are grim

BeerWolf

Be wary of 'women' there. Seriously, it's next to impossible to tell with a lot of them... they're really convincing looking.



Seriously though, refrain from being alone at any time - crime rate against tourists is pretty high, and they can be dangerous with intent to kill...

Beano

1. Do avoid taxi touts at bangkok airport. use the public taxi rank one level down from arrivals. They make a note of the taxi number and where you are heading to. Helpful if the taxi driver tries to rip up off
2. Do prebook a taxi to take you to your hotel if travelling to Phuket. Do not wait until you get there. the taxi drivers there WILL rip you off.
3. If going to a strip show or other similar establishment make sure you get an updated bill that includes the prices after every drink. Do not wait until you are leaving to get the bill.
4. NEVER go to an upstairs strip show. Particularly in Patpong. You will be ripped off.
5. never let a tout take you to a strip show. YOU will end up with their fee added to your bill
6. Learn some basic thai. Hello - sawadee khrap (pronounced suddy klap) if you're a bloke. sawadee if you're female. No thank you - mai khrap (my klap). you will be saying this a lot.
7. If going to Phuket ignore the farang touts on the mopeds with the scratchcards. Its a ruse to get to go to a hard-sell timeshare presentation.
8. You are a farang (pronounced falang). It means foreigner. Get used to hearing it. Its not an insult.
9. Dont bother with the bowing. you will only do it wrong.
10. You are a walking ATM. somebody said this earlier but its worth repeating.
11. If you see a beggar give them 20 baht (50c). It means they eat that day.
12. The department of foreign affairs website is out of date and makes it seem more dangerous than it is. Its probably the safest its been in a long time.

there is probably loads more. If i think of more later i'll post them

Beano

BeerWolf wrote: »

Be wary of 'women' there. Seriously, it's next to impossible to tell with a lot of them... they're really convincing looking.

Its very easy to tell. If they are really attractive and make you harder than you have been in months then they are a katoey (ladyboy).

BeerWolf wrote: »

Seriously though, refrain from being alone at any time - crime rate against tourists is pretty high, and they can be dangerous with intent to kill...

I can honestly say i have never felt or been threatened. Just be sensible and avoid confrontations with locals.

I forgot one earlier. DO NOT DO ANYTHING INVOLVED WITH DRUGS.

folan

Beano wrote: »

I can honestly say i have never felt or been threatened. Just be sensible and avoid confrontations with locals.

seconded

Beano

This page sums up the crime situation pretty well and fits with my own experiences

https://www.osac.gov/pages/contentreportdetails.aspx?cid=12189

whisky_galore

Beano wrote: »

Its very easy to tell. If they are really attractive and make you harder than you have been in months then they are a katoey (ladyboy).

Thai girls are normally quite petite, hard to hide the height of the larger 'lady'.

industrialhorse

Thanks everybody for your input. I can honestly tell you that I am a decent bloke who doesn't touch drugs or get foolishly drunk and at this point you may be thinking why the hell is he bothering with Thailand then but like most others, its just one of those places you gotta see at least once in your lifetime and I need a decent holiday asap so no time like the present:)

bangkok

thailand is one of the safest places you will ever visit. I feel safer there walking down the street at 3am than I would in Dublin at 3pm!!

folan

enjoy it lad, its a lovely country with lovely people. hope it doesnt rain too much for you

industrialhorse

bangkok wrote: »

did you recently just book your flight and if so how much did you pay if you don't mind me asking?

Havent booked yet

fuzzle

steer clear of Patong Beach, Pattaya and pretty much most of Phuket. they're DUMPS full of middle aged fat baldy british lads who have "wives" there... the stuff you see is horrible - ladyboys getting pushed around, women getting treated awfully and big burly english blokes starting fights in the streets a lot.

Stick to Koh Phangnan for the full moon parties, and then hit up Koh Phi Phi and Krabi for the sunshine...

roro1990

Thailand is a brilliant country and absolutely grand to travel around on your tod in. Went by myself last October and will be back again this October for another 3 week trip. It's amazing, enjoy it. I guarantee you will want to return!

Beano

fuzzle wrote: »

steer clear of Patong Beach, Pattaya and pretty much most of Phuket. they're DUMPS full of middle aged fat baldy british lads who have "wives" there... the stuff you see is horrible - ladyboys getting pushed around, women getting treated awfully and big burly english blokes starting fights in the streets a lot.

Stick to Koh Phangnan for the full moon parties, and then hit up Koh Phi Phi and Krabi for the sunshine...

I think you are overstating it a little. I've no experience of Pattaya but that doesnt go on in phuket.

BeerWolf

fuzzle wrote: »

steer clear of Patong Beach, Pattaya and pretty much most of Phuket. they're DUMPS full of middle aged fat baldy british lads who have "wives" there... the stuff you see is horrible - ladyboys getting pushed around, women getting treated awfully and big burly english blokes starting fights in the streets a lot.

Stick to Koh Phangnan for the full moon parties, and then hit up Koh Phi Phi and Krabi for the sunshine...

I've been to Phuket a few times, can't say I had any troubles there - granted, it was like... 15 years ago the last time - much could've changed then! :pac:

desultory

fuzzle wrote: »

steer clear of Patong Beach, Pattaya and pretty much most of Phuket. they're DUMPS full of middle aged fat baldy british lads who have "wives" there... the stuff you see is horrible - ladyboys getting pushed around, women getting treated awfully and big burly english blokes starting fights in the streets a lot.

Stick to Koh Phangnan for the full moon parties, and then hit up Koh Phi Phi and Krabi for the sunshine...

fairly harsh, you might have seen that happening but it's not a regular occurrence whatsoever in any of those places.

fuzzle

maybe i was just unlucky - granted, all this was going on in lovely surroundings!!

would definitely reccommend Krabi and Phi Phi islands too. they were my favourites...

Koh Phangnan is nice too - but busier - and more for partying than the other places.

oh, and dont forget to drink loads of buckets!!

on Koh Phangnan they have a place called Mushroom Mountain (at the top of Haad rin beach) which sells spliffs at the bar for about a tenner a pop, and mushroom milkshakes. just DONT bring any of it outside of the bar or you could end up in the slammer.

Cienciano

My advice is if you're the agressive type, make sure you can control it and never get into a fight or heated argument with a local. Never, no matter what. No matter how drunk you get and no matter what happens, never hit a local.
It might seem obvious, and you might have never been in a fight in your life, but you could also be the type of person who regularly gets in fights. Don't do it in thailand. And if they hit you first (never heard of that happening), walk away, fast.

And that girl that seems to really like you and isn't like any of the other girls, she has a good job and doesn't want your money? She wants your money and she doesn't love you.

It's actually a very safe place imho. Although I can't speak for Pattaya, I never have, and never will go there.

sabat

Cienciano wrote: »

My advice is if you're the agressive type, make sure you can control it and never get into a fight or heated argument with a local. Never, no matter what. No matter how drunk you get and no matter what happens, never hit a local.

Excellent advice; there'd be 20 Thai guys milling into you in seconds.

whisky_galore

Cienciano wrote: »

My advice is if you're the agressive type, make sure you can control it and never get into a fight or heated argument with a local.

Asians are all about 'saving face', i.e. bottling it up rather than throwing a wobbler, it would want to be something REALLY serious to get one of them going.

Likewise if you're robbed, it's either pickpocketing that you'd never notice until you look for your wallet or through your own stupidity or gullibility. Crime very rarely gets violent.

industrialhorse

I'm a very easy going guy and although very opinionated, I never get aggressive with anyone whether drunk or sober. I'd say i'll get along famously with the locals:cool:

jimmyneo1

Cienciano wrote: »

My advice is if you're the aggressive type, make sure you can control it and never get into a fight or heated argument with a local. Never, no matter what. No matter how drunk you get and no matter what happens, never hit a local.
It might seem obvious, and you might have never been in a fight in your life, but you could also be the type of person who regularly gets in fights. Don't do it in thailand. And if they hit you first (never heard of that happening), walk away, fast.


Yep, 100% agree with the above. Having been there 3 times in the last 10 years and travelled all the country I always had a brilliant time, great people, great experiences.

However…., anytime I saw a fight between a westerner and a local, it was usually over in minutes with the westerner being battered by every surrounding Thai guy. They aren't aggressive people, but it's never NEVER just one on one.

Usually it’s over being too drunk or a stupid argument or over money.
Definitively be assertive and stand up for yourself if being ripped off or intimidated but never raise your hands. Just walk away.
I got in an argument over a Jet Ski there when I was 21, was during the day on the beach, I was stone cold sober, but being accused of being drunk and was being ripped off over time limits using the equipment etc. Got in a heated enough verbal argument with the guy, but I tried to remain polite and clear. He ended up giving me a back hander across the face, just had to smile, swallow my pride and walk away.

But I’m not trying to **** you up, that was literally the only really negative experience having spent months in the country each time. Just want to make you aware.
As I said, in general amazing, people, great food, culture. Plenty of opportunities to party but also more active stuff such as trekking, whatever you’re into really.

Have an awesome time!