Thailand or ???

Slunk

I am looking to go somewhere for around three weeks in September or October. I was thinking of Thailand as I think this is where my money will go further. I would be willing to maybe cut it down to two weeks for the right destination. Budget is around 2k per person, maybe a little more. There will be two of us.

Can anyone offer up any other suggestions. I would also need some activities or things to do as Id rather not lay on a beach for two weeks as much as it sounds lovely id get a little bored. I have no problem staying in hostels or whatever but maybe some part of the trip have a night or two in style.

I know I am probably describing Thailand in a nutshell here but for some reason Im still not 100% on the place.

DeVore

2K per person AFTER the flights?

You could live like a king (or queen) in Thailand with that sort of cash. Particularly if you get out of the tourist traps (don't go there, nothing but bad neon titty bars).

So, I've been in a good few places in S.E.A.

Thailand, is amazing. The people are lovely, just so happy, and the scenery is phenomenal if you know where to go. Generally plenty to do as well (you're in Asia, going to the *shops* is a freakin' adventure!).
The two areas I recommend in Thailand are Bangkok because everyone should experience that city... its as close to Bladerunner as you can get on Earth. Its utterly intimidating and frankly bonkers. Its quite safe but you will feel like you are on the outskirts of CrazyTown.
The other area is Phucket. Not the town of Phucket itself, its pretty nasty commercialised neon tittybar-ville. But the islands surrounding it are just fabulous. Straight out of some Hollywood paradise island stuff. We stayed in Kata Noi, in a resort called Katathani. Its a bit pricey for Thailand but its a lovely resort and they do all kinds of activities to keep you occupied from Thai Boxing to fruit carving. Its a good place to strike out from and I recommend the boat trip up to James Bond Island. The one that goes into the volcano cauldera is *amazing*.
Its a sedate resort, big beach, a few nice restaurants inside and close enough to go places down there.


Cambodia is rough but very cool too. Its a lot more "authentic" than anywhere else because its still a communist country officially and their tourist trade isn't as developed. Its amazing for back packing but probably not what you are looking for.

Malaysia is cool, I didn't get to see much of it but it seemed a bit like a poor man's Thailand (please don't hate me Malaysians!). I mean that only in the sense that the tourist trade didn't seem as organised. The place is beautiful and the people are lovely. It has become less progressive lately though so if you or your travel companion are gay or bi, that's a consideration.

Singapore, is what you get when Asians build what they think Europe is like. Its... perfection. Everything runs on time, is organised and clean, almost sanitised... and I'm afraid to say, I found it a little boring. There is none of the feeling of being in Asia proper there. Bangkok feels like at any moment someone will jump out in front of you and try to sell you a chicken. Its proper bonkers. Singapore isn't, its lovely and organised and everything but its a bit sterile.

Vietnam, I only spent 4 days here but it was very cool. We went on a boat trip for 3 days around Ha Long Bay and it was the highlight of the trip. If you go, don't do the one day boat cruise, its too short... Do at least 2 nights.


If I were you and had that sort of cash, I might do this: 4-5 days in Bangkok, 5 days in Kata noi and 5 days in Vietnam (3 days in Ha Long Bay, 2 days in and out). This might stretch your budget (you'll need to price things up) but it would be a hellova trip. If you haven't been to Asia before.... whooooo boy, get ready for a big culture shock lol!

Agree with all above, but no1 vote for Vietnam.
I spent a month there & could easily have spent another month.

I spent less than 2k, including travel there & back, travel there, accommodation, everything!!

solerina

Agree, you should consider Vietnam OP, amazing country !!

Utah

Sri Lanka is an amazing place and nowhere near as commercial as Thailand, reasonably priced too

Slunk

Cheers guys for the detailed response, I'll look into Vietnam as well. As said I may do a few days in each.
Could be 2k after flights, all depends how hard I save between now and then. Iif its as goof as you make it sound its worth saving for

km79

Slunk wrote: »

Cheers guys for the detailed response, I'll look into Vietnam as well. As said I may do a few days in each.
Could be 2k after flights, all depends how hard I save between now and then. Iif its as goof as you make it sound its worth saving for

honeymooned there and don't think we spent 2K between us !
beautiful spot with plenty to do

DeVore

I took 2k for 2 weeks and my Thai friends took to calling me Bhatman... (Bhat being the name of their currency)!

CabanSail

Agree with the summary that DeVore gave above.

BKK is an amazing place. I have been there a few times. It is great to get out into the country too. I traveled with some Thai people last time and that was quite an experience. It was the difference between hanging around Temple Bar and a bus tour around the Ring of Kerry as opposed to staying with people and joining in their normal lives. One person we spent time with the head of a Govt department and then became the Governor of a province. He was a good cook too. Some great things to do up around Chiang Mai and it's a bit cooler too. Have not been down south yet. Maybe next time.

Another place to consider is Hong Kong. It is up there with Bangkok. It has a tube system based on the London system, so easy and cheap to get around. Amazing food and some great places to shop for tech stuff. Main cost there will be accommodation.

I quite liked Kuala Lumpur, it was very pleasant but prefer the above two cities.

If you want to see something a bit different then go to Brunei. It is an amazing place. It is a lot quieter than other places in SE Asia but has a lot of the advantages. None of the sleazy tourist traps or all the things which come with alcohol as it's a dry country. Cost of living is very good. A trip around the floating city is a must do. There are also river trip to see the rainforest, which I did not do as did not have enough time.

retalivity

Personally i hated vietnam when i went there. Far more aggressive and dirty than the other countries in the same area, and halong bay was very underwhelming. Phahng nga and similan islands in thailand are better and more beautiful imo.

Plenty has been said about thailand already, but i would alsi recommend laos. Beautiful country and amazing people, very under commercialized. Vang vieng has plenty of activities to do and luang prabang is beautiful. Only downside ia the infrastructure is not there and getting from one place to another takes ages, unless you want to fly which costs a fortune.

DeVore

Yeah, thats kinda the whole thing about SEA... .it really depends on how down and dirty you want to get versus how much you want to be treated like a tourist. the more "authentic" the experience, the more you had better be ready to deal with poverty and lack of infrastructure generally (this isnt always true but a lot of the time it is). Leaving the comfort of a tourist hotel to go backpacking in the wilds might seem like a great idea, and for some people it is, but it also means contending with dangers from everything from food poisoning to rabies to sanitation etc.

On a first trip I would advise more towards sticking to a nice reasonable hotel and see the sights, after all theres TONS to see and experience without pushing the boat out. Like I said, going to do some shopping is an experience there
Go down the night markets in Bangkok and see what I mean

Also, be ready to haggle. Personally I hated it at first but come to see it as a game and it gets easier. They all expect you to do it so play the part and roll your eyes and say "what? you expect me to pay 10 dollars for this pair of trousers?!?!? I'm Falang (whitey), I'm not stupid!"