Thinking about Thailand: some questions

PullMyFinger!

Im thinking 2 months without roughing it up and a total budget of around 3-4 grand.

Ive heard some horror stories about the local police taking money from tourists, how true is this? What is the best way to use (and look after) money over there? (I presume there are no ATMs!) Carrying around 2 grand in Bahts seems risky.

Also, unless I can persuade a friend, I'll be doing it on my own: how common is this and will I be more open to been ripped off?

What are the most developed islands? Id like all the luxuries of home but in different surroundings.

I have no credit card, will this be a problem?

Id also like to eat well and come back with a tan :cool: I believe they have a rainy season?

Lots of questions there, please share your experiences, links to useful sites or even your own personal travel log. Ko Phangngan seems to be the most popular choice of the Irish? Phuket is an obvious no-go and Ive heard dodgy stories about Bangkok.

Thanks in advance

empirix

Man,

I was in Thailand and SE asia for 3 months, currently in OZ and I regret leaving Asia nearly every day, i went on my own, had a ball - as far as the police - what a loauda crap, tthe only thing i have heard(not seen) is at the full moon party, where somebody sells you some drugs and a copper appears immediatly and threathens jail(where you most definitely dont want to go) or pay him about 200 euro to turn a bling eye(like what ya goin to do), as far as weather, when its bad in one place(cloudy and sometimes rain) its great in another place, Ko Samui and Phangan are coming into their summer season, while the devestated Phi Phi and Phuket are going into their low season, but the weather will still be reasonable.

My advice, just do it and you'll have a ball.
Oh yeah, once you go it most certainly won't be the last time you set foot in the land of smiles

dsab

PullMyFinger! wrote:

Im thinking 2 months without roughing it up and a total budget of around 3-4 grand.

Ive heard some horror stories about the local police taking money from tourists, how true is this? What is the best way to use (and look after) money over there? (I presume there are no ATMs!) Carrying around 2 grand in Bahts seems risky.

Also, unless I can persuade a friend, I'll be doing it on my own: how common is this and will I be more open to been ripped off?

What are the most developed islands? Id like all the luxuries of home but in different surroundings.

I have no credit card, will this be a problem?

Id also like to eat well and come back with a tan :cool: I believe they have a rainy season?

Lots of questions there, please share your experiences, links to useful sites or even your own personal travel log. Ko Phangngan seems to be the most popular choice of the Irish? Phuket is an obvious no-go and Ive heard dodgy stories about Bangkok.

Thanks in advance

Thailand is a great place. I moved there permanently a while back.

1. I haven`t experienced any problems at all with the local police. They were always helpful and friendly when I needed them. If you get into trouble, then it`s another matter.

2. In thailand they have more cashmachines then anywhere in ireland. You will find them at every f***ing corner, every 7/11, every shopping center, and not even to mention Banks.

3. If you like to stay in hotels, they normally expect a CC for the deposit. But in cheap places you probably could get around that with some bargaining.

4 The most developed Islands would be Phuket and Samui. I also would recommend the bit smaller islands of Ko Samet and Ko Chang (for divers), which are closer to BKK. They can get crowded at the weekends.

5. Thailand has a rainy season from around May to October. but rainy season normally means that it is much hotter then currently. It normally pisses down for an hour, and then it will be back to normal sunshine. Often these showers are at night. On the islands it might happen that it pisses for a day, but then it will be fine again for the next few day. It can get very humid in rainy season.

5. Thai food is probably the best food on the planet, beside vietnamese. You will find all kind of food in thailand. I recommend to try some of the stuff on the streets, as it is sometimes just awesome. Don`t worry too much about getting sick. The only time so far I have been getting sich was after I went to a very upscale restaurant. Thais in general are very clean people.

If you have any other questions, just ask me.

And yes, there are several Irish Pubs, if that`s what you like. But be warned that Guiness is as expensive as in Dublin.

davidoco

You really have to get a credit card. Firstly becuase there is no charge once you have loaded the account up. If you use a regular bank card with for example the Maestro logo you get charged a fee (anything up to 7.50 euro depending on the Irish bank) and then the currency commission of around 1.5%. Just take out money to last you for a week at a time. It's all cash out there.

I spent two months travelling all around Thailand July/August last year. It was hot and sticky at times but when you live in Ireland any warm weather is preferable. I never came across and never heard of any extortion rackets with the police or other officials.

Make sure to visit
Bottle Beach on Ko Phangngan,

Khao Sok National Park
http://www.thaiparks123.com/en/nationalpark.cfm?parkid=30

Chiang Mai (and surrounding mountains) in the north

Knifey_Spoony

empirix wrote:

Oh yeah, once you go it most certainly won't be the last time you set foot in the land of smiles

I couldnt agree with you more! Im dying to go back
Im home since last August and i still miss it loads, its weird. Its a whole different way of life there, i love it!

Loco

Unless your causing trouble / smoking drugs in the street you'll have no trouble with the police.

3-4 grand for 2 months is loads... you will live it up totally

when i was there it was low season so i got the prices even lower.. dont know if you will be able to bargain everything down this time

i spent 3 grand in 3 months.. and i went on a mad shopping spree in bk at the end, and also stayed in cool beach bungalows and nice hotels everywhere

PullMyFinger!

Some great advice there, maybe if I stay permenently drunk on Thai whiskey I wont be as unsure about some of it?


Any more stories?

cartman

i was wondering how much money would you spend a day, roughly, like how much is drink, cigerettes, food, also the electronic equiptment over there, any good?? cheap

thanks

empirix

Krispie,

Don't worry about it, just do it, a grand a month and you'll live it large.

I miss the place so much, landed in OZ 2 -3 months ago, can't get an IT job for my life becaus eof the 3 month rule thing, working ****ty jobs just to get by, i am broke, 300 euro down on my credit card and still have NZ and Fiji to do. Thinking of doing a whirlwind 6 weeks of the above two, coming home paying my debts and hittin SE Asia a FEW DAYS AFTER xMAS AND STAYING FOR AS LONGT AS POSSIBLE. Australia is good, but i feel over rated. Asia rules along with Sth.America. Just do it, you'll have no worries

mise

Going for to SE Asia for 6 weeks before heading to Oz and NZ. Was wondering about the best way to carry money and see davidoco recommend tranfering money into your credit card.

Would anyone else recommend this?

And kinda off the point but anyways whats the shopping like in Bangkok? Hoping to get a decent digital camara there but heard it wasn't the best place for them

Loco

credit & atm card, i barely used cc card.. payed for diving courses with it cause they didnt charge much but thats about it!

davidoco

Shopping Bangkok. Maybe not for digital cameras but for a night out, eating drinking and gift buying Suan Lum Night Bazaar at the Lumphini stop on the Subway is excellent. A massive clean safe purpose built bazaar with live music etc and a great atmosphere.

You can also stay on the Subway to "Bang Sue".

PullMyFinger!

Which banks ATM cards work over there?

PullMyFinger!

davidoco wrote:

You can also stay on the Subway to "Bang Sue".

Is public transport and taxis upto scratch?

I am MAN

Skytrains are great and while TUK TUK's are fun they are more expensive,

Stick with skytrains and TAXI METERS, make sure before entering a taxi stick your head in and say METER?...with the meter its extremely cheap.

davidoco

Yeah try and stay near the skytrain or subway route.

Only take tuk tuk for short trips around the centre, you don't want to be in a tuk tuk on the open road.

Taxis are fine again but my advice is to look at the driver as well as the meter, i tried to stay away from young and restless looking ones, go for a the older slower fellas they're safer especially on the outer motorways and your gonna need all the safety you can find.

raver_richie

Hey PullMyFinger!...

check out
http://www.bangkokbob.net/
for a hell of a lt of info on thailand, it covers money matters too!

or

Thailand Travel Stories

Ive done a lot of online research on Thailand, and now trying to learn their funky language! quite difficult!

Im travelling SE Asia this August, and on my own2, unless I can find a travel partner!

PullMyFinger!

raver_richie wrote:

Hey PullMyFinger!...

check out
http://www.bangkokbob.net/
for a hell of a lt of info on thailand, it covers money matters too!

or

Thailand Travel Stories

Cheers Ritchie, Ive looked at the sencond link (some interesting stories) and I'll check the first one later.

I am MAN

Have you set a date yet?

Dont worry about travelling alone, It will be only me and the girlfriend this year but I would travel alone no problem. If any travelers want to meet up for a pint in the land of smiles let me know.

If you need any information about anything regarding Thailand even stuff that may get you banned from this forum feel free to PM me

I will be going back on June the 14th for 2 months.

PullMyFinger!

Has anyone stayed extensively in Koh Samui?

neady

Hi i stayed in Samui for a couple of weeks last year..fantastic island. Food and drink was very cheap. Three course meal for two people with beer cost on average €8, so great value. There is a fantastic bar there called Hendrix (the owner is an absolute Jimi Hendrix nut). The atmosphere there is very laid back, great music playing, pool table. The owner loves Irish bands (U2, The Frames etc.) and is also looking for copies of cds as they're harder to get over there. They also do a mean cocktail. You're guaranteed a fantastic time there. I'd recommend hiring a moped and tour the island. You'll cover it in a couple of hours. You should go see the Mumified (sp?) Monk. He died nearly thirty years ago whilst sitting on a chair but his body as never decomposed. Thai people are the loveliest, most helpful people you will ever come across. You'll have a ball you lucky thing!!

PullMyFinger!

Thanks. I might even do it alone in November if I cant convince a mate.

cee_jay

PullMyFinger! wrote:

Which banks ATM cards work over there?

I used both my AIB ATM card and BOI credit card.
Found with my ATM card that it was accepted in some machines and not others - pretty random really.
My friend had a BOI ATM card and while that was accepted in one machine mine wouldn't be - and vice versa.

As for buying a digital camera - my friend bought hers there, and on getting to Australia found the exact same camera and it was only €10 dearer!

I'd agree with dsab too - try get to Koh Chang - its not as developed as the other islands so not as touristy (but its getting there unfortunately!). Dive courses there are cheap too - when we were there we met a dive instructor from Cavan!

Plan on spending not more than €1000 a month - don't think this is even possible - we spent about €800.

And enjoy the Sangsom!