First Time Traveler To Thailand looking for advice

**mondu** · 08-10-2008, 08:35 PM

I'm planning on going to Pattaya around the end of January 09. I was thinking of staying in Thailand for about 3-4 weeks and would like to see more than just Pattaya. I'm a single male traveler(mid 30's) and would like to have some fun in Thailand but would like to also see some of the true culture and life style there. Any advice on places to stay and places to see would be great. As far as price range is concerned for accomadations I'm not looking to stay ultra cheap, but I don't need anything fancy either. I guess I'm just looking for a good deal. Where is the best place to watch a Muay Thai kickboxing fight? And of course being a first time traveler there what are the things to be aware of, scams on tourists, tourist safety, ya know the usual questions. Thanks

**jandajoy** · 08-10-2008, 08:38 PM

Hi Mondu,

Have you checked out all the info in the different travel sections? There's some useful info there.

Oh, and welcome to TD.

**extras** · 08-10-2008, 08:44 PM

Welcome to TD.

Here's the link to the boxing stadium in Bangkok... ::Lumpinee Boxing Stadium Ver.English ::

**britmaveric** · 08-10-2008, 08:52 PM

4Weeks? Hmmm well I'd go to Pattaya last because if you end up there first, probably going to find it hard to leave.

Worth a look.....

Bangkok
Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai
Phuket
Hat Yai
Udon
Koh Samui

Basically IMHO - you would hit Issan, the North, the capital, the South and then the islands. Then come back to Patters for Fun City.

**mondu** · 08-10-2008, 09:01 PM

Yeah I've been looking around quite a bit. Trying to do as much home work as possible before booking a flight. And Thanks.

**pai nai ma** · 08-10-2008, 09:03 PM

welcome to td.

**extras** · 08-10-2008, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by britmaveric

Worth a look.....
Bangkok
Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai
Phuket
Hat Yai
Udon
Koh Samui

I would pick just Chiang Mai, and skip Chiang Rai. And Phuket has changed for the worse, I would go for Krabi instead.

**Begbie** · 08-10-2008, 09:26 PM

We don't get many time travelers here. Welcome.

**dirtydog** · 08-10-2008, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by britmaveric

Hat Yai

Huh? Whats at Hat Yai? Not sure how many times I have been there but it isn't a place I would mention to anybody to spend some of their holiday time at, maybe I have missed something?

**jim1176** · 08-10-2008, 09:35 PM

Originally Posted by mondu

I was thinking of staying in Thailand for about 3-4 weeks and would like to see more than just Pattaya.

More than Pattaya? Hard to beat this seaside resort and bastion of Thai culture. No swimming by the way.

Originally Posted by mondu

I'm a single male traveler(mid 30's) and would like to have some fun in Thailand but would like to also see some of the true culture and life style there.

True Thai culture? Pattaya is your place.

Save a day for Bangkok, Soi Cowboy.

**mondu** · 08-10-2008, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by Begbie

We don't get many time travelers here. Welcome.

Good one, I guess I should word things more carefully.

**alphagirl** · 09-10-2008, 12:04 AM

hello and welcome

**britmaveric** · 09-10-2008, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by dirtydog

Originally Posted by britmaveric

Hat Yai

Huh? Whats at Hat Yai? Not sure how many times I have been there but it isn't a place I would mention to anybody to spend some of their holiday time at, maybe I have missed something?

Quite nice, but then again if you are looking for short time bars - dare say prob not your cup of tea.

**mondu** · 09-10-2008, 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by britmaveric

Originally Posted by dirtydog

Originally Posted by britmaveric

Hat Yai

Huh? Whats at Hat Yai? Not sure how many times I have been there but it isn't a place I would mention to anybody to spend some of their holiday time at, maybe I have missed something?

Quite nice, but then again if you are looking for short time bars - dare say prob not your cup of tea.

I'm sure the short time bars can be quite entertaining, but I would hope that there are other things to do in Thailand as well. I would like to try fishing in Thailand, does anybody know of any guides or charter services? I'v heard that the saltwater fishing is quite good around Thailand,,, but how is the freshwater fishing?

**britmaveric** · 09-10-2008, 08:05 PM

**extras** · 09-10-2008, 08:33 PM

^ Very helpful and informative post.

**ItsRobsLife** · 10-10-2008, 01:13 AM

If your in Bangkok on a weekend you should visit Chatuchak market, it's not only one of the biggest markets you'll ever see, but it is full of just about any item you can imagine, well almost, a fantastic place to wander around and take in the sights and the smells as well as get some great food.

Chatuchak Weekend Market in Bangkok, Thailand

You might only ever go there once, but you won't forget it.

Also if your in Bangkok go and see the reclining Buddha at Wat Pho.
This photo just doesn't do it justice...

**smeden** · 10-10-2008, 02:39 AM

hello and welcome to teakdoor

**nedwalk** · 10-10-2008, 05:25 AM

yea g,day and welcome, i,d say much the same ..krabi, chang mai, bangers/pat city, have fun and play safe

**Loy Toy** · 10-10-2008, 06:29 AM

There are plenty of fishing farms in Pattaya.

You arrive there, they bring the rods, bait and food (and a bottle of whatever out) and you just sit under a covered hut relaxing and drinking with your preferred companion.

Then when the fish bites you jump up and haul it in.

The last time I was there I pulled out a fish that was well over 10kgs.

Great, cheap day and to finish it off you can go for a bungy jump.

Hope you have a great holiday and welcome to Teak Door.

**Norton** · 10-10-2008, 11:12 AM

Welcome and hope you enjoy your trip. Look around the forum to find hotel prices, good places to go and tourist land mines to avoid. Don't get too worried with DD's Pattaya news posts. They hardly reflect the situation in the rest of the country.

3-4 weeks will go by much faster than you think. Limit your travel plans to 3 or 4 locations. Bangkok is by far the best place to start if you want the best variety of "fun", things to see and culture. Beaches on the Andaman coast are some of the best but aside from Phuket which I do not recommend, are relatively quiet re the bar scene. You might consider Chiangmai if you want to have a different cultural, scenery experience and "fun" places are plentiful.

Almost forgot. Suggest Lumpini in Bangkok for Muay Thai.

**steve c** · 18-10-2008, 05:46 PM

Hi everyone,
my advice would be to not cram to much in, enjoy thailand besides you will be booking up again as soon as you get back.

**sunsetter** · 19-10-2008, 05:33 PM

welcome to td, if your headed for pattaya then take a trip down to koh chang for a few days, and while your down that way jump over into cambodia for a bit of fun in koh khong or sihanookville

**crocadile** · 20-10-2008, 07:27 AM

After a week in sin city aka [Pattaya] you will probably need a break, so i recommend koh chang, nice and peaceful beautiful beaches and only 4 hrs by bus. I think by memorie it costs 1200 baht for ticket. Have lots of places to stay on beach in bungalows. good luck on your first trip.

I bet it wont be your last trip.

Thread: First Time Traveler To Thailand looking for advice

Thread Tools

Display

First Time Traveler To Thailand looking for advice

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

Posting Permissions