Thailand

[Bob's Orange]

As briefly mentioned in another thread that I cannot find at the moment, I have booked return flights 14 June/1 July) and 2 nights in a hotel in Bangkok for this years' summer holiday with my good lady.

We have been looking at other things to do and at the moment, we are looking at spending some time in the North of Thailand (bridge over River Kwai?) and then down to the south East for the islands of Ko Samui and Ko Phanang.

Nothing concrete has been booked yet, so any feedback is greatly appreciated. We are looking for a mixture of culture and relaxation, with preferance of local food and not too touristy if at all possible (appreciate this might be tricky!)

Thanks

[Chubbs]

Just got back from 2 weeks in  Koh Samui. Amazing island.

[Flashheart]

The bridge over the river Kwai is in the west and about 3 hrs (I think from Bangkok). It's in Kanchanburi which is by all accounts a very beautiful part of the country.

In the North you have Chiang Mai and having been there I can vouch that it is a lovely city. Very beautiful, very relaxed, very cheap in comparison to the South and surrounded by mountains and stuff for trekking etc.

Samui and Phanang are very touristy. My favourite island is Koh Samet, about 3 hours or so from Bangkok. The island is beautiful and not overly developed meaning that although tourists do go there it never gets too busy.

[Bob's Orange]

The bridge over the river Kwai is in the west and about 3 hrs (I think from Bangkok). It's in Kanchanburi which is by all accounts a very beautiful part of the country.

In the North you have Chiang Mai and having been there I can vouch that it is a lovely city. Very beautiful, very relaxed, very cheap in comparison to the South and surrounded by mountains and stuff for trekking etc.

Samui and Phanang are very touristy. My favourite island is Koh Samet, about 3 hours or so from Bangkok. The island is beautiful and not overly developed meaning that although tourists do go there it never gets too busy.

Great feedback Flashheart, just what I was looking for!

Question re the weather, do I need to stick to certain parts of the country for the dates I am going to? I heard that the West is very wet towards the end of June/July?

[Chubbs]

The bridge over the river Kwai is in the west and about 3 hrs (I think from Bangkok). It's in Kanchanburi which is by all accounts a very beautiful part of the country.

In the North you have Chiang Mai and having been there I can vouch that it is a lovely city. Very beautiful, very relaxed, very cheap in comparison to the South and surrounded by mountains and stuff for trekking etc.

Samui and Phanang are very touristy. My favourite island is Koh Samet, about 3 hours or so from Bangkok. The island is beautiful and not overly developed meaning that although tourists do go there it never gets too busy.

I wouldn't say Koh Samui was over developed at all.

[Flashheart]

Great feedback Flashheart, just what I was looking for!

Question re the weather, do I need to stick to certain parts of the country for the dates I am going to? I heard that the West is very wet towards the end of June/July?

Not so wet that it ruins the holiday.

June/July is actually a high season because the temperature drops a little making it more comfortable (It's stifling here now) You may get the odd day of rain but not too much and it's probably about the best time of year to come.

[mystical_goat]

Avoid Samui, it's overdeveloped. I suspect Phangnan has gone the same way, though I had a great time there celebrating my birthday at one of the famous full moon parties.

Chiang Mai is great. Sleeper trains were great fun for getting around the country - get the highest class possible.

[Flashheart]

Oh.

Keep well clear of Pattaya (except for maybe passing through on the way to the Islands). It's a shit hole.

[Bob's Orange]

Thanks all. Chiang Mai sounds well worth visiting then. Just have to sort out the island hopping now!

What is the Krabi area like?

[Flashheart]

What is the Krabi area like?

I've only passed through there so can't tell you much, other than it is stunning.

[blinkpip]

Alright, how many of you mistaken a shemale while out there?

[Levi lapper]

I loved a little place called pai near near Chang mai, the opium doctors were awesome, loved Thailand, only downside was the paedo paradise factor, but that might be a bit more policed these days (I would hope)

[Compo]

As said b4.. go north Chang Mai/Rai. Also go to the buddist temple to the north of Chang Mai.. its amazing.

[nochee]

Thailand is amazing, you can, party, sight see, scuba dive, chill out, explore, get laid, interact with tigers and elephants, get crazy drugs, etc etc.   Its all very different to Europe but it's all really easy to do also.  Whatever you are looking for, you will find it.

Have a great time

[Ardiles]

The truck ride that I took in the middle of the night from a stop on the main north-south highway to a small fishing village where I caught a boat at dawn out to Ko Tao remains to this day the most terrifying experience of my life.  The driver was a mentalist.  And on something, I'm sure of it.  The rest of my time out there was brilliant.  The diving off Ko Tao is second to none.  Ko Pha Ngan was a bit commercial, even back then in 2003.

Loved Bangkok, but think I'd only be able to take it in small doses.  Not sure I could live there.  And the food...I still dream of the food.  The smells, the noise.  There's nowhere else like it.