Bkk - Southern

[chunhom59]

Hi everybody,

Shame on myself. I am Thai, but I have to ask you guys ( foreigners, who have ever been to Thailand or a resident in Thailand now ) about my country. Some friends of mine are going to visit Thailand with me. I wanted them impress and want to re-visit Thailand again. But I don't know what are places should I take them to see? I've planed stay in BKK for 5 days and then we will head to the southern. What is the best provice ? What is the most beautiful island in southern ? Krabi ? Phuket ? Phang Nga ? or elsewhere ? What should I show them in BKK ? What was the most impressed you when you went to visit Thailand ? Please give me some info/advice. Thank you so much,

Thai girl

[londonthai]

ask them what they are interested in and take them off the beaten track - safe money and see things not many tourists see

[Mahout Angrit]

As already said,it really depends on what they enjoy, dont think that all foreigners want to drink and party and lay on the beach (although of course many do). Are they happy to stay in Thai style hotels or would they expect a 3*+ place with western food?. Do they want to learn about Thai life, eat street Thai food and travel Thai style? or would they baulk at a bus without air con?

All of the places you mention are for tourists although Phang Nga islands with a Thai speaking guide like yourself to arrange local boatmen for them is a paradise for any foreigner. You will probably need a car to hunt them out though.

When I first came to Thailand I would have appreciated to travel and stay in the lesser known spots (and did to a certain extent), experience life in the villages and the fields, check out the local markets etc but we are all different. Some foreigners still are sick at the sight of a pigs head on a table or chicken not wrapped in polystyrene and cling film!

Phuket is not beautiful but is a fun destination, Krabi is more beautiful but still a tourist spot as is Phi Phi island.

You really need to ask your friends what they expect to do, and have fun together.

[siam2007]

taking them to KRABI and PHANG NGA is definitely a good idea, but make sure its LOW season, and not between November and February, when this place is extremely crowded with European package-tourists and getting very expensive.....

[billp]

I'd take them island-hopping in the Trang islands: Koh Kradan, Koh Ngai, Koh Mook, then onto Koh Lanta, Koh Jum and Krabi. Fly down to Trang and spend a day or 2, then off to the islands by long-tail. Stay in simple beach bungalows. Then to Koh Lanta for a bit of "civilization" and the ferry to Koh Jum, finally to Krabi and fly back to Bangkok.

[billp]

See Andaman Island Hopping and Tezza's beaches and islands.