Hey everyone,

I've been living in Malaysia for nearly eight months of this year, and would really like a change!

I have a month and a half before I go back home. I'd like to find a hotel and stay there for around one month. The obvious choice is Bangkok, but I'd like some input as to where else in Thailand would be a good place to stay. I have only been to Phuket, Hat Yai and Sadao area.

I'm in my earlier twenties and will be alone. So, I need a safe place. Are men in Thailand similar to men in Malaysia in their treatment of women? (please only answer this question if you have been to Thailand as a young woman and alone - men in Malaysia are very respectful when I go out with my partner and the total opposite to the point of dangerous when alone). I've read around a bit about this, but would still like to know how bad they are in relation to men here in Malaysia. I don't want to change to an even worse country! Is pepper spray legal, and if so, where can I buy it?

I love beaches, waterfalls, shopping, walking around cities, museums, and parks. I would like to either use the place as a base for travelling elsewhere, to stay there and study something (any suggestions of what and where?) or just plain laze around.

I'm also open to suggestions of any other countries that are cheap to get to from Malaysia.

Thanks for any replies

culture towards women in thailand is different than in the muslim countries, women have more rights and respect - there are thousands of females tourists single travelling in thailand.

Stick to the main tourist destinations, because it will be difficult for you to communicate in the less travelled areas. From Bangkok, as a base, you can easily visit Ayuthaya for history, kanchanaburi and several others national parks near Bangkok for environment, cha am or islands on the eastern cost for beaches.

From the courses - thai massage, thai cooking and even muay thai (think of it of self-protection rather than sport).