Hi Everyone,

I was in Thailand from Nov '07 to May '08 and I just thought I'd share a little advice with anyone planning to travel Thailand.

If you are arriving at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, do your best to avoid the people offering you "cheap" hotels and taxis. Continue through this crowd and head straight for the public taxi stand where you can get the metered rate. A metered taxi cab to anywhere in Bangkok is quite cheap by western standards.

If you aren't sure where to go first, check out Khao San Road. You will have no problem meeting other travelers there and they can answer your questions. Most taxi drivers will understand "Khao San Road".

Travel by plane if you have lots of money as you'll get to your destination much quicker and in better physical shape. Take the train or bus if you are on more of a budget.

If you want to relax and take it easy, check out Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe. The beaches are less crowded and there aren't as many bars. If you want to party, check out Phuket and Koh Phi Phi.

If you're a guy, be careful if you choose to date Thai women. I'm not saying there aren't any nice, authentic Thai women, but there are many who will do their best to take advantage of you. Be sure to tell them you don't have any money before you get involved!

You can barter at the Thai markets. If you feel generous, give them the asking price. However, you can definately get less than the posted price if you just ask (but don't make a scene if they won't budge on the price)

Avoid using your credit card as I have friends who have had their card copied. Instead, use your debit card to withdrawal money from ATMs. Before I left, I signed up for an unlimited account with my bank so that I wouldn't be charged outrageous fees every time I withdrew money.

I recommend you do your best to make some good Thai friends - they will help you through your journey. You'll have a much better chance of meeting genuine friends outside of the tourist areas. I made most of my friends while living in an apartment in north east Bangkok. If you can show the Thai people that you are a good person, they will treat you differently than all the other tourists who are just there for a "good time". My Thai friends helped me find the cheapest ways to get around Thailand.

Oh, and most will enjoy learning English from you!

....and yet another expert on LOS travel.....

....and yet another expert on LOS travel.....

Thought it was a good first posting from a newbie.

....and yet another expert on LOS travel.....

Thought it was a good first posting from a newbie.

A drinker ?

....and yet another expert on LOS travel.....

Thought it was a good first posting from a newbie.

A drinker ?

mmmm yes

Perhaps wants traffic to his blogs???

Perhaps wants traffic to his blogs???

Indeed. Kind of surprised that hasn't been "Mod-ified" yet !

Why the derision from some ??

Incredible that people who have some experience of Thailand feel the need to be "superior" to newcomers to forums.

Sad.

^Not really, just call us cynical. (links are what sold me on true intention)

^Not really, just call us cynical. (links are what sold me on true intention)

Totally agree.....and it's not like the info provided isn't 10+ years old and having been said on just about every web page associated with LOS travel. (IMHO wasted bandwidth on TV server(s))

^Not really, just call us cynical. (links are what sold me on true intention)

Totally agree.....and it's not like the info provided isn't 10+ years old and having been said on just about every web page associated with LOS travel. (IMHO wasted bandwidth on TV server(s))

And how was he to know,after all it was his first posting,why members here always flame newbies is beyound me.

Travel by plane if you have lots of money as you'll get to your destination much quicker and in better physical shape. Take the train or bus if you are on more of a budget.

.

A complete idiots guide - or troll?

Travel by plane if you have lots of money as you'll get to your destination much quicker and in better physical shape. Take the train or bus if you are on more of a budget.

.

A complete idiots guide - or troll?

Just a young idiot.

We all were very Thaivisa " mature" ofcourse when we started here, or went to Thailand for the first time.. ?? Wooow i envy those people who know it all.

The maturity doesnot really show, looking at some answers.

Some members are really bored and see negative things in everything, i donot untill proven.