First Post - So Many Questions!

[dungeon]

Hello all!

I'm 20 and i'm looking at travelling to Thailand with two friends next year.

We can all get time off to go from Mid June untill September 1st, so will be going in this period.

We're looking for a good party area, preferably a big hit with other tourists and people our age.

Close to beaches and plenty of stuff going on night and day.

Nice and cheap

Who is everyone using for flights, i've had a browse and can only find a £700 return flight?

I've been browsing a few accomodation sites, as we will hopefully find a house to rent out, and i'm unsure if they quote prices including or + bills, on a house costing around 30,000 per month, how much bills would you expect to pay?

Thats about it for now! Any help appreciated.

[markdoj]

Hello all!

I'm 20 and i'm looking at travelling to Thailand with two friends next year.

We can all get time off to go from Mid June untill September 1st, so will be going in this period.

We're looking for a good party area, preferably a big hit with other tourists and people our age.

Close to beaches and plenty of stuff going on night and day.

Nice and cheap

Who is everyone using for flights, i've had a browse and can only find a £700 return flight?

I've been browsing a few accomodation sites, as we will hopefully find a house to rent out, and i'm unsure if they quote prices including or + bills, on a house costing around 30,000 per month, how much bills would you expect to pay?

Thats about it for now! Any help appreciated.

Hello,

I have been all over Thailand and there is no place better than Koh Samui for the kind of holiday you are thinking about..... However, it is not the cheapest place.

My friends have apartments there, which will cost you 40 quid a night or 30,000 baht a month, they sleep two people (Or 4 (Two big double beds) - depending on how you plan to do it). Call the lads who look after the place, Their names are Andy: +66 800 647 835 or Iain: +66 862 837 536.

They are both good lads and will look after you, pick you up from Samui airport and arrange transport, whether you need a scooter or a car.

The place is not far from everything and just far enough not to be a headache, with all the one ways and beeping cabs!

You will be able to get a speedboat over to the full moon if you catch it at the right time of the month.... Just put into Google: Fulll Moon party Koh Phangan Thailand..... And Bobs your mothers What you call!

Flights, I find that EVA Air offer the best, not the cheapest.... Etihad, Thai and Gulf. When you get to Bangkok, the flight to Samui is about 60 or 70 quid each way go to BANGKOK AIR

If you do book with the lads..... Mention that I gave you the number "Welsh Mark" and you should get a bit of discount..... And, obviously so will I.

Enjoy

Mark.

[dungeon]

Thanks for the reply - some very good information.

Thanks for the apartment offer, but we're definately going to be going down the house route.

[mark lamai]

well i am not promoting some mate's business.....

just an example if you want cheap.

at lamai beach on koh samui (not on the beach, about 1km away)

you can rent a 2 bedroom bungalow for 10,000 baht per month. (plus electric approx 2000)

then rent a motorbike for 100 baht a day and your'e set up.

[kwan]

For the cheapest airfares check out search engine 'KAYAK'

Depends where you are flying from but from the UK during the period you

mention they are coming in around £580. As for somewhere to stay

do it when you arrive. Should have plenty of choice at that time of the year.

[torrenova]

I'm sorry but you don't know Thailand and getting a house is limiting you to one place and you are stuffed if you don't like it. 3 months in somewhere will seem like an eternity as people you meet move around Thailand. Houses are not the cheap option for short term stays.

I've lived in Thailand for years and travelled extensively and I'll bet a pound to a penny that you will want to travel around.

With your dates I am guessing you are students looking to do something during the summer break. No way will you just want to sit in your house (or pay for it) for that length of time. I know, I "did" Thailand for 3 months when younger.

As an outside guess, you'll want to see (in no particular order):

Bangkok

Koh Samui and Koh Phangan (full moon party etc.)

Phuket

Phi Phi

Krabi and Ao Nang and surrounds

and probably a few other places.

You have to start with your budget after getting your flights and your visa (you'll need a non immigrant visa which gives you 90 days hassle free). Then hit books and the web to work out where you want to go. Sort out your transport budget (make it flexible) and then work out what cash you will have.

You are not experienced enough to book a place from half way around the world so even if you do want to spend some time in a place, you can sort something out on the ground when you get there. An apartment / condo is going to be ideal.

However, if you are rich then don't worry as you can rent it and just chuck it away. I guess you are not prepared to do that.

Seriously, sit down with your mates in the pub and pour over some holiday brochures and guide books and figure out what you want to see, what you don't want to see and more importantly, what you want to do. Then look at the weather seasons for the different sides of Thailand.

Do that, come back and we'll be in a much better position to help. Planning is the key to great adventures.

[torrenova]

If you have one near, try the Trailfinders shops. Ask about IT (inclusive tour) fares which link in a couple of days accommodation to mask the real price of the fare. Thai Airways have some deal like 3 internal flights for $150 or somehitng so that is worth considering. Getting to Samui is the most expensive flight in Thailand but you can go on the train from Bangkok and ferry or a bus / ferry combination. Trailfinders are really good and expereinced at going through options with you.