December Holiday In Thailand

[PaulUSA302]

I had planned to come to Thailand in October but I have now changed my mind and I will visit in December. I plant to spend Christmas and New Years there. I have not decided if I want to be in Bangkok or Pattaya for those two special holidays. I am hoping that a general discussion with some sage advice will happen.

I remember reading that some places charge a handsome sum for a holiday meal. I want to avoid those places. Besides, since I am a visitor, I could eat from a street cart and be happy. hel_l... I have had some very tasty foods out of the 7-11 while I was in Thailand. I even enjoy the McDonald's and Burger King's there as well as the KFC's for the menu items that I can't get while here in the USA. So I don't need a hotel meal that tries to recreate the foods that I am so use to eating. hel_l... After being in a plane for 24 hours to visit a place so different than my homeland, I don't want to eat "American" type food. I am in Thailand and I want to enjoy as much of the food and culture as I can.

Once I had taken the sleeper train to Chiang Mai. I think I want to do that again and I am wondering if I booked a first class cabin, would there be a place for me to plug in my laptop to watch some movies? I guess Internet access is out of the question while on the train. I wonder if I could get a Internet air card for my laptop and would it work while I was on the train?

My previous holidays there I have tried many different hotels and even tried some condo's while in Pattaya. I find that I like to stay in Serviced Apartments and Condo's the most. This time I am considering renting a condo through the craigslist website. I wonder if anyone has any advice they could offer.

One thing I will miss about staying in hotels are all the friends you can make while there. Like the time I was checking in and another guest asked me what room I was staying in. I looked at my key and told them and 1/2 hour later there was a knock at my door.... Oh and the time I asked for laundry service and got that and more! Is there no wonder we all love Thailand so much?!

If any of you are reading this forum and have never visited Thailand before... Your missing out! Like the one time after my flight landed and I checked into my hotel. I made a trip down town to have a drink before the bars closed. I soon realized that I was in need of some rest so I finished my drink and hailed a taxi. Before I could tell the driver where I was going, the door opened on the other side of the taxi and a total stranger climbed into the taxi with me and asked me where I was going. I told them I was going to my hotel. They asked if they could come with me and laid their head on my shoulder. I told the Taxi driver my hotel and off we went.

Then there is the time I hung out with some Police Officers... And the time I got in a taxi and someplace, anyplace. He asked me where I wanted to go and I told him to surprise me. Oh did I get surprised! LOL (Still Laughing).

And then there is the food again! The street vendors... The Mall eateries, the fast food places, the vendors cooking your seafood next to you as you lounge on the beach.

Yes.. I am thinking that December will be a great time to visit.

Is there anything that you ladies and gentlemen know that I should be aware of when I come? Any Buddhist holidays or Bar Closures???

[Harcourt]

????

So confusing....you speak as though you've been to Thailand several times, yet you are seeking advice on some basic things.

From the adventures you have already experienced, combined with your novice attitude, I suspect that your previous trips were not actually to Thailand but to FantasyLand.

[PaulUSA302]

????

So confusing....you speak as though you've been to Thailand several times, yet you are seeking advice on some basic things.

From the adventures you have already experienced, combined with your novice attitude, I suspect that your previous trips were not actually to Thailand but to FantasyLand.

The folks are so nasty here. But I know that someone will have something interesting to read.

thanks anyway

[Harcourt]

Nasty? That's not nasty.

You want me to believe that you have had so many spontaneous encounters, just out of the blue.

I accept that it's possible, but your anecdotes just smack of fantasy to me, especialy for someone claiming to be so new to Thailand, yet you have had so much experience there also.

I don't believe you, so sue me.

[PaulUSA302]

Nasty? That's not nasty.

You want me to believe that you have had so many spontaneous encounters, just out of the blue.

I accept that it's possible, but your anecdotes just smack of fantasy to me, especialy for someone claiming to be so new to Thailand, yet you have had so much experience there also.

I don't believe you, so sue me.

I guess I am living in a fantasy land. A happy, fun and joyful fantasy land. For me Thailand is a fun and wonderful playground where anything can happen and does.

If your not experiencing the fun and joy of the place than what can I say?

I love the place and enjoy all the wonder that it has to offer. (I won't post about the stuff that pisses me off there in this thread..) hahaha

[Harcourt]

Oh, you're so nasty trying to imply that I don't have any experiences!!!

You're a legend in your own lifetime, Paul. You da man!

[PaulUSA302]

Oh, you're so nasty trying to imply that I don't have any experiences!!!

You're a legend in your own lifetime, Paul. You da man!

Why "Fight" on a message board?

it's only a post asking info and relating some experiences.....

I live here in the USA but I still ask questions when I plan to visit an area even if I had been to that area before. There is always something to be learned.

Well you can fight and argue all you want. I will just sit back and watch

Have fun.

[Harcourt]

Not fighting, and not having fun either....I'm just saying you sound to be very fanciful in your post.

If I wanted to have fun, I'd mock you. If I wanted to fight, I'd challenge you.

[daoyai]

If you are into X-mas, why not find go to a place that serves your favorite foods, (I'm hungry now so thinking of curried crab or roast duck) and just be a bit extravagant. Then go to street vendors and buy an assortment of Thai favorites to hand out to some of the hungry unfortunates you will see on the streets. I guarantee that will give you a good feeling.

[PaulUSA302]

If you are into X-mas, why not find go to a place that serves your favorite foods, (I'm hungry now so thinking of curried crab or roast duck) and just be a bit extravagant. Then go to street vendors and buy an assortment of Thai favorites to hand out to some of the hungry unfortunates you will see on the streets. I guarantee that will give you a good feeling.

I LOVE doing things like that. If I walk to a 7-11 and pass a security guard alone and board or a woman sweeping along the path, I will buy a cold drink and a snack and give it to them on my return.

I always try to keep a sharp eye for those who are in need and try to give. I am the same way when I am home here in the USA. When I go to the malls and buy the meal tickets, I never turn it in for my change. I look around for someone that I think could use it. If I see a person eating nothing while they sit with a group of their friends, I will try to find a way to slip them the coupon. Most times the coupon will have about 100 or so baht credit on it.

It is fun to give while in Thailand. It makes me feel good and I am sure it is appreciated

[dale8]

Hello, you might want to check some of the hotel booking web sites like passionasia or latestays to find a good place to stay as these have customer comments. The food courts in the malls are a good place to get a lot of food on the cheap side, and the big grocery stores as well as the convenience stores are good to get more food for when the restaurants or malls close. Always try to get the emergency beer in case you do not know about a Buddhist holiday as the 7-11 will not sell beer on the holidays. Have a good time. Cheers.