Best Area For Cheap Backpacker

[kevbomac05]

okay so i created a similar topic but i cant edit it and you guys said you need more details

so im just looking for a relaxed nice area where its close to water

im not looking to buy girls or partying like that

im just a traveler checking out new places and enjoying life

so any tips for a 17 year old would be appreciated

i know alot about thailand just looking for a specific area and tips from people who live or lived there

thanks alot

[IanForbes]

The main problem will be the language. There are many cheap places to stay if you can speak the language, but most of the cheap Thai hotels near beach areas don't have staff that speak English. And, the popular beach resort areas have been taken over by large, big money establishments that cater to the rich tourists. I used to stay in a cheap beach shack in Khao Lak (80 miles north of Phuket) until the Thai families there were washed away in the Tsunami of 2004. I still think the Andaman Sea is the most beautiful of the Thai beach areas. Phuket is expensive anywhere near Patong beach, but there are a few other places that didn't get built up after the tsunami. Hua Hin was once the place where the Thais went to the beach, but it's also been built up by the expensive resort groups. Many back packers go to the islands north of Ko Samui (Ko Tao & Ko Pha Ngan), and you are more likely to meet others your age there. Pattaya is turning more expensive each year, but there are some cheap places on Ko Larn just off shore. It's a 20 baht ferry ride and one of the best deals in Pattaya.

[jpolten]

Its almost been 10 years since my first trip to LOS, back then i didn't know much about the place,didn't know about TV (not sure it was even started then)which can give some good info!

On arrival i knew no-one,didn't know where to go,but i had a book called "the rough guide" that i got by on!!

The book can give some good info on where to go,what to do,cheap hotels,bars...ect and its updated every few years.

It can be an intimidating place to a young first timer so be careful and enjoy your holiday!

[sanook2me]

Its almost been 10 years since my first trip to LOS, back then i didn't know much about the place,didn't know about TV (not sure it was even started then)which can give some good info!

On arrival i knew no-one,didn't know where to go,but i had a book called "the rough guide" that i got by on!!

The book can give some good info on where to go,what to do,cheap hotels,bars...ect and its updated every few years.

It can be an intimidating place to a young first timer so be careful and enjoy your holiday!

How times change ...have walk down Khao Sarn Rd and the European travellers look about 16 years old...obviously on the new fashion of a gap year funded by the bank of mom and dad.....

Like jpolten it was a few years since i first arrived and it seemed most travellers were of a similar age to me which was a little older than my teenage years.

I think you should go to Krabi or that area lots of nice bungalows there next to the beaches. This side is quieter than Koh Phangan and Tao and is for more couples or quiet travellers like yourself but still lots of young folk to interact with.

[CrossBones]

okay so i created a similar topic but i cant edit it and you guys said you need more details

so im just looking for a relaxed nice area where its close to water

im not looking to buy girls or partying like that

im just a traveler checking out new places and enjoying life

so any tips for a 17 year old would be appreciated

i know alot about thailand just looking for a specific area and tips from people who live or lived there

thanks alot

Hello Mate

I suggest you go to Ko Phangan, its a island catering for backpackers. You can stay on the north side of the island for around 200-250 baht per night. I think if you look around near Charoglum you can find a room for rent for around 5,000 per month and you will be able to cook your own food - save a lot of money. If you stay on a cheap resort 200-300 a night you will still spend a lot on food. If staying in a resort you probably need 1000 baht a day absolute minimum. If you rent a room for a month you might be able to survive on 15,000 a month but not living it up by anymeans. But its a beautiful place and lots of swimming and snorkeling and lounging on the beach which is free.

The other place backpackers go is a place called Pai, in Mae Hong Song - its got a similar atmosphere to the islands. There is a river there. Pai is cheaper and there are more places to rent per month and there is a supermarket where you can buy food to cook at home and plenty of places you can sit on the street and drink whikey - cheap! There are plenty of people there living on about 20,000 a month.

You will have a good time, meet other young people and have the time of your life!

[CrossBones]

Actually another idea for you. If you are really pissed off with the world and want to get away from it all - you could just go to more or less any Thai villiage in the north (people are super friendly in the north) and find a family to rent you a room. You might only pay 1000 baht a month. You could offer to teach their kids English and in return you can learn some Thai and learn about the culture. Living with a family you could live very cheaply, dont impose yourself, and you must pay your way - these are poor people usually. You would also be expected to help the family with household chores and live like part of the family. Dont expect to be waited on hand and foot. A good starting point might be the local temple, ask around say you came to Thailand to get away from it all and want to learn about the culture and stay somewhere, possibly with a family, you don't have much money but can pay your way etc etc can they give you some advice. I bet you within a couple of days searching you'd have something sorted out. Use your instinct, most poeple you meet will SEEM VERY nice. Everyone wants to appear "nice" most people are, and some a very nice, but some are not. Take some time getting to know people, start at the local temple or school or try to find some kind of volunteer group. Many of the foreign voluneers in TL are totally phoney so watch you. Follow your instincts behave well and be respectful and you should land on your feet. Dont take the piss, Thai people are very hospitable and too polite to tell you if you are overstaying your welcome, so be very polite etc. You must be aware of the fact that in TL you are expected to be VERY respectful to people older than you. At 17 years old most local kids are still really children. At 17 years old most Thail people couldnt possibly understand how you could be away from your family, thousands of miles from home. Thai people very rarely travel or do anything alone.. they might want to adopt you! Dont get involved with any Thai ladies in village environment unless you are serious about a relationship. you might make some enemies otherwise. If you just want sex better to find a fellow traveller (easy to pick up girls on holiday). People don't usually have casual relationships especially when their parents are around. Read a few books on the subject before you arrive

On second thoughts Its best to keep away from the hippie drop out crowd in Thailand. Although it might be fun for a couple of weeks partying.

Most foreigners on this forum are a lot older than you, possibly worked all their lives and got divorced and lost everything and might be a bit bitter towards young people like yourself with your whole life ahead of you. Why didn't I discover Thailand when I was 17! Thailand isnt dangerous generally, be very wary of foreigners living out here - many have very few morals and are living in a "Hemingwayesque" boundless society where they can do more or less what they want and then disappear. Dont let money to people, dont borrow money, dont do anything illegal (casual English teaching may be OK) and dont bring any drugs over the border EVER.

If I were you, id stay in the states for another year, work 2 jobs, live on potatoes and vitamin pills and stay at mums house and spend nothing. Save up $30,000 and then go on a real trip of a lifetime! Thats what I did when I was 20!

[toybits]

Isn't Cheap Backpacker a HYPERBOLE?

[DP25]

How times change ...have walk down Khao Sarn Rd and the European travellers look about 16 years old...obviously on the new fashion of a gap year funded by the bank of mom and dad.....

Like jpolten it was a few years since i first arrived and it seemed most travellers were of a similar age to me which was a little older than my teenage years.

As you get older it becomes more and more difficult to tell the age of young people. Few teenagers in Khao San, early 20s to early 30s for the most part. Some are on gap year trips, but most are older and have jobs.

If you really just want a cheap, quiet place next to the beach and not a lot of partying you might want to check out Ko Chang.

[ricklev]

What is the deal with people who don't use capital letters?

Is it laziness, lack of typing experience making it difficult, some sort of personal style thing. an antiestablishment statement? I don't get it!

[kevbomac05]

wow thanks for the information guys

what a forum

what helping people in this world

man its great to be alive

maybe ill see you guys in Thailand

enjoy your day

thanks

[Birdman]

you are welcome. consider the seasonal monsoon seasons as well and renting a bungalow somewhere more in the back can have a monthly rate too, which is cheaper even if you don't stay the whole month.

[IanForbes]

Pay attention to what Crossbones said... EVERYTHING! I can't disagree with any of his information. It backs up what I've learned in the past 13 years. Only you can decide what is best for you, but it costs money no matter where you are and you never have enough to do everything. Last time I was in Pai there were LOTS of young people hanging out and staying in cheap backpacker huts.

I WOULD find some bank to store your cash though. It's too easy to get stolen if you carry it with you. And, it won't be some Thai that steals it. It'll be another backpacker like yourself that you trusted.

[highchol]

17 year old is no age to be coming to Thailand alone. In fact if I had my way I'd set the bar at least 45.

But as I am never likely to get my way I could only appeal to the people who do get their way... and seem to run and control everything here. They may actualy agree with me, makes business sense... there is little money to made from your average 17 year old ( zit cream being the exception )

Reason for edit....so as not to upset ricklev

[topben]

wow thanks for the information guys

what a forum

what helping people in this world

man its great to be alive

maybe ill see you guys in Thailand

enjoy your day

thanks

a mole, if not a hyperbole???????

[Garry]

When you're have a rest at Swampy, only take up one seat

[frogface]

As a rule, northern Thailand is cheaper than the south. In the north, Nan and Thaton near Fang have places to chill by the river and are less well known than Pai which is a beautiful place, now the mecca of cool young thai people and still popular with travellers and musicians. It can be busy at the weekends with thai people so try to get there before friday to get a room.

Up the Mekong from Nong Khai, around Sang Khom there are guest houses on the river and it's well off the main trail.

National parks are all over and offer great camping. They also rent rooms but it tends to be a house that will sleep a bunch of people so you'd need a gang. Koh Tarutao in the far south is stunning and an example of this. In the same archipelago Koh Lipe has bungalows. Koh Chang is another get away for Thais. It's beautiful, as are neighbouring islands but watch yourself there, it's a popular place for theives and people aren't very tolerant of arrogant drunks (they may hammer your head in). There is a second smaller Koh Chang on the peninsular which I don't know other than it's meant to be unspoiled and simple due to it being hard to get to. Don't know what cost is, probably not that cheap but not as expensive as Phuket or Samui either. If you want to go to Koh Samui stay in Mae Rim for cheap accommodation and a pretty beach. Pha Ngan, despite its fame is one of the most beautiful islands you could imagine and it still has cheap accommodation, especially if you aren't right on the beach. Be careful of your stuff on any of the islands. The main problem people encounter in Thailand is they are so relaxed, happy and feel so welcome that they do stuff they'd never do at home like leave passport on the beach while skinny dipping or trusting strangers too much. Have a great trip, I wish I was going.

[ballzafire]

I agree with the Koh Phangan recommendation, or the Andaman sea side (away from Phuket).

[highlander76]

Why not think about Laos one thousand islands si phi don stay on Don Det I was there about six years ago one buck a night very very laid back place

[Geekfreaklover]

Ko Tarutao - for a uniquie experience, but closed may-november.

Probably best to hit Koh San and take it from there.

Koh Lanta may be a good choice. Koh Phangnan is great.

Enjoy.,

[longstebe]

If you want to stay near the water buy the lonely planet book "Thailands Islands and Beaches".

Very helpful book.

Don't make too many plans. I would plan your first stay then go from there.

Good luck.

[CrossBones]

Isn't Cheap Backpacker a HYPERBOLE?

Most of us were cheap backpackers at 17. Dont be such a snob! Backpackers are the best type of tourists in Thailand, they are usually respectful young educated people out on a long holiday learning some things about life and having a good time. A much more attractive crowd than the older expat sex tourist crowd in my opinion most of whom are pretty cheap too!

[Birdman]

...second that! They are nice and free people enjoying their lives.

Had many wonderful relaxed and challenging moments as a backpacker countless times.