Hostels

[jmax]

has anyone had any experience (good and bad) I'm really wantin to givem shot, they look like fun sooooo c'mon!!

[gotlost]

[Ciaphas]

Stayed in many hostels over the years some better than others. Would help if you gave an idea of location.

[keestha]

What exactly is a hostel, in what sense is it different from a guesthouse? Or is the OP talking about Youth Hostels?

[Ricardo]

The Thai branch of Hostelling-International is at www.tyha.org, in Thai and English, and their network covers the main towns & areas here, but given the cheap guest-houses which abound, often with dorm-rooms, there is less need of Youth Hostels here than in many more-expensive countries.

Atmosphere varies from hostel to hostel, a lot are just franchised guest-houses with a special-rate for HI/YHA-members, but they're usually good-value and clean/welcoming IME.

Perhaps a copy of the Lonely-Planet guide, if you've not already seen it, might be a good next step for the OP ?