Newbie Backpacking To Thailand For Her First Time!

[MissAnne]

Hello all!! Hope everyones doing well during this scorching hot weather. I certainly am not blessed with the horrible humid weather in Korea unlike Thailand which has a nice tropical sunny weather. Well before going on further detail about my trip let me simply introduce you myself. I am a twenty one year old Korean American female who is a part time English teacher living in Korea. I like traveling, shopping, and music. Sadly at this moment i can't think much information about myself as weird as it sounds but yeah i'm just a normal gal like any other person in this world. Okay so i'm leaving to thailand with my bf on the 12th and im staying there for twelve days. My bf and I plan on staying at khao san road the very first night and we're really worried about the financial payments and so since we're only taking 600 dollars for 10 days and also want to enjoy ourselves not royally but decently. Also i have a question, if i ride in a cab and tell the driver the name of the hotel ya think he'll be able to identify where it's at or should i show him the picture of it and blah. Thanks people.

[Explorer]

MissAnn,

Rule number one if you plan to go for a trip somewhere is to check the weather forecast on the net and for your info it has been raining here in bangkok for the last few days.

As for your financial stuff, the amount that you posted seems to me is enough if you are backpacking and not staying in some 5 star hotel for 10 days.

Food and other stuff are pretty cheap here, so i guess you could save alot.

And as for the Taxi to the hotel, it would be good if you could have the full address of the hotel plus their contact number here.

Explorer

[MissAnne]

explorer thanks!! i've waited for a while and finally someone replies!! yay! okay so check the weather, and get the full address of the hotel and their contact number. okie doo

[The Dude]

Hello all!! Hope everyones doing well during this scorching hot weather. I certainly am not blessed with the horrible humid weather in Korea unlike Thailand which has a nice tropical sunny weather. Well before going on further detail about my trip let me simply introduce you myself. I am a twenty one year old Korean American female who is a part time English teacher living in Korea. I like traveling, shopping, and music. Sadly at this moment i can't think much information about myself as weird as it sounds but yeah i'm just a normal gal like any other person in this world. Okay so i'm leaving to thailand with my bf on the 12th and im staying there for twelve days. My bf and I plan on staying at khao san road the very first night and we're really worried about the financial payments and so since we're only taking 600 dollars for 10 days and also want to enjoy ourselves not royally but decently. Also i have a question, if i ride in a cab and tell the driver the name of the hotel ya think he'll be able to identify where it's at or should i show him the picture of it and blah. Thanks people.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Miss Anne, you probably already did but in case you haven't, post this on the Lonely Planet board and I bet you will get loads of helpful replies

[Khun Jean]

mmm. The Dude is right. But then again my advice would be not to buy the lonely planet or heaven forbid actually read it.

Unless of course you want to stand in line behind al the backpackers and don't mind to travel along a very beaten path. Many of the hotels and restaurants named in that book are more expensive than the other ones, only because they are referenced in that book.

Another tip. Travel very very light. I am still laughing at a lot of them sweating while walking like a pack mule in the heat. Clothes are very very cheap here. You can even buy a shirt every day and still stay within your budget. Some underwear, soap, toothbrush a towel fits easily in a very small rucksack weighing not more that 3-4 kilo's.

600 dollars is around 24000 baht. You will be fine. Expect to spend around 1000-1500 per day for a very decent place to stay and some good meals in restaurants.

[valentinoxxx]

Anyong Haseyo

Here's a link to the board mentioned; http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/

Here's a good place to start your travels; http://www.newsiam.net/new2.htm (New Siam II) Ask for something on the top floor. More natural light.

There are detailed instructions on how to get there on the website.

Airport Bus A2(100 baht) goes there. If taking a taxi(around 300 baht), ask for the Phra Athit Road (pronounced 'Prra a tit')

Anything else?

Edited August 2, 2005 by valentinoxxx

[jackr]

mmm. The Dude is right. But then again my advice would be not to buy the lonely planet or heaven forbid actually read it.

Unless of course you want to stand in line behind al the backpackers and don't mind to travel along a very beaten path. Many of the hotels and restaurants named in that book are more expensive than the other ones, only because they are referenced in that book.

Another tip. Travel very very light. I am still laughing at a lot of them sweating while walking like a pack mule in the heat. Clothes are very very cheap here. You can even buy a shirt every day and still stay within your budget. Some underwear, soap, toothbrush a towel fits easily in a very small rucksack weighing not more that 3-4 kilo's.

600 dollars is around 24000 baht. You will be fine. Expect to spend around 1000-1500 per day for a very decent place to stay and some good meals in restaurants.

So which other guide book does she buy then? While not being infallible, Lonely Planet guide books are generally good and have bags of useful info for the tourist - she can hardly spend all day surfing the net and is unlikely to want to get off the beaten path during her short stay in muang Thai, much better to have a book to hand for convenience.

Totaly agree about travelling lightly though, leave those sequined dresses and high heels at home but don't bother with a towell unless you're likely going to be staying in dorm accommodation.

Khao San Road's not very long anyway so the driver has little chance of getting lost. Always make sure the taxi driver turns on his meter or agree the fare beforehand.

[Boatabike]

After landing head up to Kanchanaburi and spend a couple of days getting your bearings, its a great town with some great attractions and the locals are also great.

[jackr]

After landing head up to Kanchanaburi and spend a couple of days getting your bearings, its a great town with some great attractions and the locals are also great.

Really, I always thought the locals there were very offish, kind of on par with Sukhothai. Nice around the river area but the town is an eyesore imo. I'd say give Ayuthaya a go for some real ancient Thailand before heading into Bangkok and having all your senses assaulted in one-fell-swoop. You can get to Ayuthaya by train for 11 baht each running from right outside the airport.

[MissAnne]

Thanks everyone for being so helpful especially to a newbie!!Your tips will be of a big help to me. However, i do hope that i can make it because the dumb Us embassy sent my bf the wrong passport to him....and we booked our plane ticket on the twelveth so we don't know if we'll get it back by then. Hopefully we can. wish us the best.

[Tyree D.]

don't be direspectful like other backpackers I see...

walking around with their big ass backpack and a Lonely Planet in one hand asking everybody (even me) if they speak English. Don't ask if the water is safe to drink and don't overstock yourself with malaria pills. Don't only go to Khao San and the full moon party then assume you are an expert on Thai culture.

[Boo]

Miss Anne, when u land in BKK airport go outside & take the bus to KS Road, appox 100 baht & the people booking the bus will speak Englsih & the driver will tell you when your there, ignore all the taxi touts instide the arrivals area & when u get to KS, walk along it till you find a guesthouse you like the look of. The travel agents in KS are pretty ok & won't rip you off too much & they are really helpful in helping you book the rest of your tickets to go where you want in the Kingdom. And remeber, if you think your being ripped off, just smile politely & go to the next place as there are loads of guesthouses, travel agents etc that you don't have to settle for the first one you come across.

Have a great trip

[Boo]

oh & yes, get an LP but don't use it like a bible, take the useful things, like customs, do & don'ts etc & also as a starting piont of regions to visit but remeber that most of the info abt guesthouses etc is usualy out of date & things change quite rapidly in the tourist trade in LOS. The best idea is to get to KS & talk to other travellers to get a more up to date view on certain areas. esp after Tsunami

[bkkmadness]

. Also i have a question, if i ride in a cab and tell the driver the name of the hotel ya think he'll be able to identify where it's at or should i show him the picture of it and blah. Thanks people.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Though not completed yet, here's some tips about taxi travel and other transport within Bangkok.

thaiso taxis and tuk tuks

thaiso airport bus

Edited August 7, 2005 by bkkmadness

[thebear]

Miss Anne, when u land in BKK airport go outside & take the bus to KS Road, appox 100 baht & the people booking the bus will speak Englsih & the driver will tell you when your there, ignore all the taxi touts instide the arrivals area & when u get to KS, walk along it till you find a guesthouse you like the look of. The travel agents in KS are pretty ok & won't rip you off too much & they are really helpful in helping you book the rest of your tickets to go where you want in the Kingdom. And remeber, if you think your being ripped off, just smile politely & go to the next place as there are loads of guesthouses, travel agents etc that you don't have to settle for the first one you come across.

Have a great trip

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The best advice you could get for a first time arrival on a tight budget. Have a safe enjoyable visit.