1 Month In Thailand, Looking For Help On Which Regions To Go!

[LionMG]

I'm visiting Thailand this coming April (arriving April 1st) for an entire month. It'll be my first time traveling alone and outside of my comfort zone here in Canada. I was hoping to get suggestions on how to segment my trip, as in which regions I should go to based on my info. I've decided on Bangkok (arriving there anyway) and Chiang Mai for sure. The length of times at each and if I'll be going anywhere else are undecided.

I'm a guy, in my early 20's and single.

I love women and will be looking for fun, but I haven't decided if I'll go the bar/P4P route yet, which I've never done before. I'm not a big fan of drinking/getting smashed. I also don't think I'll need to pay for companionship, as I mentioned I'm young and am decently average looking for a white guy - successful job-wise, dress well, fun/humble/gentleman personality. I'll be trying my luck with online dating and setting up meets beforehand, as well as attempting (and likely failing) to flirt with girls at various places.

So I'm not sure how much I'll be hitting the red light nightlife for action, if at all. Or who knows, I'll probably really enjoy it and spend most of my trip there, never to be heard from again, haha. Or fail miserably in my attempt for a good girl and have no choice! Either way I think I'll want to try a soapy at least once as I've always wanted a nuru/oil massage. So I'm debating whether or not to include Pattaya.

I'm excited to do things like the elephant camp in Chiang Mai, ziplining, off-road quading, etc. Less excited about visiting temples and other cultural destinations, but I'm going to experience some of it anyway. This is more of an adventure, shopping and women trip. I want to try and break out of my shell and party, as I'm a pretty reserved guy. I've never been to a night club actually, or rave/big outdoor party. Let's just say my life until now has been pretty vanilla.

I'm not that excited about the whole looking at ruins/nature thing. I'm the type who likes to actually be doing some sort of fun activity. I'll be alone too, so just staring at something with no one to share it with doesn't sound appealing to me. This could change if I meet a group of other tourists and hang out with them though.

I'll be looking to do a lot of indoor things including visiting the big malls, going to live shows, watching a VIP movie, arcades, etc.

The beach I can do without, especially considering how hot it'll be in April. A reason I'm leaning toward leaving out Phuket.

I'd be more comfortable somewhere with less tourists (in particular the frat boy/crazy drunk type). The full moon party on Koh Phangan doesn't look like my scene.

5 days will be taken up by Songkran and the festivities surrounding it (I'm assuming there's big celebrations at night?). I'm looking forward to that. I want to spend it in Chiang Mai.

I should also mention this is more of a scouting/tester vacation. If I enjoy myself, I'll be moving to Thailand for at least 6 months later in the year. So I'm trying to spend the longest in the place I think I'd want to stay long-term, which I believe is Chiang Mai. Mainly because of it being more relaxed and the lower cost of living.

So in other words this isn't a trip where I will have to squish as much as possible, rushing to go to every part of Thailand, doing a million things a day. I want time to relax and savor the moment.

My budget is mid-high. Thinking $3000-4000 for the month, maybe less if I don't partake in the P4P scene.

With all that in mind, think I'll be busy enough with Bangkok and Chiang Mai? Or should I fit in other places like Pattaya, Sukhothai, etc.?

Thanks! Can't wait til April.

[krisb]

Early 20s, single and love women, not into ruins and temples...hmmmm.....no brainer here. Pattaya Id say. Chiang Mai will probably bore you like it would most single 20 yr olds.

Thats my thoughts anyways.

[chasggg]

I'd go along with that.......early 20's loves women.......Pattaya's the place.......he won't know what's hit him........

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[rekkie]

Not just Pattaya...would suggest The Bay Breeze hotel on soi hunni inn pattaya 700 baht a nite and good base for the action then will have plenty of money to give to the cash mchines with a lovely smile!

Don't forget to have a pub crawl on The Dark Side!

[Dancealot]

My advice is: do not do this alone. Bring a good friend and allow yourselves to reflect on each-other' s actions.

[cobra]

Devote some segment to the islands,

Going tribal on the beach (Samui, Phangan, etc) will be a nice respite from the heat of the cities and the constant drone of .. where you from ... how long you stay ...

Plus you'll meet more people of your age and interests.

Edited January 17, 2013 by cobra

[pomchop]

I also don't think I'll need to pay for companionship, as I mentioned I'm young and am decently average looking for a white guy - successful job-wise, dress well, fun/humble/gentleman personality. I'll be trying my luck with online dating and setting up meets beforehand, as well as attempting (and likely failing) to flirt with girls at various places

You might want to read up a bit on "online dating sites" as you may find a few surprises. If you are a young good looking guy looking for FREE girls you would likely do better to hit on the backpacker farang gals who might take care of you for "FREE". Seems to me that there are a LOT of gap year young pretty aussie/american/euro etc backpacker gals looking for some one night stands with young guys...Or of course you can try and figure out dating a "good" thai gal but don't be shocked if you find out that while she may be "good" she may not be FREE.

[PattayaPhom]

I think Cambodia would be a better choice, if you do end up coming to Thailand, suggest you get accommodation on the ground floor.

[alant]

A month should give you time to see some different aspects of Thailand I would certainly suggest that a trip to Chiangmai should be included for swansong 13-15 April Would I include Pattaya, sure plus Krabi and some islands. Pm me if you want suggested itineraries

[laislica]

Well you have a lot of time before you visit and I suggest you do some research.

Search YouTube with Trouble in Thailand

Watch those 8 episodes of

Big Trouble in Tourist Thailand

and learn the dangers that you can unwittingly encounter.

Don't hire a motorcycle.

Look at www.thailandfever.com and learn something about Thai culture.

Read Private Dancer by Stephen Leather, it's freely available on the web, no charge.

I totally endorse the advice by Dancealot "My advice is: do not do this alone. Bring a good friend and allow yourselves to reflect on each-other' s actions."

On my first visit to Bangkok, I met a young English man who said that he got drunk on his first day in Thailand and when he woke up he had a shirt and trousers on, nothing else!! He subsequently spent a lot of time at the embassy arranging for family to wire money to him.

Don't become another "statistic" simply by wearing a "holiday head", keep your with about you and stay alert at all times.

[Mudcrab]

keep away from the beach parties and do Walking Street, Pattaya, at least once......nothing prepares you for Walking Street

[mikebell]

150,000 baht a month! I'll ferry you round in my new Honda and show you a good time for half that sum. (I'm 70 tho' very active.)

[mmehy]

I would recommend to stay at Lana Thai Villa in Chiangmai , a private residence at the Four Seasons Resort , their buttler Khun Nui will help you plan your stay

he is very knowledgeable ; we just spend a week there, very memorable.

[redcardave]

KEEP AWAY From high rise hotels

[riceyummm]

keep away from the beach parties and do Walking Street, Pattaya, at least once......nothing prepares you for Walking Street

Agree on Walking Street, I've been going there for 28 years and I'm still not prepared for it.

There is no free sex in Thailand, what you may think is free will most likely cost far more then the purchased kind.

[Hans Sierhuis]

should stay home, this country is no land of the smile anymore. Go to Laos instead. Or if your suicidal try Phuket. always good for action, being robbed or something. Have fun!

[wabear]

No beaches, no ruins, want to do touristy things like see VIP movies, elephant rides, and ziplines, but don't like doing things alone so you want to find other tourists to hang around with. Well, Sankran in Chiang Mai is not a bad idea, but living there? Not much to do and that much difference any more from Bangkok in heat and pollution.

Skip Phuket (everyone should), see Pattaya as a more likely place to live. Lots of expats, lots of shopping, easy to get around, lots of things to do. Don't discount the beach on a hot day

I've never been, but apparently the backpacking crowd hangs around Khao San Road. You might meet some other travelers to hang around with and do things.

I do challenge you to broaden your ideas. Treat your Thailand trip as less like a trip to Disneyland with lots of rides, and more as place to make some friends and get to know the place. I was lucky enough to spend my first trips on Koi Samui a long time ago, staying at family owned bungalows on the beach. You couldn't help but interact with real Thai's outside the tourist areas. Unfortunately Koi Samui has been developed too much for that Gilligan's Island feel any more

If you go to Koi Samui, stay near Cheweng beach for the nightlife, but live cheap. This will force you to interact with the backpackers and also Thai's on vacation that go to the cheaper hotels. If you want someplace cooler, head up to Nong Khai. You can include a side trip into Laos.

[899cc]

I'd say get ur self out of bkk asap and as other poster's have said REALLY cut out the middle man if u like ladie's head to Patts, but if it were me a buget of 3-4k$ can go missing very easey when the ladies get involved..............................Best not tell them how long ur here for and how much cash u have LOL........Have a great trip and fill ur boots...............

[Richie23]

Chiang mai, Bangkok and Pattaya sounds like a plan. Just be careful, $3-4k can last for a months vacation, but at the same time can be gone in a week if some of the delightful young ladies get their way. Hope you have a good time

[rct99q]

keep away from the beach parties and do Walking Street, Pattaya, at least once......nothing prepares you for Walking Street

Agree on Walking Street, I've been going there for 28 years and I'm still not prepared for it.

There is no free sex in Thailand, what you may think is free will most likely cost far more then the purchased kind.

Absolute posh! Worked in a guest house for two years and it was all free. If you are looking for a good time hook up with a other travelers. French, American and of course Canadian girls were the best. Looking for fun just like you. I met as many single girls bumping and humping their way through Asia then guys. So if looking for free, don't go local.

[Scully]

If you are going to Chiang Mai then have a trip to Pai, plenty of young backpackers looking for a good time. It's in the middle of beautiful countryside and a fair bus journey from Chiang Mai but it still gets plenty of interesting people visiting.

Google it

[LionMG]

Thanks for the replies!

A bit of an update. I booked a flight with AirAsia from BKK to Chiang Mai on April 9th. Then a return on April 20th.

So I'll spend the first 8 days in BKK, and maybe (most likely ) try out Pattaya. Then head to CM for Songkran, and then back to BKK for the last 9 days (maybe going back to Pattaya if I liked it, or trying out Koi Samui).

Hopefully 11 days will be enough for Chiang Mai! It may sound long but I imagine almost half of that time will be taken up by Songkran festivities. I'll also likely head to Pai.

Those 17 days in BKK/Pattaya will be flexible. I'll play it by ear. Maybe I'll meet a group I like and get invited to go somewhere or something.

[Dancealot]

Have a good 1 and be careful out there LionMG.

[Sophon]

Deleted. Didn't read the OP's posts properly.

Sophon

Edited January 24, 2013 by Sophon

[driedmango]

Well, you will find, if your not a troll... that you will be surrounded by what feels like millions of other dudes like you. You should just go to Koh pan gan.

I really think you need to open your mind up to some cultural things like good food, local music and ruins and temples... your too young to decide that you don't have any culture.. I hope learning about the rest of the world threw THailand will help you see the middle way of the Buyddha a bit, not to be rude my friend but there is magic in the world, there is wonder and don't cut yourself short.

As far as the ladies go, I don't have alot to tell you but watch out for robberies and STD's and all sorts of bad vibes.. if you are really young, single and good looking you would be better off looking for a nice Lady to meet and have some real meaning ful fun.

I think you will find some cool festivals scattered around thailand, You should push yourself to learn to dance and socialize with other young people like yourself.

Traveling isn't just a place to get a cheap thrill, you can better yourself, you can help people, you can get past the outer layer of the onion to a place of contentment and wonder.

There isn't a specific place in Thailand to go or not go, it's good everywhere, just travel around a little take some trains, climb some rocks, do all sorts of wild things for sure.. but take it easy...

kids like you end up with broken legs in 4 days, or some STD or something.. take it easy, be smart and don't let yourself accept that you are bound to be a stiff that will never rave your ass off or fall in love with a proper women.

[Mrjlh]

Lots of good advice here so far. Do your research and don't tell anyone how nuch money you have is very good advice. Don't flash it either!! Couple of extra suggestions, most are simply common sense but you can get caught up in the monent:

1. Make color copies of your passport with emergency contact numbers and put a copy in each piece of luggage,

2. Then make copies showing your visa stamp after you arrive and keep with you. Lock up the passport when you go out from your hotel.

3. Other than offical business by police or hotel resgistration when required, never ever give your passport to anyone. Nornally a copy will do in all cases. Use or show a copy if you rent a motorbike or car.

4. Same with your credit cards, protect them.

5. keep your wallet in your front pocket, lots of pick pockets everywhere espicially in crowds.

6. Use metered taxis and get out if they refuse to use the meter. Especially from all airports and in towns.

7. Do not use the hotel to exchange money use the money exchanges at banks. You'll see them.

8. Again don't flash your cash.

9. Try to learn some simple phrases in Thai...it will go a long way.

10. Avoid "touts"everywhere, just say no and walk away. You are not hurting their feelings. Honest Thais do not approach you.

I could go on but I'm sure others will pass on their advice too. Have a fun trip. There are many ways to save money and yet have a great time. Just not enough space to cover everything. I did what you did by myself at first and ended up living there for 6 years.

Edited January 24, 2013 by Mrjlh

[driedmango]

ps.. if you stay at the right guesthouses and partake in the right activities you will meet lots of people...I don't like Yoga ya, but I went into a little teak house with some people from my guesthouse and they girls from switzerland didn't have bra's on, I spend the next three weeks making be friends I still am in contact with years later and one of the women well.. I will just say.. don't worry about being alone.

Being alone isn't the problem, it is being stuck with knuckle heads... meet up with some new people not just another mirror of yourself..

Have fun man !

[WhereThailand]

You can get more ideas on what to do in Thailand at facebook . com/WhereThailand

We hope that helps! Have fun travelling

[breadbin]

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