Where To Take Thai G/f For First Foreign Holiday ?

[lookingeast]

Hi everyone. Thinking about taking my Thai g/f for her first ever plane-ride to a foreign land for a week's holiday. I'd be greatly helped by anyone's experience and suggestions as 1) where to go that gives Thais a visa-on-arrival; 2) how to get a good deal for the flight - which budget airlines etc, and 3) any specific thoughts about good cities to go to for good-value hotels and restaurants. Just anyone's personal experiences really. Thanks.

[Dancealot]

Take her to Manilla. So you both can relax, enjoy, have a good time and reflect.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Thailand

[Upnotover]

Hong Kong gets my vote, sufficiently different for her to know she's "abroad", visually spectacular with plenty to see that doesn't cost a fortune, great Chinese food, just go to the backstreet cafes/restaurants and point at what the locals are eating. Don't know about low cost accommodation, I assume that's what you mean by "good-value", but I'm sure it's there. Eat and drink local and it's affordable, go western and its Singapore price.

[MiG16]

Bali Indonesia

Many beaches, not necessarily Kuta

Some culture...mix of Hindu and Buddhist, and other nature worship

Mountains, views, rice paddies

Reasonable price hotels

Cheap flights with airasia, and not too far to fly

Friendly people

Good food

Option between night life, parties versus nature peace and quiet. All possible within an hour or two of travel between different towns on the island

Enjoy

[BrianCR]

Laos, it's got thatched huts so she will feel at home

[rekkie]

Macau is a good one....45 mins on ferry to Hong Kong....New Sheraton has a deal £80 for delux double breakfast and dinner in the Italian...Bennys think they throw in a show on the second night Venetian across the road to throw your money away!!

Air asia should get there and back for 6000baht ish

[GooEng]

Took the misses to Borocay in the Phils about 6 years back and she loved it. Recommend it, based on our visit and a more recent report from a colleague who visited last year. Looking forward to returning soon.

[Satcommlee]

Depends whether you like City or Beach..

Hong Kong is a great suggestion, they have a disneyland and we all know these girls never grow up.

Penang would be a rubbish selection (been there done that, still getting moaned at)

Bali another great suggestion.

How about the Maldives (Bangkok Air).

Turkey (30 Days visa free)

Great link here.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_Thai_citizens

[KED]

Bali Indonesia Many beaches, not necessarily Kuta Some culture...mix of Hindu and Buddhist, and other nature worship Mountains, views, rice paddies Reasonable price hotels Cheap flights with airasia, and not too far to fly Friendly people Good food Option between night life, parties versus nature peace and quiet. All possible within an hour or two of travel between different towns on the island Enjoy

If you do go to Bali and have more than 4 days - plan some time in Ubud - a romantic and unique place

[roamer]

Bali Indonesia Many beaches, not necessarily Kuta Some culture...mix of Hindu and Buddhist, and other nature worship Mountains, views, rice paddies Reasonable price hotels Cheap flights with airasia, and not too far to fly Friendly people Good food Option between night life, parties versus nature peace and quiet. All possible within an hour or two of travel between different towns on the island Enjoy

If you do go to Bali and have more than 4 days - plan some time in Ubud - a romantic and unique place

If you say so.

[craigt3365]

Singapore seems to be on the list for many Thai gals. Not cheap, but an impressive place to visit for them.

[cardholder]

Have you asked your GF where she would like to go ?

Try that first - it is unlikely that a Thai lady would opt for a beach-based holiday but Bali is a good choice if she does.

Hong Kong is a great place with plenty of activity and she will probably enjoy a trip to Buddha mountain. Markets are lively and Thais seem comfortable here. Be aware that Thais can often feel like a fish out of water when they travel abroad - and she will need a stock of Mama noodles !

Try Cambodia - fly to Phnom Penh and go on to either Siem Reap (for Angkor Wat) or Sihanoukville for beaches.

Look out for Air Asia offers for flights.

[JeremyBowskill]

Wherever you take her given 6 months you will probably wish you had left her there. Jokes aside always found Cambodia to be a winner, Ankor goes down well along with PP.

[angiud]

Bali. First oversea trip for my wife. We went back the next 3 years. Be ready for a massive shopping

[QED]

I have taken my gf to Singapore, Bali, HK, and Macau and she really enjoyed all of them. When I asked which was her favourite it was HK - the reason? DISNEYLAND! (and shopping)

BTW we have been to Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar and she was very underwhelmed, seemed to see them as competition as they are neighbours, and spent the whole time belittling everything.

[cardholder]

Bali. First oversea trip for my wife. We went back the next 3 years. Be ready for a massive shopping

Also - be ready for massive hassle from street vendors etc.

I really enjoyed Bali but I hated being pestered by vendors - far worse than anything in Thailand. I also hating buying things - the vendors would start with such ridiculous figures. In one shop I bought 3 paintings for about 1.7m - the initial asking price was over 3m.

[WhizBang]

I have taken my gf to Angkok Wat, Luang Prabang, Hong Kong and Singapore. She loved all of them. Singapore definately the most expensive, but great fun, and they have (Thai) Tawandang.

The real question is... what does your gf like?

[cardholder]

Remember also that if you go for 'a week' you will probably be challenged to pay one day over-stay on the 7 day visa.

[lookingeast]

Hi everyone - just want to thank all posters sincerely for all the replies - we are going to study all the possibilities over the w/end !

[GooEng]

In addition to my first post and in agreement with the posts of others - the wife liked Singapore a lot also. Different kind of holiday, but equally well received. I've got a soft spot for Singapore too - it's nice to visit a tropical Asian city where the choices of shopping, eating, drinking and nightlife are second to none, plus everything is ordered, works well and the people are for the most part genuinely very pleasant.

[rfukata]

first, does your Thai gf like the beaches? at least with my experience, Thai women do not like the beaches.

well anyhow, I think Seoul Korea would be quite interesting... the Gangnam rap, and the spicy kimchee with

Kalbi ribs.

Other options would be - Singapore (Universal studios) + city tours and venturing into Malaysia through the

borders. I always take my daughter to Singapore and Malaysia, its nice, clean and safe.

[chuang]

Singapore...Korea...Hongkong....all are fantastic.

[a99az]

Laos, it's got thatched huts so she will feel at home

And cheap cheep cheep

[phuketrichard]

Have traveled with my ex to Bali, ( she loved it especaily up around Ubud) Rent a 2 wd jeep and explore the island.

Nepal, (went on a 3 day trek), Pokhara and kathmandu she really liked

Singapore ( a few times) with and without the daughter an stayed on Orchard road, plenty of attractions and the casino

Penang on one of my visa runs long ago

and of course the states

Some thais travel and love it, other hate it

Have taken my half thai daughter to all the above of course, plus; HK, Laos, Cambodia, France and Greece.

but she loves to travel as i do

Ask her where she would like to go rather than u decide if u want a good experience, If it was first trip out an u can afford $250/day ++ for accomodations, activities an shopping go to Singapore

Most thais do not like the beach

[sscsamui]

BALI....

[Shot]

Hong Kong/Disney, or Singapore

[bangkokburning]

She of course has a passport and is not just going to try and wing it thru Asean countries right?

Ask her. My wife likes old stuff, temples, culture. Not too interested in people per se. She, bless her is a modest shopper. Not interested in most of the crap most women go for. Wish she was less the backpacker and a bit more glamourous - but hey, we met backpacking.

My wife has traveled most these countries. A few trips without but most with me.

My wifes pick for her is Singapore. Biggest downside, hotel and food prices. Dont bother with Sentosa island. More exotic perhaps N Vietnam (Halong, Hue, Hanoi). Vietnam is wifes first choice, Singapore great but a bit of a bore ( I call her "adventure girl").

Yangon-Pagan

Siem Reap

Indian Himalaya is only plane to DEL bus to Manali and another to Leh. A big trip sure. Wife really excited about it but we are going to US in autumn Yellowstone, Glacier NP. If you have weeks do it, its an amazing trip of a lifetime. 4000mpeaks and passes common. Cheap too.

If you want an adventure of a lifetime take Indiago to DEL and the HPTDC bus to Manali and then up to Leh and return. Mid June you will see lots of snow and some fantastic peaks. We will finally get around to this next year if other trips dont continue getting in the way.

Siem Reap

[lookingeast]

So impressed with the detail members took the time to include - thanks ! I think i am lucky in that my lady isn't mad about beaches (like me) - the SUN !!! - going BROWN arrrgghhh haha. Also not stupid about unnecessary shopping (like me of course). And is really such a humble person that she's thrilled even to travel within Thailand - and no, we didn't meet last weekend with the nasty shocks yet to come - she has been the same for the 4.5 years we've known each other. All that time, but we haven't had the time or sometimes the cash for any real adventures - Laos visa-runs don't really count for an Isaan girl do they ! As a full-time government teacher even holidays seem to get consumed by insane demands from the system - Headmistress: 'This holiday, would you be ok for a week's Red Cross training course in Bangkok ?' / 'Would you be happy to go to the jungle with the boy scouts ?' etc etc... They tend to pick on the newer, younger staff of course, while the older teachers sit back and do as little as possible until the pension kicks in, but enough is enough so the words 'MAI ka' are coming more easily to her mouth when pressed to do all kinds of extra duties. Thai teachers in the system even get asked to do 'caretaker'-type duties at the school, and they get sucked into many events that take place at weekends - especially if like my lady they are English-teachers/speakers who can do MC/presenting work for the town. I am glad i posted the question - the range of responses amount to all we need to make a decision - Cheers!

[GooEng]

Be sure to post an update after the trip, be nice to hear where you end up and how you get on.

Bon voyage!

[GrantSmith]

Whatever you do don't take any advice from Sandman77!