Safe Interesting Places For Holidaying Single Female

[fiddlehead]

1/ Sukothai

2/ Phanom Rung Temple (Buriram province I believe)

3/ Chaing Rai area (golden triangle?)

4/ Bridge over river Kwai (Kanchanaburi)

5/ Phuk-a-Ding NP (she could try to climb the mountain although it is a bit strenuous) (sp?) (Loui province)_

6/ Mae Hong Son (or Pai) northwest of Chiang Mai

7/ Dui Internon (Highest point in Thailand, beautiful flower garden on the way up..... called Royal something?)

Just a few.

All of them in northern Thailand.

So much more in the south, including:

Railay beach,

Phangnga bay

Tarutao National Park (ecological island with lots of history)

Treettops Adventure Park Krabi (a bit strenous for a 65 year old, but I did it 2 weeks ago: GOOD FUN!)

So many more, but these, I would consider safe for a single, female traveler.

[pmarlowe]

Lots of nice boutique hotels near the sky train for an easy couple of days of shopping, dining and some nightlife.

For other excursions, I would hire a trusted driver to go to places mentioned above, or other sites such as Ayuthaya, Sukothai, etc. Could even go up country if she is in for the long drives, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, etc. Not the cheapest mode of transport but prices are negotiable as times are tough. Most important, someone in the know is at your disposal. If you are interested in this kind of thing I can hook you up with a most trusted driver. Just PM me.

[Tony125]

If your too busy to take your sister around have her book an inexpensive hotel on www.Asiatravel.com and she can take tours from hotel to places like Ancient City, Authya , Asiatique in Bangkok near the river ,ect. Makes no sense for her to fly all the way to Thailand to sit around someones house doing nothing. More tips below

[Dassie]

My sister is coming from UK for a holiday and will be staying with my wife and I for a couple of weeks in October.

We have a rice business on the outskirts of Bangkok not too far from Suvarnabhumi airport and not exactly in the middle of any tourist attraction areas. Our business is open around 12 hours a day, 7 days a week which leaves very little time for me to play the good brother and host.

This will be the third time she has visited us here and although she enjoys just chilling and relaxing with us she would like to see a bit more of Thailand than on the previous trips and is happy to do a bit of traveling by herself but is not too sure where would be friendly and safe locations for a woman on her own.

Although I have been in Thailand for a few years I have never really got into the tourist type of thing or done much traveling apart from to Pattaya and Nakhon Sawan (Wifes home province) and as such have limited personal knowledge of where to go. Together, we have done a few of the sights in Bangkok previously but have not been much further afield.

Can any of the members recommend any places they feel would be a good getaway for a few days for a single female?

Obviously it is a very open question so a little background is most likely in order. She is: 65 years old but is very fit, in good health and looks 10 to 15 years younger than she actually is. She has travelled quite a lot and has common sense enough to avoid the obvious pitfalls of ambling down a dark soi etc. She enjoys the beach but equally enjoys walking and sightseeing. She is friendly, intelligent, enjoys good food and a drink and a laugh in good company. And definitely cant stand bull####.

Obviously as her brother that may come over as a bit biased but it is about as close to the truth as I can get.

We are not looking for miracles but any sensible suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in anticipation.

[CrummyJuggler]

Send her to Angkor Wat.

[Tony125]

She can visit the various malls like Central World , Station 21 across from Asok Skytrain Station, Platium Mall and Pratunam wholsale area for cheap bargains.

[Dassie]

My sister is coming from UK for a holiday and will be staying with my wife and I for a couple of weeks in October.

We have a rice business on the outskirts of Bangkok not too far from Suvarnabhumi airport and not exactly in the middle of any tourist attraction areas. Our business is open around 12 hours a day, 7 days a week which leaves very little time for me to play the good brother and host.

This will be the third time she has visited us here and although she enjoys just chilling and relaxing with us she would like to see a bit more of Thailand than on the previous trips and is happy to do a bit of traveling by herself but is not too sure where would be friendly and safe locations for a woman on her own.

Although I have been in Thailand for a few years I have never really got into the tourist type of thing or done much traveling apart from to Pattaya and Nakhon Sawan (Wifes home province) and as such have limited personal knowledge of where to go. Together, we have done a few of the sights in Bangkok previously but have not been much further afield.

Can any of the members recommend any places they feel would be a good getaway for a few days for a single female?

Obviously it is a very open question so a little background is most likely in order. She is: 65 years old but is very fit, in good health and looks 10 to 15 years younger than she actually is. She has travelled quite a lot and has common sense enough to avoid the obvious pitfalls of ambling down a dark soi etc. She enjoys the beach but equally enjoys walking and sightseeing. She is friendly, intelligent, enjoys good food and a drink and a laugh in good company. And definitely cant stand bull####.

Obviously as her brother that may come over as a bit biased but it is about as close to the truth as I can get.

We are not looking for miracles but any sensible suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in anticipation.

Hi Narisarasgroove

I spend a good deal of time in Chiang Mai where I've met many women travelling solo. It has a wide selection of accommodation, dining and entertainment options to suit all budgets. There's a great variety of tourist attractions in and around town. From Lanna theatre restaurants, Thai massage and cooking classes, zip lining, shooting ranges, Tiger Kingdom, ATV tours, mountain biking, trekking, plus many beautiful national parks and waterfalls. Plus, it's handy as a base for travel up to Pai, Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle. There are dozens of beautiful wats dotted throughout the city, some of which offer meditation classes and short courses on a pay by donation basis. I personally love the day spas here. They literally have tons of them, from the expensive high end right through to the basics with no frills but excellent massage therapists. Yoga is also huge up here. I have a great list of local tourist attractions that a friend made for when her family came to visit. We've gotten great mileage out of it since. Please PM me if you would like me to send you a copy.

I highly recommend a blog called chickynet.com It's an online community for women living in not only Thailand but throughout SEE Asia. She can post questions up there and potentially make new friends while she's here through their events and activities. They have a great number of members based in Bangkok too, so she could use it as a way to meet like minded women there.

I can vouch for feeling safe in Chiang Mai when I'm there on my own. But of course you must follow your gut/intuition and be streetwise no matter where you travel.

I wish your sister safe and happy travels!

[TSF]

+1 for Hua Hin

she's 65 so at that age she'll be more interested in relaxing and browsing shops, meeting others in a similar age group. She can find this easily at HH. Find a nice hotel for her, with a pool, not far from the beach/tourist hub/night market area, she'll soon make friends with some other tourists and they'll socialize together in the evenings. i would also book her a couple 1-day tours - River Kwai, and Bangkok temples/ChaoPhrya River trip. I think this would be enough for her.

[alkazared]

My suggestions are

1 Koh Chang

2 Koh Mak

3 Koh Kood

All very nice islands with stunning beaches and very safe for single tourists.

[smotherb]

I would definitely say hua hin as it's only a couple of hours drive from bangers

Where is "bangers"?

Should be next to the mashed potatoes.

[stephenterry]

I agree with Dassie. I live Chiang Mai, and it's a great place for many activities, or just to sit and people watch in any number of coffee bars, restaurants, and the like. IMO, it's civilised, and safe, with friendly people of all nationalities a hand-shake away.

[duanebigsby]

Ancient City near you for a day trip. Second Sukotha as a place to goi,a friend similar to your sister enjoyed that. Luang Prabang is lovely, not sure if the boat is a good idea, check comments on line about it's comfort and safety. Lots of scams here, good to go over some of them with her if she is going off by herself. Do you have a Thai friend that could be a guide, like a niece?

The boat is fine. Nothing wrong with it for comfort or safety.

The little town you stay over one night has decent guest houses and friendly restaurants.

[geisha]

I'm a similar person type to your sister. I've travelled the world and have lived a lot in Thailand. I would say Thailand is no more dangerous than anywhere else. Although I've had one bad thing happen to me in 31 years, I rather say I shouldn't have had a bag with me!' I've changed my wardrobe a bit, bought clothes with pockets!!! Of course, staying near other people, not going down quiet soi s etc is common sense. Not drinking late in public places is another. But I'm sure she knows that. If she doesn't know Bankok and all it's wonderful sights, I'd suggest 2 days in a nice hotel in town near a bts stop to do all the sightseeing. Not too far also is Ayuthaya, which makes a lovely day visit. Some hotels in Bangkok do a one day trip there, up on a boat from riverside, visit Bang Pa palace on the way, then Ayuthaya, and bus back to hotel, a good day out and lovely r trip on the river. If she'd like a few days on the beach, I'd say Koh Chang. It's gorgeous, easy to get around on the tuc tics ousside the doors of hotels, 100 baht and less to all the other beaches. I stayed in a lovely hotel with pool on Whitesand beach, near all the restaurants and great little bars with some live music, for the over 50 s style, I was so surprised!!! Nice crowds there! A two night trip to Kanchanaburi is wonderful too !!! Visit the bridge, eat great food, I took a taxi from my hotel to the Hell fire pass and Museum, shared the fare with others from the hotel. Walked the Pass, visited the museum, marvelous trip, tho sad. Came back on the train to my hotel. Great time. Easy too, would be fly to Chiang Mai for three nights and back, plenty to see there. I hope she has a lovely time , there's so much to see in Thailand. Even after thirty years I find new and lovely places to visit, mostly off the beaten track , but very interesting. Good luck.

[squarethecircle]

I second the recommendation for flying to Chiang Rai, taking the boat down to the ancient historical site of Luang Prabang, Laos, then flying to Bangkok. Only thing to add is to make sure to book one of the "luxury" boats down the Mekong, I think Chompee was one of them (you can confirm with Travel Advisor).

[fasteddie]

Most places..I agree, at 65 I think she will be treated respectfully wherever she goes. Realistically Thailand isn't the Wild West.

No! but it is most certainly the wild East.

[nithisa78]

I would take time off and properly escort my sister. Allow it to unfold. Surprise you don't have trustworthy friends that can help.

[narisarasgroove]

I would take time off and properly escort my sister. Allow it to unfold. Surprise you don't have trustworthy friends that can help.

To be clear, my Sister has been here twice before on holiday and as I said initially we have done most of the things she wants to do in the Bangkok area - Shopping, sightseeing etc. She would just like to see a bit more of the country and the business my wife and I have doesn't allow much leeway to allow us to escort her.

Our many customers need their supplies on a daily basis to maintain their businesses and yes I have trustworthy friends but none that would be able to run the business as most of it is done on a personal level by my wife who is very good at it.

My Sister is independent and capable and would not want a complete stranger (to her) "escorting" her for days on end not knowing her likes, dislikes, or anything else about her. Lets face it, would you?

'Nuff said.

[narisarasgroove]

Just wanted to say to all the people who have contributed to this post that my Sister has been following it all from UK and sends her sincere thanks to you all for your time and effort, as do I.

You have given her a lot more info than I could have on my own and now it is time to chew through it all and for her to decide what she would like to do.

Cheers.

[squarethecircle]

I second the recommendation for flying to Chiang Rai, taking the boat down to the ancient historical site of Luang Prabang, Laos, then flying to Bangkok. Only thing to add is to make sure to book one of the "luxury" boats down the Mekong, I think Chompee was one of them (you can confirm with Travel Advisor).

^^^^I noticed a mistype here, the site is Trip Advisor, not Travel Advisor.

[h90]

I can't think of anywhere that WOULDN'T be safe for her, or at least as safe as anywhere else.

As long as she uses common sense, doesn't go anywhere obviously dodgy, doesn't wander off on dark beaches alone, doesn't drink with all male groups and doesn't get drunk anywhere she should be OK.

If worried she could go on a tour.

Well I lived and live in the outskirt of Bangkok and as male I wouldn't go out after it gets dark. My parents got followed by a bad guy and could only narrow escape. Our homemaid (and she is not the innocent) got robbed. Lots of narcotic guys and drunks in the night.

I think your correct. To say everywhere is safe is not true ...

It is not safe to walk alone in the back soi's of most small villages ... and especially a woman.

With two people together it is safer and would not attract a robbers attention as much as being alone.

There are many drunks and desperate's in most small villages that even the most street savvy wouldn't feel safe. But most ' in town ' areas are quite safe to walk around and see the sights.

I once went at Samut Prakarn to buy beer in the middle of the night, lots of drunks, some vomiting....Thai and foreign low class labor. No place you want to stick out with your skin color, even less as woman.

But a km up or down it might be complete safe.

[thaibeachlovers]

I can't think of anywhere that WOULDN'T be safe for her, or at least as safe as anywhere else.

As long as she uses common sense, doesn't go anywhere obviously dodgy, doesn't wander off on dark beaches alone, doesn't drink with all male groups and doesn't get drunk anywhere she should be OK.

If worried she could go on a tour.

Well I lived and live in the outskirt of Bangkok and as male I wouldn't go out after it gets dark. My parents got followed by a bad guy and could only narrow escape. Our homemaid (and she is not the innocent) got robbed. Lots of narcotic guys and drunks in the night.

I think your correct. To say everywhere is safe is not true ...

It is not safe to walk alone in the back soi's of most small villages ... and especially a woman.

With two people together it is safer and would not attract a robbers attention as much as being alone.

There are many drunks and desperate's in most small villages that even the most street savvy wouldn't feel safe. But most ' in town ' areas are quite safe to walk around and see the sights.

Which is why I qualified my statement.

I very much doubt she will be wandering about in the outskirts of small villages. I have and the real danger is being mauled to death by the dogs.

I would expect that she would be sticking to the touristed areas. They are touristed because they are interesting. Who wants to to explore some boring grotty village while on holiday?