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bluecrow

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Jun 4, 2000
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Some friends and I are looking at going overseas for a few weeks at the end of the year. We're only students, so we're on a budget obviously, but so far we're keen on Thailand.

A few nights in Bangkok, followed by a longer stay at either Phuket or Koh Samui seems to be popular. Is there anyone who's been to Thailand who could give me some info on accommodation, places to go (and not to go), things to do....etc. Is it better to travel with 1-2 friends or go in a larger group?

Bali & New Caledonia are other options. I really want to go to Bali, but a friend just came back from there (having been to Thailand last year) and said she much preferred Thailand! Is there anywhere else (not too far away & not too expensive) you'd suggest?

Any help would be much appreciated, thanks :)
 
Originally posted by bluecrow
Some friends and I are looking at going overseas for a few weeks at the end of the year. We're only students, so we're on a budget obviously, but so far we're keen on Thailand.

A few nights in Bangkok, followed by a longer stay at either Phuket or Koh Samui seems to be popular. Is there anyone who's been to Thailand who could give me some info on accommodation, places to go (and not to go), things to do....etc. Is it better to travel with 1-2 friends or go in a larger group?

Bali & New Caledonia are other options. I really want to go to Bali, but a friend just came back from there (having been to Thailand last year) and said she much preferred Thailand! Is there anywhere else (not too far away & not too expensive) you'd suggest?

Any help would be much appreciated, thanks :)
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Kangaroo bar in phuket is a good place for aussies to go.they generally will look after any aussie tourist.when you go out, make sure you look out for any"beanies"(trannies).check and see if the **** that you take home has a adams apple.make sure when you book a hotel you find out about any"hidden" charges before you go in.

stay together(i.e in pairs at least)

dont drink too much:D
 
Been to Bali twice & Thailand 3 times.

Thailand.....
Bangkok is a congested, polluted & at the times ive gone, very hot & humid place.
Best to end your trip here with a maximum of 2 nights to do all your shopping & avoid the lure of tuk tuk's & stick to metered cabs.
KoSarhn Rd. is a good place to stay for a mix of entertainment, on street markets, cheap accomodation & back packer sort of hang outs...

Koh Samui & Pangan / Koh Tao - great places.
Koh Samui @ Chaweng is the most commercial of these destinations. Lamai - the next beach down from Chaweng on Samui is a little more quieter.
Chaweng is still a great place, no need to book accomodation, great bars / pub's, cheap living.
Some places Ive stayed at include O.P. Bungalows & Charlies Bungalows - both filled with young people, good facilities, pretty cheap ($15 - 30 per night depending on type of room).
At Lamai, its more quiet & stayed at Galaxy, great room, about $35 - $40 per night, great facitlities, all places were beach front.

If you want a choof, do so in your own room & do it low key....
Some of the cheaper type bungalows sell you "gunja" over the counter - be subtle.


Bali....
Love the place.
More commercialised, & plenty of places / bars / nightclubs, pubs etc...
You can watch all 4 games of AFL over the weekend 7 it really is geared up for Aussies.

Not as beautiful as Thailand, but a mere 6 hours from Melb & cheap as hell.
At the moment the exchange rate is about 6,000 rupiah or more to the AU$
A Bin Tang Beer cost about 6500 rupiah (its brewed by Heineken brewery) so there you go, very cheap beers !

Kuta is the place to stay if you want to party, poppy's lane 2 is my pick.
Have stayed at the Bounty Hotel, amongst many others, but this would be my pick for singles.
Right in the heart of Kuta & close to Legian St / nightclub areas, plenty of Warung's (cafes) outside the hotel & close to the beach.
Seminyak is next town past Legian & much quieter & nicer if you are going with your GF or wife.

The difference between Bali & Thailand in meals is that in Bali the western food is actually very good if you eat out at the restaurants & in Thailand it was terrible.
But the Thai cooking is brilliant, so too Indonesian food in Bali, but Thai is nicer if I had the choice of both.

So much more to it in both instances....
If you like to choof & relax go to Thailand
If you like to party your Ass off & drink, go to Bali & stay in Kuta.
 
Originally posted by bluecrow
Some friends and I are looking at going overseas for a few weeks at the end of the year. We're only students, so we're on a budget obviously, but so far we're keen on Thailand.

A few nights in Bangkok, followed by a longer stay at either Phuket or Koh Samui seems to be popular. Is there anyone who's been to Thailand who could give me some info on accommodation, places to go (and not to go), things to do....etc. Is it better to travel with 1-2 friends or go in a larger group?

Bali & New Caledonia are other options. I really want to go to Bali, but a friend just came back from there (having been to Thailand last year) and said she much preferred Thailand! Is there anywhere else (not too far away & not too expensive) you'd suggest?

Any help would be much appreciated, thanks :)
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I've been to Thailand several times.

You can shop till you drop in Bangkok,suggest you get accomodation somewhere near Pat Pong Road (Thats where the night markets are...and all the girly bars~heh~)

shop in Bangkok...relax somewhere else.

Steer clear of Phuket IMHO...too many tourists...too far from lotsa things for day trips(lotsa wasted travel time)...Koh Samui is more laid back & cleaner.

Another alternative(& one of my fav. places) down South is Krabi...beautiful beaches/great snorkelling on all the surrounding islands (just hire a longboat to take you out to them for the day)...lovely people the Thai's...they don't call it the land of smiles for nothing.

Hope this helps.~heh~.
 
Great summary Wurzell, there are so many aspects & places to go, but your 100% spot on with Phuket.
From what Ive heard Pattaya is just a full on filth place to go with km's of prostitute bars & NTTAWWT ter city.
Didnt make it to Crabbie, but its supposed to be superb, that and Raylie (not sure of the spelling) beach.

Thailand is a little more rugged than Bali in terms of getting around, I suppose thats because Bali was developed into a major tourist spot 10 or so years prior to Thailands beaches.....

If you want to bang tourists & are single, Bali's the place !
 
Re: Re: Thailand

Originally posted by Wurzell
I've been to Thailand several times.

You can shop till you drop in Bangkok,suggest you get accomodation somewhere near Pat Pong Road (Thats where the night markets are...and all the girly bars~heh~)

shop in Bangkok...relax somewhere else.

Steer clear of Phuket IMHO...too many tourists...too far from lotsa things for day trips(lotsa wasted travel time)...Koh Samui is more laid back & cleaner.

Another alternative(& one of my fav. places) down South is Krabi...beautiful beaches/great snorkelling on all the surrounding islands (just hire a longboat to take you out to them for the day)...lovely people the Thai's...they don't call it the land of smiles for nothing.

Hope this helps.~heh~.
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Agreed on Krabi - very laidback and chilled out.
Great for just hanging on the beach and visiting islands etc.
They had a huge Muy Thai arena next to the bungalows we stayed in, but there weren't any events on though.... :(

And of course 'James Bond Island' haha.
:D
 
Originally posted by Free Willy
Best to end your trip here with a maximum of 2 nights to do all your shopping & avoid the lure of tuk tuk's & stick to metered cabs.
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agree there...

do all your shopping in bangkok... dont shop in ripoff tourist joints like phuket...

use metered cabs... (dont get ripped off by an 'agreed' cab fare.. cabs are frickin cheap)

eat at those market/street food stalls... bloody cheap and delicious ~
 
Re: Re: Re: Thailand

Originally posted by SydneyBomber

And of course 'James Bond Island' haha.
:D
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Hah! I made the fatal mistake of making eye contact with one of the ladies that was selling **** at one of the stalls. I've never wanted to get away from somewhere as much as I did at that stupid island. :(
 
Originally posted by Free Willy
its supposed to be superb, that and Raylie (not sure of the spelling) beach.
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Railay beach is very pretty (tho it can get congested at times)...its just a short trip (via longboat) from Ao Nang beach in Krabi...locals are very relaxed & friendly, I've personally never once felt threatened in Thailand you just need to use some common sense & you'll all be fine.

Watch out for the monkeys tho' !!...they'll steal everything from food to drink bottles !!

If you make it to Krabi I suggest you stay @ Ao Nang beach (all sorts of accom. from the top end to the bottom).

All sorts of food available @ Ao Nang from cheap local to various international cuisine...they even have a Mc Donalds !

Day trips to Chicken island, Poda island etc for snorkelling/lying in the sun are both cheap & worthwhile...just take plenty of sunscreen & bottled water.

If in doubt of the water,
then stick to beer...works for me:D
 
Originally posted by coxon
use metered cabs... (dont get ripped off by an 'agreed' cab fare.. cabs are frickin cheap)
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Too right, we spent all day driving around in a cab (the driver loved acting like a tour guide) and showed us all the sites in and around Bangkok. It was literally all day and cost about 10-15 AUD.

Avoid going on organised company tours, rip off and no freedom. Hire a car or go to places on train and see what you want when you want.

I went to Chiang Mai and River Kwai as well as Bangkok, loved the trip, best one ever!! We decided to go to Hong Kong instead of doing Sth Thailand (which should be avoided atm), but that would probably be too expensive for ya.

Singapore was a good suggestion by whoever posted that. Vietnam is also great and can be done on the cheap!
 

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Originally posted by superstar
If you go to Thailand, look out for she-boys. Deceptive filthy buggers apparently.
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Ohhh man, the amount of fat pis sed tourists you see parked on the back of a trans's motor bike on the way home for some vile action is disturbing - but at the same time funny & after a while....suprisingly quite normal to watch - BUT ALWAYS FUNNY !!!!
 
Never been to Bali.
Been to Thailand 3 times,but only to Bangkok,Chaing Mai and almost to the cambodian border and seen the Burma Railway.
 
Been to Bali 17 times, I just got back last week from a month there.

Been to Thailand once.

I just love Bali, I now have 2 kids and they love Bali as well.

The Balinese are in my opinion more friendlier than the Thais, Bali is cheaper than Thailand and quicker to get to.

If you want a great Bali website take a look at www.balitravelforum.com and www.baliblog.com
 
I wouldn't stay on Khao San Road in Bangkok unless you want to be around tree hugging UK backpackers who wear fishermans pants, haggle over 20 baht banana pancakes and watch The Beach over and over on DVD.

I'd either stay a few roads off Khao San - Viengtai or Royal Hotel. Alternatively stay in Sukhumvit - suk11 guesthouse. It is very close to shops, restaurants, skytrain line, airport shuttle bus.
 
But isnt the preference for Bali over Thailand a personal matter?.Experiences etc,as i said i've never been to Bali.
 
Tioman Island. Just off the east coast of Malaysia. Been there once and never been back but would love to. If you happen to be in the area would recommend particularly for snorkelling and tropical evenings.
 
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