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mcbg1 |
Thailand in February/March 2010 |
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Posts: 457 (09/08/09 20:16:32) |
Well I've just returned from Australia and I'm already planning another trip. I would like my destination to be Thailand and I could only go in
February or March 2010, maybe later, depending on when I can take some time off from work. Since it would be my first visit to Asia, I'd like to stick to 2
main areas, Bangkok and Phuket. From the small amount of research I've done so far, it seems like things would be pretty cheap over there. I've seen
some great looking hotels that cost around 30$ per night. Has anyone here been to Thailand and can give me some general advice on when the best time to go
would be, where I should stay, how much I should budget for, etc. Thanks!
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CliftonMEM |
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Posts: 1232 (09/08/09 22:35:27) Member |
We had an apartment in a full service apartment hotel. It had a separate bedroom, kitchen, a large living room and even a small balcony. Also, room service, a
breakfast buffet and a roof top pool and uniformed people that snapped salutes as you passed (seriously). It was $79 per night a couple of years ago. Point
being, Bangkok is a very good value. I would think $30 should be very possible in some areas.
This was by the river area, and a block's walk to the sky train station and the adjacent river boat dock. We liked the area, but mostly liked that it was easy to get anywhere else from there. Don't know Phuket. We went north. |
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endo213 |
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Posts: 797 (09/09/09 08:19:17) Member |
I was in Bangkok many years ago on my way to volunteer on an archaelological project in Phi Mai in Northwest Thailand. It was extremely cheap and I was able
to stay at the Oriental with a magnificent view of the river. I will say that as a woman traveling alone I was not at all comfortable in Bangkok. I enjoyed a
tour from the hotel that went down river to some temples and palaces.
Since I didn't know when I would ever return to that area I flew for an overnight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. I recommend taking the time to do this. |
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ChiChi Carbonado |
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Posts: 7313 (09/12/09 13:34:09) Administrator |
Hi mcbg1 -- Sorry it's taken me a few days to get on this.
I agree you will find Thailand very inexpensive compared to Europe or Australia. If you want to do things on the cheap, you can do them very, very cheap. And if you want to splurge, you will get incredible value for your money. I was the one who recommended the serviced apartment hotel to Cliff and I'd probably stay there again in a heartbeat. The value is incredible. Besides everything else Cliff described, it should be noted that the kitchen is equipped with a full size stove and fridge, and a washer/dryer. There is a department store connected to the building, with a full supermarket in the basement, so it's very convenient to stock your room with snacks and drinks. The place is called Centre Point Silom. If you are going to travel alone, you can probably do better in a cheap hotel, but if you are going with another person or two, do check out the Centre Point. They have different size rooms at different prices. I have stayed in most of them and even the smallest is still large compared to an average hotel room. As for the timing, the later it gets, the hotter it will be. February would be better than March. Personally, I wouldn't want to go much later than that as it will be sweltering. I've never spent much time in Phuket, and what I've seen of it has been so overdeveloped -- think of one hotel after another right down the beach. I'm sure there are more upscale resorts and areas, but I'm afraid I'm not familiar with them. If you want to do a little research, check out some of the other islands in the area as well, such as Ko Phi Phi, Ko Samui, etc. They will require a boat ride from Phuket, and they are also very touristy, but we found a quiet little place on the northeast shore of Phi Phi that we loved. Of course, if you want nightlife and markets, you will want to be closer to a town. If you ever saw the film The Beach, it was filmed on Phi Phi Lay, which will give you a good idea of the beauty of these islands. As you plan your trip, let me know if I can be of further help. |
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CliftonMEM |
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Posts: 1234 (09/12/09 23:54:18) Member |
Oh, that's right Chi Chi, I remember that was you that recommended the Centre Point, from the pre-TTG days, wasn't it? It was nice having that ability
to do laundry - made it easier to pack light.
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ChiChi Carbonado |
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Posts: 7314 (09/13/09 00:17:18) Administrator |
Since we stayed at Centre Point after our return from Angkor Wat, every article of clothing we had was filthy. It was great to do laundry at our convenience
(although as I recall, those washer/dryer combos took FOREVER to do a full load). Centre Point also let us leave luggage there at no charge while we went off
to the islands, and we picked it up on our way back through Bangkok before we flew home. They were just great.
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JujuYuku |
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Posts: 29 (09/13/09 00:33:52) |
We went to Thailand a few years back on a package deal with Gate1 Travel. (www.gate1travel.com) As I recall we did their Affordable Thailand package for $949
(special deal) out of LAX, 12-13 days, pretty much all included, airfare, transfers, sightseeing every day, hotels, all internal transportation, most meals.
And the meals we had to buy were very inexpensive, and the guides told you where to go and how to do it.
We went to Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai and several places in between, did not go to Phuket, which turned out to be a good thing, because they had the tsunami shortly thereafter. The tour was a bit heavy on temples, but the country has a LOT of temples of historic significance. It was a great tour for the money. Some folks don't like to use tour companies. I can go either way. The trade-off is the amount of time you invest in planning on your own vs. the freedom to do your own thing. Sometimes you just want to let somebody else handle the whole thing. And sometimes planning it ALL is the whole point and half the fun. I feel strongly both ways (that is a joke ... and not). |
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CliftonMEM |
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Posts: 1235 (09/13/09 00:34:17) Member |
Yeah. Ours too. But eventually they got done. With the heat and humidity in southeast Asia, it's worth it to get a fresh start!
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ChiChi Carbonado |
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Posts: 7315 (09/13/09 01:39:01) Administrator |
I hate planning trips, but I dislike tours for the most part even more. What's a girl to do?
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Gardenridge |
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Posts: 2638 (09/14/09 23:16:12) |
We stayed in Bangkok and Pattaya when we went and took a taxi in between (!!!) which was viable because the four of us were traveling together. I wouldn't
recommend Pattaya. It really is a den. One thing I would recommend is staying at one of the old lavish hotels in Bangkok just because it is so affordable.
Maybe do that at the end of the trip for a treat and great memories. However, you're not getting the whole experience if you don't try another level
of accommodation.
Keep your ears and eyes open for current politics. The palace was shot up a few days after we were there, and that seems to be a common occurrence. I was there with two kids under twelve, and had nightmares for a long time after with the "could have beens" Know the rules, too. You don't want to make a mistake and come in contact with their justice system. NO comments or jokes about their royalty to anyone. |
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