Hey guys! I’m planning to go to Thailand winter of 2019. Im planning to go for about a month with my husband, and I think we are wanting to travel to a few places. Looking for recommendations of where to go, what to see, best time to fly, and any other information you have to share. Thanks !

Following..we plan on going in April 2019

Be aware of the Thai New Year National Holiday in mid April. In country travel can be difficult as lots of people travel home over his period. Also many businesses shut and take several days off. You may want to plan ahead if you want to be in a specific place during this period. If you want to use a specific means of travel such as a night train to Chiang Mai you can plan and book these from home over the internet using a booking service such as 12Go. There is a fee for this but if you have specific plans that may be the cost of achieving them. April is one of the warmest months and Bangkok will be very warm at that time.

Ahh!! We just finished our honeymoon in Southeast Asia for a month! PM me if you want to know alllll the best places!
We did Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand

Dec and Jan are great times to go to Thailand. Visit Chiang Mai for sure and specifically elephant nature park for a few days and doi suthep. Street food everywhere is amazing!

Come in January when I am there!!

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Word vomit On Thailand :
30 baht is about 1 Cnd dollar
Kho San road in Bangkok a very popular tourist road good place to stay when you first get there a bus from airport to kho San road is about 100- 150 bhat.
No need to book any accommodations in advance walk up traffic is good or hostelworld or hostelbookers is good too.
Remember when in Thailand a price is never final always bargain it's an insult id you don't negotiate taxi and tuk tuk rates.
Always confirm before getting in a taxi or tuk tuk that it is a metered rate- a fixed rate is always more often double and illegal in Thailand. If you are out of Bangkok and can not get a metered taxi argue /bargain the rate.
Bargaining takes getting used to but is fun and essential throughout.
Chatachuk market I think it's called in Bangkok is good - massive lots of clothes and shoes and everything you need for cheap( hence don't bring anything )
Chaing mai up north is beautiful take a night train anywhere you can in Thailand is about 30$ Cnd and acts in place of a hostel/hotel for night and then you wake up and you are there.
You can buy tickets for train at all stations. Vs buying from an agency again it's cheaper. You will want to book a sleeper train fan or air condition class- we found the fan class great and a/c too cold.
Chaing Mai
Sunday night market - lots of local products for cheap- bargain
Yiu can rent mopeds for cheap and is a good was to get around. ~150-250 baht a day.
Great hostel room with bathroom down hall imm Eco resort amazing lap pool wifi computers and large property. For about 6-8$ Cnd per night.
Lots of jungle camping and day treks up here in chaing Mai area
Around Phuket is a climbing meca and beautiful. Kho phi phi islands you should see but it is very overrun with American ways lots of beach parties and young drinkers.
If you go to the island of Phi Phi there are 2 phi phi lei and phi phi don I think it is phi phi lei that the movie the beach was filmed at go if yiu can it is amazing ( the reason you came to phi phi). A great way to see it is to do the overnight camp trip and you get to sleep on the beach- they provide all equipment.
These islands are a boost ride from Phuket.
Diving/snorkeling too is good in kho phi phi island and kho Tao.
Kho sammui and kho Tao are beautiful amd quieter islands with miles or white sand beaches. You can get a great resort property beach front for 30$ Cnd/ night.
Don't bring a lot of stuff you will find enough there for super cheap.
You will find meals for 1-2$ and fresh fruit smoothies everywhere!!!
Pad thai is cooked on the street everywhere. Don't be afraid to eat street food it's fresher and usually better we ate off street everywhere and never got sick. Look at the kiosk person if they look clean foods likely good.
Get shots before you go from travel clinic: typhoid hep a and b check with travel clinic.
Top places to see:
Bangkok -floating market
Chaing Mai
Kho phi phi
Phuket
Kho sammuni
Kho Tao- diving for cheap will give you free accommodations If you take a class!!!
Insight books are good to look at before you go- because they are picture books with point form notes. Other guide books can be overwhelming If you don't know what to look for. A lonely planet book can be handy for reference when you are there frommers are good too or rough guides. Don't take everything you read in guide books too seriously you will form your own opinion of guide books etc.

I second Chiang Mai, it was definitely a highlight for us. Easy to spend 4 or 5 days there. We stayed at the Hilton which was like a 5 star at 3 star prices. Be sure to catch some of the markets, especially the night market, have a foot massage on the street corner. The White Temple is close and an absolute must see.

if you are at the White Temple then go check out the Black House (Baan Dam) as well,,,, yin and yang

These folks are trying to help the elephants that other commercial ventures won't touch. All of the sanctuaries etc need animals that are controllable by hand as tourists don't like mahouts that use a hook as a leash for the animal. There are animals that don't conform to this standard and so they end up "between the cracks" so to speak, this foundation is trying to take these type animals and provide them with a place. If you research the history of domesticated elephants in Thailand they were first used to help log and then the government outlawed this which made it tough on the animals because the average family couldn't support the cost of maintaining the animals which created problems amongst people because the elephants didn't care whether they were eating jungle or someones crops. Then the ride operators came along and rented teh animals. But the elephants were overused so then there were instances of abuse documented which shut down the rides and the elephants were back unemployed and eating crops again. Now there are sanctuaries which give the good elephants a place to go. These are actually more successful than the rides as the operators can show the elephants to more people than they could give rides to but they are dependant on elephants that are very social and that can be controlled by voice alone. The reality is that not all animals are this way, just like dogs, some will walk without a leash and be fine others need the leash to have full control over the animal, to ensure their safety etc. So what happens to the that are domesticated but don't suit the tourists ideals? This is where the inthanon foundation and others like it come in, they take these elephants and provide them a place, please check them out if you are considering visiting elephants in Thailand. You will have a great experience and help where there is a need. These folks are multi-generation mahouts and really love their animals. They offer day trips as well as overnights or longer.
https://www.facebook.com/inthanonfoundation/

Tiger Temple in Bangkok

Is 100% animal abuse do not support this

It has been closed down.

Catherin

We went to koh tao diving for a month in December of 2014 and it was absolutely amazing. Stayed at bans diving school, stayed at over water cabins we called spider village (because of the reviews on trip advisor but we didn't see any spiders) on freedom beach and stayed on a mountain top hotel called anankhira. Every night was so cheap. Anankhira... We had a pool in our room overseeing the ocean. The boat to koh Tao left koh samui and it was about an hour of hell... lol but well worth it (sea sick group of people on the boat wow)... if you want any info or any pictures let me know

I love Thailand. I like small places to stay in. My favs are:
Racha Yai - I stayed in Ban Raya
Krabi - le Passé-Temps
Bangkok by Khao San Road - Lamphu Tree House
I didnt like the cheap huts on Koh Lanta. This particular trip was in 2003 but the places along the beach were trying to mimic the Beach movie, tons of bottle caps on the beach and not so nice.
My friends and I booked a 2 day tour once we were there, to the Bridge over the River Kwai. We stayed at the floating hotel and got to raft down the river. https://www.riverkwaijunglerafts.com

I am from Malaysia.From Bangkok you can travel by bus to Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.U can also take a ferry to Indonesia.Penang, Ipoh , Melaka in Malaysia must visit.

Elephant nature park is a must! Do a 3 day volunteer stint. Best experience I had there! https:www.elephantnaturepark.org/

And this one is authentic

Gina Petula-Christensen I did a two week volunteer time there and it was a high light of my trip. Please - anyone - do not ride elephants in Thailand. The torture they endure to become docile enough to ride is horrible.

Michelle
yes this was a highlight for me to Michelle
I’d say don’t partake in any animal related event over there... but this ENP is the real deal! Free from abuse ... some are still so traumatized

Gina Petula-Christensen they are so traumatized some of those gentle giants. And yes no animal related anything - I hope people think about that. And yes that is a world renown place - you can do one day volunteer times too

Stay at the Rimping Village in Chiang Mai and the elephant nature park will pick you up there, then come back and stay again the area this hotel is in great location- walking to the biggest night market ever! We also hiked the monks trail ... seriously so magical! A must do as well! http://boutiquehotels-chiangmai.com/hotel/27552

Just returned less than 24 hours ago. Feel free to PM me and I can give you lots of current info. Depending on the style of travel you prefer. You’ll love it!

I’d love any info you can share!

Did you end up with food poisoning or anything along those lines? Following three people that are there right now, in different areas, one for 6 months and all have had food poisoning or bad diarrhea. We wanted to take the family but well hmmmm.

Wanda Chay Baker that’s too bad. I’ve never been sick in Thailand, and we eat at street markets etc. All the time!

I wonder if it comes down to how strong your stomach is and resistance to bacteria. I also have a friend who's gf lived there for 2 years and NEVER got sick. So it can be done!

Wanda Chay Baker never! Got back from our sixth trip apr 1. Never had food issues.

Wanda Chay Baker Didn’t get sick at all. Even brushed my teeth with the water lol. However, I did not eat the chicken/pork etc. that sat out in the hot sun all day at the markets before being cooked. You can find many other delish items at the market besides those things that will make you sick.

Good to know

Just got back from a month in Thailand, ate street food the whole time and neither of us had any issues. I am watchful and see who else is buying from the stand and what the vendors hygiene habits seem to be. I eat chicken pork and fish but am aware how things are stored etc. I always eat street food wherever I go. I get a prescription to take with me, if you just tell the doctor that you will be travelling and will eat street food and want the stuff that will clear up anything in 5 days they will know what to prescribe, friends that have used this recommend just to use until things clear up. I keep this as a last resort and have never needed it. I also carry 'activated charcoal" gel caps, these are widely available where vitamins and supplements are sold. Use it when needed, it absorbs all manner of stuff in your gut and carries it out of your system. I also carry over the counter relief such as Imodium to help relieve the symptoms. You may want to supplement the good bacterias to help restore them after any bout of upset. The charcoal and Imodium is in my travel bag all the time even for travel in Canada etc.

Mike great advice! However, I wouldn’t want to be sick for any amount of days, thus I recommend avoiding these foods. Being down for 5 days of a 2 week vacation is not ideal. Especially as a result of one chicken skewer

My daughter was in Thailand a few years back, ate street food no problem, ate pizza in a restaurant and they were down for 3 days. You can get poisoned anywhere.

I bolster my gut flora with probiotics. Never had a problem in asia or mexico. The fresh uncooked food is more likely to give travellers diarrhea.

Have been four times, always between January and March. One month is an ideal amount of time for Thailand. If it’s your first time, you’ll most likely want to spend a few days seeing the highlights of Bangkok. For me, two or three max for that. Most tourists go to Phuket, but I personally would avoid it, unless you must go there to get to the islands. My suggestion would be that you fly to Krabi, and stay there or preferably in Ao Nang for a day or so, before taking a ferry to Ko Lanta. We always go to Ko Lanta, plus a couple of other islands each time, to try them out. I’d spend most of my time on the islands, the less busy ones the better. Avoid Ko Samui unless you love crowds and people selling you things all day on the beach. If you want more information or tips, feel free to p.m. me. My best piece of advice is to pack really light. You’re likely going to be on small local flights and little boats where a big suitcase will be a problem. We manage with a carry on size bag for two to three months.

Mary we might have to repack this week!

Catherin I agree. Repack. Take half of what you think you need. Take tide sink packs and just wash whatever you need to re-wear. Also, I’ve never experienced heat like in Thailand, the humidity is insane. Be prepared for that. Bring super light clothing and very little black. You won’t regret it. Also, you can buy dresses/coverups that are gorgeous and cotton for $3!

Lesley but what size? I’m plus size so don’t expect much in Asia to fit lol

Catherin I’ll probably take out a few things lol

Mary Bauer You can find all sizes up to 3x from what I saw.

Thanks!

Read. Sam's going with her husband. Maybe not hostels? Its hard to reccommend when we are unsure of your likes. Beach? Archeology? Nightlife? Sightseeing? Shopping? Culture? Food?

We want to backpack all around. And experience as much as we can

Im a backpacker. Into Thailand 5x.
Unforgettable for me are
Wat phrao in chiang mai
Sukothai
Snorjelling in koh lipe and koh surin
Caving at hua hin
The royal palace in bkk
The erawan (3 headed ekephant diety) museum.
The city of (not so)miniature architecture.
STREET FOOD!
Fresh fruit! Mangosteen. Rambutan.
Jackfruit. Soursop. Mango. Guava. Passionfruit.
Caution!-koh san road. All of Pattaya. Most of Phukhet. Soi Cowboys!
The regional flights are very good and super reasonable! Nok air. Air asia. Jetstar.

Chiang Mai was my favorite place on the main land. Koh Tao, Phuket and Krabi are amazing islands. I went diving in Koh Tao and if that interests you I suggest
Davy Jones. They were great!
Also, avoid Pattaya at all costs!

Why avoid Pattaya.

It's awful. People are rude, it's dirty and there's so many better places. We went there and got beat up, when we were talking to the cops a group of guys had the same thing happen to them a few bars down and when we went to Chiang Mai we met a guy who was walking the streets in Pattaya and someone drove off road to hit him and demanded he pay him. It's just a sleazy place, the rest of Thailand is so much more beautiful and friendly

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Following! Awesome tips. Thanks, all!

Karen Brenda Paisley

Hearing Thailand fantastic for clothes shopping? Are they just small small sizes or are there fairly larger sizes (our 2X) too?

If normally wear XL you need to buy XXL in thailand in most cases

Krabi!! And go to pai in northern Thailand in the jungle. It's dirt cheap go in Jan feb but beginning of feb because Chinese New Years happens middle of feb and is nuts crazy. Stay away from the really touristy places like Phuket. Expensive and soooo many people . Railey beach was beautiful phiphi island is amazing go to maya beach where to movie the beach was filmed! Incredible

I’m not sure of the dates, but Phi Phi is being closed for tourism soon to clean up the mess from tourists!

Does anyone have any suggestions for a day in Bangkok? Any must sees, what night market is the best! Any monuments that we need to go to?

Ashley Baker Good thread to read

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Grand Palace

Just got back and loved it! Loved Krabi! We stayed at Tubkaak resort and everything about it was fantastic. We booked our trip through a tour company so unsure of cost. Loved Chaing Mai but avoid Thai New year April 13, unless you love water fights.
Best market we went to was the Maekong railway market. It’s a long way outside of Bangkok but we loved it. Our guide told us which treats to buy and we had the most amazing mangoes. Very fun! The floating market in Bangkok is fun to approach by long boat but more touristy and less authentic. Thailand is wonderful. You will love it. Sawasdee Kah!

Any treats or must eats you could recommend?

Carmella Atayiu For sweet teats, mango sticky rice for sure, the deep fried purple balls and sesame balls not sure of the names. Also the fried banana. Smoothies are yummy. And the sticky rice with custard wrapped in Palm leaves. Oh! And the little coconut pancakes. Look like eggs but they are not. Almost All the food we had was outstanding. (Just got back this morning going to miss the fresh food!)

i will try all of those they all sound amazing! Good luck recovering with the jet lag

Oh and we kayaked around Hong island. Great trip . Very beautiful. Get them to pick you up from the beach instead of driving across the island.

Catherin All the foods!

Carmella Atayiu its a very long way.

We leave Monday, it’s the part I’m dreading the most

Good golfing in the south if you like that. Avoid staying on Kho San Road in Bangkok (dirty, terrible tourist place) much nicer other places. Kho Lanta is a nice chill island. Change Rai has beautiful white temples.

We spent our last week in koh Lanta on relax bay

Gina Petula-Christensen I just did a seven month London to Australia overland trip with Thailand as one of the 33 countries I went to. Second time there - love it.

Michelle you are a blessed women

Gina Petula-Christensen it was an amazing, faith inspired trip that is for sure

Just went to Phuket in January for my 50th.Amazing beaches in Phi Phi ..and Sunset Point Phuket.The Big Bhudda is also a must.If you cn avoid Shanghai do..it was very unfriendly at the airport ,very expensive and absolutely no social media so cut off from everyone.Thailand was for me one of the high points of my life and i hope you have as amazing a time the people are super sweet:)

I spend between 3 and 5 months in Thailand each winter and do a fair amount of traveling around. Some of the comments here are a little inaccurate or out of date. PM me if you have any questions.

Perhaps you could share your updated and more accurate information with all of us. That’s why we like this page, so we can learn from others travel experiences.

Not sure where I would start. The original post was very general. I am quite happy to respond to specific queries.

Krabi ..... Udon Thani

Hello guys am looking to flight from calgary to paris ,there is any deal please for juin 2018 thanks

Unlock your phone get a sim down there .. it’s 6-8 bucks for 10 gigs and calling
Download “ grab “ you’ll avoid haggling with taxis and bike taxis ... tuk tuks are useless in big cities lol plus uber doesn’t exist
Chiangmai ( and north of there ) is nice not crazy over ran with tourists good for hikes like krabi and Phuket ( phi phi ) but if you want nice beaches that’s where they are
If you’re planning on visiting temples women and some times men have to cover their shoulder and have closed toed shoes .
Thai people in general are really nice if you approach ... if they approach they want to sell you shit and make a buck, even the police
Thailand is in a coupe right now always have proper id on you and leave a copy at home.
airbnb over hotels and resorts imo but you like what you like
I should add shopping ^ night markets are all over get your self some fuccis ( the quality is actually not bad, if you’re gonna haggle low ball like really low ball 75% less than what they ask ) they’re also in all cities usually

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