Anyone been to Thailand?

[Ruth]

I am wondering about vaccinations as well. I have my Hep A & B and it appears that this is all that I really need. What did you guys get, if anything? Also any additional tips would be greatly appreciated. It has been suggested to me to only book a couple of days hotel or resort through a travel agent but this makes me nervous. If accommodation is cheap then I would not mind just going to someplace else for a couple of days and leaving my room paid for but vacant. What do you guys think?

[howdy20012002]

Hello Ruth,
it depends on how adventurous you are basically. There are tonnes of hotels everywhere. they range in prices from 5 bucks a piece to 100 plus a night. However, most of the cheaper ones you won't find before getting there. At this time of year, i personally wouldn't really worry about not finding a spot to stay.
One word of caution, when u get there, there are going to be people waiting at the airport for you, asking to shuttle u to the hotels..fairly safe. However, they then offer to give u a discounted rate tour of the city..which the tour itself is awesome. However, while on this tour, u will be brought to some very expensive, very nice stores. My advice is don't buy anything during this tour. Only buy things from places that you find. Don't buy from stores where the tuk tuk drivers, cab drivers, or guides bring you. The prices you will be paying are generally much more than if you went elsewhere. Most of these people bringing you there get a commission on anything you buy.
Bangkok is an amazing city....but there are deals to be had everywhere. Clothing is dirt cheap...Not many places where I can get off the roll of fabric tailor made suit for 150 bucks.
Amazing Diving btw..if this interests you, you can do an all inclusive liveaboard dive trip for 5 days for about a 100 bucks a day I think. The diving there is the best diving i have down from around the world...highly recommended.
Well enough frothing at the mouth about thailand.
enjoy yourself Ruth
Neal
BTW, the sex trade there is very much alive and kicking..it can be a bit overpowering at times. Just a word of caution, you could be offended by the behaviour at times. That was one of the biggest upsets about the trip was the constant sexual advances. They assume that everyone there is there for sex. But as a woman they should leave you alone.

[mark]

Now that your mind is made up, ever think of El Nido, Plilippines, totally fantastic place. Spent a week there last January.

Lots of reefs, snorkeling, diving, islet hoping, not touristy. Area was on the Amazing Race little more than a year (was where they kayaked between islands and scaled a limestone cliffs).

Here's a link that shows the area http://www.elnidoresorts.com/images_and_downloads.asp.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Ruth

I am wondering about vaccinations as well. I have my Hep A & B and it appears that this is all that I really need.

That's all that's needed or recommended.

It has been suggested to me to only book a couple of days hotel or resort through a travel agent but this makes me nervous.

You're getting good advice. If you need additional support, you can find good travel agents in most towns and cities. You'll pay the farang price, but it's (mostly) to be expected, and still very affordable. If you're diving, reserve from here, unless it is low season. Call or email and confirm your class and accomodations. Koh Tao can get very busy (sleep-on-the-beach busy, if you believe the hype).

If accommodation is cheap then I would not mind just going to someplace else for a couple of days and leaving my room paid for but vacant.

Your accomodations will cost you whatever you're willing to pay, from the absurdly cheap and simple, to the outrageously expensive and deluxe. I stayed in a variety of places throughout the south, and paid up to $80/night, and as little as $7/night. The $7/night wasn't as nice, but it certainly was acceptable, along the lines of a cheap-but-clean and well-run motel in Canada. YMMV, of course. Accomodations on the mainland don't usually require much advance booking, unless you're particular that you have to stay in THAT place. There's always another 'resort' just down the road. On the islands, I wouldn't risk not having reservations.

I'm so very jealous. It is an incredible and beautiful place.

Matt

[DiscusZ]

Someone i went to school withn lived out in Thailand and surrounding area for a while. Came back and wrote a book I read about his adventures and it really makes me want to take a vacation there as well , he had nothing but praises for the country.


Jim

[Ruth]

Oh I am getting very excited. Still trying to narrow down a resort for my first few nights but so far it is looking like I will spend a night in Bangkok on arrival and before I leave so hoping to get some shopping in. Also 3 nights and 2 days in Hong Kong on the way back.
I am wondering about camera equipment. I have a canon SLR (20D) but don't know if I should take it with me or just take my son's much smaller digital video camera. I would love to take some underwater pictures as well. My question is would I be better off to just buy an underwater camera once I get there - are their prices similar to ours or a lot cheaper? The 20D is an amazing camera but it is big and cumbersome particularly with all the lenses and I don't want to take much with me - quite the opposite of what I plan to return with!