2 weeks in thailand

A March 2003 trip to Thailand by rockpaperscissors

Quote: I know all good backpackers go to Thailand, so you probably don't need anymore advice from me. This is really just an opportunity for me to showcase my pictures. ;) But maybe I have a vaguely unique perspective, given the lack of other female solo travelers I met there.

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2 weeks in thailand

Best Of IgoUgo

Overview

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Diving in the Similan Islands was fantastic. Saw heaps of tiger sharks, among other things. But investigate dive operations in advance. I did a 2-day live-aboard trip that I booked through the TIC, and the operation was a little sketchy (emphasis tended to be on getting in the water and down to the bottom as quickly as possible rather than on safety). Ayuthaya was a great stop. I didn't make it to Sukothai so I can't compare the quality of the ruins in both places, but Ayuthaya was an easy stop on the way from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and easy to tackle in a day and a half. The people were so outgoing and friendly there as well.Quick Tips: As I mentioned previously, I traveled alone i...Read More

Ayuthaya was a great stop. I didn't make it to Sukothai so I can't compare the quality of the ruins in both places, but Ayuthaya was an easy stop on the way from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and easy to tackle in a day and a half. The people were so outgoing and friendly there as well.

Quick Tips:

As I mentioned previously, I traveled alone in Thailand and I'm so glad that I did. While all the unsolicited attention I received from tuk-tuk drivers and random strangers was sometimes irritating, it offered me an opportunity to talk to so many Thai people. Just be patient, and open-minded, and you will most-likely benefit. Common sense/street-smarts are good, but not to the extent that you assume everyone is trying to scam you. In general, the people I met were just friendly and curious. They might have been trying to sell me something, but a firm and friendly "no thank you" (and an abrupt departure, when necessary) was usually enough to convey my disinterest.

Best Way To Get Around:

I prefer to walk whenever I can (even though the heat was maddening when I was there). In Bangkok, I took the Skytrain whenever possible because the traffic on land makes speedy travel impossible. I took a tuk-tuk around one day and actually really enjoyed it. Some of the drivers who harrassed me seemed like slimeballs, but my driver was a nice old guy who didn't speak a word of English. Yeah, he took me to some dumb shops that I didn't care about, but it didn't cost me anything extra and all he wanted was a free coupon for gas. Cabs are cheap in Bangkok as well, but slow. I took trains, buses, and one domestic flight within Thailand. The bus and the sleeper train were definitely experiences not to be missed.

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Suk11

Hotel

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Cheap, clean, and comfortable. About $10 US/night for a single with AC (all the rooms have AC, I think). $11 with a private bathroom and shower. And the price includes a really nice breakfast with fresh fruit and pastries. The front desk staff speak English very well and are really helpful. It's in a nice area too. You're far from Kaoh San Rd (backpacker center) which was ideal for me, but might be a pain for others. There are still other hotels, shops, and plenty of restaurants in the area though, so it's not like you're in the middle of nowhere (if such a place even exists in Bangkok).

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on May 20, 2003

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Ayuthaya

Attraction

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Ayuthaya was the royal capital, uh, like way back when (I'm not good with dates) and is filled with well-preserved remnants of that era. It's easy to visit the ruins on foot or by bike (lots of places to rent them, though I opted to explore on foot). I also took a boat across the river to a newer temple where I stumbled upon a random procession with dancing and singing. I have no idea what it was about, but it was so nice. Anyway... you probably don't have to see all the ruins, but some of them are really impressive. I'll try to go back to my map and remember which were the best and update this page accordingly in the near future. Oh yeah, and Ayuthaya is only about an hour ...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on May 21, 2003

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Similan Islands

Attraction

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Some of the best diving I have ever done (and I've been diving on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Cayman Islands, and Sinai, so I'm no stranger to great diving). Crystal clear water, these big-ass leopard sharks on almost every dive, and heaps and heaps of fish. I think the Similans are most expensive place to dive in Thailand, but it's still a good value compared to the cost of diving excursions in other countries.I think I paid less than 900B for a 2-day all-inclusive (equipment, 8 guided dives, meals, accomodation, transportation by van+speedboat from Phuket) 2-day live-aboard package. I went with a company called Pro-Dive (I think. I'll have to check my credit card bill...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on May 21, 2003

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Bangkok

Best Of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

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OK. So everyone disses Bangkok and says you should get out of there as quickly as possible, but I totally disagree. Yeah, it's a little nuts, but that's part of the fun. The Grand Palace and surrounding temples are amazing. The markets (if you can stand the crowds) are great, even if you don't plan on buying anything. The people are great. (I can't think of a single time when I smiled at someone in Thailand and they didn't smile back.) And there are heaps of sexy young monks everywhere you look. (I know, I know. Sacrilege. But some of those robed men are really foxy. You know, they're all... like, enlightened and stuff?) Bangkok is just so vast and insane. You don't need to stay there for...Read More