thailand for 2 weeks 3 days, what to do

[kyro_02]

Off to thailand to be with my gf for just over 2 weeks, she is working there, anyone been there recently, and what to expect, I am bringing 3,000 spending money, which has to cover accomodation and spending expenses

I'd ask her, but she just works there, not holiday there.. lol

is $100 a night in a hotel ok? im getting it half price apparently, other hotels want 200-300 a night?? $$AUD$$

things to do, things to see? things to look out for?

I leave 7th of January

im off work for 4 weeks, sucks when work makes you take 2 weeks off over christmas, come back to work for 2 days and off again for another 2 weeks..

edit: staying near phuket

[74_XB_Ute]

Originally Posted by kyro_02

things to do, things to see? things to look out for?

Things to do - Eat local food and drink plenty of suds!
Things to see - Patpong Rd and Midget Thai Boxing!
Things to look out for - Shemales!!!!!

[kyro_02]

Originally Posted by 74_XB_Ute

Things to do - Eat local food and drink plenty of suds!
Things to see - Patpong Rd and Midget Thai Boxing!
Things to look out for - Shemales!!!!!

my gf share house with one
lol

edit: why is shemales so common there? everything i've read up in google, no matter what is being discussed, something is always said about shemales.. actually, they called them 'lady boy's' haha

[74_XB_Ute]

Originally Posted by kyro_02

my gf share house with one
lol

hahaha...at least you cant get in trouble for leaving the toilet seat up!! Someone else to blame!!

[ebxr8240]

Originally Posted by 74_XB_Ute

hahaha...at least you cant get in trouble for leaving the toilet seat up!! Someone else to blame!!

Umm ??? How do you know this ??? LOL....

Plenty to do there...
I suggest a boat trip around the islands...
Trip up to elephants...

[74_XB_Ute]

Originally Posted by ebxr8240

Umm ??? How do you know this ??? LOL....

hahaha.....I can only assume they probably do it the same way as us dudes

[Bucknaked]

Where are you going exatley? I know you said near Phuket, so your staying on the mainland?

Have a look at Qantas Holidays. I booked a place for 14 and a half nights including breakfast for 2 adults and a child for $1400 on Phuket.

[kyro_02]

I believe i will be right near kata

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by kyro_02

Off to thailand to be with my gf for just over 2 weeks, she is working there, anyone been there recently, and what to expect, I am bringing 3,000 spending money, which has to cover accomodation and spending expenses

I'd ask her, but she just works there, not holiday there.. lol

is $100 a night in a hotel ok? im getting it half price apparently, other hotels want 200-300 a night?? $$AUD$$

things to do, things to see? things to look out for?

I leave 7th of January

im off work for 4 weeks, sucks when work makes you take 2 weeks off over christmas, come back to work for 2 days and off again for another 2 weeks..

edit: staying near phuket

I haven't been to Phuket, but have spent some time in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

Don't change money in the airport, do it at a bank after comparing several rates (if you can be bothered).

The lady boys can be VERY convincing! You wonder if the old western blokes they are with know who they are really with! (Perhaps they do, and just don't care lol)

Spending money is totally up to you. I paid 300 Baht for a basic hotel close to Khao-San Road with AC (no AC was 250) and ate the BEST Chicken Pad Thai for 15 Baht off the street.

Back then, 1 AUD was 30 Baht.

Heaps of people will approach you in the street trying to sell you crap / read your fortune / offer you cheap rides places / prostitutes / drugs etc etc etc (well they did in Bangkok on a daily basis).

DO NOT get sucked in. Almost all who go out of their way to approach you will be doing it for their benefit (and your detriment).

Also... your GF should be doing most of this ground work for you seeing as she is already there? Nothing beats local knowledge or experience when you are visiting a new and different place for the first time.

Oh... and get travel insurance!

Have a good time

[3vXT]

Stay away from odd looking toilets. If there is no toilet paper and just a bowl of water and a hole to sit on, GTFO!

P.S I'm not even joking.

[kyro_02]

Originally Posted by ken2903

Stay away from odd looking toilets. If there is no toilet paper and just a bowl of water and a hole to sit on, GTFO!

P.S I'm not even joking.

please explain? lolol

[3vXT]

Originally Posted by kyro_02

please explain? lolol

http://www.talesofasia.com/toilets.htm

Maybe you can't avoid them

Squat toilets:

If you spend any appreciable amount of time in Asia outside of your hotel room you will at some point probably find yourself faced with the intimidating task of using a squat toilet. However, once you've conquered the skill, and it's hardly a skill, and you've experienced the inside of a restroom in a public bus station in China, you'll probably become thankful that squat toilets are often the norm.

While intimidating to the uninitiated, ask yourself ... Did you ever do it in the woods? Surely you've been on a camping trip or something, whether as a kid or an adult, and had to take a dump behind a tree somewhere? Well, squat toilets are the same concept.

You can find two basic varieties. Squatters that are level with the floor, and what I call 'hi-risers', which sit maybe fifteen to twenty centimeters off the floor. The former are quite easy to use while the latter can be very uncomfortable if you are more than about 5'6" or are the least bit heavy. Not only do the hi-risers require a performance of a balancing act, they can also stick you in a tight position.

As far as giving advice about using squat toilets, what I say is going to be geared more towards guys than gals. However, female advice can be found here.

I think the most difficult thing people inexperienced with squat toilets contend with is how to drop their drawers and keep them out of the line of fire, from either end. On a conventional western toilet you drop your pants to your ankles, take a seat, count the mold stains on the door or read your Lonely Planet and do your business. Now, settle yourself over a squat toilet with your pants at your ankles and take a look at how things are positioned. You're gonna pee on 'em is what's going to happen. When using squat toilets you only drop your pants a few inches down which is just far enough to create some clearance. The seat of your pants will be well above your knees and well out of firing range. Also be careful of the contents of your pockets. As your pants are high, they are in a prime position for items such as keys, coins, etc to slide out of your pockets and into the toilet, usually after you've done your duty.

Some squat toilets flush the same as a regular sit-down toilet, while others have no flushing mechanism. If you encounter the latter, you should see a tub of water and a scoop nearby. Scoop water from the tub and pour it into the toilet and watch as your mess gradually disappears with each scoop of water you pour. This water and scoop is also used for cleaning yourself.

Toilet paper:

More likely than not, with the possible exception of hotel rooms and a handful of shopping malls in Bangkok, you're not going to find any toilet paper anywhere. Carry some with you at all times and at the same time ask yourself if you want to shake anyone's left hand? Which is kind of silly because plenty of people still use their right hand but they just won't admit to it.

If you're stuck without toilet paper there's still hope. Some facilities sell small packets of toilet paper, especially in Thailand. If you're really lucky there will be a butt sprayer, which is a small nozzle attached to a hose to the side of the toilet. Point the nozzle where you want to fire and push down the lever. If you've never used one of these before you'll probably find the pressure is more than you expected and you'll make a real mess of yourself if you're not careful. So here's your warning: Test the pressure with a quick blast away from you and then when you're ready to clean, press the lever gently until you're confident you can control the water flow! After finishing with this exercise you'll probably ask yourself, "Now what! Am I supposed to sit here and drip dry!!??!!" Hence, toilet paper and a butt sprayer are the best combination.

If there's no sprayer your next hope is that there's a tub of water and a scoop. This is common in Southeast Asia but not so much in China or Central Asia. The conventional advice is you're supposed to splash some water on the messy area. Really, I've never seen the use in that, sort of like spilling a plate of stir-fry on your shirt and trying to wash it off by dabbing a dry tissue on it. Really, if it's a bit nasty down there and all you have is water then you're just going to have to use your hand, get it dirty, and hope there's some soap nearby.

As an American I grew up in an environment where there was no water by the toilet in any form, it was dry toilet paper and that's it. Now, after six years in Asia, I can't imagine not having water nearby and I'm a little mystified how this seemingly obvious concept of cleanliness hasn't made it into American bathrooms. However, I'm also equally mystified at the lack of toilet paper in Asian restrooms and the idea of don't eat with your left hand. But a lot of people here carry tissues with them, wash their hands when they are through and eat with whatever hand they like.

If you did remember to carry toilet paper with you the next question you may be faced with is what are you supposed to do with it when you're finished? In theory, if there's a waste can near the toilet, that's your cue that it's to go in there. However I know a lot of people can't be bothered to do this and stick the paper in the toilet anyway and more often than not it's not a problem, or at least not a problem they'll ever see. There's really not a lot of rhyme or reason as to which toilets can handle paper. Some septic tanks in even the most rural places in say, Cambodia, can handle toilet paper without problem, while the plumbing in a midrange Bangkok hotel cannot. So do as those before you, if there's a waste can, stick it in there, if not, flush it down. Let your conscience be your guide.

[kyro_02]

thank you, yeah i definitely got travel insurance and got my shots lol
i was told people will offer me things, but normally im generous and give, but i think my money would be best in my pocket and not theirs lol

for a place like phuket, 300aud is a little expensive for a hotel??, that was a bare minumum i got quoted when I first looked, they went up as much as 600+aud a night.

[Bucknaked]

Originally Posted by kyro_02

thank you, yeah i definitely got travel insurance and got my shots lol
i was told people will offer me things, but normally im generous and give, but i think my money would be best in my pocket and not theirs lol

for a place like phuket, 300aud is a little expensive for a hotel??, that was a bare minumum i got quoted when I first looked, they went up as much as 600+aud a night.

That price I think is based on high season which is around the time your going. 600 a night is still massively over inflated, or your being quote for 5 star.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

That price I think is based on high season which is around the time your going. 600 a night is still massively over inflated, or your being quote for 5 star.

Spot on. Perhaps you should only book a few days in advance and sus out other options when there. Paying for the remaining 10 days at the same place will usually mean a bit of a discount as well.

Travel very lightly. It will be hot, humid and sticky. May also get rain on and off. Pack heaps of light, loose shirts and shorts and take sandals as you may be required to remove shoes on a regular basis if you decide to visit some of the traditional / religious places.

You may also buy a heap of clothing / other stuff on the cheap. Keep space for that on your return.

Don't buy souvenirs that are made of rough, natural wood with bark or feathers. The vendors will say they are 'customs approved' and 'treated' but you have a strong chance of losing the lot (or paying more than you bought them for to get them fumigated).

Don't carry your personal documents with you! Leave your passport and anything else of value at the hotel safe. I did this without any hesitation even in the $10 hotel I stayed at.

When you change money, ask for small denomination notes and only carry what you need for the day. Grab the hotel business card when you check in as it may be the only way you can work out how to get yourself home in the evening if you get lost.

Learn a bit of the local language. Learning how to say hello, please and thank you will help with the locals if you need their help or shopping etc.

Only drink bottled water! It doesn't have to be fancy stuff either. The locally produced bottled water was like 5-10 Baht for a 950ml bottle and was available everywhere. I lived on that and had no issues.

[Bucknaked]

Ok cool. So Kata Beach is on Phuket, near Karon beach.

You could try wotif

http://www.wotif.com/search/Advanced...=&searchTerms=

I've not stayed in Kata. I've stayed at Karon, but I always stay on Patong.

There are a few small hotels usually in the back streets where you can get some good deals.

Aussie Dollar is now worth around 30 Baht.

As suggested, change your currency at money exchangers. Open daily from around 10 am, you get better rates than you will get at the airport, here or at the hotels.

[GreenR]

when buying stuff don't give in. If not walk away ,they will probably change their mind anyway.

Eat locally but at the same time be weary

[protd]

book a early flight home

[ebxr8240]

Take note of the colour of the plastic shoping bags..
They are different colours depending how much you bargain...

[GreenR]

Originally Posted by ebxr8240

Take note of the colour of the plastic shoping bags..
They are different colours depending how much you bargain...

Black bags then you are a good bargainer but other sellers may try to avoid you.

White generally means nothing

Other colours like yellow, green, red show that you spend money. Possibility sellers will try take advantage of you.

[Kieron]

$100 per night for a hotel will get you a decent place in Phuket.

Soi Bangla in Patong is the place you want to go for serious nightlife, lady boys (katoeys) and the infamous Tiger Shows are down here, I think there's still a Thai boxing ring there too. Brightly coloured lizards/snakes can be draped around your neck at a cost for those Kodak moments.

Take a day trip to 'James Bond Island',
A jungle trekking trip on an elephant,
Simons Cabaret (lady boy show) - book a few days in advance for this as it's very popular.
Take a day trip to one of the small islands off the east coast of Phuket - absolutely stunning.
Havn't done it yet, but wouldn't mind doing the cave Kayaking tour.
Obviously the beaches, Jetskiing, parasailing etc.
Plenty of markets to shop at, clothes, ripoff DVD's/Games etc, fake watches and I think fake designer bags. CHEAP tailors if you want a nice suit, or even tailor made shirts.
Bargain with Tuk Tuks and Taxis, try to get an idea from the hotel how much a journey should cost, I suspect you will be making trips to Patong reasonably often, that's where most of the restaurants, shows and nightlife is.

do money changing at the money changers, don't worry about the banks etc. Just look at the boards along the street for the best rate. Just make sure you re-count the money in front of the money changer before you walk away. I always take cash wherever I go too, put it in the hotel safe and change small amounts at a time. Travellers cheques cost and can get a worse exchange rate.

I'd be inclined to stick the approx. hotel cost into a credit card too, then pay the hotel by CC at the end of your stay, this way your not taking big $$'s.

[fmc351]

Phuket, stay home.


someone had to say it.

[protd]

Originally Posted by fmc351

Phuket, stay home.


someone had to say it.

i'd sooner holiday in australia, we went over a few years ago and spent extra money getting another plane home early, one of the biggest shiiitholes i have ever been too

[Feathers]

FantaSea is also good for a night out.
There is a show on each night with acrobats, trained elephants and things, it's set in a massive auditorium inside a theme park.

Highly recommend the speed boat tours around the islands.
Just make sure to take some Panadol with you (I was quite ill from the outboard petrol fumes), the tour guide we had also kept a supply of pills for anyone who got sea sick.

The elephant safari was great. Got to see the younger elephants being trained, and then ride around a trail on older elephants. They're such awesome creatures!

You can also check out the Big Buddha, which is up near the elephant safari place. It is indeed a BIG Buddha. But you will need to cover up if you wish to walk through the temple there. No singlets on men, and ladies have to be covered from shoulders to knees. They do loan sarongs for this, at a price.

The Pizza Company on Bangla Rd was a good place to eat. Much like the old Pizza Hut restaurants here.
Had KFC across the road, and it was the only thing that made us sick.

There are a couple of shopping centres in Patong, but anything you find in there can be had at the markets much cheaper usually.

If you go to the markets in the mornings and they won't come down to the price you want, walk away.
Often they will come after you and agree to your price, because they believe it's bad luck to turn away the first customer of the day.

Oh, and never shake hands with the guys on the roadside selling suits. They don't let go easily!

We booked our tours through the hotel, and as a bonus got a private 1/2 day tour around Kata, Karon and into the Town markets for about 75bht each. Then caught a Tuk Tuk back to the hotel.

[Kieron]

Forgot to mention, if you need a driving fix, there's a go-karting circuit on the other side of the hill behind Patong.

[Bucknaked]

I never knew about the color of the plastic bags. I'll have to remember that for next time.

[badefghia]

dont drink the water even when u get a drink make shore there is no ice in it make shore u brush your teeth with bottel water ...when u get drinks etc make shore they are from a bottel and when u eat make shore its stuff u know or u will get sick easy as......

[Bucknaked]

http://www.kata-guesthouses.com/

A couple of properties here.

[kyro_02]

cheers guys
well since i booked my flights 2 months ago
i haven't been looking forward to it, i mean, its a holiday.. i SHOULD be looking forward to it

but im like, meh. i'll get there when I get there

Hopefully I will find things to do that will keep me busy hehe

wish work didn't stuff me around, because as far as i knew i was working through the holidays, so I book my flights for jan, than they turn around and tell me to take 2 weeks off in december, eating away my annual, im a saver not a spender.. lol

Hoping I don't get sick, that would be salt in the wound, sure as hell wouldn't look forward to that either lol

This is how exciting I have been looking soo so forward to going
I haven't packed ANYTHING
no clothes
no deodorant
no anything
I need to buy some clothes before the trip, but haven't
I left it up until yesterday to get my vaccine, which is still sitting in my fridge

feels like a chore, i don't know what I feel right now haha

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by kyro_02

cheers guys
well since i booked my flights 2 months ago
i haven't been looking forward to it, i mean, its a holiday.. i SHOULD be looking forward to it

but im like, meh. i'll get there when I get there

Hopefully I will find things to do that will keep me busy hehe

wish work didn't stuff me around, because as far as i knew i was working through the holidays, so I book my flights for jan, than they turn around and tell me to take 2 weeks off in december, eating away my annual, im a saver not a spender.. lol

Hoping I don't get sick, that would be salt in the wound, sure as hell wouldn't look forward to that either lol

This is how exciting I have been looking soo so forward to going
I haven't packed ANYTHING
no clothes
no deodorant
no anything
I need to buy some clothes before the trip, but haven't
I left it up until yesterday to get my vaccine, which is still sitting in my fridge

feels like a chore, i don't know what I feel right now haha

Go to the doc and ask for a general antibiotic. If you feel yourself getting something start taking the course.

Take a few strips of Panadol and some Antihistamines if your body doesn't react well to sudden weather changes / differences in pollution etc.

Do you need anti-Malaria tablets? If you do, ask for Doxy (Doxycycline) it is cheap and has few side effects.

There are others available, but they play with your mind (seen this first hand) and cost more.

I'm not a doctor however, this is just what I always do when going overseas (and has served me very well thus far).

Don't bother packing till the days before. Buy your new clothes when you arrive. If you take more than 12kg checked in, you are taking way too much!

You a drinker?? Just find a crowded bar and enjoy some Singha or Tiger beer. You won't be lonely for long ;)

Cheers