Thailand
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Gurgeh
Silver Baronet of the Realm
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If you don't think you'll ever come back to Asia, and it's your first time there, I'd suggest going to Japan, Taiwan or Korea + Thailand. You'll see two very different faces of Asia. Combodia by bus, I wouldn't recommend on the first trip in the area, even Vietnam is getting difficult these days (not dangerous at all, but easy to waste your time & money, tourism has shifted there from western tourists to Russian, Chinese and Korean tourists, and they aren't looking for the same stuff as we do). If you're lucky maybe you can find a plane ticket that would do USA -> Tokyo -> Bangkok -> Taiwan -> USA that isn't much more expensive than USA->Bangkok->USA.
Kalaar kururuc
Grumpy old man
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sakkath
Trakanon Raider
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I liked vietnam a lot more than other poor asian countries. It felt a lot safer. I think a big part of it is the lack of a tipping culture. In thailand or other tourist overrun countries everyone has their hand out, they follow you around, harass you for tips etc. Had numerous tug of wars over my luggage with "porters"... none of this happened in vietnam. Yes some parts of vietnam are overrun with russian and chinese tourists (avoid nha trang!) but others are not. I highly recommend going to Hue, and some of the vietnam war sites/museums around central vietnam are interesting as you will get to see the viet Kong's perspective on it.
For rich asian contries to visit it has to be japan. Korea, shanghai, hk, singapore all have their merits (korean theme parks are awesome) but Japan is peak in terms of alien experiences. In many was it feels like they're living in the future.
For rich asian contries to visit it has to be japan. Korea, shanghai, hk, singapore all have their merits (korean theme parks are awesome) but Japan is peak in terms of alien experiences. In many was it feels like they're living in the future.
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Lanx
<Prior Amod>
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Gurgeh
Silver Baronet of the Realm
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Just don't call them vietcongs when in vietnam ! And Yeah do not go to nha trang it's unfortunately a lair of lower middle class Russians looking for young prostitutes.
Alex
Still a Music Elitist
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Planning a trip to Thailand in January. Thinking four days in Bangkok, fly to Siem Reap and spending two days exploring Angkor Wat, fly to Chiang Mai and spend four days in that area. Most of the time would be spent out of the city in the wilderness but I'll spend a day and a half or so in the city itself. Then fly back to Bangkok to spend one final day there before heading back to the States.
I know it sounds weird to go to Thailand and not do any of the beach/island activities, but I'm not the biggest beach guy and I'll be doing this trip solo so a beach destination with an area full of couples doesn't sound fun.
I'm really stoked to see Angkor Wat. It's in my Top 2-3 of places I want to see.
I know it sounds weird to go to Thailand and not do any of the beach/island activities, but I'm not the biggest beach guy and I'll be doing this trip solo so a beach destination with an area full of couples doesn't sound fun.
I'm really stoked to see Angkor Wat. It's in my Top 2-3 of places I want to see.
Vinen
God is dead
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Springbok
Karen
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Angkor Wat will be tough to do in 2 days, there is a ton to see and the backpacker "scene" in Siam Reap is fun enough to extend that portion of it. Also, I've done that trip solo multiple times and I can't imagine going all that way and not hitting up at least one of the gulf islands for a few days. It's backpackers, lots (LOTS) of solo or girls trip backpacker girls and the beach backpacker scene is much more fun than the mountain one for that kinda stuff. Plan it around a full/half moon party on Koh Phangan and it's almost a slam dunk you'll get laid.
Have fun, really great countries to visit solo
Have fun, really great countries to visit solo
Alex
Still a Music Elitist
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I did my fair share of research and most people say three days tops in Angkor Wat is enough and that includes the smaller not-as-impressive temples.
I would like to squeeze in the beach and I planned to but as I started mapping it out I would have to take over two weeks off work and that's tough. It would either be beach or Chiang Mai and jungle exploration is just way higher on my interest list. It's really hard to cover an entire country - especially one as big as Thailand in a single trip.
EDIT: Eh, you're probably right. Seeing if I can get 11 days off and stay over there ~15 days so I can do it all. It is towards the end of our quarter so hopefully it isn't a big deal.
I would like to squeeze in the beach and I planned to but as I started mapping it out I would have to take over two weeks off work and that's tough. It would either be beach or Chiang Mai and jungle exploration is just way higher on my interest list. It's really hard to cover an entire country - especially one as big as Thailand in a single trip.
EDIT: Eh, you're probably right. Seeing if I can get 11 days off and stay over there ~15 days so I can do it all. It is towards the end of our quarter so hopefully it isn't a big deal.
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Alex
Still a Music Elitist
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Vacation approved and flight purchased. Staying over there 16 days. Gonna hit up a Full Moon Party while there. Money isn't really an object since everything over there is so cheap so I'm going to ball out with a nice bungalow for that.
Also want to get a tailored suit or two made while there. Anyone have any suggestions on where to go?
Also want to get a tailored suit or two made while there. Anyone have any suggestions on where to go?
Alasliasolonik
Toilet of the Mod Elect
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Alex
Still a Music Elitist
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Any of you have experience with the ferries? Taking a ferry from Koh Phangan to the Surat Thani airport and only giving myself 90 minutes between that and my transfer to my flight. But after reading reviews I'm getting nervous about potential delays. Alternative is possibly sitting at the Surat Thani airport for six hours but that's a lot better than throwing my entire itinerary out of whack.
Frenzied Wombat
Potato del Grande
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These guys made some great suits for a friend of mine while I was in Bangkok
Tailor On Ten | Bangkok
Tailor On Ten, Бангкок. Отметки "Нравится": 5 921 · Посетили: 724. Canadian-run bespoke tailor. Offering half canvas suits with a relentless focus on quality, service
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latheboy
Trakanon Raider
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Thread too long can't read...
DON'T TAKE DRUGS .. Half the dealers are on the take with the cops and will dob you in.. Years ago I was there, a local bloke comes over to myself and the crew on the beach with a 90L backpack full of weed and tries to sell to us.. Luckily I had seen him already and the cops who where watching him..
DON'T TAKE DRUGS .. Half the dealers are on the take with the cops and will dob you in.. Years ago I was there, a local bloke comes over to myself and the crew on the beach with a 90L backpack full of weed and tries to sell to us.. Luckily I had seen him already and the cops who where watching him..
gauze
Molten Core Raider
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Yeah, I wouldn't bother so much with the beaches.. Nice and all, but it could be because I come from a beach town too.. but I find the country side/jungles are heavily underrated and the beach area's are overpopulated via tourists and such; unless that is the experience you want. Imo; better experience avoiding that and just finding the locals. I'd really only plan a trip around a beach area if you wanted to scuba/snorkel or full moon party, which you've said.
Definitely look into renting motorcycles, and traveling the country roads that way. I don't know how accessible as a foreigner that can be, but I've seen youtubers do it; so I can't imagine it being difficult. I grew up back and forth in Thailand, and that has been some of my favorite experience was just renting a motorcycle and riding through the backroads from a town to town on the northern side; you see a lot of interesting things, and very interesting/friendly people.
I haven't watched the whole thing, so sorry if hes obnoxious or annoying; clicking through it is pretty relative to my experience.
I'd definitely get that done in your time in BKK... just for a better turn rate/service/abundance.. as a specific recommendation, I can't say but I know they're all over from what I remember. I haven't been in almost 10 years, but planning to figure out my citizenship mid next year to do a 6month stay or longer depending on work.
Also, the youtuber Mark Weins has some good videos of him going around Thailand, mostly BKK and getting down on some local 'secrets' I hate his face and expressions.. but credit cause boy deepdove this passion, married a Thai wife, and now lives there basically doing this. The foodie dream.
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Erronius
Macho Ma'am
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Yeah, I think I'd have to hardcore plan if I ever went back. Not planning made my trip...odd. There's just too many scams and 'services' that will try to get their hooks into you if you just wander around aimlessly without a destination.
The suits I bought were very nice, still have them, but I rarely if ever wear them. Still need to lose another 10-15lbs.
My only gripe with staying away from the beaches was that...I dunno if it was just me, but whenever I did, the humidity jumped up to like 80%. I'd just been in Iraq, 100+ degrees, and the heat/humidity in Thailand just fucking kicked my ass, LOL. I remember thinking multiple times to myself "Jesus, this sucks" and started looking for stuff closer to the ocean.
Otherwise, if I went back I'd love to get out further into the countryside, but then again, some of what I saw just seemed kind of...pedestrian, I guess.
The_Black_Log Foler
Stock Pals Senior Vice President
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Lol homie is literally pointing you to the infamous Bangkok jewelry and suit scam.These guys made some great suits for a friend of mine while I was in Bangkok
Tailor On Ten | Bangkok
Tailor On Ten, Бангкок. Отметки "Нравится": 5 921 · Посетили: 724. Canadian-run bespoke tailor. Offering half canvas suits with a relentless focus on quality, service
Beaches and full moon parties are overrated. You'll be partying next to fucked up drughead Aussies and stepping on syringes on the beach. Bangkok sucks but it's a right of passage so just spend 2 days there. Go to Chang Mi in Thailand, hit up Laos, Angkor wat - do 3 days, and Vietnam.
Get off the beaten path. Thailand is overrated. Except for the food which is maybe best in world for price.
Frenzied Wombat
Potato del Grande
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What’s the scam? The place is literally owned by a Canadian expat. I think they charged my friend $300 bucks a suit for something of quality that i’d pay close to a grand in the US.