30

There are lots of travel blogs and there is Travelfish and couch surfing . But there is also lot of incomplete info and outdated info , websites about acommodation that long closed down . On Thorntree there is lot of good info but also unanswered questions and agenda - pushing.
To take one small example if someone wanted to find out about the once popular Star Hut Bungalows on Thong Nai Pan at Ko Phangan island none of those websites and blogs has been upodated to mention that it closed.

RE#27 , Dorm rooms in the ordinary gusethouses usually do have a fair bit of space and usually not that many people staying in them. Not all places have comunal areas , some gusethouses and hotels its just rooms and very little interarction with the people staying in them.

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QUOTE - "As for my budget, it is about $16AU Max but preferably I would be spending $10-12. And less occassionally and more occassionally. (Therefore .."

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If you are prepared to do without air con you can find rooms for 300 baht or less readily in KSR area of Bangkok and Tapeh Gate area Changmai . On Khao San Rd turn left after Buddy Lodge and go down the street with Harn Guesthouse and VS Guesthouse and try some places there . Beyond Tanao Rd you could also try the guesthouse thats part of No One Restaurant and there are a number of other cheaper guesthouses nearby. In Changmai try Mid Town Guesthouse -Tapeh Gate area.

31

Dave, by 'space' I mean that I don't want people in my own space, not that dorms are necessarily cramped! Been there, done that, now I prefer my own room, my own 'space'. Obviously, not all guesthouses have common rooms, but they'll all have a lobby of some kind. The reality is that there are a lot more guesthouses than dorms in Thailand, hence my only answering the OP's question about how to meet people when you're not in a shared room.
Cheers,

32

Fair enough but when you say - " reality is that there are a lot more guesthouses than dorms in Thailand, hence my only answering the OP's " , there are some guesthouses that do have dorm rooms , not many outside Bangkok but some.
One of my favourite dorm rooms was at Cave Lodge , in Nth West Thailand at Tham Lod near Soppong . They have a bamboo long house shaped dorm at the side of the main building and restaurant which is often unoccupied and costs about 90 baht per person.

33

I stayed at cave lodge a few yrs ago, cabin near the river, but did the dorm one night to cut costs as the cabin was a little pricey. They have a great common space with a fire - as it can get chilly at night. Great friendly staff. Still prefer own room with bathroom. They have a great girl there who gives excellent massage - I was in mild pain from a recent trek and she certainly did the job. Odd getting a massage from someone wearing a winter coat however - lol

34

Hi,

So another two Cavelodge supporters. I found the place to be great, however when I was there, few weeks ago all of the rooms etc were gone. I had to have the dearest cabin, nice but hit the budget somewhat. Back there again in early new year.

35

When you say all of the rooms were gone do you mean they were full ? , sometimes they have tour groups coming in .

36

I had the same experience, the other cheaper rooms were full.

37

Hi,

davelliot No.35 if you are asking that of me "they were full?" about my post No.34, then yes that is what I meant. No large tour groups, out of season and yet all the cheaper rooms gone. I had a nice big place, the dearest, all to myself. Nice to go against my natural tightfisted instincts once in a while.