Thorn Tree travel forum

1

one other question actually...

as far as the weather, are there parts of thailand you particularly recommend this time of year, or parts that i should avoid?
the guide book says chiang mai will be hazy, but it seems this is a must-see. also, everyone recommends andaman, but it seems this will be the time of heaviest rainfall...

2

when is so hot and humid rain make you feel good. forget rain coat it is only water. yes flip flops to walk in rain and birkens when dry. every place good not worry about rain or anything just enjoy.

3

Hi,

The weather this year has been a bit topsy-turvy. Even Thai friends are talking about global warming! To be honest, I wouldn't get too fixated about the weather. The chances are that wherever you end up visiting in Thailand during May/June, you're likely to encounter some rain, but you'll also enjoy plenty of hours of sunshine. Humidity can vary from day to day and sometimes a nice heavy downpour for a few hours can be really helpful to bring humidity and temperatures down.

In terms of what to bring, flip-flops/Birkenstocks will be just fine. A light jacket can be useful if you intend travelling long distance on air-conditioned buses (the air-con can be quite fierce!) but apart from that jackets can make you very sweaty when the rain comes down. You might be as well advised to pack a folding umbrella (or buy one here).

I'm living in Chiang Mai at the moment and the weather has been up and down. March saw a lot of haze (as it does every year) but that's all gone now. We had heavy rain for a couple of days at the start of the week, but today was very warm and sunny. Coming in May/June expect sunshine and showers. In my opinion anytime is a good time to visit Chiang Mai, but I'm biased! The Andaman coast is also lovely and again you can expect sunshine and showers.

To avoid the heat, pay a few baht more for air-con in your room and fly between destinations if budget permits. Nok Air and Air Asia both offer much lower fares than Thai Airways and provide a very good service.

Tours can be a great idea, particularly as a solo traveller new to the country. You'll end up paying a bit more, but you have to weigh that up with the convenience and safety factor. Lots of people on this forum are independent travellers, but I would say that for your purposes, there's no harm in going on organized tours (sorry, don't have any recommendations!). If you do come to Chiang Mai, there are loads of places to book tours and the same is true for most of the main tourist areas. Don't worry and have a great trip.

Thaizer.

Thailand tips, advice & information

4

Really, it's always hot and humid in Thailand. You'll just have to adjust and prepare. Plenty of AirCon to enjoy. Just go, you'll love it.

same same

5

thaizer, thanks for all that information. ok, i guess i will not let the weather stop me- i think perhaps i am trying to scare myself out of going, but i should take the plunge and go for it!

i am still sorting through this guidebook, but it's hard to decide which areas to visit in my three weeks. if you can offer suggestions on that, please do!

6

~~~

I like to wear shoes in Bangkok...the sidewalks are a little (!) uneven and they'll keep your feet cleaner. Buy some socks here as they are cheap. Most everywhere else in TH, just wear sandals or flip-flops.

For tops, I've also found that my patagonia silkweight capilene t-shirt to be a godsend as it wicks sweat and can be washed and dryed quickly. It does not absorb moisture like cotton.

For tour recommendations, check with my Thai friend Tan: here & here

Tan is very knowledgable and can help you find a tour. Better yet, take a tour with her while in BKK. She's a lot of fun to check out the city with.

Enjoy your trip...

~~~

7

Cactusfriend,

You're welcome. And yes you're right, 'take the plunge and go for it!' is the best attitude to have. Once you're over here keep an open-mind and be adaptable with your plans. You may end up in one place that you really like and want to stay longer than intended. It is quite easy to book train/bus/air tickets as you go along.

With 3 weeks, there is so much you can do it all depends on how much you want to cram in or how chilled out you want to be. I get asked the question about itineraries quite a lot. Much depends on the individual, but here's a suggestion:

Spend 3 days in Bangkok and have a bit of a chance to get over the flight. Bangkok can be overwhelming from the very first time you enter the arrivals hall and are greeted by cries of 'Taxi! Taxi!' 'Taxi Madam, Where you want to go?' Some people love Bangkok, some people hate it. Few people are indifferent. The Grand Palace and Wat Po are recommended as is a trip to the Floating Market at Damnoen Saduak. If you do an organized tour to the Floating Market, it will probably include a stop on the way back at the Rose Country Garden Resort. There is a display of cultural dancing and an elephant show. Geared at tourists, but hey, we're all tourists whatever we might think, and it's enjoyable enough. Not what many people would call the 'real' Thailand but a pleasant introduction for the first time visitor. The Grand Palace can be done as an organized tour or if you're a bit more adventurous it is easy enough to get to by taking a boat along the river (a pleasant trip by itself). As you've probably read, there are various scams operated by tuk-tuk drivers and their friends who will tell you 'Grand Palace closed today'. Ignore them and carry on.

From Bangkok, head north to Chiang Mai for 7-10 days. Many people find the easy-going atmosphere a relief after Bangkok. Even on rainy days there is plenty to do and it is easy to get around by public transport. You're bound to meet lots of friendly travellers and locals who can help you out getting your bearings. Plenty of temples, great food and cheap prices. If shopping is your thing there is the famous Night Bazaar, but the weekend Walking Street market is much better. There are 2 excellent modern malls and the trendy Nimmanhaemin Road in the west of the city is home to a number of funky boutiques and has a relaxed cafe culture. There are plenty of half-day trips and day trips ( I recommend the temple of Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and the National Park at Doi Inthanon). The city is full of travel agents who can book any trip for you and most hotels and guest houses can also arrange for you. After a day sightseeing, relax with a traditional Thai massage. On rainy days, book yourself into one of the many spas dotted around the city or chill out in a restaurant and chat with the locals. Just enjoy yourself!

From Chiang Mai head south for a week on a beach. Bangkok Airways run direct flights to Ko Samui from Chiang Mai. Alternatively, Ko Chang or Krabi could be a good choice. Ao Nang is a good base if you are going to Krabi. It gets criticized for being too commercial, but it has a lot going for it and as I say, is a good base without being stuck in one place. You could visit a different beach or island everyday and there is plenty to do if you fancy a day away from the beaches or the weather is bad.

The above is just a suggestion. Many people will suggest other places: Ko Lanta, Phi Phi, Ko Samet, Pai, Chiang Rai . . . a whole host of places. Everybody has their favourites and all places have their good points and their bad points. But the above itinerary gives you a bit of everything; a few days in the capital city, a week or so in the mountains of the north and a week or so on the beach. They're also all quite easy to travel between (particularly by air). Ultimately, read as much as you can (not just Lonely Planet!) and listen to as many views as you want. Go with your gut instinct because only you can know what it is you really want out of your trip. Best tip - be flexible and be prepared to change your plans. It's easy to arrive in a place and be totally captivated and want to stay longer (or completely disappointed and want to move on!)

Talk with the locals and try and retain a sense of humour even when you're hot and bothered (or soaking wet from a sudden downpour). Enjoy yourself and be relaxed and I'm sure you'll have a great time.

Thaizer.

Thailand tips, advice & information

8

if you can make it dont forget ayutthaya (spelling? maybe wrong, sorry, have been there in 89) and Pimai, second largest Khmer site in the world after Angkor in Cambodia, both a day trip by public transport from bkk.

Koh Chang, near the cambodian border, used to be very quiet compared to other islands.

Bkk is a great place but as said above in other posts, people love it or hate it, i personally do both...depends: surely hated it the day had to walk barefeet (for not loosing my flipflops) in knee deep water in a soi off Sukumvit with my 30kg baggages (heading home after over 1 year working in Cambodia and 3 more months backpacking around SEA) or when you get stuck in traffic for literally hours but still is a great place.

may is usually the beginning of the rainy season and, for me, the best moment to be in Thailand: not holiday season for either europeans or aussies so less people around (though always a lot), prices bit lower and anyway the rain's warm and just water, it dries afterwars.... can be very heavy but won't last long, usually evening or night and shold not get too flooded around (but my Sukumvit walk was end of may.... so it doesn' t really count).

so don't worry and just enjoy your trip ciao

9

There are some great posts from people I've never seen before here! The only thing I could add to the above is, yes it will be very humid in June and you should spring for a hotel with a pool whenever you can.

Last June I was in Trang and it rained almost constantly in buckets. Even walking down the street when it wasn't raining felt like swimming. So I looked on the internet & it said "Trang: rain 100%, Loei: rain 30%." So I flew up to Loei and discovered one of the most beautiful and hospitable parts of Thailand. There was still quite a lot of rain, but it was very green and cool enough to need a jacket. Later, I went into Laos and the weather was perfect - blue sky, dry and not too hot. It's a good thing to stay flexible & not lock yourself into a preconceived itinerary. Particularly during low season when accommodation is cheap & plentiful.

10

hi all. it's been a while since i've visited here, but i have read the information you all have provided and really appreciated it, in particular your itinerary, thaizer.

i just finalized my last day of work and first day of the new job (which is why i'm getting this break), so i'm actually going to need to start putting travel thoughts into action now. my last day is june 1, first day july 2, so think i will travel for 3 wks, then have a wk to get over jetlag, readjust and such at home.

i'm still a little worried about thailand, but am still thinking of going for it. been talking to people and some asian american friends (i am asian also) have said it is dangerous. in particular, one friend said she almost got kidnapped by a tuk tuk, but was let go when she told them she was american (she looked like a local). i am chinese so do not think i would pass as a local, but still, i am not that used to taking cabs so it seems a bit initimidating. thoughts on this?

suggestions on where to book the flight from us -> bangkok through?

about the backpack, i looked around REI (outdoors store) last weekend, and the guy recommended this pack:
http://www.rei.com/product/739004
i don't know if you can tell, but it is made out of that light, shiny nylon material. he said it would be more comfortable over a heavier normal type of backback (e.g. http://www.rei.com/product/726060), especially for the hot weather.
thoughts?

thanks all!

11

Hi,

I think backpacks are very much up to whatever fits you best as an individual and what you feel most comfortable with. I would say the best tip is not to load too much into it; travel as light as possible. Give a lot of thought to what you pack because you'll be carrying that bag around in the heat (and rain!). Anything you forget or wish you'd packed can be bought easily enough over here. If you're going for 3 weeks perhaps give consideration to a small holdall or wheeled duffel bag as an alternative to a backpack. Obviously it depends on how much walking around with your bag you figure you'll be doing.

With regards to safety, I think it's a case of being sensible and keeping your wits about you. Tuk-tuks in Bangkok have got a bad reputation. Some are ok, but some are scam-artists. The scam usually involves quoting a really low price for a city tour and then they take you to various tailor shops or jewellers for which they then receive a commission from the store-owner. I think for your particular situation, just don't bother with the tuk-tuks in Bangkok. Use the excellent Skytrain or metro. The river is a great way to get around too (Wat Arun, Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaeo). If you use taxis use a metered taxi and try to ensure they do actually switch the meter on! Your hotel or guest house should be able to help you with all of this. This information is specifically for Bangkok. In my experience, the tuk-tuks in Chiang Mai and other provincial cities are no problem at all.

I think you're right to be wary, just keep your guard up but try not to be paranoid. And that applies not just to tuk-tuks, but wherever you go just as it does for any tourist anywhere in the world. There are people who will try and rip you off, but there are others who will go out of their way to help you.

For flights from the US you could try
Booking Buddy.

Hope that helps a little bit, but try not to be put off by your friend's one bad experience. It really is a lovely country. And don't be put off if you arrive in Bangkok and think the rest of the Thailand is the same; it isn't!

Thaizer.

Thailand tips, advice & information