Some Questions

Thailand is not very dangerous if you are staying away from the same sketchy scenes that make any place dangerous. If you come from any America or European city, then you have nothing to worry about in terms of feeling like you are in a dangerous place. I would take the midnight flight if you are going to KSR if it will save you money. That street never sleeps. I would just geta lonely planet or check a travel site to find a good room in that area. The Shanti Lodge in Taewez is a good spot for more low key travelers. It is about a mile from KSR and you can find their site on google. most westerners who get in trouble in Thailand get themselves in sketchy
Situations with drugs, prostitutes, or acting like they can do whatever they want without any regard for the locals. If you are respectful of the people and culture, you will have a wonderful experience and never have your safety threatened.

This poster is asking some seriously silly questions. I reckon it's a troll because he can't be serious.

So I've been reading about USA and it seems that USA is a little dangerous, or a traveler must be a little more proactive. Is this correct?

Also, could anyone tell me which hostel/guesthouse would be best to meet fellow travelers? I am traveling alone and would see if anyone else has no plans like me. So is Harlem area the best place to stay?

Also,
As I have never been to NYC before, would it be best to arrive during the day time. I have the choice between a more expensive flight which arrives at midnight and a more expensive flight which arrives at 5 in the evening. Which would someone recommend for a person traveling alone and has never been to NYC?

Thanks.

Give him/her a break Bangkokboy...maybe Bangkok Dangerous (with Nicolas Cage) has prejudiced his viewpoint of Thailand!!! :-D

No Bangkok is not 'dangerous' if you are sensible and do not do anything that would be considered 'dangerous' in any big city. There are 'opportunities' to get involved in various risky activities, but if you choose not to, then you should be fine. Lots of families go to Thailand (I took my kids there this year and we had no problems of any kind) so please be reassured its as safe a destination as any other popular destination (probably safer than many US/European cities).

As said above KSR is the place to meet other travellers - its a 24/7 kind of place so the late flight should not be a problem - book somewhere to stay your first night in advance to save hassle.

it seems that Thailand is a little dangerous, or a traveler must be a little more proactive. Is this correct?

I don't know what you've been reading,or what counts as dangerous. What is correct is that there is a lot of private enterprise in Thailand, locally known as scams. There's not a lot of business regulation, in other words. This is what you have to watch out for. Learn to do things yourself rather than paying middle-men or travel agents who promise to make life easy for you.

could anyone tell me which hostel/guesthouse would be best to meet fellow travelers?

This sounds like a 'pre-departure nerves' kind of question. This sort of thing sorts itself out pretty easily once you're there, assuming you have even basic social skills.

As I have never been to BKK before, would it be best to arrive during the day time.

If I had a choice, I'd go with an earlier arrival. But, I had no choice with my last Bangkok arrival -- some time around midnight. But it was no big deal. As others suggested, I simply advance booked a room (at airport arrivals, in fact) and took a cab. No problems.

Just in case BeStevenlyew is just confused and not a troll.

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Anytime you have a choice of visiting a country you have never been to before and the flight is about the same price - choose the flight that gets you to that country in the daytime. This way you can use cheaper transportation to get to your hotel from the airport. Also since you are paying for a full night in a hotel why not actually have it available for the entire time? (You still pay the same price if you arrive at your hotel at 1 a.m. or 5 p.m.) After midnight only taxis are available right now from the airport.

One exception for the flight choices - if you have a frequent flier affiliation you do get lots of miles flying to Thailand from places in Europe or the US. Frequent flier miles means free flights later on or free upgrades to better seats and free lounge use if you are gold or higher (or equivalent.)

During the day hours up to midnight you have excellent rail service from the airport.
http://www.urbanrail.net/as/bang/bangkok.htm

How old are you? What price range are you in for your hotel or hostel? If you are very young - under 30 - Khao San Road may be okay for you . You will have a lot of teenagers around you getting stupid drunk and no rail service to boot! But if you are older perhaps using the Rail Link and Skytrain to a hotel in the Siam or Sukhumvit Road area will be better for you. Don't worry about meeting people. Do you wander around your own country traveling just to meet other people? You will meet people in bars, you will meet tourists on tours and even in restaurants. You definitely will meet women in bars if you are single!

If you need hotel recommendations you should also mention how much per night you want to pay for a room. Any suggestions you get will depend on how much you want to pay!

All of the comments you make could be applied to many countries in the world even your own! Wherever that is!

The only dangers you need to concern yourself with are road traffic accidents and the electrical supply in or around swimming pools and showers.

Don't get any tuk-tuks in BKK, stick to taxis. Cheaper and scam free as far as I know.