Visiting Thailand - any advice?

[VHG]

My daughter and her boyfriend have just decided to go to Thailand for a month (Bangkok and Phuket).

They are both in their early 20s and never been outside Europe before. They fly the last day of February and come back last day of March.

As they are only there 30 days they dont need a visa.

Anyone offer any suggestions or advice about the trip.

As a worried father I would be glad of any comments or suggestions, good or bad.

[Velvetee]

Be careful in bars, don't carry any luggage for anyone or accept dubious gifts and watch out for lady boys.

Other than that, from what I've heard it's lovely, so is the food.

http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/asia/keep- safe-and-be-sensible-in-thailand-752590.html

[jno]

there's a bit of a risk

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living -overseas/travel-advice-by-country/asia-oceani a/thailand

but given the numbers of tourists who go to places like this and have no trouble whatever, it's pretty minimal. They've got to learn to take care of themselves sometime! Bangkok's not terrifically interesting - there are a few sights worth seeing, but it's hot and full of traffic. Phuket's a well-established resort area. I'd suggest not taking side trips to more dodgy areas, but then that's because I'm a fretful parent myself.

Take a Rough Guide or Lonely Planet, they're full of good stuff about places like Thailand, and are so widely used that if they recommend a remote area it soon ceases to be remote.

[Hymie]

Take in Simon Cabaret in Phuket, although not up to West End standards, it is an entertaining show for �10/head.

Last time I was out there, I had a made-to-measure suit (in a fine check patterned material) made by one of the tailors in Patong Beach. The quality & finish are second to none, with the pattern �lining up� in all the right places, and for less than �50.
If you are going to buy a suit, take your time to look closely at examples made by the tailor.

This particular tailor rented out space in front of his shop to a trader who was selling fake CDs. At around 8pm one evening, the trader was packing up his wares for the evening. I asked the tailor why he was finishing so early. He replied that the trader had not paid a bribe to the local police and so they were coming to raid his stall. However, he had paid another police officer to tell him when the police were going to raid his stall.

One final piece of advice, airlines are getting mean with their baggage allowances � if you plan to bring stuff back, travel out light.

My above sterling prices were based on an exchange rate of 70 Bhat to the � - the rate is currently around 50 Bhat to the �, resulting in a 40% increase to my prices.

[kira000]

My best advise, Dont go!
It may be cheap with somepretty beaches, but its a horrible corrupt place. Nothing but trouble. And yes, that is speaking from knowledge rather than hearsay..

Plenty of nicer places to go to.

[Hymie]

Stop worrying the poor guy � nearly 5 million tourists visit Phuket each year, very few if any, ending up dead.

[Trotbot]

For 30 days, try

3-4 days in Bangkok to acclimatise
3-7 days in Chiang Mai, depending if they want to go trekking or not
7 days in Phuket is enough. If they want less commercial, try Samui (although that is fairly commercial now) or Krabi.
Other options include Kanchanaburi (2-3 day), a trip to Ankor Wat (in Cambodia) 3-4 days, or Vietnam

They should be flexible, as they will like some places better than others. Loney Planey is essential as a planning tool.

It is perfectly safe as long as they don't leave their common sense on the plane (a lot of people do, sadly). People decide it is a good idea to pick a fight, take drugs, buy expensive (fake) gems or generally act like a prat.

I've lived in Thailand for 11 years, and no plans to go anywhere else. I feel safer here than in the UK, but I don't go looking for trouble.

[Dee Sa]

give these two 20yr olds a break, they probably just want sun, sand and a spot of romance away from the watchful eyes of well meaning but over protective parents.
They are going, so let them discover things for themselves and enjoy, if all goes well this will be the first of many such trips over the next few years.

[kittykatking]

I've been to thailand twice and there are much better places to go to than Phuket. I'd suggest Koh Samet, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.

Always haggle the price down on tuk tuks and shopping to get a decent price, but don't be mean!

I'm sure if they are streetwise they'll be fine....and surrounded by loads of other young people doing the same safely.