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gochubandit · Joined: 29 Jul 2004 Posts: 42

planning to backpack through thailand for the summer. looking for some advice on what to do/where to go. haven't quite done my research, but was planning to go by word of mouth, since so many backpackers are there already. any suggestions on weird/crazy things to see/do??? and i don't just mean raging parties til the break of dawn, but the cultural stuff too (temples/elephant rides/jungle trek/scuba diving/climbing/etc.)

and advice for things to be aware of like pickpockets/sketchy drugs/mugging/ripoffs? i have no clue so i'm a bit nervous in that sense.

isanity · Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 179

Thai temples are tacky monstrosities, so you'd be much better going to the old Khmer temples in Isan- Phimai, Phanom Rung, Khao Preah Viharn and so on. Your other cultural stuff doesn't look all that cultural to me, but then Thailand's not hot on culture.

Ko Tao has good and cheap diving, and should have good weather over summer. West coast diving (Similans) is better if you can afford it, though.

Pickpockets/sketchy drugs/mugging/ripoffs - yes, be aware. Smile

junkmail · Joined: 19 Dec 2004 Posts: 377

For hiking through beautiful forrests etc.. most people head for Chaing Mai and the North. A short trip by air from Chaing Mai brings you to Mae Hon Song which is a quiet little town in the mountains well worth a trip.

Drugs; just stay away from them in Thailand. Muggings and theft, don't worry but, do use common sense. No more reason to be nervous than in Vancouver generally.

Engoy yourself it's a cool country.

gochubandit · Joined: 29 Jul 2004 Posts: 42

so good advice from all but, for a first timer in the country. what would u recommend doing? so far my list is:

1) learn to scuba dive. i heard it's cheap but don't know where except probably on one of the islands. don't know how much (200 US?)

2) do muay thai camp, even for a couple days.

3) full moon party (dunno where)

4) ride an elephant (again, dunno where)

5) jungle trek (chiang mai-ish)

6) chase ladyboys (i'm sure they're all over) <-- ok kidding, but i'm really curious. i hear they put all other trannies to shame

7) see ruins/temples/reclining buddha (again, dunno where)

so that's about all i know. any specifics to any of them?

smokingzen · Joined: 22 May 2006 Posts: 12

1) You will have to do on an Island, Ko Tao is probably your cheapest and best option
2) There is a great Muay Thai camp on the outskirts of Chiang Mai, the Lanna Muay Thai camp
3) Full moon parties are generally on Ko Pha-Ngan
4) + 5) again Chiang Mai is your best option
6) Great Ladyboy shows in Bangkok, also Chiang Mai
7) Temples are just about everywhere, but very good old ones Chiang Mai.

Really this is a fairly good list of things to do already, i don't think you necessarily have to 'do' things while in Thailand, just relax and soak up the culture. Eat lots of food, and try and go to where all the Thai's eat, not the farangs, for some nice authentic Thai food, and cheaper too. Shopping, check out the markets in Bangkok and Chiang Mai especially, both day and night markets.

I'd also recommend, learn a bit of Thai, they will really appreciate it and it can open a lot of doors to experiences you might not have otherwise.
Go and watch Thai boxing at the Lumphini stadium in Bangkok, the best place to go without a doubt. Check out some more of the rural areas to see a bit more of traditional thailand.

cameron.mayo · Joined: 13 Mar 2006 Posts: 81

Most of your 1-7 list can be done in Chiang Mai. A couple of days learning Muay Thai I wouldn't bother...
You could easily spend a month or much longer in Chiang Mai if you had a focus like learning Mauy THai. Its agreat, great city, cheap with plenty to do...

www.lannamuaythai.com

gochubandit · Joined: 29 Jul 2004 Posts: 42

junkmail · Joined: 19 Dec 2004 Posts: 377

smokingzen · Joined: 22 May 2006 Posts: 12

Here's a possible itinerary, depending on the date you arrive. I deduce it's the start of June. The full moon party will be roughly about the 9-12th. If you arrive after this you will miss it. (If so don't worry, they have plenty of parties there, the full moon is the biggest but not the best. I prefe the dark moon party personally.)

Arrive Bangkok, if time check out Lumphini stadium for thai boxing show and also go to ladyboy show.

Depart down south to Koh Pha Ngan get there a couple of days before full moon party if possible, the island gets full up very quickly around this time.

Head over to Ko Tao for a few days diving.

Back up to Bangkok, then head to Chiang Mai.

Chill a few days, shop, explore the temples etc., and arrange a trek.

Go for 3-5 day trek. You mught be able to ride an elephant on this.

Go to Lanna Muay thai camp for a few days.

Back to Bangkok and home.

All in all the should fill up your 3 weeks quite nicely.

MPG · Posted: Fri Jun 09, 2006 11:22 pm Post subject:

If you have a goulish streak, Check out the BKK medical museum, I can't remenber where it is in BKK but it was quite central, definitelty unusual. Only open in the mornings and no photos, heaps of skeletons, weird stuff in jars, when I was there with a few mates, no guide or attendeent was on duty so we were able to slip into the morgue, gross but really interesting.