Korean Job Discussion Forums

adventuregal · Joined: 31 Dec 2009

So here's the deal...

I was suppossed to go to Thailand from mid-Jan through the first week of Feb with a friend of mine form the U.S. who was going to fly out and meet me. She's pretty flaky- and it now looks like she's backing out Sad

I haven't bought my ticket yet, but need to ge tthe you-know-what out of Korea for a few weeks and didn't take a vacation in Summer, etc...

A friend of mine is going to Japan, and while I don't want to be somewhere else that's cold, feel as if going to Thailand by myself for 3 weeks may not be such a good idea (I'm a 23 y.o. girl- not used to traveling alone)

Does anyone know of any websites, groups, etc.. that connect people who are traveling?

For the people who've been to Thailand.. is it safe for a young woman to do by themselves? Will I be able to meet people realtively easily, get around the country ok, be safe, etc...

For the people who've been to Japan (in winter) is it not as freezing cold as I'm imagining?

People of ESL Cafe- I look forward to your responses!

Thanks!

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

You'll be fine in Thailand.

I don't see any problems with you heading into the red-light areas so you will be grand.

It is a tourist friendly place (I assume you will be headed for the beaches or the islands.

Don't forget your sunscreen and use common sense with you are out at night (it is the English speaking foreigners you have to worry about) not the locals.

.

oldtactics · Joined: 18 Oct 2008

Thailand will be safe, nothing to worry about. Check out travelfish.org if you're looking for good information - the forums there will help you meet travel buddies if you want them.

The Sherriff · Joined: 10 Jan 2010

I met a few girls travelling solo in Thailand, One of them was only 18. It's a very safe country. I'd be more worried about pushy chavs from England than the locals, but either way, you should be fine.

Travelfish as already mentioned is an excellent resource. There are forums for people looking for travel buddies, but Honestly meeting people shouldn't really be an issue. Couchsurfing.org has a largely sized thai/expat community, and many people are open for meeting up for at least a drink, or you can go on their forums and message people travelling into thailand and meet up with them as well.

adventuregal · Joined: 31 Dec 2009

Cool! Thanks for the encouragement/ tips everybody!

Since I've waited so long to book the ticket.. it looks like it might be a little cheaper to go Korea to Kuala Lumpur, KL to Thailand, BKK to Hong Kong, HK to ICN... any thoughts on whether KL & HK are safe for a couple days of sightseeing on either end?

mmstyle · Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Location: wherever

Hong Kong-yes.

KL, haven't been but have plans to go! You'll be fine.

The Sherriff · Joined: 10 Jan 2010

I've never been, but KL is probably just as safe (if not more safe) than Thailand. I think it's about 60% Muslim, so its supposed to be more of a conservative country.

Taken from Travelfish on Malaysia:
Malaysia is a very safe country. While petty theft is a problem in the major tourist centres, violent crime against foreigners is particularly rare. Use your common sense when out in the evening and stay in control. If you feel threatened, especially in a bar or club environment, leave. Credit card fraud is the most likely problem you may encounter -- keep an eye on your credit cards at all times and while not always feasible, try not to let them out of your sight.

Link - http://www.travelfish.org/beginners/malaysia

Another note on Thailand - You'll probably spend a day or two in Bangkok, and your first impressions may be that it feels kind of sketchy, and you won't be sure if its safe, mostly due to all the rampant partying, sex shows (including ping pong shows), sex tourism, ladyboys, prostitutes, and the noticeable contrast between rich and poor.

Don't let this first impression, be a lasting one on Thailand. If you're only in the country for a short amount of time, I'd get out of Bangkok after catching a few 'must see' attractions. It's dense, very polluted and very confusing. That along with all the partying and sex tourism, can be pretty overwhelming. I'd head north to Chiang Mai, or head south to the beaches. Maybe visit kanchanaburi on the way north, I loved this small laid back town.

Kaypea · Joined: 09 Oct 2008

KL is safe, but you do get more guys uh... appreciating you on the street, as opposed to in Thailand. I think it's becuase you aren't wearing a veil, but in Thailand, many women aren't wearing veils, either...

DrugstoreCowgirl · Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 9:39 pm Post subject:

I went to KL and Thailand alone and I felt completely safe 100% of the time. In KL I stayed in a shared all-female dorm room and I met 2 of the most wonderful girls ever and we had an AMAZING time together. I stayed at a resort in Thailand so I didn't meet anyone, but I'm sure you would find awesome people to hang with if you went the hostel route there.

I've also been to Hong Kong with a friend, but I wouldn't have any reservations about going there alone either.

nomad-ish · Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 10:54 pm Post subject:

i've been to thailand a couple times, once alone, and it was fine. i even did it the cheapest way with long distance buses, not to mention hostels. no problems whatsoever.

thrylos · Joined: 10 Jun 2008

Check out thaivisa.com/forum if you want specifics about an area, a bit different from travelfish as it's more of an expat's forum, but good stuff there, too...

northway · Joined: 05 Jul 2010

megandadam · Joined: 28 Dec 2008 Location: toronto, canada

you'll be fine as long as you're smart enough.

i think the best advice is to stay away from the guys with the soccor shirts or coloured polo shirts - unless that is something that appeals to you (see first sentence).

brento1138 · Joined: 17 Nov 2004

Hey adventuregirl.

If you need someone to travel with, I'll be flying into Bangkok on Jan.28th - and leaving Feb.18th (will be hitting Bangkok, Laos, Chiang Mai, the beaches... but nothing is set, except I already bought my plane tix).

The first time I went to Bangkok I actually met up with two other girls from this board and we had an absolute blast! We all felt very safe since we were traveling together. Absolutely no problems during that trip.

Now I've been to Thailand a few times and have found it very safe. But here's my advice for you:

I think the main thing you gotta do is be a bit "street smart" when it comes to Thai people coming up and talking to you. Bangkok sometimes appears confusing at first to the average traveler, especially when they get off the plane. And there are people who prey on this confusion (especially at the airport and in the popular tourist areas like Kaoh San road). Don't ever get a taxi from those guys at the airport who come up to you asking if you need a taxi. Not because they'll harm you, they'll just scam you.

I've noticed when walking around with friends in Bangkok, I never got approached by the scam artists / annoying people /salesmen. If you are alone, sometimes it attracts them. Just act like you're not new to the city, don't give them eye contact, just brush them off with disinterest and they won't bother you. Ignoring them is best. They will then move on to a new target.

Worst case scenario happened to my sister & her friend. Rather creepy story... After graduating university, she went on a 3 month backpacking trip to SEAsia with her friend. But her friend only lasted one day... they woke up to an apartment that had been broken into. My sister's friend was missing an ATM card. When she talked to the bank, turned out all her money was gone!

So, here's what had happened. We gather someone must have been following them around, watched my sister's friend put in her PIN number to her bank account when she withdrew money from an ATM (this was on Kaoh San road, by the way). That person then broke into the crappy guest house they were staying at, while they were sleeping!! That person then stole the bank card, and withdrew all the money from her account. I kid you not. This girl had to fly back home with money her dad sent her... and my sister was left all alone in Thailand. My sister managed to meet up with people, and travel in a large group. She never felt unsafe again!

So, best of luck. And do hit me up if you figure you'd like a beer with a fellow expat!

nukeday · Joined: 13 May 2010

Most people will tell you to avoid Pattaya and they'd be right.

My friend and I, both male, were conned into the old minivan from Bangkok to Pattaya trick. We shared the van with an elderly Brit and a middle aged man of middle eastern origin. We later picked up a young lady traveling alone to Pattaya to meet up with friends. The geezer and the middle aged man spent the whole trip discussing the elderly Brit's young Thai girlfriend and professional Thai women in general.

When we pulled in to Pattaya, the van stopped right in front of a beer bar FULL of working girls. Our co-passenger was urged this was her stop, but she refused.

I suppose she eventually found her friends, but I'm sure that van ride was not her best experience.