Korean Job Discussion Forums

[katydid]

Katy has the travel bug now and after two years in Korea has realized there is more to Asia than Korea. So, I would like to become a broke-ass this year by going to certain countries this year in Southeast Asia, as if I go to Japan again I will cry.
Where should it be? Not that I will treat this poll as law, and give me some constructive advice, as in what would you tell your sister. I'll ignore all "Go to Malysia not Thailand (or Thailand not Malaysia) cause the hookers are cheaper there" comments.

[Mashimaro]

Welcome back Kate
I loved Thailand, I started in Bangkok and headed north, didn't do the beach thing. I found the people amazingly friendly and happy to help.
Chiang Mai is a good base to see the north, you can take day trips to a lot of places. It's also a lot less daunting than Bangkok and you can stroll around and try different restaurants etc. easily.
Never been to Malaysia, I'm sure it's great, but I get the feeling Thailand is cheaper (more money for the amazing food etc.)

[just because]

I have a feeling Thailand will dominate this poll.

malaysia is nice but Thailand is better. Very general i know but there are just more things and adventures to draw you to Thailand than Malaysia. i think malaysia is the older persons Thailand. its cool, but just a little more relaxing and controlled.

[kiwiboy_nz_99]

Thailand, more fun for a young person, and it's cheaper ...

[tokki]

M A L A Y S I A all the way.

Beaches - Malaysia has beaches that are JUST as nice, yet totally not overrun by fat, pasty tourists, like Thailand.

Fun - I guess Thailand is more fun in the "come screw an underage prostitute that most likely has HIV and was abducted from her village in the north...or perhaps a ladyboy". If thats what you are looking for, then head to BKK. However, if not, KL is a great city to have some fun in.

The pest factor - Imagine. You want a vacation, but every freaking step you take involves fending off people looking to screw you out of all the money you have. You cant lie peacefully on a bech cause you hear "hey friend, where you come from? wanna buy ... ". Or, imagine you take a popular form of transportation intending to go to one place, but end up in a jewelry shop being pressured to buy some (most likely fake) jewelry. Now, if this is your idea of a great holiday destination, go to Thailand. If not, pick Malaysia.

Thailand is TOTALLY living off a reputation earned long ago. Today, it is just another place overrun by tourists. It isnt even that cheap anymore, which from being there I gathered, is most likely the best thing it ever had going for it. That, and the illicit sex you can get if you are a middle aged German pervert.

[kangnamdragon]

Katy dear I am glad you asked this question because I also am thinking of going to Malaysia this year. I have been to Thailand, but want less crowded beaches.

[bucheon bum]

uh well what do you like?

beaches? Go with malaysia for the reasons stated above.

Cities? Personally I like Bangkok more than KL. Bangkok has more character and has everything; it is definitly a hub of s.east asia. KL is a little more laidback and chill but still with some flavor. On the other hand, Malaysia also has Penang, Melacca. Besides Bangkok, Thailand only has chiang mai, and that's about it as far as cities go.

Food: I'd go with Thailand with this one personally but the food still isn't bad down in Malaysia either.

nature: uh I'll leave that for others to comment on.

[kangnamdragon]

By the way, where are the best places to go for the beach in Malaysia and at what time of year?

[Joe Thanks]

[kiwiboy_nz_99]

Tokki, if you didn't get out of the tourist spots you can't really comment accurately on Thailand.

I went there in 2002, and went to Koh Tao, a small dive island two hours out from Koh Samui. It was perfect, nothing at all like what you described. No hawker hassles, no sex tourists, no drug freaks. Just the most perfect beaches and weather and jungle bush I've ever seen, the most incredible food and cheap prices, smiling friendly locals, warm ocean, and all the westerners were laid back, either there to dive or sun bathe and chill out. It was the perfect holiday.

[desultude]

A little off topic, but I just got back from the Philippines. It was incredible- great beaches (Boracay- the "worlds best", but a bit overrun by the sex- tourist over the hill western boys) the mountains in the north are amazing. Its cheap. The best part? The people are wonderful.

The downside? My friend and I took the wga superferry last Wednesday from Boracay to Manila. That would be the night before the terrorist attack (seriously under-reported) that gutted a wga superferry, leaving 165 people still missing. The locals are pissed at the return of the U.S. military.

I haven't spent much time in Thailand yet. I do like what I have seen so far. But my friend who has spent a lot of time there says that the beaches we saw in the Phillipines were better, and the Banaue rice terraces are awesome.

[J.B. Clamence]

I rarely travel to only one country on a trip. With Thailand and Malaysia right next to each other, you should go to both if you're interested in both. And you can throw in Singapore while you're at it. That would make a great trip.

[Tiger Beer]

[Joe Thanks]

[The Man known as The Man]

NO.

My place.