Thailand forum

Thaliand, or Singapore>Malaysia>Thaliand?

BDog

newbie
Posts: 3

Hello,
I plan to make a 2 week trip to Southeast Asia next winter, and I was wondering, instead of visiting Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, should I instead take the entire 2 weeks to only explore Thailand?
Facts about myself:
-27 year old, American, male
-will be traveling alone
-will be traveling fast, possibly by train?

#1 Posted: 17/2/2011 - 07:01
Krabiman

tuk tuk driver
Posts: 223

Yep do thailand only. Singapore is rather small and boring. Malaysia isnt as good as Thailand.

2 weeks isnt much time. Pick 2 or 3 main spots in thailand.

trains are a bit slow. I fly or drive.

#2 Posted: 17/2/2011 - 07:05
BDog

newbie
Posts: 3

Thanks, that's what I was looking for. Now as far as what to do and see, to really maximize my 2 weeks, what do you suggest? I plan to be there over New Year's, probably December 22nd - January 2nd. I like outdoors activities, beaches, nightlife, food, pretty much anything. Also, I'd like to check out the full moon party on New Year's.

#3 Posted: 17/2/2011 - 07:09
Krabiman

tuk tuk driver
Posts: 223

That's peak season, higher prices and big crowds. FMP is thousands of people on a beach getting drunk and taking other things. Don't see the attraction myself. Rather feral and disrespectful.

I'd suggest flying into Phuket and island hopping which is easy to do.

#4 Posted: 17/2/2011 - 07:24
busylizzy

under-employed
Posts: 1470
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You'll have a much harder time getting accom in the popular areas at peak time. Would pay to organise accom ahead of time.

#5 Posted: 17/2/2011 - 07:55

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idreamofdur-
ian

som tam seller
Posts: 561
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I'll echo the previous poster -- with 2 weeks stick to Thailand.

Check out Bangkok, Chiang Mai , and a couple islands. One big time saver will be if you fly from Chiang Mai (north) to the islands (south). Thai Airways does this and so does Air Asia (Phuket to Chiang Mai flights). This distance takes a good 20 hours to cover by bus!

#6 Posted: 17/2/2011 - 08:24

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urleandy

longtail driver
Posts: 7

Although Thailand is an extremely tourist friendly country, there aresome customs one should be aware of when visiting. In Temples dress neatly and respectfully, remove shoes and do not ware shorts, hotpants,singlets or spaghetti straps.

#7 Posted: 17/2/2011 - 13:26
BDog

newbie
Posts: 3

Wow! This forum has been really helpful thus far, thanks to everyone.

Chiang Mai does look quite interesting. Do you think that with only 2 weeks I will have time to visit Chiang Mai, Bangkok and do some island hopping around Phuket? If not, should I just stick to Bangkok and Phuket?

#8 Posted: 18/2/2011 - 02:54
Thomas922

adventurer
Posts: 339
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Go to Phuket, hit one or two other islands. Phi Phi is very hedonistic at New Years. You won't miss the FMP.

#9 Posted: 18/2/2011 - 10:37
Krabiman

tuk tuk driver
Posts: 223

Depends what you like whether you should do Chiang Mai or not. The main reason to go there is for trekking. You won't see many animals apart from buffalos and elephants in camps but you can see some villages and float down the river on a raft.

You can do similar things at Kanchanaburi which is only a couple of hours west of Bangkok.

So if you want to spend a fair bit of time doing beaches and islands I'd recommend Kanchanaburi/Bangkok then fly to either Phuket or Krabi.

#10 Posted: 21/2/2011 - 06:30