Good Idea or Bad Idea

[Jay6966]

I am planning a Holiday in December or January for 10 days to Thailand, 4 days in Bangkok, 3 days in Pattaya and 3 days just tour a few places hear and there and in general just recover before heading back to London.

I was wondering what sort of budget I would need in order to have a smashing time...? The current rate on the THB is between THB 46 - THB 50 for every 1 GBP. I work as a Broker so I can always get a great deal on Foreign Exchange.

Lastly I am going on this holiday by myself so I was wondering if this is a good idea or bad idea...? I have always had the opinion a Bad idea is better than no idea!

[dderek123]

I am planning a Holiday in December or January for 10 days to Thailand, 4 days in Bangkok, 3 days in Pattaya and 3 days just tour a few places hear and there and in general just recover before heading back to London.

You need more time. 20 days is not really enough. If you really want to see around the country you can spend a lot of time travelling here and there and so your 20 day vacation will seem more like a 15 day vacation. Every you are just going to prowl the bars for a good shag 20 days should be fine. Beware of the heat it can sap your energy.

I would recommend a month if you intend on doing everything you desire and don't plan on returning anytime soon.

I was wondering what sort of budget I would need in order to have a smashing time...? The current rate on the THB is between THB 46 - THB 50 for every 1 GBP. I work as a Broker so I can always get a great deal on Foreign Exchange.

Your budget really depends on what you want to do. Are you cheap charlie? I would say 60,000 baht would be plenty.

If you want to wine and dine while staying in posh hotels/resorts you'll need quite a bit more. If you befriend a lady of the night she can bleed you try faster than you can say sawatdee krub.

Lastly I am going on this holiday by myself so I was wondering if this is a good idea or bad idea...? I have always had the opinion a Bad idea is better than no idea!

If you are by yourself you should be fine. Just use your wits and don't drink to get drunk. Thailand is pretty safe but don't go wandering dark allies with lots of jewellery hanging out.

Some advice:
1. Don't trust taxi drivers. Especially the ones that invite you into their cab promising to take you on a tour or to a massage parlor. Stick with metred taxis.
2. Be polite to Thais. Smile even when you are having a problem with one of the locals. They are really sensitive to personal conflict and once they made their mind up they can be stubborn as hell.
3. If you are gonna do pay 4 play don't mess around with street girls stick to the bars and massage parlors. Massage parlors being the safest option
4. Don't fall in love and Don't marry a bargirl. They are masters of manipulation and all they want is cash, shopping trips, and jewelry. They'll bleed you dry without batting an eyelid.

Of course there are exceptions but these are just simple guidelines to stay away from trouble.

[GroobySteven]

It's a GREAT idea. I've traveled through Thailand by myself many times. Pattaya has to be seen to be believed, treat it as an anthropological study but it's not my fave place.

Bangkok is fantastic. The bar areas you should be aiming for are Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy. The Nana area caters well to tourists (not just sex visitors) but plenty of restaurants, quality (and cheap massages), bars and hotels.

I usually recommend this hotel:
http://www.dynastygrande.com/
It's less than £50 a night. Is very comfortable, great restaurant, pool, room service, internet and you can bring back guests easily.

Bangkok is easy to get around using their raised train system and there is plenty of cultural sites, although some of the best are just to walk through the streets. It's EXTREMELY safe in Bangkok and I've never once heard of a mugging or robbery in the streets on a tourist.

Thailand is very much what you make of it - and what you want to see. If you want some culture, it's got that in bag loads of history and temples, if you want to immerse yourself into SE Asia walk the streets and eat the street food, if you want to relax you can have a 60 min massage for less than £10 incl the 100 baht tip you give them and if you want the nightlife and the sex, that's all there also.

Check out http://www.lblbforum.com or you can PM me if you need more specifics.