Off to Thailand 4th May

[marcoalza]

Me and the young lady are off to Thailand on the 4th May.

2 days Bangkok
4 days Phuket
4 days Koh Samui

Any 'must see' places or things to do from you guys?

A game of "Ping Pong" in a seedy club in Bangkok is already on the cards.... so I'm told :facepalm:

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Off to Thailand 4th May

Never been to Thailand. Go regularly to Japan, China and South Korea on business.
Let me know how the beer is !!!
Enjoy your trip.

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Off to Thailand 4th May

In Bankok.
Get yourself a ride on one of those long canoes with the big-block and a long shaft out the rear with a prop attached. The ones that pin your ears back. Better than those fancy barges - way better. Bring a photo back of one of the 'Asian Outboards' for all the girls and boys here.
Then go to a floating market (by boat), they are boat cruises (that I think was same canoe as the market), that went through a very interesting residential area, plus you need to see a temple, The Kings one I found good, and there is a big boat that is a museum. Of course there is nothing like a ride in a tuk-tuk, and the bar area is pretty good fun - really good fun actually.
I have always stayed in cheaper hotels, but close to a 5 star international, where I go for my meals in their coffee club - stops me from getting the Bankok Bomber. I recall an interesting snake farm, and get another happy snap for us of you with a king cobra wrapped around your neck, and for me, being a plant man, there are orchid that I really really enjoy.
Bankok is big, overcrowed, busy, bustling, probably a tad hot, and the people are very nice.
Just about forgot. Don't buy a safari suit - it will look stupid when you get home (that is a very old standing joke around here, and I am not telling you why!).
But their tailors are very good and i have had some very good quality Jackets and suits made there.
Cheers
Phillip

 

[gibletts]

Re: Off to Thailand 4th May

Thailand is a great place, drink the cheap local liquor, dont eat the peanuts at the bar, go see the palace in Bankok, give some tuk tuk guy some money and cruise around pay him a bit extra to drive fast or on the footpath or both!!, get a suit or some shirts tailored, patpong is where you buy your rolex or go for ping pong, did I mention the cheap local liqour, go to pantip plaza for cheap electronics and knock off DVDs, have a beer and buy a t shirt on khao san Rd. If your staying in patong catch a tuk tuk or cab to karon beach for the day its less crowded, second Kiwi Phil about a ride in those "long tail" boats, did I mention the cheap local liqour and watch out for "lady boys", that about covers it.

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Off to Thailand 4th May

Gibletts, what do you reckon happened to Marcoalza? Hope we didn't scare him off. Maybe he read our replies and left early(he did say he was going on the 4th - today).
He is back in 10 days so we better chase him up to see if he took our advice.
Seeing he is in Dubai, Bankok is not that far for him.

Cheers
Phillip

PS many years back, I built a home at Brooks Rd, Red Hill, Papakura.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Off to Thailand 4th May

Kiwi...we're still on the third here...so how was tomorrow

 

[marcoalza]

Re: Off to Thailand 4th May

Morning Guys!

Great advice and I've made notes.
5:40am, taxi will be here in half an hour.

Looking forward to our first stop Bangkok for Ping Pong seedy night tonight and canoe trips and Buddha/temples tomorrow, and of course, my favourite food.

Really appreciate the tips guys.

Seeya soon.........

 

[gibletts]

Re: Off to Thailand 4th May

I should be asking you phillip for things to see and do, Im off to Coolum for 8 days next week!

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Off to Thailand 4th May

Gibletts, you coming over for some R&R in the May sun, or is it a Recce?
I am about 30-40 mins south of Coolum. Wife has a friend she visits there. It is a pretty lay back sort of place.

The local liquor is not cheap, so bring as much Duty Free as you can. You can eat the nuts at the bar tho. We have taxis here, but they are pretty boring, and most drivers come from Big India, whereas from my experience of Auckland, most of yours seem to come from Little India. Their command of english is about the same. The electronics here are probably dearer than back home. The clothing is all made in China, and there arn't any knock-offs as every one has knocked-us-off. You may end up in Noosa and go on a river (nature) cruise but it will be slow. Did I mention the local liquor is expensive but you can eat the nuts. We don't have any "lady boys" over here but we do have the other type that dress in stubbies and singlets and thongs, (which I remember you call jandals).

Coolum is on our Sunshine Coast, and it is a quite layback sort of lifestyle.
The wife says you are close to the Eumundi Markets (check the days).
Mountville is a strange little place maybe worth a visit. At the bottom end of town is a courtyard with a big tree in front of a retail shop - check the sculptures there - me and the kid enjoy them. Some of them are quite well hidden.
There is Steve Erwins Zoo, the Crocoseum is ok, and I enjoy the Tasmainian Devils (no nonsence mainiacs of the wild), and the Cassowary is one strange bird you never want to meet on an equal footing. Don't believe the Americans have equivalents. (I come away from Steves realising the human species is not the head of the food chain.)
The beaches are good, Noosa is probably worth a visit.
Maroochydore is not far.
Things are pretty lazy and lay-back, and the weather should be good for you.
Guess you are coming in to Brisbane and travelling up on the shuttle bus - most do. I am at the back of Burpengary.

Hope this helps.
Did I mention the local liquor is expensive but you can eat the nuts.

Cheers
Phillip

 

[gibletts]

Re: Off to Thailand 4th May

Thats great news about the nuts ... we are off on Friday into Brisbane and pick up a rental, went to steves zoo last time i was over crikey, I remember they had a free flight bird show which was impressive, also was good to see some animals that bite as we dont have much of that here. Looking forward to not doing much, spending some time at the beach sounds good, did I mention great news about the nuts!

 

[marcoalza]

Re: Off to Thailand 4th May

WOW!!

What a fantastic holiday we had.

Bangkok was bustling as you said.
Had some great food, did the long boat ride, saw some amazing temples. The Grand Palace was awesome.
Had a weird taxi drive back to our hotel the 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] night, young kid driving, would not stop giggling, didn?t know where our hotel was, kept jumping out the car at traffic lights to ask directions, gets back in, giggling, then I notice that the Taxi License displayed in the car has a picture of someone else! He tells me it?s his dad!! We all started giggling!!

Phuket was great and did loads of travelling around there, saw Ting Tongs, Playing Ping Pong in Patong.:facepalm:
We had to leave when the 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] group of ?entertainers? came on and man they were young

Now Koh Samui??.I love the Caribean and this place reminds me so much of Antigua & St. Lucia
Lovely beaches and the food??aaahhhh!

One thing struck me about the Thai people; they all smile and acknowledge you. Even when we were on the long boat in Bangkok passing shanty huts at the side of the canals the people would wave and smile.
Genuinely nice people.

Thoroughly recommend the trip to anyone.
This October we are going back direct to Koh Samui or 7 days of pure relaxation.

Thanks for the advice guys.
Really appreciated.