So, Why Go to Thailand?
Well, whether you’re on a budget or have the cash to splash, Thailand offers great value for money and you will be assured of a great holiday no matter what you choose to do.
Some of the most beautiful beaches for swimming and just about any kind of watersport can be found. The massages are to die for…..
You can get the best of both worlds in one trip, Bangkok for the big city life and shop till you drop experience and either Phuket or Koh Samui for that idyllic beachside relax and do nothing but sip cocktails and enjoy massages all day holiday.
Phuket
The largest of the Thai islands, hedonistic, busy and extremely popular with tourists, Phuket offers mile upon mile of sandy beaches, exciting restaurants and of course decadent resorts. Often it can feel like the tourists outnumber the locals, such is the appeal of Phuket but with so much on offer a trip to Thailand would be incomplete without a visit to Phuket.
Things to Do:
1. Well, of course the watersport is a MUST…with jetskiing, parasailing, banana boating just about any water activity on you can think of on offer, at reasonable prices.
2. Whilst lying on your deck chair sipping your cocktail of choice you can get quite a cool tattoo (temporary of course) and a massage and it won’t cost you the earth.
3. The number of massage parlours lining the roads are quite astounding but you should be careful when choosing one, my suggestion is pick one with a roadside entry, unless of course you’re keen on that ‘happy ending’, because yes this is Thailand and yes you can get one of those as well. But, you can try as many as you like, with the prices being so reasonable you could treat yourself to a massage or two a day. My suggestion is the Savrana Spa right on the Beach road.
4. “Boy-Girls” abound and the Simon Show is a favourite among visitors…just don’t forget that if you want a picture with them after the show, you need to pay (I didn’t know…and you don’t want to hear the rest)
5. Eat a banana pancake…off the side of the street…wow!! I’d go back just for these.
6. Along the Beach rd you will find tons of vendors selling trips to (Krabi) Phi Phi island and James Bond island etc…this is a must.
7. A visit to these islands either on a speed boat or ferry…There are two islands Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh
Phi Phi Don is inhabited and you can stay overnight or even spend your whole holiday here. Phi Phi Leh is uninhabited but offers beautiful beaches such as the one on Maya Bay where the movie “The Beach” was filmed. The island of Ko Phi Phi Don was severely damaged in the tsunami of 2004 but a visitor to the island today would never tell, massive rebuilding and reconstruction has rapidly seen the island return to its former glory as “The Shangri-La” of Thailand. The day trip will take you to both. But there are other day trips to other islands like the James Bond Islands, famous for where the movie “The Man With The Golden Gun” was filmed. The Muslim fishing village is also a very popular stop. The boat trip offers opportunity to go snorkeling, swimming and stops at quite a few beaches, and if you choose the right one…the ‘entertainment’ is excellent…We had “Beyonce”
8. And of course, that ultimate jungle experience, Flying Hanuman, a 400 meter zipline through the jungle.. Cannot say more except you’ve gotta try this.
9. The nightlife of course is great, something for all tastes, bars, restaurants and clubs are just about everywhere with lots of them employing foreigners on a gap year, so language is never a problem.
10. And of course a walk down Bangla Road, is a MUST…you cannot go to Phuket and NOT do this..Yes, be prepared to be accosted at every step by someone offering a “show” or a service of a different kind but you cannot go to Phuket and then be offended, expect it….even if you’re with a partner. The two clubs popular among visitors on this road are Hollywood and Tiger. Although Bangla Road takes on a different character by day it is still crazy and hectic…..Ping Pong anyone?
Just be careful if they say the Ping Pong Show is FREE, you would have to buy a drink and that will be the most expensive drink on your holiday..you will drink every drop.
Hotel Suggestion: Deevana Hotel & Spa / Nap / or BanyanTree
Phuket in short is crazy, wild fun!!
Slow the pace and go to... Koh Samui
In 1971 two tourists stumbled upon this tiny piece of paradise and its never been the same since.Less touristy, quieter and definetly way more relaxing, Koh Samui has a reputation as a hippy island paradise that remembers to provide the best of the creature comforts. The airport is just beautiful and sets the tone for the rest of your time there. It does offer similar activities to Phuket but with a little less frenzy. Koh Samui’s quickly growing reputation has seen an influx of visitors recently and the Full Moon parties held at
Ko Pha-Ngan are legendary.
Things to Do:
1. As little as possible but relax on the beautiful beaches and drink in the hospitality of the islanders.
You can find a secluded beach if its privacy you’re after or you can enjoy the hustle and bustle of the ‘trendy’ beaches with the peddlers selling their mangos and coconuts.
2. Visit Big Buddha Beach, this is often the first thing you see when arriving by plane.
3. Book a bungalow and just take some time to relax away from the madding crowd
4. Make sure you treat yourself to a massage a day, the people are interesting and you cant help but feel warm and comfortable here.
5. Be careful now, many have come for 2 days and 2 years later still haven’t left, such is the appeal and magic of the island.. I’m not saying its for everyone, but I can see how this can happen.
Hotel Suggestion: Als Resort/Kandaburi/Briza Beach Resort
And then of course its off to... Bangkok
Now you will notice I never mentioned shopping on the islands, and of course you can definetly shop till you drop there BUT when you get to Bangkok, you’d better have space in your suitcase. Steamy, pulsating with a life of its own this enigmatic city can become addictive. Bangkok is intense, it is cosmopolitan yet you’re surrounded by its history, it is frenetic yet you can move at your own pace, it is modern yet traditional…It is just Bangkok and you have to experience it your way..
Things to Do:
What isn’t there to do, in fact Bangkok may require a trip just to Bangkok without the islands and you will still need to go back because you didn’t have enough time.
1. Well of course, shop till you drop at Siam Square and almost across the road MBK Mall…Cannot even describe what’s on offer, you name the brand they have it, you name the item they will find it.
2. Of course temples abound, and you have to see at least ONE of the magnificent Buddha’s..
So visit the Grand Palace, official residence of the King until 1925 and the complex includes The Temple of the Emerald Buddha.. A strict dress code applies, no visible body parts. Or The Temple of the reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) rated as the one thing you “must see” in Bangkok
3. Take the ‘sky train’ and visit the area of Sukhumvit, trendy and some would say “the heart of Bangkok” has plenty of places to drink, eat, shop and everything in between.
4. Thailand is known for their precious stones so visit, the Jewellery District and you will be sure to find a stone that suits you at a reasonable price.
5. Hire a tuk tuk for the day, the driver will be happy to recommend other places of interest and rates are negotiable.
6. Visit Baiyoke Tower, Thailands tallest building with a revolving bar at the top, great views of the city.
7. Khao San Road, but just to say you were there, its hectic, full of tourists and can get quite manic.
8. A visit to Damnoen Saduak Floating market is a must and my favourite, go early to avoid the crowds but it is quite a distance from the city so make a day trip of it….lots to see along the way too. Colourful and vibrant, alive with chatter, the vendors love to bargain and you will not be disappointed.
10. Watch a Muay Thai boxing fight or even take lessons from the pros at the Muay Institute just north of the airport.
Hotel Suggestion: Double Tree by Hilton/Royal Orchid Sheraton/The Continent
Bangkok is a hive of activity, and like the song says “ One night in Bangkok makes a hard man humble, Not much between despair and ecstasy”
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