Going to Thailand... what to see? where to go?

[Tishabet]

Hello all,
the future Mrs. Tshabet and I have decided on two weeks in Thailand for our honeymoon. We'll be there May 29 through June 11, the tail end of the rainy season. We're flying into and out of Bangkok, but we haven't filled in any details in between.
We're not interested in sitting on a beach for two weeks... we'd really like to get out and see some of the country. We've bought a couple of tourism books and done some research online, but nothing beats firsthand knowledge and advice!
So, if you've been to Thailand, what should we see? Where should we go? Where should we stay?
Thanks in advance!
-grant

[Rick Lee]

I would think Bangkok would be better for a bachelor party than a honeymoon.

[fingpilot]

Rick has it right. I lived in the Shangri-La for almost a year. Spend a day (I did say daytime) shopping at PatPong. If you want to show the new wife the 'other' side of Bangkok, take her back there at night.

[fireant911]

I have been to *****et several times and absolutely loved it. Bangkok, on the other hand, I am afraid of - I have just heard too many stories about that city.

[Joeaksa]

****et is still very nice. Beach and water life is excellent.

Since your wife is with you, you can see almost all of Bangkok you want to in a day or two, so find other spots to visit.

[Tishabet]

Sorry guys, I should clarify; We're flying into and out of Bangkok, but don't really have much interest in hanging around there for more than a day or two.
We're looking for other places to go in Thailand... Bangkok is just the de facto port of entry.

[Komenda Fan]

Pop across the border to Cambodia. The most amazingly friendly people, Angkor Wat is fantastic (you will feel like Indiana Jones) and far fewer tourists. Plus its really cheap (I stayed for $2 a night). Phnom Penh is fascinating. Thailand is too touristed nowadays.

Definetely don't take your blushing bride to Soi Cowboy or Nana Plaza (you can take me there, though...)

[Brian Cameron]

Go up north to Chiang Mai, city has a great night market and pleasant countryside. Try to get out into hill country ie Karen tribe area, maybe do some trekking.

Too bad you don't like beaches, personally I'd hit one of the islands like Koh Samui. No need to leave the beach all day, vendors with beer, roast chicken and sausage, local style sarongs, beachware, etc even thai massage practitioners, wander by every few minutes, friendly not pushy, at least that's how it was 15 years ago. Some islands have some good diving to break up the monotony, pleasant though it may be.

If you do decide to check out Patpong at night in Bangkok, suggest you restrict your visits to the main floor establishments. Upstairs ones are at best completely disgusting and at worst are havens for shakedowns and holdups.

Oh, and if you use the foreign exchange booths to change money, always have a rough idea how much you should be receiving, and count your baht, carefully, in front of the cashier, before you leave.

[TimT]

Go up north to Chiang Mai

+1

A trip to Vientiene, Laos might be interesting.. like stepping back in time

[rcecale]

I spent a month in Korat back in January, 2000. Stayed at a place called The Sima Thani. This place is beautiful.

Riding the tuk-tuks can be a lot of fun, if you like the thrill of watching your life flash before your eyes. Some of these drivers just have to be suicidal!


Always ask the price before letting the drivers take you anywhere...and never, NEVER accept their initial price (unless you're in a hurry). Most of these drivers love to barter with foreigners.

Oh, one more thing, while you're out cruising the roadways, remember to give the right of way to the elephants! Especially if they've got their tail-lights flashing.

(A fairly common sight...)


Thailand is a beautiful place. If you get the opportunity, take a look inside one of the budhist temples.

Have a safe trip!!!

Randy

[Tishabet]

Originally posted by Brian Cameron
Go up north to Chiang Mai, city has a great night market and pleasant countryside. Try to get out into hill country ie Karen tribe area, maybe do some trekking.

Too bad you don't like beaches, personally I'd hit one of the islands like Koh Samui. No need to leave the beach all day, vendors with beer, roast chicken and sausage, local style sarongs, beachware, etc even thai massage practitioners, wander by every few minutes, friendly not pushy, at least that's how it was 15 years ago. Some islands have some good diving to break up the monotony, pleasant though it may be.

If you do decide to check out Patpong at night in Bangkok, suggest you restrict your visits to the main floor establishments. Upstairs ones are at best completely disgusting and at worst are havens for shakedowns and holdups.

Oh, and if you use the foreign exchange booths to change money, always have a rough idea how much you should be receiving, and count your baht, carefully, in front of the cashier, before you leave.

Chiang Mai is most definitely on the agenda...my dad lived in Thailand for about a year (albeit in the early 60's and in association with SEATO) and this was the area he remembers most vividly.
I didn't mean to imply that we don't like the beach... quite the contrary!
We just don't like the idea of flying to a foreign country and checking in to a resort for twelve days... this seems to be the trend among some honeymooners (in Thailand and elsewhere), and it's not really our style. We'd rather visit a number of different places. Koh Samui is actually on the bride's short list of places to go; I think we'll definitely spend two or three days there

[Dottore]

+1 for heading north. Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai - and then into Vientiane and particularly Luang Prabang for a complete time warp and unforgettable experience. Asia as it was fourty years ago.

A really nice thing to do from Bangkok is to rent a converted rice barge - and have this towed upriver to Ayutthya by a small tug boat. These barges are very luxurious, the pace is slow, and you can either have meals served on board or stop at riverside restaurants. This is a very civilized way to travel. You see Thailand from the river - which is a great perspective. And this won't break the bank

[buttjoint]

The royal palace is pretty neat to check-out in bangkok

[Tishabet]

Originally posted by Dottore
A really nice thing to do from Bangkok is to rent a converted rice barge - and have this towed upriver to Ayutthya by a small tug boat. These barges are very luxurious, the pace is slow, and you can either have meals served on board or stop at riverside restaurants. This is a very civilized way to travel. You see Thailand from the river - which is a great perspective. And this won't break the bank

Dottore,
This sounds really cool... we were planning to visit Ayuthaya(sp?) from Bangkok, this sounds like a particularly good way to get there and have an experience doing it.
I was able to find two companies with converted rice barges which make the trip; do you remember which one you took? There's one that is independant and one that is associated with the Marriot resort.
Another possible boating edventure we had considered was taking the 4 day trip on the Mekong through Laos and up to China. That one is still up in the air.

Thanks for all of the recommendations guys, these are great! The Fiancee and I are really getting amped for the trip

[Dottore]

Tschabet:

No I can't remember the name of the company we used.

You might only find two on the internet - but once you get to Bangkok you will find many small companies with a converted rice barge or two. Your concierge should be able to help you with this.

And yes this is a very cool thing to do. We had one with service - a mother and daughter team that cooked in a small kitchen in the back and served us amazing delicacies all day long as we steamed slowly up the Chao Praya. Unforgettable.

[morganb]

Originally posted by buttjoint
The royal palace is pretty neat to check-out in bangkok

Butt joint is right, this is one of the highlights. Also get yourself to any of the markets. Thai people are really friendly and its a great place to get in amongst the people.

My time in Bangkok has been limited to work, sports trips or the bars you do not want to take the Mrs to. At 4 in the morning you can pay a little more and drive the Tuk Tuk yourself (do not ask me how i know).

Heaps of resorts in Thailand, choose one and spend a few days. Perhaps arrange to do your PADI diving certs together if you both can swim (takes about 4 days).

If you are thinking about some time in Malaysia as well let me know, I know some great places there having lived and traveled there the past 15 years.

[Joe Ricard]

I got a picture of me sitting on a Crocadile. Just a bit out of town Pattaya beach. elephant rides and other animals. buddy and I rodeour mountain bikes all over during the day.
I seem to look a bit hung over and dehydrated???? I don't know how that happened

[Tishabet]

Update:
OK, we've nailed down where we are going to go!

Land in Bangkok on Tuesday(5/29)

Take sleeper train overnight to Chiang Mai Friday(6/1) night and arrive Saturday AM

Tuesday(6/5) morning fly to Ko Samui

Sunday(6/10) fly Ko Samui tp Bangkok in AM, depart for US late PM.

Thanks again for all of the advice etc!