File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
So /trv/

I'm going away on my own in the new year to Thailand. I was originally supposed to be going with 2 friends but the faggots both dropped out, one because of his gf giving him a hard time and the other because he's a lazy fuck who won't get a job and save the money. Anyway, I digress. I almost cancelled the trip altogether because I didn't want to go alone but I thought fuck it, you are only young once. I know Thailand is backpacker central and there will be loads of other people there on their own but I just wondered really what to expect when I first touchdown in Bangkok as I have never travelled before. I have read up on Thailand obviously and I expect to spend about 2-3 months there hopefully, partying and sightseeing in equal measure. Might travel a bit to Cambodia/Nam whilst there if I can afford it and organize it. I guess I'm just a bit apprehensive about where to start when I get out there as I've never been alone in a foreign land before.

Any experienced lone travellers give me some tips for meeting people and keeping myself busy? Also any "must see" stuff to do in Thailand?
>> Anonymous
Don't worry about it, you'll have a great time.

I went last December and it was one of the best travelling experiences I've had so far.

I presume you're flying into Suvarnabhumi airport. It's fairly new and really quite nice. My advice is just to chill there for a short time after your flight to get yourself together.

What are you doing upon your arrival? Personally, whilst I think it's worth spending a few days on Bangkok at some point, I would leave that to the end of your trip. If I were you I'd jump on a Thai Airways (really good) flight to somewhere like Phuket. That would be the perfect place to start your experience.

cont...
>> Anonymous
cont...

Bangkok is a funny place. Lots of friendly tourists, but also because so many people are there for sex tourism, there's also a lot of shady characters that don't want to be approached. If you do go to Bangkok from the airport, make sure you get an official taxi and give them a very easy central destination to go to. Don't ask them or take them up on any offers for hotels, bars, clubs or women... you'll get ripped off because they'll make commission.

At any of the coastal resorts, there are bound to be pubs and bars that are clearly aimed to travellers. You may also want to book an excursion or something, I recommend looking at the TripAdvisor forums to find good ones that will have other young people you can meet on them. I'd also recommend those forums for finding accommodation too, since so many people are on that site every day.

You'll have an awesome time though! I'm sure you'll meet great people along the way. Thailand is also a great place to chill by yourself (I recommend Khao Lak for that) and for partying, look up when the 'full moon parties' will be happening.

Good luck! Make sure you get all your jabs, especially if you're going up North and to Cambodia. Thai people are some of the nicest on earth, watch yourself a bit in the main tourist spots, but don't be affraid to accept rides on people's scooters/trucks in the quieter areas.
>> Anonymous
I went to thailand by myself last year and i can tell you are a little nervous, so was I, so don't worry.

depends what you want to do, i can't help with full moon parties because i have never been to the dirty south, but as far as the north is concerned,

Bangkok. hot and massive. Khao san road is the stereotypical backpackers place. it is a sight in itself, though you will quickly get pissed of with the hassle and the people trying to sell you stuff. NEVER BUY BUS TICKETS OR ANYTHING IMPORTANT LIKE THAT FROM KHAO SAN.

Chiang Mai. probably the best place for you to start. It's thailand's second city and is quite easy to find your way around. Sunday night market is great there. if you are planning going there i would recommend taking the sleeper train from Bangkok, book in advance via email (seat61.com). if you take a bus make sure it is a VIP bus (with toilet). there isn't much hassle, apart from the bar girls who will try to drag you into their bar.

Pai. small town 3 hours away from chiang mai, highly cliche and touristy, but for good reason. it's a nice chilled out town with loads of bars and shops and plenty of things like cycling or rafting and trekking to do. although the town's moto is "do nothing in pai". the pseudo hippies are harmless, but unfortunatly the rah rahs are taking over.....

Sights: Ayudhya (thailand's former capital) stay here for a couple of days and hire a dtuk dtuk to take you round all the major sights. awesome historical temples.

Sukothai: less popular, but also has a massive park with ancient temples.

kanchaburi: rah rah bars, but also world war two museum

learn some thai. remember you WILL get ripped off a few times, but hey your money will stretch a lot further here.
>> Anonymous
>>78718
Good on you for going anyway. When it comes to travel, you'll probably realize, or have realized, that almost all your friends are douches. This is why I usually travel alone.
>> Anonymous
>>78731
Same here on trips like this. Travelling solo means at your own pace, no compromises and you're more approachable to other people. I also like to through myself in at the deep end and push myself a bit... I think it makes you a stronger, more interesting person.

I shall never go on a package holiday ever again.
>> Anonymous
OP here. Thanks for the detailed replies

I haven't really got a set plan to be honest, figured I'd just take things as they come. Basically, I was going to spend a couple of weeks based in Bangkok on arrival to get settled as it were, doing the odd excursion here and there and a bit of partying (no sex though) and then head off to the islands (I had Phuket in mind) to just chill out big time. Hopefully fit in a full moon party at some point just to see what all the fuss is about and then head back to Bangkok before on to Vietnam (possibly flying). Still in 2 minds about Cambodia, other than Angkor, theres not much that really interests me there

I do need to get a bit more organized
>> Anonymous
>>78739
it's worth the trip just for Angkor, it's breathtaking and you should go see it before the hordes of jap/korean tourists ruin it for good

but if you value your butt, take an airplane to siem reap directly. the bus or taxi ride from thailand is several hours of the bumpiest shittiest road imaginable.
>> Anonymous
>>78745

OP here. Yeah I've heard the roads are appaling. Just depends on flight costs, hopefully dirt cheap? And yeah, Angkor looks amazing. I really should go shouldn't I
>> Anonymous
>>78731
>>78738

Yeah my friends told me they were all for it and one actually had his flight booked till his whiny bitch girlfriend (who he has only been with 3 months) gave him an ultimatum and he caved in and cancelled. The other guy is just a waste of space really but to be honest, I'm glad they are not coming now because they would probably have really got to me on the road thinking about it. All my other friends would never dream of doing anything more out of the ordinary than a 2 week package holiday. I figure why let them hold me back, its their loss!
>> Anonymous
>>78765
>one actually had his flight booked till his whiny bitch girlfriend (who he has only been with 3 months) gave him an ultimatum and he caved in and cancelled
That seriously makes me rage.
>> Anonymous
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http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/photo/2007-02/15/xin_59020415202076465187.jpg

Thailand ladyboy.

Rumored to have the best of LB! x3
>> Anonymous
>>78766

She's an idiot. Only reason he is so taken with her is because she has epic boobs. He even said that himself. Personally, I'd have kicked her in the cunt and carried on with the trip as planned but there ya go
>> Anonymous
>>was going to spend a couple of weeks based in Bangkok

fuck that
>> Anonymous
>>78987

Why???
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
god fucking damnit, I bought my wife a lottery ticket in thailand as a joke. She scratched it off, turns out we would have won the equivalent of 500 bucks in US dollars.
>> Anonymous
>>78748

Dirt cheap? Haha. No way. Bangkok Airways holds a monopoly on that route. Expect about $400 roundtrip.
>> Anonymous
>>79014

Fuck that shit. Looks like I'll go for the 24 hour bus ride from hell instead
>> Anonymous
Thailand is a great place to visit. I worked in Bangkok for a few weeks, so I got to know the city pretty well. I also traveled around a bit on an earlier trip.

If you go to the tourist-heavy areas, you'll be run over with locals hawking all kinds of shit. I was out with an Australian girl one evening. We were obviously together and even then people were running up to me offering porno, hookers and drugs. Bizarre.

If you get out of the tourist areas it's a different world, though. People are polite, friendly and a bit amused that you're there in the first place. As a foreigner outside the tourist circuit you're sometimes likely to be treated as a freak show. Just roll with it.

As with any country, you should read up on the culture a bit before you go. Apart from the whole stay polite thing, you should never talk about the king except to comment that he's a great man. Handle money with respect (don't tear bills or stomp on them with your feet if you drop them - they contain the image of the king and you will upset people if you do this). Don't lick stamps - dab them on the sponge. Stamps have the king's face on them and licking them is disrespectful.

Think I'm exaggerating? A Swiss guy got thrown in jail for 10 years last year for putting a mustache on a poster of the king. Seriously, don't go there.

Oh, and you're going to get ripped off. Just budget it in. Happens to everyone.

Take a GSM phone with you (unless you want to buy a local one with Thai characters) and buy a SIM card when you land. AIS works for me - they have good coverage.
>> Anonymous
Good call heading over there alone-man. I was in the area (flew into Singapore, flew out of BKK) for about 6 months starting last DEC. Started out alone, but you cant help but meet ppl and travel together. Im from the states- not so many Americans, but kicked it w/ lots of UKfags and Sweeds.
I would skip Phuket- as far as Islands go- hit up Ko Pangan (full moon party) and Ko Tao (next door to Pangan- lazy, beautiful and a diving haven). Combined they have the best of both worlds!
I went to Pai planning on staying 3 days-met up with some chill Scotish gals and stayed tere for 2 weeks! Hell of a town.
Depending on what you are into, I would NOT miss Laos. Less spoiled by tourists than Thailand. The Laotians are MUCH nicer than Thais. Take the slow boat from the northern Thai town of Pak beng. I loved Laos. Luang Probang-Vang vieng-Vientien is the tourist path- for good reason.
I skipped Cambodia and really regretted it! (get a facebook account! u meet ppl- and a lot of times u separate, then see that you are back in the same region and meet up agian)
Dude- enjoy that shit! Its an epic trip. Solo is the best way to go!
>> Anonymous
>>79491
For parties, nothing quite compares to Phnom Penh Cambodia. Wild fucking west man. Pick up a switchblade on Kao San road and stuff that shit in yr sock. Learn how to use it. Shit can get pretty rough. Well worth the risk tho- serious good-times.
>> Anonymous
I would hit up Krabi for the beach- the views- and the climbing.
Plus rent a moped when u go! best way to see the country!
>> Anonymous
>>79492
Oh God, you must be an Australian. Fucking retards.

Stick to your own country.
>> Anonymous
>>79527
You must be a pussy assed Yank. SE Asia is our backyard- we dont tell you what to do in the Bahamas or Virgin Islands do we? STFU
>> Anonymous
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AVOID!!!
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
1. pOpen tisii imae.
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. Sihi bricks.

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>> Anonymous
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5. Shtitr rbricks.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
1. Open this image.
2. Save it as 4chan.js
3. Open the file you saved.
4. ???
5. Shit bricks.
>> Anonymous
>>79540

Hell on Earth