AIBU about Thailand? 🇹🇭

[MotherOfDragons90]

I’ve posted in Longhaul too but the board looks a bit quieter than here.

My DH has a big milestone birthday in Jan next year and I really want is to be away somewhere lovely on the actual day. I’ve had Sri Lanka in my head ages but with all the trouble recently we’ve had to rethink. A friend has recommended Thailand, but I’ve just got this horrible image of it in my head!

Think drunken British backpackers, drugs, sex shows and drugged up animals, dirty beaches and loads of people. She tells me I’m wrong and it’s beautiful and lovely. So could hanyone whose been recently tell me whether I’m being U thinking this or not?

I did have friends who went and heard so many stories of these beach parties where people were doing sexual things in the open and getting paralytic so that is potentially what’s tainting my opinion. It was years ago though and I remember being jealous that they had such an outrageous time, but now I’m mid twenties and married I’d rather somewhere a bit more chilled out and nice!

We like relaxing on the beach, eating nice meals and a bit of exploring too. I’d love to see some animals in the wild If poss.

Any thoughts appreciated!

I think it completely depends where you go. I haven't been for about 10 years but it sounds as though if you did a couple of days in Bangkok, some time in Chiang Mai, and some time at one of the quieter islands/beaches you'd be fine.

Alternatively what about Borneo, or Vietnam, or Cambodia?

Thailand is quite a vast country. Just avoid the resorts which a ‘party’ reputation. We are planning on going to Koh Lanta in January, which has a much more relaxed vibe with very nice beaches.

We're going to stay at the Apsara Beach Resort in August. It looks perfect. Have a Google.
We've been before to different areas and never experienced things in your op.
Your preconceived ideas about Thailand are so far off the mark and a bit offensive. Imagine if the UK was judged by the antics of one place on a Saturday night, or the behaviour of a very small minority.
It's a beautiful country with lovely people.

Cambodia only has a very small strip of beach. It's either backpacker central and lady-bars or very expensive all inclusive islands. Also hard to get to with flights only to the capital. Better choice in vietnam to be honest.

I absolutely love Thailand - we stayed at the Santhiya Koh-Pahgnan and had the best time ever, opposite side from the full noon parties and so quiet and beautiful

I've replied on your other thread on the same topic. Thailand is ace. Of course here are some infamous areas, just do your research and don't book in one of those.

Yes it must depend on where you go. I have an aunt who has traveled the world (alone) for years and when she comes home she shows us her wonderful photos. Her Thailand is always temples, jungle, monkeys, beautiful gardens and street markets.

She wouldn't be caught dead at a beach party

I've been to Thailand three times. I would def imagine it depends where you go. I find Bangkok s massive overcrowded city. We were booked there on our honeymoon for three nights. Even though we were in a five star hotel we left two nights early as Bangkok was just too crazy for us. Headed to our Hilton hotel in koh samui which was lovely _ 1996. Returned to koh samui in 2010. Never ever again. Tourism has totally killed the golden goose in that area anyhow

@Gomyownway Koh Lanta is my favourite. Where are you staying?
@PJLove80 I've stayed there- it's so gorgeous! Love stepping off my balcony straight into a pool and swimming out to a sunlounger!

@SmellMySmellbow - it’s perfect isn’t it - love wandering into sandy village for evening meals, extra special place for me as DD was conceived there 😀

I love Thailand the place where we spent our honeymoon and can’t wait my lo. It really depends where you go and when. We didn’t go clubbing nor see any of the things you mention. I found lovely locals. Amazing temples and beaches. I can’t qait to go again

Skip Thailand and go somewhere else. Bangkok is a *hole and full of taxi drivers just trying to scam you. Travel to other islands can be grim, may be alright when you get there. I went once, never again! And that’s the first time I’ve ever said that about any country. I wouldn’t say it lightly.

Consider Indonesia instead, locals are friendlier, and the infrastructure is better equipped at handling tourism.

@PJLove80 that looks gorgeous and right up my DHs Street.

Koh Samui is where she recommended actually.

OP I went for 3 weeks In Feb with my DH, and DDs aged 4 and 5 and for 3 weeks pre kids. None of the places we visited had any obvious partying, excessive drinking, tackiness or sex tourism. If you want to avoid that sort of thing the don't go to Pattaya, Phuket or parts of Bangkok. Saying that kind of thing is Ty culture is like visiting Blackpool and saying that is English culture.

Thailand is one of the best places I have visited and I am fairly well travelled. The people are respectful and friendly, independent travel is cheap, easy and well organised and the culture and food are amazing.

If you want culture - go to Chaing Mai for temples and Monks, rain forest excursions and markets. If you want beautiful beaches then Kohphanyan has some amazing, quiet perfect beaches as long as you dont go when the full moon parties are on and go to the opposite side of the island to the partying. For more remote beaches try Ko Lipe and Koh Lanta.

If you like animals I can recommend an ethical elephant sanctuary for rescue elephants near Kanchanaburi called Elephant Haven. (Please don't encourage animal abuse by riding elephants in Thailand).

I would avoid a package holiday. Everything is cheap in Thailand you can do it better on your own. If you go all inclusive you will miss out on so much.

Oh no @sugarcubed

Goa is nice.

I love Thailand. The culture, warmth, countryside, people. It depends on where you go, much like with any other country.

Thailand is like that in certain spots. But its a vast place with lots of quieter unspoilt areas. I have a house there which is deep into the countryside and haven't seen a drunken tourist in all my years of going there.

Came home a month ago from a quiet resort in Phuket, already going back to Koh Tao next year. Beautiful country. Like anywhere there’s crazy resorts eg Rhodes/Falaraki

Thailand is great, can recommend Koh Samui. You can fly into Bangkok for a couple of nights and then fly down to Samui. We stayed in Lamai and didn't encounter any of the things you mentioned. It had lots of culture, opportunities for day trips, plenty of restaurants and a few bars. There was a beach bonfire on one night, but all very relaxed - it may have been down to picking a more family oriented hotel (even though we travelled as a couple).

BKK is a bit hectic but as long as you avoid the Khao San Road and Soi Cowboy you can find some great things. Amazing food from across the world, brilliant shopping centres filled with things you can't find at home plus great bargains on designer brands if the exchange rate is good. Chatuchak market at the weekends is fascinating (if a tad eye opening, maybe avoid the live animal section!)

Chiang Mai to the north is amazing and for a quieter seaside resort Hua Hin is lovely and not too far from BKK. If you take a saloon car you can see some of the amazing countryside and it was a fave beach resort of the Thai Royal Family and hi-so. It's a lot quieter than the islands and Krabi etc.

Can second Hua Hin, Bangkok is ok for a couple of days but it is hectic!

Koh lipe- a bit off the beaten track and remote but we loved it and there was hardly anyone there!!!!

I love Thailand. Been 6 or 7 times. I wouldn't go back to Pattaya & only went because I couldn't believe it was as bad as everyone said. I love Bangkok, Koh Samui, Krabi, Phuket, Hua Hi, Cha Am...

Very much depends on where you go!
My DH comes from a Thai family and they hail from rural, northern Thailand, which is absolutely worlds away from what you imagine when you hear the word “Bangkok”.
It’s some of the most stunning scenery I’ve ever seen in my life. Rainforests in their natural state, undisturbed wildlife (we saw a newborn, wild elephant taking its first steps during one visit!), the real Thailand!
And the food is proper, authentic cooking - not the food that’s catered to more western tastes that you’ll find in places like Bangkok and Pattaya. My MIL refuses to cook Pad Thai which is my favourite takeaway dish as she calls it “tourist noodles”
When we visit, it takes a couple of connecting flights to get where we need to go. Usually Heathrow to Dubai, Dubai to Bangkok with a 24hr stopover and then a small internal flight up to Chiang Rai, then a long drive to the in-laws’ home! And I honestly never enjoy the 24hrs spent in Bangkok I find it very cheap, touristy and pretty grim as a holiday destination.
Also the time of year you go has a big part to play in it, as the north and the south have very different climates at different times of the year, which then impacts the tourism.

Borneo - one of the rasa ria resorts. Amazing