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!

Koh Lanta - Layana or Pimalai resorts are lovely.

BKK is a bit hectic but as long as you avoid the Khao San Road

We love people watching on KSR! Granted It's not for everyone.

It’s totally doable to go to Thailand and avoid the full moon parties, drugs etc. I went with a friend for four weeks to the mainland and island hopping and we had a great time. We wanted total luxury and we got it. Do your research and you’ll be fine!

Consider Indonesia instead

Don't! Not in January unless you are happy with it being rainy season.

I've travelled all over Thailand and I love it. If you avoid Ko Pha-ngan, Phuket and parts of Bangkok you should be ok.

Ko Phi Phi was my favourite place. There was an occasional small party there, but not much.

And if you are going all the way to Thailand you might as well pop over to Vietnam, such a beautiful country. I have travelled the whole of Vietnam and it is stunning.

Thailand is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, I’m always completely baffled when it comes up on the worst places topics. We visited Khao Sok national park which is breathtakingly beautiful, the scenery is like a film set and you can’t believe it’s real. Phang Nga bay is also beautiful for a boat trip and getting up close to the lime stone formations.

mindproject on one of our Thailand visits, we did a “golden triangle tour” and I was stunned by Vietnam! I didn’t really know what to expect but I loved it.
We passed through a village that was severely affected by the war, and as the guide stopped to tell us all about we saw loads of women all flocking to one corner of the paddy field. Turns out, a heavily pregnant woman from the village had gone j to labour, and traditionally the women all muck in and help her with the birth. On the way back through, we saw the same lady, newborn wrapped on her back, walking around the field!!! I was absolutely amazed and intrigued by it all!

Just did an Insta search of Chaing Mai and a large amount of the top posts are people petting tigers or riding elephants.

It’s things like this that put me off!

Well, if you're going to look at instagram... it's not exactly an accurate portrayal. Of anything. Ever.

Weren't you looking for somewhere with a beach? Chiang Mai is inland?

Yes, with a beach, I just checked out Chaing Mai as it was mentioned upthread

Really @SmellMySmellbow? I was looking at people who had tagged photos in that location so I thought it would be better than obviously photoshopped brochure type photos.

I've had 3 incredible holidays in Thailand. The last one was about 7 years ago, so quite a while, but I've found the people to be gentle and lovely, beaches stunning, food delicious and travelling around easy enough.

Avoid busy areas. Stay at a 'nice' hotel and you'll have a wonderful time. Probably avoid getting sleeper trains etc, just fly internally if you can - it's not that expensive.

You're definitely wrong! We (me, DP and 2 teenage DC) spent 3 weeks there last year. Highly recommend an ethical elephant camp - look up Elephant Hills (www.elephanthills.com/). It was totally amazing for all of us and was such a wonderful memory as there is nothing like washing your own family elephant! Beaches are also amazing - we would just go to the beach, barter with a boat guy and then get taken out snorkelling and to different islands. Amazing. We toured round but stayed here (www.phiphiphuchaletresort.com/) for several nights - looking at that pool on their website brings it all back. We all want to go back.

I went to Thailand last October, and saw none of what you've described in your post! We spent a few days in Kanchanaburi and spent a day at an elephant sanctuary which was the most incredible experience, then went to the beach at Hua Hin, then a few days in Bangkok.

All the places were clean and modern-ish (The hotel in Bangkok was stunning!) so I guess it depends where you book. Every country has areas that are 'party' areas so just avoid those! The Thai people are lovely and so accommodating, I'd recommend the trip to anyone!

I reckon instagram photos are generally far more edited than brochure ones (do travel brochures exist these days?). But I wouldn't use either. Good old tripadvisor, google images, Wikipedia, lonely planet and other travel type websites will give a broader view.

Koh Lanta is gorgeous, definitely recommend

We're going to Phuket in a few weeks. Will be staying at the Angsana Laguna resort on Bang Tao beach. Never been to Thailand before. No idea what to expect, but will make the most of it while we're there.

I'd recommend Vietnam - like Thailand before it got touristy

It’s my in laws’ favourite place to go on holiday and they definitely aren’t into drugs or casual beach sex (unless they’ve hidden it very well...)

I'd also check out Anantara hotels on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan
We've stayed at their hotels on both islands....
Anantara Rasananda on Koh Phangan is very special...only reached by speedboat...very James Bond! We stayed in a beach villa with pool...very private and luxurious ...and only a short walk to the local village which had a variety of restaurants
We booked a private tour of the island from hotel which was beautiful
www.anantara.com/en/rasananda-koh-phangan/

I lived in Asia for years. Would rather go to Vietnam or Malaysia than Thailand. The latter in particular is very underrated. You could do a few days in KL and Malacca. Then pool time/beach time in Langkawi. Great country, yummy food, culture and art. Both Vietnam and Malaysia offer opportunity for travel by train which is nice too.

here is great in Krabbi, great marine parks too
www.nakamanda.com/

Depends where you go

We were at a yoga type luxury resort and it was all very peaceful, zen and beautiful

I’d love to go back