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!

expensive hotels are the cheapest in Bangkok for some strange reason
www.kempinski.com/KIBKK1/en/booking/booking-room-availability/

Awww Thailand is awesome- we are heading for our 11th trip this November. Yeah there are definitely sordid and tacky areas- but you can totally swerve them. Its a huge country with massive differences in climate and food and culture so plan carefully.

Its also easier to navigate than other Asian countries in many aspects- there's western 7/11s everywhere apart from the most remote rural villages and most bar and restaurant staff speak a little English. For the price, the standard of hotel accommodation is really high although demand can outstrip supply around Christmas and New year peak periods

Just do some research. Read a Lonely Planet guide. It's very easy to find where to go for what you're looking for. I've travelled round Thailand many times and lonely planet has never let me down! I will say, don't even consider going to Pattaya if you don't want to see the more seedy side of Thailand and avoid Koh Phi Phi and Koh Phangan if you don't want to see drunk backpackers.

I would say go to Vietnam. It is beautiful and everyone is so friendly. Hoi An town is a world heritage site and just outside it are beautiful beaches.

@MotherOfDragons90 In every country there are problems. The situations you've described in common in Thailand. But if you stay in a place where the possibilities of living other foreigners are safe for you.

Don't try to explore a place alone, it can be dangerous.

I'd recommend Vietnam. Like Thailamd 25 years ago

Have you through about Malaysia? It’s beautiful. Few nights in Kuala Lumpur, the Cameron Highland then Penang? Just stunning. A bit less obvious than Thailand (which is also beautiful, would recommend the north of Koh Samui, very quiet. I actually likes Chaweng for a bit of life!)

I've been 4 times. As others have said it very much depends where you go.
We go to Phuket but avoid Patong where the drinking and sex shows are.
Do your research and you'll be fine

Thailand is fine. I have been at least once per year for the past 5 but it is usually the starting point for a wider trip. There are areas where you can relax and really unwind and there are areas I'd run a mile from. Personally I would recommend Vietnam, which I find to be a much more relaxing place to unwind for a week or two.

We had booked Sri Lanka for DH's big birthday this year. We had to change due to FCO advice and went to Thailand. I always thought this was second best. So wrong - it was the best holiday ever. Beautiful, friendly, excellent food. I felt safer walking about Bangkok and Chiang Mai than I do in London or Manchester.

MNers helped me choose the hotels.

Three days in Bangkok. A lot of people had said negative things about Bangkok but we loved it. Did a river cruise, a tuk tuk tour, a night market, a visit to the Temple on the hill. Fabulous.

Three days in Chiang Mai. Wonderful. Beautiful place. Went to an ethical elephant sanctuary, more temples, street market.

6 days in Koh Samui in a gorgeous boutique hotel on a private island. It really was special.

The only exposure we had to "party Thailand" was on the first leg of our journey home where we shared a plane Koh Samui to Phuket with revellers from the Koh Phangnan full moon party.

Booked Sri Lanka for next year.

Bangkok = horrific
Koh Sa Mui or ChamgMai are absolutely beautiful

I'll never understand how people manage to reboot threads that are nearly 6 months old.