hi Jem
when were you thinking of going?

Definitely spend a few days in Bankgkok, it can be a bit of a culture shock, but its worth it.

Hi SHorty,

How long will you be in Thailand for? There's no point rushing around the country like a headless chicken if you only have a couple of weeks, better to spend a few days in 2 or 3 good locations.

What's your definition of a cheap room? Are you talking 200 baht / night cheap or 30 quid / night cheap?

What do you want to see? Hills? Beaches? Old stuff? What do you want to do? Full moon party? Elephant trekking? Laze around? Shopping?

You'll be fine without any vaccinations but it's best to have some medical insurance just in case. There are excellent private hospitals pretty much everywhere you're likely to visit.

A bit more info and I'm sure you'll get some suggestions from the folks here.

Hi Shorty,

Contact your GP practice who will advise on what vaccinations are required - theres not too many and better to be protected. How are you approaching the trip...as a kind of backpacker experience or as a tourist...as this will affect the size of budget you will need.

Does the weather bother you unduly, as some places are going to be wetter (but cheaper) in July than others - even then July is creeping towards the summer holidays when even places like Thailand are starting to charge a premium.

Another way of doing it is to tell us approx how much you want to spend for the whole stay and we can say whether we think it can be done or not, and in what level of comfort.

HI and thanks for the info so far.

here is a bit more info.
I have decided I am going for the whole month of June. I want to see all the temples and stuff, I'm not going for the shopping. I want the backpacker experience.

The wether doesn't bother me. Is June a cheap time to go?

I was told by a friend who recently visited Thailand to bring about £400 with me for 4 weeks, but this seems like a small amount for the length of time I will b there. What do you think?

Personally I would say £400 for 4 weeks is pushing it, and that is without accomodation. Were you planning on staying in one place? You could get by on £15 a day for food and drink/water/other essentials but if you are travelling from one place to another you have to think about that. I haven't done backpacker accomodation so can't really help with realistic costs. You also have to figure in entrance costs to things. Travel within Bangkok is peanuts if you go by the local river taxis. We did have a go at the cheapest river taxis- and it was ok- you just have to be prepared to jump quickly from on and off the boat

How long do you think I should stay out there?
And should I go up the country to Chiang Mai or down to Phuket? If anyone has been to either which would you recommend?
All suggestions welcome???

I would recommend Chiang Mai definately, it has the beautiful scenery all around and the most fantastic night market, hundreds of good restaurants too, would not miss it if I were you.

I came back from Pattaya last Monday and they have horrendous fires around Chaing Mai at the moment, the air quality is one and a half times worse than Bangkok and that is saying something!

I would still go to Chaing Mai, then Bangkok, Samui, and Phuket.
Plenty to see, I would definitely do the death railway trip up to the River Kwai, Elephants in Chaing Mai, loads of stuff in Bangkok, beautiful beaches in Samui to chill out and then a taste of the other side of Thailand in Phuket where you can go Islnad hopping too. Just a few ideas.

TC

I think that was sort of my plan. just thought maybe it was going to be a bit much going up to chiang mai, put if you guys recommend it i'm definately going to consider the trip up north.

How have other people travelled the country? Arrive in Bangkok and get an internal flight up to Chiang Mai? Is there any other form of travel up to Chiang Mai?

Thanks for the help so far!!

where abouts is the death railway trip up to the River Kwai??

Hello sh_j,
If you want to travel to Chiang Mai consider using the overnight train.
1. It's about £12 single against about £40 single flight.
2. It saves on accommodation for one night.
3. there's a meal provided as well.
4. Why sleep and not travel when you can sleep AND travel.
Wat (temple) Doi Suthep is the most visited temple in the area.
Train timetables can be found on the State Railway of Thailand website.
If going into BK from the airport, use the 'airport bus' and not a taxi.
this is a service that goes to various parts of the city and is only baht 100.
If you are going straight up to CM as your first port of call, and you get the timing right, one of the airport bus services will take you direct to
Hua Lam Pong station where you will find very helpful OFFICIAL guides to help with your train booking.
If you would like any further info I hope that I will be able to help.
Enjoy !!!

The tip I wish someone had given me before I first went to Thailand:

In Bangkok have your first night (or two) and a transfer pre-booked!

Even if you are travelling on the cheap, you could spend £25 pp for 2 nights accom & a one way transfer, well worth it, as so many people are so tired and jetlagged after they arrive in Bangkok, they don't always make sensible decisions, and often get ripped off for taxi's etc. And Bangkok's a pain for locating 'lonely planet accommodation' if you've got your bags et all.

After 2 days you're normally recovered and used to the Thai pace of life.

Go to chiang mai - by far the best place I went in Thailand.

I too would recommend Chiang Mai we spent 3 nights there in April and had a fantastic time wished we had stayed longer.

We visited one of the Elephant Camps, hill tribes, Chaing Mai zoo, plus the night market.