Thailand Travel Tips and FAQ • Thailand Expert

Me and my husband would like to visit Thailand for the first time on February – a 10-day trip which will include 4 days in Bangkok and 6 days in an island. Due to the short time, we would like to ask which island is the best? Where should we go if we want to enjoy the ultimate island experience everyone is talking about? We’ve heard of various islands as the ultimate destinations and we are very confused. What’s your advice?

Answer:

Thailand has hundreds of islands, some of them are rather poor, others are just ok and some are great. I’m hardly excited about the term ‘island’ as there are some resort towns on the beach (such as Hua Hin, and better yet Kao Lak in the south of Thailand) that offer a far better experience than any of the various islands.

To each his own preferences and expectations. Keep in mind that many people who visited a single place once, lack the necessary basis for comparison – maybe they just haven’t been to better places, and thus their recommendation is somewhat redundant. Additionally, while an island is merely a dot on the map, some islands are big and contain different regions that are distinctly different from one another, so that referring to any island, or even to a particular one, still doesn’t mean much. The word island may sound magical and exotic but the reality doesn’t always live up to your expectations.

My only advice, therefore, is to browse through the site, read the articles, think and discuss what interests you the most. Which island description is the most appealing to you? Which island intrigues you the most? This is how YOU can choose what’s best for you.

I’ll be visiting Hua Hin and Kao Lak for the first time with my wife and children. Are taxis available at these locations – from Hua Hin to Bangkok and from Kao Lak to Phuket airport?

Answer:

The places you mentioned are very popular tourist destinations. They are highly developed and of course, contain transportation means to wherever you may need.

Next week I’ll be flying to Bangkok and from there to Krabi. I’ll be landing in Bangkok at 3 PM and flying to Krabi at 6 PM. Will I be able to get to Railay beach during the evening? Will there be an available boat which will take me to my hotel there?

Answer:

There are boats, which operate until midnight.

I plan to travel to Thailand on July with 3 kids, aged 9, 14 and 16, for some 15 days. Can Hua Hin replace the northern area in terms of youth and kids’ attractions such as riding elephants, forest tracks etc.? We plan to arrive at Koh Samui and from then continue to Bangkok – are there areas near the city that can somehow replace the northern experience?

Answer:

In my mind, central Thailand can provide an excellent alternative to the north, as it is more versatile, less commercial, abounds nature reserves, rain forests, beaches and islands, and offers various attractions as well as exciting activities. In my mind – and many others agree – the center and south feature lush nature, which is far more versatile, rich and impressive than in the north. The fact is, that the vast majority of returning visitors head to the south time and again, rather than visit the north. This is the best proof to the appeal and magic of the south.

Me and my family are supposed to relocate to Bangkok next August, and naturally, we have many fears and questions. Are there specifically recommended areas for raising children? Are there neighborhoods with many parks, good health services and fun playgrounds?

Answer :

Bangkok is an enormous city of 15 million residents that has anything and everything to offer. The city is subdivided into 50 big districts so have no fear – you’ll just have to spend some time learning about Bangkok, so you can pick the area which suits you the most.

We are flying to Thailand in the summer, do we need any vaccinations?

Answer:

when it comes to vaccinations, I’d advise you to contact a doctor who specializes on tropical diseases.

We are a 30-year-old couple, looking for both relaxation and fun. We’ll be arriving at Thailand on late September for 3 weeks and we are worried about the weather in the south. We originally planned to start in the north (for a week or so), head to the south and spend 5 nights in Khao Lak, from then on continue to 4 nights at Koh Samui, spend 4 nights in Ko Pha-Ngan (for the full moon) and from then on get back to Bangkok. However, since we read your reviews and fear the ongoing pouring rain, would you say it’s better to change our travel route, start from Hua Hin, then go up to the north and finally head to the south?

Answer :

In Thailand, October is known to have the worst weather (statistically), so it’s hard to advise you what to do.

We are a family with two adolescents (a boy and a girl), we’ll be in Southern Thailand on early October. In terms of weather, which side is preferable, west or east? Or would you recommend other, northern shores?

Answer:

October is known to have bad weather (statistically) on both east and west.

We are planning a family trip on August, for two and a half weeks. We will visit the northern part of Thailand and then, in light of your recommendations, considered traveling to Khao Lak. Does it make sense to give up the ‘islands experience’ and instead, simply relax and enjoy the vacation in Hua hin? Our main interests are landscape, day-tours and attractions for both adolescents and young kids.

Answer:

Khao Lak and Hua hin are the best resort towns in Thailand but they are distinctly different from each other. Khao Lak is a small, relaxed location, which mostly enables you to relax and enjoy, and functions as a great base for tours in the southern region. Hua hin, on the other hand, is a big area which features more than a few resort towns, and Hua hin – the royal resort town – is just one of them. However, it is the biggest and most developed town, as it contains various attractions for both kids and adults, including two nature reserves in its surroundings (one of them is the biggest in Thailand), beaches, bays and even a small tropical island called Koh Talu for those who enjoy serenity and/or snorkeling. The amount of attractions in Hua hin area is bigger than in all the other islands combined; markets, shops, water parks, ATVs, bike tours, waterfalls, water sports (there are no mafia threats there, so it’s safe). In short, it’s an ideal vacation destination.

We are staying in Holiday Inn at Ao Nang. Today we visited Railay Beach which was amazing, except for the boats that interrupt the serenity and calmness of the place. I’d like to ask if there’s a bathing beach with beach chairs, parasols etc. near the hotel? The one in front of it doesn’t seem suitable to bathe in…

Answer :

As I always say – this area makes a good base for tours, rather than a sunbathing/relaxation location!! Rather, Khao Lak is the best resort town in southern Thailand.

We would like to travel from Bangkok to 4 days in Hua hin. Should we rent a car or take a taxi? Will there be any use for the rented car?

Answer:

There will be much use of the rented car, as Hua hin is a big area which abounds with tourist attractions, and convenient transportation will considerably contribute to making the most and enjoying the place. Of course, it depends on how much you’d like to drive in Thailand (on the left side of the road), and then there’s also the orientation issue. At any event – if you want to rent a car – I recommend doing it in Hua hi, where it’s easier to drive, and not start from Bangkok where it’s complicated.

We’ll be traveling on early-mid August, and head to the islands in south western Thailand. How bad is the weather? We would like to relax on the beach during the day but we also like it when it rains. Does it rain during most of the day? Thanks!

Answer:

The weather is a matter of statistics, and if there are, for instance, 20 rainy days per month, the question remains which days will it be. At any event – the rain interrupts much more during a vacation than when on a trip.

What’s your phone number?

Answer:

You can contact us through the website (behold ‘contact us’)

Attractions in Phra Pradaeng?

Answer:

In Phra Pradaeng, you’ll find the 3-headed elephant temple (Erawan Museum), the Ancient City (Muang Boran), the crocodile farm and zoo, the floating market (Bang Nampeung), the seagulls beach (Bang Poo), Bangkok’s green lung (Bang Krajao) and many more places to visit.

Where to find the largest reclining Buddha statue in Thailand?

Answer:

In Samut Prakan you’ll find the largest reclining Buddha statue in Thailand (54 meters long) in Wat Bang Phli Yai Klong. It is far bigger and more impressive than the statue in Wat Po

Is there a dress code in restaurants during the evening/ at night?

Answer :

There are various types of restaurants, some very humble and simple, others exquisite and fancy. Generally speaking, there is no dress code in ordinary restaurants, but don’t show up in t-shirts and flip-flops in fancy places!! – sometimes You won’t be allowed to get inside (and surely, you won’t feel confident anyway). This doesn’t mean you have to dress up with an evening dress/ a suit and a matching tie, but do make sure to dress in a more dignified way than tank tops and shorts. Have a little common sense and simply dress accordingly.

Thailand Clothes sizes in markets?

Answer:

In many cases, particularly in markets, the size which is marked on the shirt/pants/dress etc. has nothing to do with the item’s actual size. Simply take a shirt and pants in the right size, and place it over what you’d like to buy, in order to compare the size and make the right purchase. That is the best solution.

How do I get to Surin island?

Answer:

Go to a town called Kura Buri – located some 2-hour north of Phuket – and take a regular boat for a 4-hour cruise or a fast boat for a 1.5-hour cruise.

In the island you’ll find a few bungalows (or rather a wooden hotel) and ready-to-use tents in different sizes. There are organized facilities such as shower and toilet, a restaurant and a convenience store, and of course – a whole lot of real nature.

What is the size of Bangkok?

Answer :

From the most northern end of the city – Khet Don Mueang – to the most southern spot – Khet Bang Khun Thian (which is located on the sea) – the distance is 58 km.

From the most western end of Khet Nong Khaem and Khet Thawi Wattana to the most eastern end of Khet Nong Chok, the distance is 66 km.

Which SIM should I use in Thailand?

Answer : AIS, which is also known as 1-2 call. Keep in mind that having a Thai SIM card doesn’t mean you can go online. You have several options to do so, the simplest one is to purchase an internet pack at 7-eleven.

Where should I grab a taxi at Bangkok international airport?

Answer :

The taxis in the airport are organized and supervised and there is no problem whatsoever. Simply ignore random drivers who may approach you as you walk, and follow the ‘Public Taxi’ sign.

There’s a booth with an English-speaking service-girl on site, who will ask you about your destination, write it on a note and hand it to a proper driver (you will receive a copy too). The driver will place your luggage in the car and you will drive safely towards your destination. If he didn’t do so, tell the driver to run the meter, or take a different taxi (if he refuses).

What is Bangkok’s Thai title of?

Answer : Krung Thep

South of the Old Siam Plaza there’s a water canal leading to the river (according to the map). Can I cruise towards the river to avoid traffic jams? Is there public transportation by boats on site?

Answer : There is a canal north of Sukhumvit next to Petchburi , yet there is an issue of stench in the place

Will hotels be willing to store our luggage for a short while?

Answer : Usually, every hotel would be willing to keep your luggage, and every hotel with a pool/gym/ dressing room – will allow you to take a shower there.

Is it dangerous to get vaccinations in Thailand?

Answer : The hospitals in Thailand maintain a high level of order, hygiene and sanitation, and make sure to stick to the rules.