Phuket Thailand

butterflyblonde · #1 10-03-2007, 04:24

My gf has been asking me whether or not I could take her somewhere other than places around los for my next visit in June.

I have always wanted to go Hong Kong and Singapore but will strike both of these off the list at the moment as they are not known to be cheap. Money isn't a huge issue but I'm hoping to take her somewhere that won't cost the earth and will be interesting, perhaps beautiful, and importantly..easy for her to visit on just her Thai passport (no visa required ?) and great food, she can adapt to food other than Thai but seafood and noodles + a little spice would be good.

I'm not sure about Cambodia, great temples I know, don't know if the food is up to much ? Whether safety is an issue ? And whether it would hold enough interest for us both. But I do know it's cheap.

The 3 main possibles in my mind are..

Malaysia, especially for the stunning scenery + beaches.

Vietnam, perhaps interesting, cheap and I hear great cuisine, friendly people.

China, bit of an outsider this one, somewhere I would like to see, lots of interesting places to visit, I like Chinese food and she might too as she likes anything with noodles.

If anyone can give me any advices, pros and cons if you have visited any or all of these places then I would really appreciate it.

At the moment it's in the early stages but I need some ideas as I want her to enjoy herself as much as I would.

klavg01 · #2 10-03-2007, 04:30

Why don't you take her to a European Country, for example Norway, hugh mountains and a beautifull nature, for a thai girl very expressive.

Coolhand · #3 10-03-2007, 04:37

Both you & GF will need visas for China. Your G/F can get a 30 day visitors pass for Hong Kong on arrival. Hong Kong can be done cheaply, but its not so easy.

butterflyblonde · #4 10-03-2007, 04:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coolhand

Both you & GF will need visas for China. Your G/F can get a 30 day visitors pass for Hong Kong on arrival. Hong Kong can be done cheaply, but its not so easy.

Thanks for the info mate.

butterflyblonde · #5 10-03-2007, 04:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by klavg01

Why don't you take her to a European Country, for example Norway, hugh mountains and a beautifull nature, for a thai girl very expressive.

And I can take her there without her needing a visa ?

MrDK · #6 10-03-2007, 04:44

Both Malaysia and Vietnam has a lot to offer. Personally I would give Vietnam a good hard look. I suggest Vietnam mainly because I was very impressed with the food and the people and also because I have spend very little time there. This could be your opportunity as well.

MrDK · #7 10-03-2007, 04:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by butterflyblonde

... but I'm hoping to take her somewhere that won't cost the earth and will be interesting, perhaps beautiful, and importantly..easy for her to visit on just her Thai passport (no visa required ?) ....

Quote:

Originally Posted by klavg01

Why don't you take her to a European Country, for example Norway, hugh mountains and a beautifull nature, for a thai girl very expressive.

JP it is impossible to create custom avatars for you fast enough...

whuakito · #8 10-03-2007, 04:52

http://www.phuket-info.com/forums/ge...-thailand.html
here are some pics of viet,and camb.your girlf can get a visa on arrival,needs 2 pics id size each for the two of you plus 25usd each+-

seven · #9 10-03-2007, 05:32

... but I'm hoping to take her somewhere that won't cost the earth and will be interesting..

Norway,cost the earth and then some..
Not interesting either..cold
And visa issues...

7

Nicke · #10 10-03-2007, 05:37

I went to HK with Ead and Nat in September last year, its not so bad regarding costs except for the hotels. I paid 5-6000 baht per night for a tiny room. In Malaysia you get a very nice hotel 3-5 star hotel for half that money.

Anyway, for a family trip Disneyland in HK was great and good value for the money.

Food was maybe double Thailand prices unless you went to upmarket places which can be very expensive.

I like both HK and Malaysia, the biggest drawback with Malaysia is the rip off taxis. People complain about tuk tuks here, but taxis in Malaysia can be very bad. E.g. 2500 baht to airport when it should be 6-800 baht. Late night lot of taxis try to rip you off aswell even for very short rides.

In both HK and Malaysia monorail/trains/subway is very cheap, which I recommend for daytime transportation.

seafox · #11 10-03-2007, 06:17

For Hong Kong there are definite high and low seasons for the hotels.

Have had people stay at Royal Pacific, great location and resonable rates but now the rate has gone up, minimum of $111 a night.

Coolhand · #12 10-03-2007, 07:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by seafox

For Hong Kong there are definite high and low seasons for the hotels.

Its not really seasons but depends on demand. Trade fairs, Chinese Golden weeks etc all put the prices up. During the Hong Kong Rugby sevens that same hotel is US$180 oer night.

marc26 · #13 10-03-2007, 08:56

BB
if i was you i would take her to Sing or HK, only because they are so vastly different than thailand whereas the 3 you mentioned are the same type of country, really
i would be more interested in seeing my gf's reactions to a big city

seafox · #14 10-03-2007, 09:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coolhand

Its not really seasons but depends on demand. Trade fairs, Chinese Golden weeks etc all put the prices up. During the Hong Kong Rugby sevens that same hotel is US$180 oer night.

Yep, tried to book it for a client and it had doubled in price due to a trade fair.

Dodger · #15 10-03-2007, 09:16

But if price is the issue I would look at Vietnam or Cambodia. Cambodia has a feeling of unsafeness but I think is no more dangerous now than Thailand, Ankor Wat is a two or three day tour and very interesting, you have Siem Reap and also the coast resort, in Phnom Pehn there is the kings palace and although you could say similar to Thailand I still felt it had quite a few differences. My friend has just come back from a little trip to Vietnam and really enjoyed the people, food and experience.

So all in all, if cost is an issue these are definately the two cheaper options. Lets face it exploring anywhere new with your tirak is always fun where ever you go.

LivinLOS · #16 10-03-2007, 10:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by marc26

BB
if i was you i would take her to Sing or HK, only because they are so vastly different than thailand whereas the 3 you mentioned are the same type of country, really
i would be more interested in seeing my gf's reactions to a big city

I am with Paul in that if your going to do it, you may as well consider somwhere VERY different to give her a real 'been somewhere' feel..

This one is a left fielder but how about Nepal or Bhutan ?? I have no idea at all about visa requirements but I doubt either are hard to get into (maybe a small fee) niether of them are very far away and it would be very different culturally. It would also have the chance to show her mountains and snow (every TG's fascination I have found) as well as temples and a eye opening and interesting version of Buddhism that she could appreciate and perhaps discover that its the same religion but very different slant.

Food is an unknown (presumably indian curry influences wouldnt be hard to find).. But should be cheap, interesting, definitely 'foreign' for her and memorable.

I know I would love to get around that part of the world.

sishow · #17 10-03-2007, 23:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

This one is a left fielder but how about Nepal or Bhutan ??

I can remember reading that there is trouble at the moment in Nepal, with people dieing in violent riots. ALso seem to remember that The British and Aussie goverments seem to advise thier nationals not to go there at some point recently. But not sure if this advice is still valid?

But im no travel expert, so they could be a nice place to go to!

Mustang · #18 10-03-2007, 23:41

It's a great trip LivinLOS.You should treat yourself.
I went to Nepal last November for 9 days as a side trip to my LOS tour.Amazing place,I'll definately go back.
Awesome scenery,rafting,kayaking,mountain flights,420 moments with locals,sightseeing around 17 World Heritage sites in the Kathmandu valley and some of the craziest driving I've seen anywhere(and I've been to Cambodia) all part of it's charm.
Also lots of Thai food resaurants for BB's girlfriend in Kathmandu.

June is not a great time though.Early June maybe,but by mid june the monsoon season arrives so lots of rain,roads turn to mud,clouds hiding the mountains and ..........leeches.

This is pretty general but:

October,November,early December is best.
December,January,February is ok but cold.
March,April,May is good but possibly cloudy
Early June maybe
The rest of the time...........leeches

(not in the city of course,just out in the countryside)

Pussy Whipped · #19 11-03-2007, 12:28

[quote=butterflyblonde;301171]My gf has been asking me whether or not I could take her somewhere other than places around los for my next visit in June.

Hong Kong clould be good from Phuket, you can get a direct flight and probably a package long weekend deal including hotel. You could even take your GF to Hong Kong Disney world.

Nepal could be good the prospect of snow would be very appealing I am sure, but your GF might really hate the place. It depends on her, its poorer than Thailand.

Vietnam is good either HCMC or Hanoi. Nice people, cheap, Thais don't need a visa, but most Farang do you can get it when you arrive $25.

Whilst this might no suit for your trip in June other intresting and viable places IMO are:

Further afield

Cape Town South Africa. Thais do not need a visa for a 30 day trip. Great place not expensive. Ticket from Phuket about 34,000 inc taxes with MAS, Or Dragon and Cathay via Hong Kong.

Even Further Afield

Argentina. Thais don't need a visa for a 30 day visit.

Mas fly there via Cape Town about 64000 for the ticket though. Great place and completely different from Thailand.

butterflyblonde · #20 12-03-2007, 19:43

Thanks for the replies and suggestions guys. If I can find a reasonably priced hotel then Hong Kong may be the choice. Will only be for 3 or 4 days visit so I'm sure it won't cost the earth.

Hong Kong excites me, my juices are flowing.

marc26 · #21 12-03-2007, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by butterflyblonde

Thanks for the replies and suggestions guys. If I can find a reasonably priced hotel then Hong Kong may be the choice. Will only be for 3 or 4 days visit so I'm sure it won't cost the earth.

Hong Kong excites me, my juices are flowing.

good choice BB
having lived in NYC for so long, most cities underwhelm me
i was very wide-eyed with HK-great big city

ub2yoo · #22 12-03-2007, 21:05

...another alternative which is not too expensive, easy for Thai's to get a 14 day transit visa (almost all major Hotels will help you and send a sponsorship letter) and is an impressive place is Dubai.

I went there together with my wife last week and we had an excellent time.
Loads of parties, good shopping and very different to Thailand for her was the Hot Air Balloon flight over the Desert at sun raise early in the morning.

...only drawback could be the 6 hours flight though, but it's worth it.

sishow · #23 12-03-2007, 21:11

HK great city and I feel you can do most things there and around in 3 to 4 days if you really want too.

Stanly is very nice, was my fav part of the island especially on a Saturday afternoon. But can get crowded especially in the market!

Then there is the Duck with the pancakes........ my mouth is watering already! TRy to find restaraunt name, somewhere in Kowloon if I remember! Very popular with local Chinease.