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[b][u]EDITOR'S NOTE[/u]:[/b] [blue]This report was edited or deleted in accordance with the Forum's policy prohibiting any discussion regarding [u]racial issues[/u]. This action is in no way a reflection of the merits of the author's comments.

I am aware that the vast majority of references to racial issues are legitimate attempts to advise other fellow members about local racial issues and prejudices. However, past discussions in the Forum has repeatedly demonstrated that the subject simply cannot be discussed intelligently, in any form or for any reason, without being misinterpreted and without starting flame wars.

Please do not engage in discussions about race in the Forum. Please read the Forum's Posting Guidelines for further information.

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Dear all.

I booked my flight to BKK about a week ago! Its in September, for 6 weeks (I like to plan waaay in advance). This is my first time to Asia. I'll be in BKK from 14th to 28th ish and then want to see phuket, Pattaya, koh samui, hua hin, hat yai and maybe chiang mai and more places north. Also some places 'off the beaten path' if possible.

I had about 4million questions but thanks to this site and others I have about half a dozen left unanswered and am hoping for a little guidance.

* Firstly, if any brits, yanks, ozzies, canadians are over there when I am maybe we could meet up for a beer? I'm not looking for a travel partner exactly, just someone who perhaps is in the same boat as me. The majority of my trip will be solo, but it may be cool to meet up for a day or 2.

* Hotels: There seems to be many great 'guest-friendly' hotels but say if I book a 'regular' hotel for 2 people then pick up a girl for overnight, will the 'regular' hotel give me nay hassle?

* ATM's: Are they all safe to use? Is it similar to UK with the Link logo? Do you guys take 1 card or spread it out over many?

* Getting around: I have a motorbike licence for Uk. Seems easy enough to get the international licence. Is it a good idea to rent a moped in Thailand? Or is public transport good / cheap enough?

I was going to add some questions about girls but I'll save that for another post. Plenty of time.

Any advice, hints, tips, suggestions, critiques most welcome.

Thanks in advance.

David

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[b][u]EDITOR'S NOTE[/u]:[/b] [blue]This report was edited or deleted in accordance with the Forum's policy prohibiting any discussion regarding [u]racial issues[/u]. This action is in no way a reflection of the merits of the author's comments.

I am aware that the vast majority of references to racial issues are legitimate attempts to advise other fellow members about local racial issues and prejudices. However, past discussions in the Forum has repeatedly demonstrated that the subject simply cannot be discussed intelligently, in any form or for any reason, without being misinterpreted and without starting flame wars.

Please do not engage in discussions about race in the Forum. Please read the Forum's Posting Guidelines for further information.

[i]Thanks![/i][/blue]

[blue][Deleted by Admin][/blue]

[b][u]EDITOR'S NOTE[/u]:[/b] [blue]This report was edited or deleted in accordance with the Forum's policy prohibiting any discussion regarding [u]racial issues[/u]. This action is in no way a reflection of the merits of the author's comments.

I am aware that the vast majority of references to racial issues are legitimate attempts to advise other fellow members about local racial issues and prejudices. However, past discussions in the Forum has repeatedly demonstrated that the subject simply cannot be discussed intelligently, in any form or for any reason, without being misinterpreted and without starting flame wars.

Please do not engage in discussions about race in the Forum. Please read the Forum's Posting Guidelines for further information.

[i]Thanks![/i][/blue]

[blue][Deleted by Admin][/blue]

[b][u]EDITOR'S NOTE[/u]:[/b] [blue]This report was edited or deleted in accordance with the Forum's policy prohibiting any discussion regarding [u]racial issues[/u]. This action is in no way a reflection of the merits of the author's comments.

I am aware that the vast majority of references to racial issues are legitimate attempts to advise other fellow members about local racial issues and prejudices. However, past discussions in the Forum has repeatedly demonstrated that the subject simply cannot be discussed intelligently, in any form or for any reason, without being misinterpreted and without starting flame wars.

Please do not engage in discussions about race in the Forum. Please read the Forum's Posting Guidelines for further information.

[i]Thanks![/i][/blue]

[QUOTE=ThailandBound; 1396646]Dear all.

I booked my flight to BKK about a week ago! Its in September, for 6 weeks (?

Any advice, hints, tips, suggestions, critiques most welcome.

Thanks in advance.

David[/QUOTE]Much of what you ask is covered by Lonely Planet.

[QUOTE=ThailandBound; 1396646]Dear all.

I booked my flight to BKK about a week ago! Its in September, for 6 weeks (I like to plan waaay in advance). This is my first time to Asia. I'll be in BKK from 14th to 28th ish and then want to see phuket, Pattaya, koh samui, hua hin, hat yai and maybe chiang mai and more places north. Also some places 'off the beaten path' if possible.[/QUOTE]That is a tall order. Remember "This is Thailand" where planning is at best not better than a pious intention.

[QUOTE=ThailandBound; 1396646]I had about 4million questions but thanks to this site and others I have about half a dozen left unanswered and am hoping for a little guidance.

(...)

* Hotels: There seems to be many great 'guest-friendly' hotels but say if I book a 'regular' hotel for 2 people then pick up a girl for overnight, will the 'regular' hotel give me nay hassle?[/QUOTE]Unless you are staying in a purely (western) family oriented hotel or resort (and even then) , most hotels are very relaxed about this. I never had any problems in that respect and I traveled also off the beaten path.

[QUOTE=ThailandBound;1396646]* ATM's: Are they all safe to use? Is it similar to UK with the Link logo? Do you guys take 1 card or spread it out over many?[/QUOTE]Never had any problems. I usually take a few cards, but only use one and keep the other as a backup.

[QUOTE=ThailandBound;1396646]* Getting around: I have a motorbike licence for Uk. Seems easy enough to get the international licence. Is it a good idea to rent a moped in Thailand? Or is public transport good / cheap enough?[/QUOTE]Public transport both in and between cities is easy, well organised and cheap. Traffic is chaotic, so I never hazard to brave the traffic myself. Far better (and less stress) to use planes, trains, busses, vans, taxis, songthaews or --if all else fails-- a tuk-tuk.

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[b][u]EDITOR'S NOTE[/u]:[/b] [blue]This report was edited or deleted in accordance with the Forum's policy prohibiting any discussion regarding [u]racial issues[/u]. This action is in no way a reflection of the merits of the author's comments.

I am aware that the vast majority of references to racial issues are legitimate attempts to advise other fellow members about local racial issues and prejudices. However, past discussions in the Forum has repeatedly demonstrated that the subject simply cannot be discussed intelligently, in any form or for any reason, without being misinterpreted and without starting flame wars.

Please do not engage in discussions about race in the Forum. Please read the Forum's Posting Guidelines for further information.

[i]Thanks![/i][/blue]

[QUOTE=Wolvenvacht; 1396725]That is a tall order. Remember "This is Thailand" where planning is at best not better than a pious intention.

Unless you are staying in a purely (western) family oriented hotel or resort (and even then) , most hotels are very relaxed about this. I never had any problems in that respect and I traveled also off the beaten path.

Never had any problems. I usually take a few cards, but only use one and keep the other as a backup.

Public transport both in and between cities is easy, well organised and cheap. Traffic is chaotic, so I never hazard to brave the traffic myself. Far better (and less stress) to use planes, trains, busses, vans, taxis, songthaews or.if all else fails- a tuk-tuk.[/QUOTE]Cheers Wolvenvacht! Yes the traffic in the cities I've heard is mental. I do however prefer the freedom your own motor gives you. What stresses me out in the UK is 2 hours in 1st and 2nd gear on the M4, M6 etc Are Thailand roads / motorways like this often? Many roadworks? Wherever in Europe I've gone I've driven a car, had some awesome road trips. Would be nice to do Bangkok to Phuket via Hua Hin, for 1 night, on a bike as a few sites I found advertises.

Thanks for other advice. Think I'm going to go with £750 cash an 2 cards.

When you do go outside the touristy places, are there often massage services of some sort? In other words can I assume correctly that in each and every large town in Thailand there will be a massage parlour? Like UK towns have a post office and a bank and a pub.

On the racism issue, I'd like to quote a very good film called Bulworth. If not to make a point, then just to lighten the tension:

"Everybody got to keep fcuking everybody til we're all the same colour"

Jay Billington Bulworth

[QUOTE=Wolvenvacht; 1396725]SNIP.

Public transport both in and between cities is easy, well organised and cheap. Traffic is chaotic, so I never hazard to brave the traffic myself. Far better (and less stress) to use planes, trains, busses, vans, taxis, songthaews or.if all else fails- a tuk-tuk.[/QUOTE]This is a pretty good summary. I recommend that you dig a little deeper concerning transport on the island of Phuket. You might want a motorbike there as "public transport" is sadly lacking and primarily run by rip-off artists. The international license would be a good idea then because local police will stop you hoping to make you pay a fine on the spot. Be careful about private bus companies who have been known to ransack your "checked" luggage while you are sleeping. Get your tickets only at a bus station to avoid that. As opposed to buying from a tout in tourists areas. Bangkok taxis are good VFM as long as they use the meter. If no meter, you want to get out. I suggest you do web research about travel in Thailand someplace other than a sex based forum.

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[b][u]EDITOR'S NOTE[/u]:[/b] [blue]This report was edited or deleted in accordance with the Forum's policy prohibiting any discussion regarding [u]racial issues[/u]. This action is in no way a reflection of the merits of the author's comments.

I am aware that the vast majority of references to racial issues are legitimate attempts to advise other fellow members about local racial issues and prejudices. However, past discussions in the Forum has repeatedly demonstrated that the subject simply cannot be discussed intelligently, in any form or for any reason, without being misinterpreted and without starting flame wars.

Please do not engage in discussions about race in the Forum. Please read the Forum's Posting Guidelines for further information.

[i]Thanks![/i][/blue]

[quote=thailandbound;1396748]cheers wolvenvacht! yes the traffic in the cities i've heard is mental. i do however prefer the freedom your own motor gives you. what stresses me out in the uk is 2 hours in 1st and 2nd gear on the m4, m6 etc are thailand roads / motorways like this often? many roadworks? wherever in europe i've gone i've driven a car, had some awesome road trips. would be nice to do bangkok to phuket via hua hin, for 1 night, on a bike as a few sites i found advertises.[/quote]the intercity highways are pretty good in thailand and allow generally a good speed. smaller roads are still not too bad, but may be potholed here and there. i'd not recommend driving in the dark on these roads, you could easily break a tire or worse. animals may cross these smaller roads at any time.

[quote=thailandbound;1396748]when you do go outside the touristy places, are there often massage services of some sort? in other words can i assume correctly that in each and every large town in thailand there will be a massage parlour? like uk towns have a post office and a bank and a pub.[/quote]to be honest, i would not know. when i travel outside of the touristy areas, i travel with my thai gf in her car. no need to go looking for a mp, she takes good care of me. i *assume* there will be mps even in smaller cities but they are likely to be catering for thai men and not for farang. even in a "touristy" spot as kanchanaburi ("bridge over the river kwai") the one mp i visited gave a very good massage but not even a hint of offering anything more. perhaps i just picked the one and only massage only mp?

[quote=thailandbound; 1396748]on the racism issue, i'd like to quote a very good film called bulworth. if not to make a point, then just to lighten the tension:

"everybody got to keep fcuking everybody til we're all the same colour"

jay billington bulworth[/quote]i totally agree. although i'd better say nothing more. my scientific comments already got me two demerits from the admin.

Incase you did not know, this is a common STD antibiotic.

Just watching a news feed on how Z pac can cause heart attack.