Honest opinion needed about Thailand

Old Feb 14th, 2017, 09:06 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 550
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Honest opinion needed about Thailand

Hello,

I am in the beginning stages of planing a trip to Thailand in 2018. I usually travel to Europe since I am half French from my father's side. We currently live in Florida. It would be my husband and I, our two children (5 and 2 at the time of travel) and my mother (active and healthy).

I have never been to Thailand. I have travelled to third world countries before.
My concern is that it seems like the destinations within Thailand are either presented as beautiful or as a tourist trap. This is what I like when I travel:

-Walking/ bicycling/ canoes/swimming. I don't like cars and traffic. I search for walkable cities such as old town Salzburg, Vienna, Murren, Siena/Pienza, Manarola, Bruges, Varenna, Venice, Sarlat. I want to be far away from pollution.
-Stunning scenery. I love the hike between Oia and Fira in Greece. I love the Cinque Terre trails (not just the main one). I don't mind crowds if there is a way around it and the place is amazingly beautiful: for example we get up at 5am to be on the trail by 6am for Cinque Terre trail and we enjoy 3 glorious hours. In Oia, there is no one in the streets at 8am. Ditto for Venice.
-History
-New foods
-Meeting new people

We don't need luxury as long as it it is clean for the children. I avoid resorts.
My other concern is the welfare of the elephants. some trip reports say it is the highlight of their trip and I could see how my children would love it. However, I don't believe in teaching wild animals useless tricks (like an elephant painting???!!). The behavior could have been implemented via harsh and cruel methods.

Could anyone be so kind to suggest a few places in Thailand that might fit the wants of my family?
Thank you.
ToujoursVoyager is offline  
Old Feb 14th, 2017, 09:22 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you want a humane elephant experience, take a look at the Elephant Nature Park outside of Chiang Mai. No elephant-riding, no teaching elephants tricks, just an opportunity t relate to the elephants.

I love Thailand, I've been going there since the mid-1980s. Yes, you can plan a trip that is nothing but international resorts and tourist traps, but you can also plan a trip that has none of that. You will need to do your research (and we can help with that). You also need to decide what you want to see/do/experience in Thailand.

Thailand will not feel much like a third world country. It is modern, but retains the traditional aspects of the Thai culture.

I'd recommend time in Bangkok - to visit the major wats, to experience street markets, etc. And it sounds like the Elephant Nature Park is firmly on your list. Decide if you want some beach time, or if you'd prefer more time in the north.

Your idea of walking and cycling everywhere doesn't really fit with the conditions in Thailand. If you are looking for places that will be like Europe, go to Europe. If you want an entirely new experience, go to SE Asia. You will need to learn to appreciate the energy of Asian cities, the organized chaos.

Also consider a side trip to Angkor - one of the wonders of the world.
Kathie is offline  
Old Feb 14th, 2017, 12:38 PM
  #3  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 550
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you Kathie for taking the time to respond. The Elephant Nature Park is now on our list and I will be looking at the logistics of a side trip to Angkor.

I hope my post did not come across as I want to find Europe in Thailand. I want to experience SE Asia. I am open to any favorite location in that area of the world. However I would like to minimize pollution and traffic. My favorite cities around the world are the one with bicycles as mode of transport as opposed to cars. But if it is not possible in SE asia, so be it.

The more I travel, the less I am attracted to urban experiences and favor villages. But maybe for SE asia, I should keep an open mind.
ToujoursVoyager is offline  
Old Feb 14th, 2017, 01:55 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
as Kathie points out Thailand is totally different from Thailand. for one thing it is very hot 24/7. this prevents extended outdoor activities, especially for children.

a resort outside of city areas is very pleasant. smaller seaside towns are lovely: krabi, khao lak, hua hin are examples.

a/c is a must just like in FL. I feel a nice pool is also a must.

food is not a concern for you as all kinds of food is available in Thailand... kids will love chicken satay for instance.

picking the right month to visit is important. most people prefer nov-feb.
rhkkmk is offline  
Old Feb 14th, 2017, 02:15 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 27,607
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
If you want to minimize pollution and traffic you will not like Bangkok. Or, for that matter, most cities of any size in Asia, north, south, east or west. If you are willing to embrace Thailand as a totally new experience, you should spend some time in Bangkok, just not a lot. (Many people on Fodors are big fans of Bangkok, I am not.)

If you want to get off the tourist trail in Thailand, you might should look east. I recommend getting some good guidebooks.

If this is your first visit to SEA, why did you pick Thailand? You might find Laos, or Cambodia besides Angkor, more to your liking.
thursdaysd is offline  
Old Feb 14th, 2017, 03:23 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
picking Thailand, imo, is by far the best choice other than perhaps singapore
rhkkmk is offline  
Old Feb 14th, 2017, 05:25 PM
  #7  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 550
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you everyone for the responses. Yes, SEA is a totally new part of the world that I have not seen and that I am excited to see. I picked Thailand based on landscape pictures but I am open to other countries. As for the food, my children will try anything at least once, so we are in more some fun discoveries.

I will probably end up reading every trip report posted on Fodor about SEA and come back in a few months with more specific questions.

I will probably alternated between cities and villages.
ToujoursVoyager is offline  
Old Feb 14th, 2017, 05:37 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Let me suggest you peruse our photos, mostly of various locations in SE Asia: www.marlandc.com

Be aware that saying in "villages" is not really an option (unless you are doing a homestay), as true villages have no tourist facilities such as hotels and restaurants. There are, however, small towns you can stay in.
Kathie is offline  
Old Feb 14th, 2017, 07:09 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you want a place in Thailand with nature and without much crowd you can give Khao Yai a try! It's an amazing little town about 3 hours from Bangkok. They have cute little themed resorts/hotels/motels that are perfect for kids. The Khao Yai national park is just nearby and you can hire trekking guides to take you to spots where you can see the wildlife. It's not a highly travelled part of Thailand yet, and you'll find more local tourists than foreign travellers. Weather there is much cooler year round due to the surrounding mountains.
jeremyl is offline  
Old Feb 14th, 2017, 11:52 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 9,330
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We spent most of 2015 travellinga round various parts of Asia. Lots of posts and photos on our blog@ https://accidentalnomads.com . Just click on the destination drop down for the various countries.


" I don't like cars and traffic" Avoiding those is very difficult in Thailand. Steer clear of all major cities especially Bangkok and Chiang Mai - difficult as they are your entry points for most parts of the country.

Few cities in Thailand are walkable in the way that most European cities are. The heat and humidity is a big problem most for the year. Chiang Rai springs to mind as a quieter, smaller city with lots to see and do. We also liked driving to smaller towns and minority villages in the north like Mai Hong Sorn, Soppong, Chiang Dao but I am not sure they are that suited to travelling with children.

Pollution - Avoid travel in the north of the country from Feb to April when the crop burning is at its worst. The pollution is terrible most years. Bangkok and is pretty bad year round. Pollution is becoming a bigger and bigger problem all over Asia as the years go by? Choosing the right place and time is ESSENTIAL, especially travelling with young children or those with any sort of breathing issues.

Thailand is now a mainstream tourist destination and mass tourism is difficult to avoid but still possible with a little effort. The food is great and the people friendly and welcoming of foreigners. No need for big Resort type hotels as there are plenty of smaller, locally owned places that are really nice. www.travelfish.org is a good place to start researching less touristed options

It is difficult to recommend anywhere without knowing what time of year your plan on going. The weather will be a big factor as the whole country is affected Two different monsoons. Not the be all end all, but a consideration.

Based on your stated objectives and the fact that you are open to suggestions of other locations, my "honest opinion" is that I think Thailand may not be for you. Other, less developed but arguably quieter places in Asia such as:

parts of Cambodia ( not Angkor Wat - not suitable for children IMO) Place in the South like Kampot and Kep are laid back and beautiful and great for walking/biking/ boating see my blog link above. Also some great quiet beaches in thapart of the world.

For a real adventure and depending on the time you have, you could consider combining Cambodia with Laos or Vietnam.
crellston is offline  
Old Feb 15th, 2017, 12:45 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,790
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I like Thailand -- especially Bangkok and the Southern Beaches on both coasts. The people are gracious, the infrastructure is well established, the food is wonderful. Basically the whole country is enlisted in protecting the USD70 Billion tourist industry. In spite of the number of travelers, I wouldn't call Thailand a "tourist trap." The country is truly beautiful, the depth of the culture is truly spiritual and the warmth of the people is truly sincere.

Having said that I also think that based on your criteria Thailand may be more developed than what you're looking for. Bangkok is a big, crowded Asian city -- scintillating if you like that kind of thing, oppressive if you don't. The beaches are still extraordinarily beautiful, but more resort focused than Robinson Crusoe.

Traveling with young children is a special challenge in Southeast Asia but one that offers great rewards. When my son was your children's age the places we liked the best were Burma, Borneo, Java and Bali. Now, 30 years later, we live in Bali.

The Balinese, like the Thais, are extremely hospitable and especially welcoming toward children. My son at 3 to 5 was fascinated with the performing arts -- masked dance, gamelan orchestras -- and the accessible natural beauty -- the ocean beaches, river valleys, rain forests, volcanoes.

Parts of Bali are highly developed (and highly trafficked) and parts are rural and green with river valleys, rice paddies and simple villages. Overarching all is a deeply held religious tradition, full of spectacle and celebration. Logistically you can cover a lot of different activities in a small geographic area without having to fly from place to place.

Nearby are Lombok for laid-back beaches and Java for magnificent volcanic clusters and ancient monuments.

As mentioned the time of year that you are traveling, the length of your trip and your budget will be factors in your decision wherever you choose to go.
marmot is online now  
Old Feb 15th, 2017, 05:22 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
bali is certainly an excellent option...
rhkkmk is offline  
Old Feb 15th, 2017, 05:51 AM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,251
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Interestingly enough, I too thought of Bali. We are in Bali right now, and we see lots of families with kids about the ages of yours. And, there are several families with small children staying at the hotel we are now in--Alam Indah in Ubud--and it seems like a good place to have kids and keep them busy. Since we have grandkids about your kids ages, we are constantly observing how families fare in places we've visited and even wondered how parents cope with kids who are picky eaters in some of the places we've been. Bali certainly seems like a much more doable destination than some other places we've visited in SEA.

Except that we are a generation older than you, we have remarkably similar interests. To us, most SEA cities are unattractive, unwalkable, noisy and unappealing. Bangkok in particular is very unwalkable, and despite the fact that many people here like it, it did not do a thing for us.

You might want to consider Luang Prabang in Laos because it comes close to meeting many of your criteria.

Have you thought about places like Antigua in Guatemala or Merida or San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. Not SEA, but since these are colonial cities settled by the Europeans, they have some of that same flavor and walkability and historic interest.
julies is offline  
Old Feb 15th, 2017, 07:28 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Chiang Mai is an obvious town for your family, but look at Laos, it is quiet and beautiful, easy flights. LUang Prabang is priceless.
mareeS55 is offline  
Old Feb 15th, 2017, 07:39 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 27,607
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Luang Prabang has been well and truly discovered, but it certainly seems a better fit for the OP than Bangkok. Other interesting places in Laos, too.
thursdaysd is offline  
Old Feb 15th, 2017, 07:42 AM
  #16  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 550
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I got so many good suggestions! What a wonderful site!

I have tremendous flexibility when planning a trip. I can go anytime of the year as long as I give plenty of notice at my job. I will avoid feb-april. My children are young enough that taking them out of school won't be a issue. They will learn amazing things when they travel.

I have been reading trip reports into the night yesterday. So many vivid images! Luang Prabang stood out. I will continue reading... I have so much to learn.
ToujoursVoyager is offline  
Old Feb 15th, 2017, 08:08 AM
  #17  
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We liked Koh Chang, an island about 4 hours drive south of Bangkok. It is hardly undiscovered but there are near enough no chain hotels or chain restaurants. Nice beaches, decent boat trips for snorkeling and diving, kayaking, jungle treks, boardwalks along the mangrove swamps, small waterfalls etc etc There are elephants on the island though I could not attest to the conditions they are kept under.

My other recommendation would be Hanoi in Vietnam, as parts of the city (mainly the old quarter) are at least pedestrianised evenings and weekends so you can explore on foot more safely

Click on my ID for a recent trip report to Thailand and Vietnam.
RM67 is offline  
Old Feb 15th, 2017, 12:55 PM
  #18  
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,126
Received 26 Likes on 4 Posts
Not sure I'd recommend Hanoi to someone with an aversion to cars & traffic. I love Hanoi but with that particular item on the wishlist there are other choices. I loved the lesson in crossing a big street and trusting the motorbikes to flow around the pedestrians, but might like it less with children.
MmePerdu is offline  
Old Feb 15th, 2017, 01:44 PM
  #19  
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 27,607
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I had the same thought about Hanoi. I love the place, and I am OK with just walking out into traffic and expecting it to miss me, but I'm not sure I'd want to try that with kids.
thursdaysd is offline  
Old Feb 15th, 2017, 04:05 PM
  #20  
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,144
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I did qualify my answer by pointing out that there are traffic free times and zones in Hanoi. It makes the most sense of the large south East Asian cities if you want to limit your exposure to cars and pollution somwhat but still get a metropolitan fix eg markets, people, extensive dining options.
RM67 is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -