17 year olds traveling to Thailand
 

Me and another female friend were thinking of going to Thailand in early June for 3 weeks to backpack. However we will both only be 17 years old (my friend turning 18 the month after). what are your thoughts on this? Is it too young to go backpacking? And in terms of activities in Thailand will we not be able to do stuff because of our age or are they fairly lax about id? Thank you!

Suggest you ask this question at <thaivisa dot com>.

You might do better to ask this question on Lonely Planets Thorntree forum. Younger people lurk there, I doubt many Fodorites have had to question the age rules for some time.

My son went to. Thailand on his gap year a couple of months before his 18th birthday and had no problems with id or anything else and had a great time.

As to whether it is too young to go backing, that is a question of maturity rather than age. I know a few 40 and 50 something's who probably should not travel on there own!!

Read up on travel security before you go either on your own governments website or try www.artoftravel.com

What "stuff" do you want to do? I agree, it's a question of maturity, rather than age.

Go and watch "Taken" and then talk about the trip with your dad.

If you keep your nose clean, and use good judgement, I think Thailand can be a great place for young backpackers.

But, there are also many opportunities to get yourself into plenty of serious trouble.

If you can stay out of trouble, at home, and keep up the same practices in Thailand, you should have a great time.

Just be sure to pack respect, courtesy, and lots of common sense.