A woman needs advice
 

I've been dreaming about visiting Thailand for a very long time. I finally have the time and money saved but I don't have a travel companion. I would like to hear from other women who have traveled alone to Thailand and Laos. My plans are to spend a month during late July - Aug. I want to avoid a tour and backpack instead. I am in my mid twenties and I make friends easily. I've never been to Asia so I don't know what to expect but I have traveled to other parts of the world. I would also like to hear from people who are there. Will I have trouble making friends with other visitors who speak english or spanish? My family thinks I am crazy going alone and I would appreciate hearing from people who have done it so I feel comfortable about my decsion.

This is a very easy part of the world to travel alone. You will find many other English-speaking travelers, and it will be easy to hook up with other travelers for part of your travels if you wish. You might want to check out the lonely planet site, which is oriented toward backpackers. http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/login.cfm

Traveling alone in Thailand and Laos is easy for a woman as long as her deportment and attire are non-provocative. The infrastructure, especially in Thailand, makes it easy to use public transportation and the widely available tourist information offers ideas for your travel. Internet cafes, which allow you to stay in touch with family and friends, are numerous in Thailand and occasional in larger Laotian towns. There are many young people from all over the world backpacking and they provide useful information, as well as companionship. Aside from them, there are other tourists who can be helpful. Please consider my basic philosophy of traveling: there are good people everywhere in the world and SOMEONE will come to your rescue in an emergency. I can say this as an oldtimer. So, go and enjoy a wonderful part of Asia. ZZ

P.S. I am a woman who usually travels by herself---not backpacking (I'm a little beyond that stage), but budget conscious and adventuresome. ZZ

I spent 6 days in Bangkok two years ago. My husband was there for work so I was on my own for exploring. (I know this isn't exactly the same as solo travel.) Anyhow, I was fine. Bangkok seemed quite safe, easy to navigate, friendly, etc. I walked across the city (well, more or less, across large stretches) over the course of the first few days and never had any problem. It was great exploring on foot and catching a taxi at the end of the day when I was too pooped to walk any longer.

Having traveled solo in other countries (husband took other trips or stayed home) I think you'll be fine. It is really easy to meet people, particularly in places like Thailand where there are lots of backpackers and hostels. I found one of the more challenging aspects of travel in Asia was my inability to read the signs. I was always able to get help from a passer-by. It is also helpful to have a phrase book that includes Thai (or whatever language) script as well as 'English' pronunciation guidelines for each word. If you can't manage to speak the language you at least can point to words in the book in order to communicate.

I think you will be fine in Thailand; just be careful in who you choose as your friends. A "friend" can give you something or other contaning drugs, and if you're caught with it, the punishment can (and probably will) be very severe.

Thanks for the responses. I just bought my ticket jul 21 - aug 18. Now its time to plan. I will appreciate further suggestions for a woman traveling alone. I'm so excited, I can't wait.

Yvetta--

here is the deal--I just returned from a two weeks tay in Thailand--it was wonderful BUT (and of course I am not a woman):

the heat will be unbearable the first day or two or three--so you need to realize you will not be accomplishing as much as you could in a day touring London or Prague for example;

as one person said do not dress provocatively;

be very careful of street food--perhaps it is better to eat lunch as opposed to dinner off the streets since the food may abe fresher.

whne they see there are basic huts on some of the islands they mean just that--BASIC.

Bargaining is required for everything.

All in all Thailnd is perfect for you--there is plenty of bottled water, plenty of other anglo tourists to meet up with, busses are great (clean and timely), planes are great,etc.

be extremely extremely careful, and do not go on 'tuk tuk' by yourself. a HK reporter ( a woman ) was gang raped yesterday because she's gotten onto a wrong tuk tuk. the scary part was, a police/security guard heard her scream but after taking bribes from the rapist, turned and walked away. later the reporter went to the police but was turned away from two police stations. the crime was only reported until she got to the politician, Paveena Hongsakul. this is NOT an urban legion, i will post the news with a new link so women travelers to bangkok could be careful.

There is a hostal in Bangkok (in Banglamphu I think) where many solo travellers begin their adventures in Thailand. From what I've heard about it it is easy to meet up with other solo travellers. You may want to look into it to start your trip so you can at least talk to others who are doing the same.