We are planning a honeymoon for October / November and are trying to decide between Thailand (Bangkok and Phuket) and Hawaii. We will be stopping in Japan on the way back home (which we have previously visited and loved).

We have been to Oahu before and had a great time, but are thinking of staying somewhere a little more "remote" this time, perhaps Maui.

Thailand sounds so exotic, but we're worried that we may not enjoy ourselves as much as in Hawaii.

We have never been to southeast asia. The closest we've been is a trip to Beijing last year. We'd like to hear comparisons between the two. Obviously one is a tropical resort and the other a world capital, but we are worried that some of the things that bothered us in Beijing (annoying street hustlers -- "hello, friend" everywhere we went, air pollution, upset stomachs from the food, the need to haggle over every purchase no matter how small, mass poverty) will be issues in Thailand, too. Will any of these be a problem in Thailand?

We do not want to sit on the beach for the entire trip -- we will want to have access to restaurants and sights outside of our resort. We just want more information to help us weigh the "americanized comfort" of Hawaii with the "exotic" nature of Thailand.

Thank you.

Go to Hawaii

All these things that you mentioned (annoying street hustlers -- "hello, friend" everywhere we went, air pollution, upset stomachs from the food, the need to haggle over every purchase no matter how small, mass poverty) - are everywhere in Bangkok and Phuket. Phuket is nice if you were just to stay at the hotel and don't venture out to cities.

Thailand is wonderful. I'd highly recommend a combination of Bangkok - an exciting and amazing city - and either a beach location like Phuket or else the Anantara at Golden Triangle (far north of Thailand). Bangkok is a huge city and does have air pollution, but it doesn't have the kind of pollution you experience in Beijing. There are huge differences in the cultures as well. I find the Thai people excceptionally warm and welcoming. Offering hospitality is highly valued in their culture. Yes, bargaining for purchases is part of the culture, but think of it not as a matter of someone trying to rip you off, but as the currency of social discourse.

Read some of the reports on this board about Thailand. It will give you a flavor for the opportunities available to you there.

remote-maui..lol. unless you are going to hana or kaupo. i think remote might be lanai.

i live on maui and its beautiful, lots of things to do and see and its easy to get to. we have waterfalls, beautiful beaches, a 10,000 foot volcano, and activities galore.

we visited thailand in october and it was fantastic...definately exotic and very different from america. (even tho sometimes i do feel like i live in a foreign country here). it would be hard to decide....i love them both.
i think it depends if you're out for an adventure in a foreign country or do you want to luxuriate in our american paradise.

if you have specific questions, dont hesitate to ask.
have fun either way

Not that I am trying to judge you, but you seem that you would be better off in Hawaii..If you felt that way in Beijing about things, it won't be much different in Thailand..I have visited Beijing before and other than the pollution, we were not bothered by anything else...Have also visited Thailand and loved it! Hawaii was alright, but not for me...Good luck.

let me take a different stance---put the future husband on....thailand is far cheaper and you get much more for your money...now the future bride....you will find things far more lux in thailand and it will cost you much less allowing lots of extra money for the fabulous shopping....the restaurnts in bkk are every type and style and far less cost....you can have an italian meal at biscotti for 1/3 the cost of a similar meal in maui...the lux hotels (peninsula, oriental, shangri-la, conrad and others) are far nicer than most HI hotels imo....i have to add that after 3 trips to HI, i have yet to find it to my liking....

late oct and nov are the best times of the year in thailand...not early oct however...

the shopping is outrageous including custom clothing and jewerly...

a place like phuket is tourist orientated and there will be bargaining...try to look at it as fun rather than drudgery....a game to see how cheap you can get something....

the flight to thailand is twice as long however---assuming that you are from usa???

If it was me the choice would be easy-- Thailand hands down. But the things that bothered you in Beijing do exist in Bangkok. I'd say if you want to play it safe, go to Hawaii. And if your interest is mostly a beach, go to Hawaii. Thailand is my favorite place in the world and is great if you are interested in fabulous culture, exotic temples, wonderful people But it also is a country that does have many of the problems of any developing country.

In a way the mere fact that you asked the question, leads me to think you should pick Hawaii.

Although Thailand has what some would call 'problems of a developing country' they sadly 'are that'..... problems caused by development, away from what 'naturally was'.

Give me the 'good old days' anyday!!
Thankfully though Thailand also still manages to 'not have' many of the problems of 'developed countries'. If you want to experience a different way of life then Thailand, and try and get away from the cities and touristy resorts, there is simply so much to see, do and experience. But if you want homestyle comforts then perhaps Hawaii would be best.

James-- you're absolutely right. Many of the problems (such as pollution and traffic) are because of the development. Others such as poverty, lack of "higenic" food or water for those not used to it has been around a long time. Begging, street hustlers are a result of tourism. Bargaining ("haggling" as Punky144 puts if) is simply a part of their culture.

Go to Hawaii. We love Thailand, but for a honeymoon, I think Hawaii would be better. Yes, I am biased because we spent our honeymoon in Hawaii 14-1/2 years ago. After your wedding you will just want to relax and not worry about dealing with a big city, adjusting to the cultural differences and enduring a very long flight. Yes, in Thailand your money goes farther. If shopping is your thing, maybe Thailand is better. Hawaii has more things to do and see outdoors. Though not really "remote", Maui and the big island have much to offer and are "exotic" in their own way. If you have time Kauai is also interesting. There is plenty to do. You can spend 2 weeks exploring the islands and not spend any time on the beach. Note that Oahu is not at all representative of the state.

It seems that you both like to travel, so by all means, do go to Thailand on future trip - it is a magical place. But based on what you have said and my own experiences, Hawaii fits the bill for your honeymoon.

I think though that if Bangkok is taken out of the scenario it might be different, a great luxury beach resort on say Koh Samui would be nice, you would have most of the creature comforts and if that was mixed with say the Golden Triangle and split the time between those 2 then I guess it would be different than a normal vacation trip. or perhaps doing Angkor Wat plus Koh Samui.
These are of course only our own opinions but if you think years ahead, perhaps a Honeymoon visiting Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the Golden Trinagle of Thailand and realxing on a Thai island might hold perhaps a few more memories than Hawaii, just a thought....

Another thought is the weather. I think October can still be iffy in Thailand whereas you will have perfect weather in Hawaii.

But it really depends on what kind of honeymoon you want and only you can answer that. One isn't better than the other but they are very different. As I said before, however, if your main objective is a gorgeous beach and all the creature comforts without any concerns -- go to Hawaii. n

dates as gloria points out are important....i have been in mid-ocotber and it was not as nice as november, believe it or not, so HI presents itself better in that sense

... and Hawaii rarely has the humidity that is every present in Bangkok and Phuket. The tradewinds are a marvel in Hawaii. With all of your "don't wants" I'd stay with Hawaii, but break up your time with at least another island - like Kauai; Maui is rather built-up and commercial in comparison.

However, if you're willing to fly as far as Thailand, why not consider the Cook Islands in the South Pacific. Here you get what Hawaii was like many years ago... great water activities and beautiful beaches; ideal for a honeymoon. Check out the Australia Board for more information, or post your question there.

We went to Thailand for our honeymoon just a few months ago, and my best friend went to HI on his the exact same time. He spent twice as much, but i have to say that after looking at all of his pics, the quality of our trip was much better at half the price. We spent a week in BKK and a week in Koh Chang( which is the most remote place we have ever been!) and LOVED it all! My best friend did have a good time in HI, but with the help of everyone here, we had the best honeymoon possible for us!