I'm considering a trip to thailand in November 2002 - it's my first to thailand. Current locations I'm considering include pattaya and koh samui. I'm interested in good beaches, great thai food, scuba and seeing some local culture. Anyone have any suggestions?

November is a great time to go. Best for weather and before the major crowds hit. <BR><BR>My favorite beach area is a car and/ or boat ride away from Kraibi- Rai Lei Beach. Check it out. Mostly known for rock climbing it offers a diverse range of stuff to do. <BR><BR>Also, in that same area there is a lake surrounded by cliffs- it is a national park. You can rent these little thatched huts that float on the water. From there you can kayak the lake and listen to the birds and gibbon. If you are interested let me know and I will figure out the name of this park.<BR><BR>If you are on a higher end budget I can also provide you the e-mail address of privately owned houses on Rai Lei Beach- the best way to go.

Thanks for the advice and yes, I'm interested! While I'm am planning to spend some time in locations with nightlife, beaches, etc, I definately do want to spend some time "off the beaten path" and enjoy some of the local natural environment. (at home I backpack, kyak, etc.) I'm not quite sure what you mean by a higher end budget, but up to 8,000 - 9,000 baht per night is not out of range.. but I would like to keep to around $4000 - $4200 or less per night (mostly because of the long stay).<BR><BR>Thanks again for your help!

Mike: <BR>I am going to Thailand in November for 18 days. I am doing all the major sites, but am also going to trek in Mae Hon Song, Chang Mai and Chan Rai. I understand that these places have wonderful hill tribes and caves!!<BR>Are you going to explore any caves?<BR>Hua Hin is also on the list, because Pattaya seemed too done..<BR>What have you found out?

YOU posted a question, you then reply promoting A&A Holidays. <BR><BR>Are we supposed to be totally dumb?<BR><BR>What a totally unfair 'trick' to play on genuine people!

Thanks for all the help. I am still not too far along in planning my trip (I must admit to being rather busy at work and have not had too much time!) My girlfriend is getting scuba certified so she will be able to join me. Scuba diving will be high on my list.<BR><BR>I am very interested in caves and caving. (I've caved locally in upper New York State) I will keep in touch as I discover more during my planning process. I've several friends I need to contact who have recently completed trips.<BR><BR>Margo? I am absolutely baffled by your accusation. Can anyone point out to me what I might have done to deserve such a rude reply? (If you check my ISP based on my email, you'll find that my mail account is based on the northeast coast of the United States. I would very much doubt that I'm promoting trips to a location halfway around the world). My, last time I looked in the mirror I thought I saw a genuine person. I guess I must have been mistaken...

Just out of curiosity, Ingrid, what is your country of origin? As I mentioned previously, I'm travelling from the United States and am wondering what types of immunizations\precautions I should consider (like Hep A, Malaria, etc). When I checked the US Center for Disease control, I managed to identify a rather long list (but when I checked what diseases they considered to be present locally I don't think I'd ever walk out my door if I took them too seriously).

No offence Michael, the 'bogus' postings for A&A holidays have thankfully been removed, replies to messages showing OP emails were showing up followed by a promotion for the particular company in Chicago. Fodors have now removed all those postings. Basically it looks like they were using the OPs messages and copying the names and e-mails. e.g It showed a message with your name and e-mail promoting A&A Holidays.

Michael, I am responding to your comment about immunizations.<BR><BR>The cdc website is the best source for this info. I'm surprised you thought their list was overwhelming. To summarize their list, they recommend that you be up-to-date on routine immunizations such as tetanus-diptheria (every 10 years) and polio (varies, depending on what vaccine type you've had), measles (if you're young enough not to have had it as a child). They also recommend routine "traveler's immunizations" which includes Hep A and Typhoid. Hep B is advised if you have risk factors. That's it.<BR><BR>Other less common vaccines include Japanese Enchephalitis (only if you are planning a prolonged stay in rural areas) and rabies (again, only in very limited circumstances). Malaria prophalyxis is necessary only in the border areas with Burma and Cambodia.<BR><BR>Read the whole section on the areas where you are visiting, not just the list of diseases present in the country.

Ahhh.. OK, Sorry Margo. I thought that was directed at me!

Kathie, Thanks for your thoughtful response. I must admit that this is my first time travelling outside of North America and the Carribbean. It is also really the first time I've seriously considered health issues when travelling (apart from the potential for broken bones from skiing!!). In reviewing the CDC page, I think it was more than the immunizations, but is was the range of diseases discussed. There's discussion in the Southeast Asia traveller's health section about:<BR><BR>Salmonella, E coli. (standard stuff)<BR>Cholera<BR>Parasites<BR>Typhoid fever<BR>Malaria<BR>Dengue<BR>Filariasis<BR>Japane se Encephalitis<BR>Plague<BR>Schistosomiasis<BR><BR>S o, I guess this is what I was referring to.<BR><BR>My point was (and I don't consider myself a hypochondriac at all!!) that this seemd like a long list until I put things into more perspective and looked at the issues present at home (giardiasis, rocky mountain spotted fever, and the current west nile virus issue) and gauged the actual risk potential for these.<BR><BR>I'll probably do the Hep A, Typhoid, and boost my standards like you mention - tetanus, measles and polio.<BR><BR>Thanks again for replying.

Anyone have any opinions on the Royal Cliff Beach resort in Pattaya? Also looking for good places in Koh Samui and Bangkok.

while i am sure i am older than you guys i too am travelling for the 5th time to thailand in nov, 02...it will be our 4th november visit---absolutely the best time....consider the royal garden chain---mostly marriotts....in pattaya, bangkok and hua hin you cannot beat them...american standard between $65 and $115 per nite, sometimes including a great breakfast....the marriott resort and spa is the best all round hotel in bangkok...the pool area is fabulous---a 20 free boat ride from river city shopping center on the far side of the river...like being in the carribbean but in the middle of a hug city....this will be our 5th time there....this sounds like an ad but it is not so please no nasty replies...

Staying with Royal Garden/Marriott chain is a good idea. They are all quite good. The Dusit Resort Pattaya is at the north end of the beach and is very nice.

Thanks Bob, Margo. I'll look into the Mariott in Bangkok. Funny you mention the Dusit as that was second on my list (especially if I wanted to keep costs down a bit!)<BR><BR>Thanks for your time!

Hi!<BR><BR>We are not going to get any special shots or anything. I am going to see the doctor in September to have some of my booster shots updated.<BR>However, I am not planning on going to any out of the way areas to where I will contract anything serious.<BR><BR>I'm in the US.<BR><BR>Ingrid

http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=bangkok@21&cur_section=f ea&feature=30001<BR><BR>We're going the end of September. 2 Questions: What is the bad reputation of Pattaya all about and is late September decent beach weather in Thailand? Any and all comments welcome!

Steph, Pattaya has been slagged-off worldwide for so long, but still manages to attract 'more visitors' than any other beach in Thailand. Most of the visitors are Thais followed by Japanese, Koreans, and other visitors from Asia.<BR>It is a 'vibrant' beach city, with the largest cabaret shows probably in all Asia, masses of shops, markets, countless bars, restaurants, floating restaurants with shows, tourist attractions. In all a lively resort.<BR>It was only when the press across the world started to highlight the sleezier aspects of Pattaya did it actually loose some of its charm. Because there were so many bad reports it attracted more of the less than 'pleasant' type of person, who took advantage of it's laid back open lifestyle.<BR>Las Vegas has its fair share of problems but overall most people go there simply to have fun. Take the gambling casinos from Atlantic City and what do you have left?<BR>Of course Pattaya has its real bad side, so many places worldwide do too. But it seems to have been the target for so much bad press.<BR>If you enjoy load music, having some drinks, seeing some shows, and can laugh at things and not be judgemental, then it is one of the few places to have a really fabulous time.<BR>Imagine a beachside hotel designed the same as a Cruise Liner, with a huge neon sign 'Hard Rock Hotel', rows of bars with live rock bands, crowded streets with people from every corner of the planet, and you have Pattaya.<BR>Mix Berlin of the 1920's with Las Vegas and Acapulco, throw in some great cusisine, add a large dash of 60's and 70's lifestyle, and you have Pattaya.<BR>Love it or leave it.

Thanks Steph, Tanya.<BR><BR>This is helpful as I'm planning one leg of my trip in Pattaya. Looking for scuba diving / culture / and definately a bit of partying. I may be looking for the first two elsewhere, but from what I hear it's a very active town.<BR><BR>Where do you recommend staying? I was orginally thinking of springing the extra for the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, someone recommended the Dusit.. What do you think? I'm told that if I'm planning part of my trip in a higher end hotel, I might find a better deal on equivalent accomodations elsewhere in Thailand...

Why not try the 'Hard Rock Hotel', amazing! Good service but fun too. Scuba etc is not a Pattaya thing. Partying, dining, shopping are. Go to 'Ruen Thai' for dinner, excellent Thai dance and music in the open air under trees and wooden sala houses, seats hundreds and gets packed. Go up Pattaya Park Tower, you can 'para-slide' or whatever down. Do go to one of the big cabarets. Due to cleaning up the seafront hundreds of venues are about to be demolished including many bars from Vietnam days and Pattaya's orgiginal cabaret 'Simon' ( it the heydays of the laste 80's and early 90's this place was packed with around 400-500 people a night ), in the name of whatever it is about to be demolished, with it a part of history. Next to and Opposite is Nong Nual Seafood and Steaks Restaurant, the same 3-piece Filipino band has played there for I think 17 years, even the Hawaiian shirts are the same,the songs are the same, 'Sweet Caroline,Song Sung Blue, 24 hours from Tulsa, Hotel California'...yes, I think I'd better go back soon too.<BR>