I am going to Thailand for the first time. I am a 35 year old woman traveling solo. Although i've traveled many times on my own, I would like to know if anyone has gone to Thailand alone in December/January and are there many other solo travelers? I'm more into the culture and off the beaten path kind of things....a quiet beach for swimming would also be nice...does anyone have any suggestion? I'll be there for five weeks.<BR><BR>Also, does anyone know where I can see orangutans in malaysia?

Thailand is a pretty big place. If you stay near the main tourist areas, there will be many other travellers, many of them solo. As a man, I have travelled Thailand many times solo, with no problems at all. I have flown, I have taken local transports, and any encounters with the locals were always respectful and friendly. The most dangerous part was trying to cross the street, I have seen Thais accelerate for pedestrians.<BR><BR>Koh Samet, is a nice island near Rayong, which is not nearly as commercialized as Phuket or Samui. The sand is beautiful, and the water is clean and calm. It can be reached by bus from BKK or Pattaya in a few hours.<BR><BR>For the culture, I would definetly recommend a day trip to Ayuthaya. <BR> <BR>I hear that up north near Chiang Mai, it gets cooler in Dec/Jan, but Bangkok and south it does not get cold. The coolest day that I experienced in December in Pattaya was when it only got up to 83F (28C) The other days were warmer. It was funny to see the Thais all wearing sweatshirts.

Lisa, try Borneo for orangutans. Apaarently its very beautiful, off the beaten track, but a little too primitive for us, but you might like it for a short stay. We prefer Thailand over Malaysia &amp; stay in Phuket, but there are so many lovely places to go, Chang Mai sounds really good too.Try this website www.phuket.com

Koh Samui, Phuket and Chiang Mai are well worn tourist havens, if you actually want to enjoy the real Thailand then try islands like Koh Chang, Koh Samet, Koh Tau, beaches at Bang Saphan, Koh Lanta, Koh Lak, Ayuthaya and Sukothai are marvelous. The Buri Ram area and Issan province have great scenary, cheap, and really friendly people. Depends whether you want out and out tourist places or not.

Hi lisa: I am also trying to put together a solo trip to Thailand in Jan Feb. Perhaps we can share notes. I have heard from many people that it is safe for women traveling alone. My concern is the intra-country traveling by air. Have u found out rates and can the flights be arranged last minute if one would like to stay in a place longer? Is air the only way to travel between Bankkok and other areas in Thailand? Good Luck!

The main way to travel in Thailand is by bus or train. Flights are not that cheap, e.g Bangkok to Koh Samui return about $150, Phuket is about $120, there's nothing cheaper like standy or advance purchase or the likes. Trains are very good, 2nd class air conditioned sleepers are clean and a nice way to travel. Another option if you are in a small group if to get a car and driver. Try and get away from the tourist haunts, they are not that great. Try and get to enjoy some of the other great places.