Flying Solo in Thailand
 

Hi All,

I'm working on a trip to Thailand in December. My uncle lives in Chaing-Mail so I would stay with him for about one week and then be on my own for a week to see Bangkok and possibly the beach.

If anyone has related experiences navigating Thailand solo, please relay them. I'm in my early 30's, travel frequently domestically for business and have traveled internationally only about 5 times.

Thanks!

Thailand is really easy! I've traveled solo through Bangkok several times, as well as by bus and train from the Cambodian and Lao borders. Having a relative to stay with for the first week is great, but you'll do fine - friendly people, beautiful temples and great, great food...

Any specific questions? Oh, and if you head over to the Asia board you'll find a group of people who just love Bangkok - lots of trip reports.

Hi Thursdays,

Thanks for the response.. as I've not booked the trip or formulated a real itinerary yet, I'm trying to keep my questions to a minimum. However, it would be great if you could tell me a bit about how to spend my evenings. While I think nothing of eating at a bar alone in most cities, I have no idea how that would go over in Bangkok. Just don't want to be relegated to eating in my hotel room for a week :)

No, no! Don't plan to eat in your hotel room! Bangkok is chock-full of great places to eat - everything from posh foreign restaurants to yummy street food - and of "farangs" (foreigners) eating it. I never felt bad eating alone. Even if you skip street food, there are lots of places for wonderful Thai food. Though if you don't like spicy, you may need to have someone write down the Thai for "tone it down, please".

I'm a bit old for the bar scene - not that I was ever very in to it - and Bangkok's not my favorite place, but again, on the Asia board you'll find lots of fodorites who ask nothing better than to spend time there. And Bangkok is notorious for its nightlife.... Are you male or female?

Hi, I'm female, which is probably why I'm a little wary of showing up at a restaurant to eat by myself. I don't mind bringing a book or watching TV, like I said, I do it all the time here. Just don't want to attract any undue attention in a strange city that I'm only now beginning to learn about.

Thanks for your reponses though, I'm feeling much better about the subject :)

Well, a lot of places in Asia you attract some attention just because you look different from everyone else, but not in Bangkok. Since you're female you might want to avoid the red light districts, although I (female) have eaten in Patpong on my own and not felt out of place - early in the evening though.

Get yourself a good guidebook (I use Lonely Planet, haven't looked at Fodors for Thailand, or try Footprint) and a copy of the Nancy Chandler map - may be cheaper to get that when you arrive.

Discovered she has a website - nancychandler.net

Wonderful, thank you. The map looks fabulous.

Do you live in the USA? I'm trying to book thru AMEX so I can use whatever points I have toward the flight but from what I understand they can book me only NYC-BKK and then I'd be on my own to book a connecting flight to Chaing-Mai. Does that sound like a big pain, or is that normal?

Yes, I live in the US, but it's been quite a while since I used a travel agent. And I don't think much of AMEX if they're saying they can't book you through to Chiang Mai. Thai Airlines will fly you JFK to BKK and then BKK to Chiang Mai, and you won't even have to change airports in BKK. Or does using points mean you can't fly Thai?

Couple of things. It's a very long flight to BKK. I'd be inclined to spend at least one night there before flying on to CM. (Actually, I'd probably take the night train instead of flying, but that's me.) The other, head over to the Asia board and ask there about the best flight options. I usually wind up in BKK on my way between other places in Asia, but there are people who post there who fly direct quite often.

Good advice. Solo traveler branch is great for questions like about eating out alone (anywhere in the world). For Thailand specifics you need the experts and enthusiasts over on the Asia forum.

OK thanks..much appreciated!

Please DO visit the Asia board. I spend a lot of time over there, as do a lot of fantastic people. I just made my 11th trip to Bangkok last month. It was my 2nd solo trip there. Bangkok is such an exciting and exotic city. By the way, I took an early morning flight for a day trip to Chiang Mai while there! It was a long day, but well worth it.

Hope to see you on the Asia board! I'm not the only other solo female traveler over there...

Carol

One more point... December is really high season in Thailand. Prices will be higher and many places are going to be already heavily booked. Be sure to try to get your reservations planned and booked ASAP. There are tons and tons of recommendations on the Asia board.

Thanks Carol...I know, I need to get my rear-end in gear and book this flight already! I'll touch base when I have more... :)

I will just chip in here with another green light. I have traveled alone in many areas of SE Asia and Thailand, Bangkok in particular, is very good for single travelers. (I am female). In fact I will be returning next winter, solo, after not having been to Thailand in many years... I got lots and lots of help in preparing my (solo) trip to China a few months ago, so make sure to visit the Asia board...

I also found it easy to travel and shop in Thailand. There are many people who will take you on tours with a group or privately. Many Americans and other English speaking tourists, single women, will go to dinner with you. If, for some reason, you do not make a connection for a meal, eating by yourself is not difficult. People in Bangkok are used to single women traveling by themselves and think nothing of it. I did not make it to chaing-Mai or the beach-but I can't imagine the Thai being anything but gracious.

I've been traveling in Thailand alone since the late 90s and am leaving for Bangkok tonight. I vacation there twice a year and haven't had any problems. I'm a regular on the Asia board and answer Thailand questions daily. You should statr this thread over there. Happy Travels!