Frank’s Travel Tips: Thailand

My tips are based on my personal preferences and these might not be aligned with interests of others – no hotel recommendations. I go diving, travel around and l like nice locations but can’t stay at one location too long … Anyhow, keep in mind that after a while all looks alike in Asia but there is a nice saying: “Same, same but different” 🙂

Apps/Useful links:

Travel call outs:

  • Thailand is safe (unless you do stupid things you even shouldn’t do at home)
  • Thailand has a very good health care system but the good ones are expensive. For your personal sake get an additional travel insurance for 20 Euro … even you check with your insurances company provides coverage
  • Respect their religion, their love and dedication to the family and King
  • Don’t argue with Thai (especially when they are drunk – see first point)
  • Accept that they are sometime not as responsive or problem solving as you think it should be but they try … Relax. That prolongs your live as you are less stressed
  • Tipping is an honor – your honor!
  • Accept that Farang (foreigner) prices are higher
  • Traveling is cheap and flexible so be flexible too – you missed a flight .. now worries there is another one  
  • When you rent a roller/car you need an International Driver’s License and for a roller actually the German one for a motorbike (1) –  You might get a roller w/o but in the case of an accident you have the problem

Summary –(Frank’s Special Tip – “FST”

  • Museum Siam BKK
  • Sundowner with view to Wat Arun
  • Tichuca Rooftop Bar
  • Diving Koh Similans
  • Stay/Diving at Koh Lipe 

Bangkok

(FST) Learn more about the Thai culture: Museum Siam https://www.museumsiam.org; https://maps.app.goo.gl/uYCithVTaspPkHADA

Outside BKK:

Good day trip and on the way back to Wat Arun

  • Ancient City: Good day trip for families. Take a Grab and there a Golfcart to get around

https://maps.app.goo.gl/yNuNEExhtdKgNwF47

http://www.muangboranmuseum.com

Good to combine with The Erawan Museum, which is on the way https://maps.app.goo.gl/aHAcSCBfm8m5VwBe7

Transportation:

  • TukTuks are only for tourists – do it once, but it is not perfect for getting from A to B. BTS: perfect bus a ticket for a day (there are not multi tickets)

  • If you have a stopover at the BKK airport you can get easily to One Central World for shopping  Tube: in most cases you can use Creditcard There is not one card for all public transportation (to my information)Tell the taxi driver before entering where you want go as sometimes they reject due to traffic – offer good tip 😉

  • Not always they use the meter … 

  • No worries to hire a taxi for one day and make excursions – they do now all spots (but no TukTuk …)

Bangkok – Angkor Wat:

  • Two/three day trip from BKK: Easy to go there and visit Angkor Wat
    • Take guides tours (getyourguide.com)
  • Check sundowner event on a temple

Bangkok – Chiang Mai/ Chiang Rai:

Yes, great locations. Start in Chiang Mai and you might do a day trip to Chiang Rai (or stay there)

Golf of Thailand – EAST

Pattaya: Easy to get there by taxi/car. Like Arenal Mallorca with many bars and party – loud and busy … beach OK and some nice locations in the south. I liked these restaurants:

Overall: no need to go there unless you are looking for this entertainment 

Koh Chang: Good to reach from airport too, need to take a ferry. Nice places – no special call out. Good reputation and weather is better in December/January compared to Koh Samui which can have heavy rain.

Koh Mak & Koh Kut: Haven’t been there but must be nice. Not so touristic and a bit more remote – close to Cambodia. 

Golf of Thailand – WEST / Surat Thani

Hua Hin: By driver or train good to reach from BKK but no call outs from my side … wasn’t so excited

National Park Khao Sok: Must be amazing – still on my list  https://maps.app.goo.gl/zdtnSTv7sECdZ2KH8

Koh Samui: Well-known so not many words needed: Easy to get there. Chaweng is most busy and touristic … actually all is touristic. Here some places but a driver knows these as well:

Koh Pha-ngan: I wasn’t there I only heart that the “featured” Full Moon Parties are overstated.

Koh Tao: I think the highest concentration of diving schools on an island I ever encountered … but the dives sides are not so exciting … 

  • Note: End December the weather can be still rainy with strong winds so pick your ferry wisely: there are speed boats in place (2h to Samui) or larger ferries (3:30H) … BTW: this is valid for all connections … 
  • I was there back in 2016 so before Corona and I don’t have any recommendation
  • Diving: There are a few very big ones … but I prefer smaller boutique ones 

Adaman Sea/Golf of Phuket 

Khao Lak:

  • Easy to get there and nice beaches (Robinson Club there … but why go there when you are in Thailand?)
  •  Diving: My recommendation make a Live Aboard Trip to Koh Similans (FST)

Phuket:

  • Check direct flight as this is an international airport. Depending on your plans no need to go to BKK 
  • Many locations and beaches there but no recommendation
  • Phuket old town … ok but not really worth unless you are close
  • Diving: In most cases they drive you down to south from where the boats are going – when you stay at Patong (Pattaya Light) it’s ok

Krabi (Airport)/Ao Nang:

Koh Phi Phi: Well, pretty full and not all beaches are nice …

  • No cars and not Tuk Tuks so be prepared to carry your luggage. Either walk or take a boat taxi
  • Much younger compared to other locations.
  • Diving: Actually not too bad. The boat can reach easily many locations
  • Overall, too touristic and not relaxing – there might be some nice resorts but not close to the main pier.

Koh Lanta: nice beaches

Koh Lipe (FST+)

  • My personal favorite – called the Maldives on Thailand and this is “true”
  • Not to small and not too big
  • Good diving and nice beaches
  • No party island but still good for some drinks
  • How to get there? I did all three ways:
    • Easiest: Fly to Hat Yai and take Bus & Ferry 
    • Tougher: Speedboat from Koh Phi Phi or Koh Lanta – takes some time on the boat but faster than driving plus boat
    • From Malaysia: when you enjoyed Malaysia before – with Speedboad from Langkawi – you can fly there from Kuala Lumpur or Penang
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