Hello all, I’ve been looking into a 12 day holiday in Thailand this coming February, I’ve settled on 2/3 nights in Bangkok so far, probably the same in Pattaya, now I’m looking into it more, I’m reading Pattaya isn’t recommended at all for solo travellers due to the crime, I’m really in two minds what to do , anyone have any feedback on Thailand solo travel ?
Not solo but stayed in Krabi, on southern Thailand’s west coast, it’s a province characterized by craggy, sheer limestone cliffs, dense mangrove forests, and more than a hundred offshore islands. Some of its most popular beach destinations include the Phi Phi Islands, which jut from the sea like giant rainforested boulders, and Railay Beach, accessible only by boat and a prominent rock-climbing spot. The ping pong in Bangkok is pretty cool too!
Just spoke to my mate about it, he said he didn’t see or have any problems there other than being arrested for smoking on the wrong side of the road near a religious shrine.
I`ve not been Pattaya but I have been to a few destinations in Thailand and always felt very safe there. Certainly safer than pretty much any place in the UK. Apart from the time when a phuquing huge monkey came in to my villa , opened the mini bar and then displayed huge fangs when I attempted to persuade him to leave without the contents. That has never happened to me in the UK, not yet anyway.
Not always a safe bet that mate. They practically invented the ladyboy. I know a bloke who was getting noshed and at the point of doing his bolt, realised she, actually was a he. He followed through with it regardless which you’ve got to respect. But still. it’s an adventure full of surprise
From your description it sounds like he didnt actually make contact with a surprise sausage , still that reminded me of a scene from one of the Hangover films. On my last trip I was in Chiang Mai and visited the night market which is one of the tourist attractions in town. There were 3 stunning trannys there . I was going to add , I didnt know which way to turn , but then some might think I shop at the fancy butcher.
spent three months travelling solo round thailand though bloody years back. the only time ever felt slightly uneasy was in some of the more dodgy establishments in bangkok - though they certainly have enough of them in pattaya too. same rules as everywhere else, avoid the obvious sleeze (or fine if you stay sober) and take usual precautions in every sense of the word. but you'll have a ball and defo also go north rather than stay in south. when i went you could get deal on a bunch of internal flight tickets cheap as chips.
In Thailand you will only get into trouble if you start it. Great people, wonderful food and great deal to see and do, With two days travelling there & back and three nights in Bangkok, choose an island to relax on with good shuttle links. Pattaya wouldn't be my first choice but its OK.
You'll have a blast, I used to work at a diver centre out there on Koa Toa, lovely people. They are an easy going crowd, but don't raise your voice, loose your temper and mind your manners, and NEVER criticise the monarchy. Remember to "way" folks, they love that. Learn the basic lingo, they love that to. Learn to haggle. I never had any probs as a solo traveller. Avoid a drink called "sangtip" local jungle juice laced with amphetamine, you will wake up 48 hours later with little memory apart from a vague feeling you might have had a rollicking good time! Try and time your visits to the South coast with the Whale shark migration, awesome. Pattaya - think Benidorm with lots of rowdy backpackers, pissed up aussies and a rather seedy feel. Get out to the smaller Islands for a relaxing break, cheaper and less hassle and try some diving.
Chiang Mai is lovely we were taken around by my ex sister in law saw some lovely places and she took us to a village in the mountains where a lady of 95 was still peddling away on her sewing machine There are some Caves you can visit I forget where
Watch the Serpent tv series , I think its on Netflix at the mo .and learn from the mistakes made by others
Going to Thailand and visiting Pattaya, would be like vising the UK and choosing Southwark over the Cotswolds as a place to see.
Avoid Pattaya it’s a shit hole, the only place in Thailand I got involved in a fight. It’s a magnet for lowlifes and perverts, there are a lot better places, Krabi ao nang, koh lanta, koh Samui. Koh phi phi. Get a copy of lonely planet and read up before you go
