A lot of people speak fondly of Thailand, I’m one of them. It’s a great place to go, central in South East Asia and easy to get too. Living costs are as low as you can reasonably expect. Entertainment is readily available in all forms you care to imagine, and the the ones that you can’t. So why shouldn’t you go there?
Because it’s too damn good.
There is just something that pulls me back
Seriously, it’s a hard place to leave, and when you do manage this task (probably because your visa is running out rather than because you want too) you’ll just want to go back. I’ve left Thailand 4 times now; to Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and Australia (which also shows how good of a hub it is to get around). The first thought when I entered all of those countries is ‘I want to go back to Thailand’.
A lot of long term nomads base themselves here, and it’s easy to see why. It’s very easy to return too. If you are wondering where your travel mate you met in a SE Asian country is, just hang around Khao San Road, you’ll soon see them walk by. I once walked down KS Road (which is about 100 metres long) with 2 travel buddies, and by the time we got to the end, all 3 of us met someone we previously hung around with within the past month.
Thailand
Thailand has gorgeous beach islands in the south, the never sleeping capital Bangkok in the middle and lush jungles for your more adventurous tasks in the north. If you can’t find something you like here, then I’m sorry to break it to you, but you’re just not enjoying life and are quite possibly a corpse.
The culinary scene here offers a delightful spectrum, ranging from humble street food delights to upscale dining experiences. While exploring the array of options, you might stumble upon enticing opportunities, such as a street food franchise for sale, amidst the vibrant food landscape.
I actually have little content on this website about Thailand compared to other places I have visited. The reason being I was busy enjoying myself, relaxing and getting on with some work on this blog. The low cost of living and relaxed pace makes it a great place to run a business from if you’re working online. No money coming in? No problem, as hardly any is coming out. If you can bring in US$200 a month, then you can get by comfortably, any more then that and you can start to really enjoy yourself. Even the taxi’s are a cheap method of transport (just make sure they turn the meter on).
Weather is usually sunny, but if they have a storm, it’s not a girly one, and it’s done properly giving everyone a good soaking. If its the Thai new year, you’ll get a soaking from more directions than just above…
So there you have it… don’t go to Thailand.
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
ha ha ha ha!.
Come on Rob this article is not convincing ANYONE why they should not visit Thailand, it’s a great read though!!.
All the best.
Kevin
.-= Kevin Butters´s last blog – Dec 18, Almost Amok in Sagada, Philippines ! <BR> – (a backpacker’s encounter) =-.
I only visited Bangkok while in Thailand, but I’d love to go back and see the beaches!
Kevin – I tried but it’s hard to say a bad thing about the place.
Abbie – I didn’t spend long at the beaches there (not such a beach person myself) but I do know they have some of the best in the world.
Hey Rob – When do you think the best (or worst) time to visit Thailand is?
.-= Amiee´s last blog – Decorate Your Own Damn Cookie =-.
Hi Aimee
There is no such thing as a “bad time” to visit Thailand!. If you want the best weather but the highest prices visit between November & April inclusive, if you want the cheapest prices & will risk the rainy season then May to October inclusive is best for you.
Everyday is a great day here!.
Regards
Kevin
.-= Kevin Butters´s last blog – Dec 24, The Next Big Financial Revolution……….Mobile Banking!! =-.
A bit of a difficult question as I’ve only been there one time of year, which was May-June time. I believe that’s the end of the rainy season, but I quite like rain (it’s still very hot) so I’m not the best person to ask. Any time of year is a good time to be in Thailand!
200$US per month ? It is probably off season budget and if you stay only in Bangkok?
.-= Vi´s last blog – Where to see koala in the wild in Australia =-.
I’m forced to go on vacation for 4 weeks in Feb/March…and Thailand was a contender. This would be my 2nd trip back and I agree Thailand is a easy to get around, no guided tours needed, unless that’s your deal, mouth water (and often sweat producing) food. My favorite is being able to buy cold coconuts right off the street, the cut it open, stick in a straw…and you’re good to go. The worst thing…trying to get through customs on your way out. I hope they have improved on that with the new airport.
Customs leaving Thailand is a breeze – immigration when you arrive can be slow, particularly when you are knackered following a long flight.
There is never any urgency with them, and they never seem to have enough people on duty when the bulk of the flights arrive.
But thats a small price to pay when you live in PARADISE!!.
Enjoy your holiday
Kevin
.-= Kevin Butters´s last blog – Jan 3, Underwater World – Pattaya, Thailand =-.
Hey BCOT, thanks for commenting – what other contenders did you have? Thailand is never really a bad option!
I had no problems with customs there, although as Kevin points out, it’s a bit slow when they are understaffed (most airports are though if you arrive at a bad time – it took me an hour to get through Australian customs at 5am).
Left BKK yesterday and didn’t have any problems with customs in airport. In Sydney it took much longer to pass it.
.-= Vi´s last blog – Free wireless internet in Bangkok airport (BKK) =-.
I arrived in Perth (from Kuala Lumpur on a Air Asia flight), took a good 45mins to get through.
.-= AdventureRob´s last blog – Beach to Beach =-.
I too have been to Thailand and am a big fan. It’s a very nice winter vacation to go on, particularly for a honeymoon.
.-= Doug Cook´s last blog – Prego Spaghetti Sauce: How to Spice it Up for a Great Meal =-.
Thailand during high season is what it is, you have good weather, it doesn’t really rain and you can swim in the ocean without any worry. Low season, or as they have re-named it in Phuket – the Summer Season’, has a lot of rain, it can be very warm, but I think this season is very relaxing, it’s not to hectic, the downside is that it’s no good snorkeling.
Thanks, Rob! We’ll be leaving for Thailand in two months and I can’t wait to get there. It’s nice to know that I won’t be disappointed. Actually, I’m surprised at how cheap you say it is compared to what I thought I should expect. I was thinking it would run about $500/month, but $200/month is even better.
Eli´s latest blogpost – The Home Stretch- Eight Weeks And Counting…
Yep, $200 is a bare minimum, you can get your food and accomodation for that price, if you do budget $500 then you can have a bit more fun, which to be honest is the whole point of travelling.
AdventureRob´s latest blogpost – Best Adventure Destinations in the World
Surrender – retire in the Land of Smilies like I did.
Oh I must agree! I was fortunate to remain in the land of smiles for many years and to this day no matter where I travel I look forward to my return to our beloved Thailand.
Yeah, it’s hard to put the finger on it, but it really is the central area of travelling in a way, in spite of all their troubles too.
Thailand is a great place to visit and a better place to live
LOL! this website is a joke and so are the people who support and love thailand. Anyone who takes the time to read the news wouldnt take long to figure out that they place zero value on life and tourist are nothing more than prey for the locals.
Tourists are openly targetted, mugged, robbed, attacked, raped and murdered. prostitution is rampant and everywhere (internationally well known) boys, girls, men, women and oh ya…… ladyboys!!!! you want it, you can get it in thailand.
People (tourists) found dead in hotel rooms. Everything from drugs to pesticides to blowfish consumption being tagged as the causes of death. Mysterious deaths with even stranger and unjustified explanations. one article had an older couple found dead in a room. The thai authorities concluded that they both died of heart attacks minutes apart, natural causes. wow… really???
Corruption of thai authorities at every level is as common as the sun setting… wake up people……… Dont believe me… search the web…. read the news… figure it out for yourself!!!!!
Hi Anthony,
Thanks for your comment. Corruption is indeed rife in Thailand, but no country is perfect. People should certainly educate themselves about the common scams but I don’t think being killed in a hotel room is that common. You can find mugging, violence, rape, prostitutes and murder in every country if you go to the wrong area with the wrong intentions.
I would NEVER travel to Thailand. The murder rate is insane especially for foreigners. The police are so corrupt they always label murders as, “suicide” or “accidents” why would someone travel all the way from another country for a vacation and commit “suicide”? Brazil, Mexico and many other 3rd world spots are horrible.
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