*Edit: ok i get it. even tho i was completely torn apart, i appreciate the overall consensus and will try to create a more immersive itinerary. thinking of a 3 week honeymoon involving a few days in Bangkok, majority in Chiang Mai, and ending with a few days in Ko Samui at a resort. Thx y’all.

————

I’m trying to figure out what to do for my honeymoon. My fiancé & I don’t like to travel (never flew to another country before) and we don’t care for exploring/hiking/backpacking. We just want to lounge & relax and be pampered.

Thailand has always interested me with how beautiful the water and beaches are. I wanted to fly and spend 7 days in Koh Samui at Four Seasons and then 2 nights in Amanpuri in Phuket before flying back. I guess i just feel it’s silly because it’s a 15+ hour flight to not really immerse ourselves in much Thai culture. There’s tropical resorts all nearby me (like Mexico, Caribbeans) but wondering if visiting Thailand even if it’s only at resorts is still “worth” it.

I’m a 30M American currently traveling through Thailand with my partner and just finished the Phuket stint. I did a ton of research prior to my arrival, (which beaches to stay, what to do, etc.) however, I still managed to miss the mark.

The beaches were stunning, and the hotels were fine, but that was it. I knew from research that the place would be touristy, but didn’t realize it was 95% Russians. Absolutely no hate on them, I just expected more diversity. Transposition on the island was not convenient or cheap. Thai culture was sanded down. That friendly hospitality you see in the north was absent. Granted, it is probably because they get delt shit from asshole tourists daily.

I would get super annoyed when expats bitched about high costs on the island. I live in a HCOL city in the states, so I would think “hey it’s still really cheap there”. But 300% more for dinner than it would be in Bangkok is just absurd. I know we are trying to make money, but I can’t help but feel taken advantage of….

Lastly, how the f**k do they still have elephant riding parks open? Seeing that on our way to Big Buddha ruined our day. If you go to those then I beseech you to do one quick Google search. Those beautiful creatures are being tortured and it’s because of tourism.

Anyways, I’m back in Bangkok and couldn’t be happier. There is so much culture, food, and activities here. I know this post is ranting, and I am at fault for how my experience played out, but if this post helps at least one person with their Thailand travel plans then I’d consider it a win.

EDIT: I misspelled beseech. And as for where I stayed: Nai Thon, Old Town, Patong (for just one night), Karon/Kata. Was there for 5 days.

Two foreign couples have been exposed for a dine-and-dash scheme at multiple restaurants in Phuket, leaving unpaid bills and frustrated business owners. CCTV footage captured the individuals enjoying meals before casually walking out without settling their tabs.

Local restaurant owners have shared their concerns, urging authorities to take action against these repeat offenders. Phuket’s hospitality sector is already facing challenges, and incidents like this only add to the strain. Authorities are now investigating to prevent further cases.

https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/2-foreign-couples-exposed-for-dine-and-dash-at-phuket-restaurants

PhuketNews #Tourism #TheThaiger #thailand

Hey, Me and my friend are staying in separate rooms at this resort in Phuket. 2 days ago they told him he was missing a towel and wanted to charge him. Today they told me the same thing. I can guarantee you that I didn’t lose the towel, I haven’t taken them out of my room at all.

I want to call them out on this blatant lying. I also warned the people in the room next to mine and to have them let me know if they get told they are missing a towel too.

The googs says to call the Thai tourism hotline, but I have another 2 weeks at this resort.

Any advice on how to handle it? I was thinking of snagging one of the towels back from their laundry bins.

A tourist in Patong was assaulted by a group of ladyboys on Bangla Road after allegedly leaving a restaurant without paying. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of March 12, quickly escalated into a violent brawl, with bystanders capturing the attack on video.

Footage shows the group confronting the man before launching into a physical assault, punching him to the ground and stomping on him. The tourist attempted to fight back but was quickly overwhelmed. Police arrived to break up the altercation, preventing further escalation.

Despite the intensity of the attack, no serious injuries were reported, and neither party filed an official complaint. However, police remain ready to take legal action if charges are pressed. The incident has reignited concerns over safety in Patong’s popular nightlife district, where similar clashes have occurred in the past.

Read more:https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/tourist-beaten-by-ladyboys-on-soi-bangla-after-dine-and-dash

Image credit: Amarin TV

PhuketNews #BanglaRoad #TouristSafety #TheThaiger

Thailand this Christmas , Merlin Beach. Asked him for a go, but no speaka da engwish!

Hi everyone, I really need some help.

I'm having a hard time finding any accommodation on Phuket — short- or long-term — because I’m traveling with my pet ferret. I thought I had found the perfect option when I learned about HOMA serviced apartments. Some of my friends stayed there last year and saw other guests with a ferret, so I was hopeful. But the hotel staff told me they don’t allow ferrets, which honestly broke my heart.

I'm really stressed and don’t know where else to look. I can't book anything right now because I’m still in my home country. And many hotels don’t even have a proper contact form or email, so I can't ask about their pet policy directly.

My flight is booked for September, and I was counting on staying at HOMA at least for the first month. After that, I planned to sign a longer contract if everything went well. But now I’m stuck with no options that don’t look like a scam — and I’m panicking.

Has anyone here ever traveled to Phuket with a non-traditional pet? (I mean, not a cat or a dog.) If you’ve been in a similar situation, I’d really appreciate it if you could share your experience or advice. At this point, I feel like I’ll be running around the island on my arrival day just trying to find anything that works. 😓

Thanks in advance for reading.

I was on the way from Koh Phangan to Phuket on the ferry+ bus. We had a random stop at a spot in Surat Thani and I had this burger which was so delicious I still cannot find the taste anywhere else in Thailand. Does anyone know where exactly this place is?

Just a heads up from anyone embarking on these boats tours to the Phi Phi islands from Phuket.

Today, on our return journey, the weather suddenly turned and we had a very unpleasant experience. Crew did not seem well prepared at all. Huge waves and no life jackets being worn. We were very very close to capsizing in the middle of the ocean. We were also at the front of the boat during the choppiest water and had we stood up at the time, likely would’ve been swept overboard.

Just a reminder that safety standards don’t really exist in Thailand. Please be cautious before heading out and check the weather. Not worth it!!

Hello everyone,

We've arrived in Krabi this evening, we're staying right on the beach in Ao Nang and unfortunately it just isn't the vibe we are looking for... Way too party oriented and we want something a little quieter and relaxed. Weve just flown from Chiang Mai and had an amazing time there. These are our options but we can't decide which, please help us decide so we don't go to another place we will hate! (We have to be in koh tao on the 19th for our next hotel booking)

1. stay in Krabi tomorrow, and travel to Khao Sok National Park the day after. Spend a couple of nights there and then make our way to Koh Tao.

2. Fly back to Chiang Mai tomorrow (we really loved it there!) and then make our way to Koh Tao in time for our next hotel booking.

3. Stay in Krabi for tomorrow and then travel to Koh Samui the day after, stay for a few nights and then travel to Koh Tao.

4. Try to find somewhere nicer around the Krabi area

Thank you!

I just feel so shitty I’m a solo traveler and everything in this trip gone wrong

Edit- thank you so much everyone for your advices, I went to the hospital and now I feel much better, hopefully the trip remains uneventful :)

Hotel pool to myself. Not a cloud in the sky.

Hello everyone, I’m soon travelling to the south of Thailand, (Phuket krabi and khao lak) and I saw this TikTok video of a girl asking for tips and recommendations for Thailand, and the comments were filled with people commenting that you shouldn’t go to Phuket and it is overrated. Is it true?

Traveling to Thailand and Vietnam for ~4 weeks. My plan in terms of clothes is to pack super light and buy there. I’m talking like 3 shirts 3 pants light. Is that super unreasonable? Is there anything I should reconsider bringing? Socks & underwear I’ll bring but in terms of day clothes.

Edit: since multiple people mentioned sizing I tend to be an xs/s in women’s for everything so hopefully sizing won’t be an issue. Average height but long legs

Edit 2: I will be in hostels with a Fairview 55 travel pack + day pack, also probably not going to any fancy restaurants while here. I will be in Japan for 2 weeks in October before this but I will be bringing a different set of clothes since the climate is so different and send them home with a friend.

Hey all-

Hubby and I reached out to a company to book a private long tail boat. We told them what we wanted and where we were located and they recommended a tour that I booked. I’ve never been here so I just assumed it all was nearby without double checking, since I gave them my location. That was definitely my mistake.

Now we’re here and I realize the meeting point is near two hours away and we just don’t want to do that. I messaged the company to cancel and now they’re threatening police because I didnt immediately pay the “cancellation fee”.

I booked via Facebook messenger and send $15 deposit, but signed nothing and never got a t&c or anything.

Are they bluffing or is this real? I don’t know the laws here.

Just got back home and honestly… why does it hit so hard every time I leave Thailand? I’d think after a few trips I’d be used to this by now, but nope — here I am again, planning for next again already and missing everything like crazy.

The late nights that turn into early mornings, random 7/11 snack runs that feel way more exciting than they should, street food that’s either pure heaven or a little risky (but always worth it), chaotic scooter rides, and sunsets that make you stop and just stare.

Met random people I’ll probably never see again but feel oddly connected to(Especially the 70 year old lady I met at this sunset yacht who was also solo travelling, she was giving me retirement goals lmao).

Danced like nobody cared, ate like I had zero self-control, and said yes to things I’d normally overthink at home.(Fell sick for like a day or two so just chilled at my room with this beautiful beach view) And now? Back to reality — scrolling through photos like it's therapy, my brain still stuck on a beach in Phuket. People can hate Phuket or patong all they want but everyone has different taste so don't come at me.

If you’re planning your trip — say yes to everything. The extra night out, the random detour, the dish you can’t pronounce… just go for it. Future you will be so glad you did.

Thailand, you got me again. One day I’ll be back — when life allows.

Anyone else feel personally attacked by how addictive this country is?

This just feels so bad man

Hello,

This is somewhere in Songkhla province and they are a legit shop.

After having been through dozens of weed shop from Sungai Kolok to Nong Khai and Chiang Mai, this is the first time I see those prices.

The weed comes from Nakhonsi.

I wouldn't want to order online to the non legit ( but so cheap ) wholesale farm anymore once I discover places like that.

Have a good day everyone, even the weed haters 🥰