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Thailand
Recommendations North Thailand Cheng Mai and Cheng Rai, For those that like the quieter life. Mountainous regions, known for taking trips up into the mountains, looking at scenery, mountain villages and tribes people and also Poppy fields. Not much shopping or nightlife. More for checking out Northern culture and scenery. Northern cuisine is also different, recommended is the northern curry noodles. "Kao Soi" Southern Thailand Famous for its beaches. Movie "The Beach" was filmed here, as was "Survivor Series Thailand" Plenty of nightlife, and outdoor activities. Phuket is more developed and has become somewhat of a tourist trap. For bargain hunters I recommend sticking with the Islands. Koh Samui is for the younger party crowds, known for its "Full-Moon" Parties.
Bangkok, Thailand A difficult one. Do you want the Rated R version or PG? hehehe Bangkok has it all, from the dirtiest places to some of the most cultured places. Families, or singles, males or females. Famous for its "Massage Parlors" and night life. (*Note Thai Massages have two types, DO NOT confuse them) there is the traditional massage and the Bath Massage (Male only) Highly recommended tourist attractions are: 1) Floating market - Most go early 5am - 6am Also, make sure you see the snake farm! A Must see, some of the most dangerous snakes in Thailand, handled and petted right before your eyes, no cages, no screens, within a few feet of where you are sitting. 2) Emerald Buddha and Grand Palace - I recommend taking the river cruises, you don't fight the notorious Bangkok traffic and you can see other Thai temples along the river! 3) Night dinner cruises. (Food aint so good, but the cruise is well worth it.) Most of the major Hotels have dinner cruises available. Recommend sticking with the better well known hotels along the river such as Oriental Hotel, Peninsular and Shangri-La hotels. Call them for reservations. Shopping 1) Pat Pong is highly recommended,
but you will need to bargain! Sometimes up to 50%. Note that Pat Pong is
also the notorius "Red Light" district so do not bring your kids. 3)For computer software and
counterfeit DVD's and CDs Pantip Plaza Pattaya Great for a short getaway. Beaches arent all that great, and nightlife has deteriorated tremendously. Pattaya is more a Bangkok weekend trip nowadays. 1/2 hour past Pattaya is Koh Samet, a peaceful, Island setting of Rayong, 2 hours outta Bangkok. White sand beaches and clear water. Resorts there have everything, from low end $10 a night bungalows to $100 a night rooms with swimming pool on the beach. look up Koh Samed on the Net. The Islands near Bangkok! I recommend these if you 1) are on a budget 2) Don't want the mass of people 3) Don't care for commercialized resorts 4) Enjoy pristine white sand beaches, clear waters, nature lover Koh Samed has everything from 5 star accommodation to $12 a night bungalows. Food is great and very inexpensive! 20 minutes past Pattaya. Koh Chang - Koh Tao Further, 3 1/2 - 4 hours from Bangkok. Borders Cambodia, It is still very very under developed, the surrounding islands of Koh Chang still have some of the last "untouched" beaches in Thailand. While Koh Chang has everything from the backpackers to 5 star resorts, the surrounding islands are very under developed, do not look for TV or a Starbucks..... But snorkeling, diving, fishing or just reading a book on the beach, you can't beat it!
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