Oct 17, 05
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I'll just copy and paste an e-mail I wrote to a friend of mine who asked me the same question a few months ago:
I can reccomend lots of places to go/stay while you're in Thailand, I'm just not sure which are still there and what the places are like now after the Tsunami. I'll add some pictures so you can get an idea of what the places are like. 1. Train tickets are super cheap but, make sure you get a sleeper or upgrade to the highest class possible if you can afford it because I went in a sleeper on the way there and was able to sleep through most of the 16 hour train ride from Kuala Lumpur to Hat Yai (1st major city in Thailand that the train stopped in). On the way back I didn't get one and it was horrible. 16 hours in a chair that didnt really lean back and I couldn't fall asleep. 2. In Hat Yai I stayed at the King's Hotel which was awesome. It was under $10 a night for an air conditioned hotel room with a TV. Such a welcome change from some of the shitty hostel's I stayed in. 3. In most area's of Thailand there was a travel agent/internet cafe/laundry service on every corner. It was so easy to get around I just told em where I wanted to go and they booked the bus/boat. 4. Busses are hit and miss. They could say "bus" and you could be in a small van which they cram 12 people into or you could be in a sweet luxury super bus. 5. Riley Beach was awesome. Amazing beach on one side, night clubs on the other. Monkey's on the paths. A wicked hike to a lagoon. No cars on the area of the mainland that you have to get to by boat. Definitely worth going to. Spend some money to get a nice bungalo, I split a room with some cheap ass Brazillian dude. Sure we were paying $3 each a night, but our room was next to a generator and sucked ass. You can basically walk to all the places round here to check them out. 6. Kho Phi Phi is two islands. The uninhabited one is where they filmed the beach and the other is where people stay. It's really touristy, but there were lots of fun bars and an ok beach. If you wanna party go here, there's also lots of places you can arrange scuba/snorkelling/cliff jumping etc. boat trips. Again, here I stayed in some shitty place cause it was cheap and I was tired from travelling and settled for the first place with a vacancy. It'll be easier for you to get a nice place cause you can split the cost since you're staying with someone. Beach bungalo's are always a good option. 7. Kho Pha Ngan is the Full Moon Party place. If you are there for a Full Moon all the prices on the Island double. I wasn't which was nice, but I also missed the full moon party. I did get to go to a Black Moon Party, which is basically the same thing but on a smaller scale. This is a fun island cause all the bars face the beach and you can just hang out there and drink. There's also nice beaches and lots of places to explore if you rent a scooter or cab. I stayed in a nice beach bungalo for pretty cheap cause there was no Full Moon Party on. ALSO! be very careful if you're planning to buy drugs. I didn't but heard so many horror stories about how the police try to set people up and just get money from them. They don't really care about arresting you, just geting your money. I was even approached, asked if I wanted ecstacy, when I said no, the dude walked away and talked to 2 guys in uniform. Scary stuff. I never went to Phuket. I heard it was really nice but a little on the expensive side cause that was where all the resorts were. Basically when looking for places to stay, if you have the money to spend, spend it. The difference will be worth it and the price difference will be like $5-$10 a night vs. $10-$15 a night per person. 
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Oct 17, 05
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I have been!
Check out travel conditions as each coast is affected differently by the weather depending on time of the year. Get yourself a Lonely Planet to get an idea of what the people are like etc. www.sawadee.com has all your answers. Check out neighboring countries. I hated Thailand the day I got there. Everyone said I would but I didn't listen and totally forgot what people had told me before I arrived. If you haven't travelled to a third world country before I suggest you ready yourself for what you will see, smell, hear etc. Thailand is full of stray dogs, prostitutes, speeding cars, creepy old men, creepy old women, creepy old women/men and a wack of other things that may freak you out. The thing you need to realize is that these people aren't there to rip you off. They want your business so you will come back. Thailands economy is totally dependent on you. Trust me I felt as if everyone wanted to rip me off or steal something of mine but in reality thats usually not the case. That being said lock up your bags and keep things close but dont worry for the most part it will fuck your trip up. II'm not sure what youre going for but do everything. Smoke Opium in Chang Mai, Get fucked in Pattani, Dive in Ko tal(sp), Visit the temples in Bangkok, Full moon Party in Ko Phag Nagn, Climbing in Railay, and don't forget the Tsunami Anniversary party on Ko Phi Phi (that is going to be a really great party) also talk to Mojo on FNk hes there right now and if you're hot im sure he would probably trade ravel advice for head.
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Oct 17, 05
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beware of the tummy earthquakes : 0 (
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Oct 17, 05
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Quote:
I did see a Michael Jackson Impersonator/magician at Railay though. It was seriously hilarious. He would dance to a Michael Jackson track in full costume while performing magic tricks. Supposedly I got to Railay a week after Norman Cook left. He was just vacationing there and decided to do a set at one of the bars with their CDs. Was pretty upset I missed that.
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