My first trip to Thailand, a question(s).

[Jay Trance]

Greetings All, as said, I'm planning my first trip to Thailand and I'd like to get some feedback on my plan. What I want to do; flying from US, arrive Bangkok and spend 2 or 3 nights, then take a flight to Phuket for 7 or 8 nights, then back to Bangkok and depart for Manila, Philippines. 

Could I get some advice on where to stay in BK? I'd like to be close to the adult nightlife areas, wanting a safe mid-tier hotel with "as easy as possible" transportation to and from the nightlife.

Could I also ask for recommendations for a hotel in Phuket? I will setup arrangements with a local dive shop for the scuba.

These are my general plans. Nothing has been reserved or written down yet, completely flexible. My further travels to the Philippines is covered as I have visited several times and already have a plan for the PI.

Thanks to all for their time and replies.

J.Trance, US

[Stillearly]

Bangkok look around Sukhumvit Sois 4-16 area  .. Citadines , Night Hotel are good mid tier options

Its been a while since my last trip to Phuket ... Patong is the big nightlife area and best to stay within walking distance to avoid the tuk tuk costs ... you need to email any hotel you like the look of to check it is "guest friendly" not all are .. some charge an extra joiner fee .. always book for double occupancy.. 

https://www.rmarresortandspa.com  Was guest friendly and is in a great location imo 

[Jay Trance]

Thank you Stillearly. I will look at these. Dbl Occ all the way!

JTrance

[Lemondropkid]

1 hour ago, Jay Trance said:

Greetings All, as said, I'm planning my first trip to Thailand and I'd like to get some feedback on my plan. What I want to do; flying from US, arrive Bangkok and spend 2 or 3 nights, then take a flight to Phuket for 7 or 8 nights, then back to Bangkok and depart for Manila, Philippines. 

Could I get some advice on where to stay in BK? I'd like to be close to the adult nightlife areas, wanting a safe mid-tier hotel with "as easy as possible" transportation to and from the nightlife.

Could I also ask for recommendations for a hotel in Phuket? I will setup arrangements with a local dive shop for the scuba.

These are my general plans. Nothing has been reserved or written down yet, completely flexible. My further travels to the Philippines is covered as I have visited several times and already have a plan for the PI.

Thanks to all for their time and replies.

J.Trance, US

Thailand is very safe relative to the Philippines, and the range of hotels is Bangkok is superb. Don't think you'll have any worries over security.

If you want GoGos think about the Dynasty Grande Sukhumvit Soi 6. If you want a mix of clubs, more of a party vibe then somwhere closer to Soi 11 of Sukhumvit like the Night Hotel recommened above might be better. However you can walk from the Night to Nana Plaza in around 15 minutes.

[ChiFlyer]

3 hours ago, Lemondropkid said:

Thailand is very safe relative to the Philippines, and the range of hotels is Bangkok is superb. Don't think you'll have any worries over security.

If you want GoGos think about the Dynasty Grande Sukhumvit Soi 6. If you want a mix of clubs, more of a party vibe then somwhere closer to Soi 11 of Sukhumvit like the Night Hotel recommened above might be better. However you can walk from the Night to Nana Plaza in around 15 minutes.

Back in my Bangkok days I was a fan of the soi 11 hotels. I stayed frequently at the "President Solitaire". I stayed there for the last time about 5 years ago and management was running it into the ground IMO. Still soi 11 choices are walking distance to both Nana Plaza and soi Cowboy.

The BTS is right there for longer trips to Patpong. If you elect to try Patpong be aware that there are many pretty women who were not born female. Still I met some of my favorite ladies in that area. All of them were born female. Same warning applies to some Nana bars. Yet, I met most of my favorite ladies at Nana. I hear that soi Cowboy is the number 1 place to cruise these days.

I am married to a Thai lady now and have not done any exploring, such as you have asked about in 8 years or so. Still, I did enjoy those days.

Have a good trip.

[Jay Trance]

Thank you LemonDropKid and ChiFlyer, I will make notes. Thanks for your time.

JTrance

[Lirchenfeld]

99 out of 100 hotels in the lower Sukhumvit are safe. 98 out of 100 hotels are girl friendly. It is just a matter of finding one within your price range. 

If you stay between Soi 4 and 16 (even side) and Soi 3 and Soi 19 (odd side) Then both Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy are within walking distance.

My biggest concern of safety is forgetting to use footbridges when drunk and crossing the road. You might see a few homeless thais, but they are totally harmless (this isn't Philippines).

[Lemondropkid]

5 hours ago, ChiFlyer said:

I hear that soi Cowboy is the number 1 place to cruise these days.

I hold a different view. Cowboy is good for watching a bit of live music in either Country Road or what is now called Penny Black (previously the Corner) but aside from Bacarra and Crazy House, I find the rest of the bars very poor. 

I was always a fan of Cowboy for year, but now I wouldn't bother it with it (apart fromt the exceptions above). Too many Hangover/Weed tourists, people filming the street Nana is far better for me now

[Lemondropkid]

6 hours ago, Jay Trance said:

Thank you LemonDropKid and ChiFlyer, I will make notes. Thanks for your time.

JTrance

I'd suggest don't over plan or believe anything recommended by vloggers etc 

Get a decent hotel for 3 nights and you'll be able to explore safely on foot.

Try as many places as you can yourself, what you see, feel and experience will easily be the best guide.

Its a wonderful city, I'm envious of you experiencing it the first time😁

 

[Yessongs]

Alright let me weigh in here a bit......the suggestions for a stay in Bangkok that others have suggested are certainly good....Dynasty Grande Hotel as LD Kid has suggested is a good spot for sure.

Phuket, for many here on this forum takes a beating....I have always liked the place...yes it is a bit more expensive then Pattaya...who cares, it's peanuts the way I saw it.  

So...my last trip there as a single guy was Jan 2016...9 years is a long time ago. One of 2 places I stayed at over many years was this place.....it is now called the C&N Hotel....5 minute  walk and you are on Bangla Rd....many restaurants in the area....you will nver be hungry. 

Looks now to be 1,200-1,700 baht per night and still looks great from my perspective.....and all the girls like this place cause it is very close from the bar to the hotel...have fun and you will never forget your first time to Thailand....let alone Phuket. 

 

 

[Glasseye]

2 hours ago, Yessongs said:

Alright let me weigh in here a bit......the suggestions for a stay in Bangkok that others have suggested are certainly good....Dynasty Grande Hotel as LD Kid has suggested is a good spot for sure.

Phuket, for many here on this forum takes a beating....I have always liked the place...yes it is a bit more expensive then Pattaya...who cares, it's peanuts the way I saw it.  

So...my last trip there as a single guy was Jan 2016...9 years is a long time ago. One of 2 places I stayed at over many years was this place.....it is now called the C&N Hotel....5 minute  walk and you are on Bangla Rd....many restaurants in the area....you will nver be hungry. 

Looks now to be 1,200-1,700 baht per night and still looks great from my perspective.....and all the girls like this place cause it is very close from the bar to the hotel...have fun and you will never forget your first time to Thailand....let alone Phuket. 

 

 

 

 

You are such a fcuking tease Mike 😍

I remember that place although I never stayed there. I stayed a place up the road a bit (can't remember the name), good place though. Decent rooms, nice restaraunt looking out onto the Soi.

One night (over 20 years ago now). Took the hottest little spinner I have ever seen back to the room. I got so ffucked up I knocked the sink off the stand at about 4am when I got up for a piss.

Maids were so sweet the next morning.... giggling like they do when they put the sink back together. Believe it or not that was the most fond memory I had of the whole trip.

[Horizondave]

Haven't stayed for a while but I can recommend the C & N hotel, as per others above. Good hotel, good location, good price.

[redwood13]

Recall the original early 80's version of the C&N was a small cluster of bungalows set back from the road. Just an on the cheap, spartan look to the whole thing, except, it was one of few budget priced hotels that a had a swimming pool!  Lads' shaggers central:) There's also a C&N Resort and Spa.  Wonder if it's the original family.

[Jay Trance]

A big thank you Yessongs! Thank you for your post! Looks like it was a lot of fun!

Thx Glasseye, HorizonDave and Redwood for your replies.

This gives me a really good place to start.

JTrance

[SteveBC]

My only advice to you Jay would be to not do any many seem to be guilty of.

Use your Common sense  !!!!

From many stories i've heard, been told and read about, many chaps seem to leave it all at home when they visit here. And to be honest i've made some stupid mistakes myself over the years, but thankfully just minor ones.

Keep your wits about you and all should be just fine mate.

Enjoy ( as you surely will ) and let us know later what you got up to.....

[Khun Ling]

What is your main reason for travelling to Thailand?

If you’re mostly interested in the nightlife then I have only three words for you; Pattaya Pattaya Pattaya. It is cheaper and more westerner friendly. Not as boring and filthy as Angeles City but if it’s filth you want then Patts has that to. 
If Patts interests you just reach out and the advice will come flooding in. 
 

Enjoy and be safe

[Jay Trance]

Thank you SteveBC, Over the years I've grown much more cautious, I agree totally. Thank you for your reminder!!

Khun Ling, yes mostly interested in nightlife. From what I can see on Youtube Pattaya seems to get the lions share of attention. As I look further into Phuket, the more I'm changing my mind about visiting. It appears to be over-run and over-priced during High Season. I think I will step back and re-think my travels in Thailand. Thanks for the advice!!

JTrance

[Stillearly]

4 minutes ago, Jay Trance said:

Thank you SteveBC, Over the years I've grown much more cautious, I agree totally. Thank you for your reminder!!

Khun Ling, yes mostly interested in nightlife. From what I can see on Youtube Pattaya seems to get the lions share of attention. As I look further into Phuket, the more I'm changing my mind about visiting. It appears to be over-run and over-priced during High Season. I think I will step back and re-think my travels in Thailand. Thanks for the advice!!

JTrance

If diving is on your list of things to do , then Phuket or Krabi are probably the best areas to go 

But if it's "nightlife" then Pattaya and Bangkok are the places to visit , plus with Bangkok you can do some tourist things to have pictures to show the family ... 😜

[SteveBC]

7 minutes ago, Jay Trance said:

Thank you SteveBC, Over the years I've grown much more cautious, I agree totally. Thank you for your reminder!!

Khun Ling, yes mostly interested in nightlife. From what I can see on Youtube Pattaya seems to get the lions share of attention. As I look further into Phuket, the more I'm changing my mind about visiting. It appears to be over-run and over-priced during High Season. I think I will step back and re-think my travels in Thailand. Thanks for the advice!!

JTrance

Your learning mate.

As for Phuket, I stopped going there a few years ago when on my motorbike travels, most people can barely afford to get pissed there. For fun of all sorts, Pattaya is the way to go pal.....