New to forum and questions about Thailand!

mconstant · #1 (**permalink**) 25th February 2010, 10:23 PM

Hello!

I am new to the forum :D

I will be going to Thailand this fall but have a few questions.

-How is the weather in Thailand? I have lived in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Florida so I can take a variety of weather.

-Are the locals friendly to foreigners?

-What type of animals are there? (MONKEYS!?)

-Is it dangerous at all? (Wildlife, I have heard crime is almost non-existent)

Gratzi!!

jaxw17 · #2 (**permalink**) 26th February 2010, 01:04 PM

There is crime do what you would do anywhere else keep your wits about you.
On the whole Thais are very friendly to farang (foreigners).
The weather varies it is tropical and it is warm either with rain or without it depending on where in Thailand you are.
There are monkeys and be careful they can bite or steal off you. Some places they are easily seem and other not.
There are snakes and other things but if you are not going into the jungle or really off the beaten track you should be fine.
Use insect repellent not just for malaria but also against dengue fever.
Other wise enjoy

Curt · #3 (**permalink**) 26th February 2010, 11:11 PM

Think a very hot, muggy Florida day.

Although Thailand has more than its share of crime, most tourists avoid most of it. Typically pick pockets and purse snatchers will be one's worst threat. There are also tons of scams developed for tourists.

Flag passing taxis. Most drivers that sit and wait are lazy and prone to devious tactics.

Don't bargain with taxi drivers. Flag a passing taxi, open the door and state your destination. If the driver quotes a price, say meter. If he still wants to negotiate, say thanks and flag another.

Although most Thai people are quite friendly, and willing to help when asked, they are also quite modest and shy. Be very suspicious of anyone who approaches and starts chatting it up. Don't let anyone tell you someplace is closed or that they know a "better" place.

Feral street (soi) dogs are everywhere. Most will pay no attention to you. Just ignore and avoid eye contact.

Mosquitos are probably you biggest animal threat. Malaria is all but non-existent, but Dengue is endemic. There is no vaccine, so cover up and / or use a 15~30% DEET based repellent. "OFF! Family" is an effective, 15% concentration, that is available locally.

Tiny lizards / geckos are everywhere at night, even in hotel rooms. They will avoid you at all cost and aid in mosquito control.

One of the spookiest things you might encounter is a HUNTSMAN SPIDER. These little guys feed on cockroaches and are actually quite common. As you can see, they don't mean humans any harm!

lilly66 · #4 (**permalink**) 27th February 2010, 12:57 PM

don't woory,tahiland is the most friendly country of asia,nice people,smiling all the time,and yes,lizards(geckos)are everywhere but they don't bite,they don't even care you are there

MrNaz · #5 (**permalink**) 1st March 2010, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mconstant

-How is the weather in Thailand? I have lived in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Florida so I can take a variety of weather.

In a word: Hot. Don't bother taking warm clothing, you will not need it. Even when it's the rainy season, the weather is quite warm.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mconstant

-Are the locals friendly to foreigners?

Extremely. They don't call it the Land Of Smiles for nothing. However, be respectful, the friendliness disappears if they think you are patronizing them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mconstant

-What type of animals are there? (MONKEYS!?)

Lots of wildlife. My favorite way of seeing nature, though, is scuba diving. There's lots of scuba diving all over the country. I'm hoping to have my instructor's licence by the end of the year. There are heaps of tours to go and see monkeys, they are extremely common throughout the kingdom. You can also do elephant riding in many places, there are tiger zoos near most cities as the Thai government is running a number of tiger programs. Finally, crocodile farms are popular, so if you want to feed a crocodile with a chicken carcase on a string (it's HEAPS of fun!), you're in luck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mconstant

-Is it dangerous at all? (Wildlife, I have heard crime is almost non-existent)

Nothing dangerous at all. Monkeys will take anything small enough to pick up, so keep your wallets, cell phones and other items safe. They'll carry your cell phone to the top of the nearest tree, discover that it's not edible, and then throw it at you.

Crime is present, however you're unlikely to have any problem with anything other than minor crime such as pickpockets or taxi drivers that drop you off at commission bearing suit shops. Just keep an eye on your wallet, don't flash too much cash about, and don't carry anything you can't afford to lose.

phil mcfc · #6 (**permalink**) 1st March 2010, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curt

Think a very hot, muggy Florida day.

Although Thailand has more than its share of crime, most tourists avoid most of it. Typically pick pockets and purse snatchers will be one's worst threat. There are also tons of scams developed for tourists.

Flag passing taxis. Most drivers that sit and wait are lazy and prone to devious tactics.

Don't bargain with taxi drivers. Flag a passing taxi, open the door and state your destination. If the driver quotes a price, say meter. If he still wants to negotiate, say thanks and flag another.

Although most Thai people are quite friendly, and willing to help when asked, they are also quite modest and shy. Be very suspicious of anyone who approaches and starts chatting it up. Don't let anyone tell you someplace is closed or that they know a "better" place.

Feral street (soi) dogs are everywhere. Most will pay no attention to you. Just ignore and avoid eye contact.

Mosquitos are probably you biggest animal threat. Malaria is all but non-existent, but Dengue is endemic. There is no vaccine, so cover up and / or use a 15~30% DEET based repellent. "OFF! Family" is an effective, 15% concentration, that is available locally.

Tiny lizards / geckos are everywhere at night, even in hotel rooms. They will avoid you at all cost and aid in mosquito control.

One of the spookiest things you might encounter is a HUNTSMAN SPIDER. These little guys feed on cockroaches and are actually quite common. As you can see, they don't mean humans any harm!

you look very young in that photo - so I must congratulate you on your elequant writing and inciteful info at such a tender age

Curt · #7 (**permalink**) 1st March 2010, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phil mcfc

you look very young in that photo - so I must congratulate you on your elequant writing and inciteful info at such a tender age

Just a web photo I found which illustrates the spider's size. If you do a search, you can also find videos that illustrate the little bugger's speed.

Myself, after thoroughly experiencing the 60's, I'm surprised I can write at all!

phil mcfc · #8 (**permalink**) 2nd March 2010, 08:17 AM

I guessed that but could not resist a little levity LOL

steveadmin · #9 (**permalink**) 2nd March 2010, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curt

One of the spookiest things you might encounter is a HUNTSMAN SPIDER. These little guys feed on cockroaches and are actually quite common. As you can see, they don't mean humans any harm!

Holy ****... well that's it, then. I ain't never going to Thailand again now I know those buggers are skittering about!

Curt · #10 (**permalink**) 2nd March 2010, 12:08 PM

I know the little buggers are quite benign, yet they still send me high-tailin' it in the opposite direction!

If you ever watch "BIte Me, with Dr. Mike", he had a piece on them. They actually cause a few fatalities every year. Drivers will be motoring along, then drop down the sun visor, only to have one of these drop into their lap!

Yes, the visual is obvious.....