Hi all,

I will be travelling to Thailand for the first time on 10/09/10, I have been to bali and loved it, so keen to try somewhere else. We are staying at Bangkok for two nights at the siam@siam, I intend to shop til I drop in Bangkok and would like to know where the best places for shopping are? Also where to get nice food, I will be travelling with my mum and she is not too keen on spicy food.

After Bangkok we are off to phuket staying at gracelands resort, we are hoping to do some day trips to other islands we definately want to go canoeing and I would love to go white water rafting. Any tips on what tours are good and what companies etc, ive heard a lot of horror stories of badly organised tours and want to avoid this.

I know I must sound like a forum virgin and coming up with all the usual first time questions, but i would appreciate any advise, tips ad help you can give me. It's only two and a half weeks to go I am very excited

Thanks everyone.

Since you will be in Bangkok over the weekend I would strongly advice you to pay a visit at the Chatuchak Weekend Market... a great place for shopping and watching people. Take the Skytrain to the end station at Mo Chit... and you'll be there.

For Bangkok:

Chatuchak is a good place to visit, do it in the morning when it is cooler.
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Lots of shopping on Phetchaburi Road, Pratunam area.
Pratunam Information Guide

Visit MBK if you want an indoor mall type setting.
MBK Shopping Center - Bangkok Shopping Malls

MBK, Chatuchak, Patpong Market can be reached via Skytrain. If you use a meter taxi in Bangkok (they are cheaper than tuk-tuks and safer) my advice is to ignore parked taxis and wave a moving taxi over and tell the driver to use the meter (starts at 35 baht) and the fare is cheaper than bargaining! The price you pay covers everyone you can fit in the taxi - not per person!

If one driver doesn't want to use a meter get another one of the many passing by. When you get a taxi in front of an expensive hotel the taxis drivers expect you to pay more for your ride since you are rich. For Bangkok anything over 2000 baht is sort of expensive since you can get a room with air, private toilet/shower, TV starting around 600 baht. Have small bills and change for paying the taxi drivers and no need to over tip - just round off the fare and that is it.

As far as food goes your mother can ask that her food be less spicy. I use words that sound a little like "mai pet" and it works. You can survive on fried rice in any Asian country, that dish is usually not too spicy. There are lots of restaurants serving Western foods too, also McDonalds and KFC's too.

Your hotel desk clerk can write in Thai script "NOT SPICY" or words like that. Also, your desk clerk can also write directions for taxi drivers in Thai for drivers to read. Check the meter for 35 baht.

I have purchased a lot of cheap tours for myself and friends that visit through local travel agencies in Thailand and have never been screwed - ever in over a dozen years! Your hotel may have a tour desk too, see them first for information, etc. They use the same tour companies that you can get from a private travel agency only they add a surcharge.

Good luck.

hi this is my first time to thailand as well iam traveling with my family mum brother n 2 young kids and was wondering where would be the best place to stay Silom or Chitlom

also iam confused between Hilton Phuket or Holiday inn resort in phuket which is better for shopping etc i dont wana pay too much on taxi fare or be isolated

Hi, i noticed by your date u have already been to Thailand, well it will be our first also and was wondering if you could give us any great advice, do you wish you stayed in bangkok longer or is it too much?