RustyPrincess
Expert Member
Sukhumvit in Bangkok
Patong and Phuket town in Phuket
Phi Phi Island
Little India in Singapore.
They pretty touristy areas, but I am one for the modern convenience of electricity and flushing toilets
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Thailand in December
- Thread starter Bjorn
- Start date
Sukhumvit in Bangkok
Patong and Phuket town in Phuket
Phi Phi Island
Little India in Singapore.
They pretty touristy areas, but I am one for the modern convenience of electricity and flushing toilets
Am definitely going to do a lot of research this week, this thread has given me great info.
Does anyone know what the weather in Koh Samui is like in December? was told it can be very rainy
thanks to everyone for the help so far
Does anyone know what the weather in Koh Samui is like in December? was told it can be very rainy
thanks to everyone for the help so far
December in Thailand like the rest of the northern Hemisphere is winter. So it's a good time to go because temperatures only reach 30 odd instead of 40. I'm trying to remember but as far as I can recall it didn't rain that much, but as my host mother was fond of saying Thailand has 3 types of weather: hot, raining, and hot and raining.
RustyPrincess
Expert Member
If you going to do it yourself have a look at sites like asiarooms.com and agoda.com for hotel bookings. Agoda has reviews attached to each hotel which helps with deciding.
sdd
Expert Member
That is the diffference between being a tourist versus being a traveller.
Tourists go to far-flung places .... and come lunchtime, they run to the first McDonalds they see, or they never venture far from the hotel buffet
very well said ....!!!
sdd
Expert Member
I just finished booking my trip to Thailand and Singapore in December.
As per the advice I received on this forum, I did it myself and didn't use a travel agent.
For a 3 week trip, travel agents were quoting me between R44,000 and R54,000 for 2 people.
In total my costs have come to R28,000 excluding airport transfers.
Look at reviews on sites like trip advisor, they have reviews on everything from hotels to tourist attractions to the best places to stay.
that is a huge saving ... well done.... I wish I could do this.
unfortunately for us, we are always limited in time so we try to make the most over a 10-12 day period, twice a year. We make us of our local travel agent and she always manages to get good deals for us.
We prefer booking and paying for day tours before we go. That way teh budget is much more defined in terms of what we can spend.
one word of advice ... check out the handbags in bangkok ... last time my wife freaked out when she saw that same handbag that she paid thousands for going for less that R500... genuine leather and the works. Yes it was fake but it was awesome ... she brought home a couple of those....
blunomore
Honorary Master
sdd
Expert Member
I know ... my wife is one of those people ... spots a fake a mile away ... handbags are not my thing. I was just surprised when she was blown away by the burberry (sp?) bag ....
When we got home - she challenged me to spot the difference - I could not ... we joked that next time she wanted a bag - we could buy two tickets to Thailand and get the bags there ....
blunomore
Honorary Master
I have been to Thailand 8 times since 2000 and are planning my next trip for September.
Here are some tips and advice I have, just excuse the randomness:
Costs: (4.5 Bht = R1.00)
Beer in pub 60 -70 Bht for small Singha and 100 - 120 Bht for a large one. A can of beer in 7-11 is 30 to 35 Bht depending where you are.
Food in Thai restaurant if you eat Thai food 60 to 100 Bht. Seafood is more expensive.
Red Bull- 12 Bht.
Can of Coke or other cold drinks is 15 Bht. 1.25 L Bottle is about 30Bht.
A day trip costs about 1000 to 1200 Bht per person but that includes transfers and meals. You can bargain about the price.
Don't pay more than 180 Bht for a T-shirt.
The big thing is that you must bargain for everything.
2500 Bht a day will be more than enough if you are not going to eat crayfish or order imported steak from Australia.
I usually rent a Jeep for a day. Get yourself ready to be overcharged by the Phuket Tuk-Tuk mafia. From your hotel to Bangla road which is not far but to far to walk in that heat is going to be 180 to 200 Bht. If you do rent a bike or car you won't need an international license.
You will never wear long pants. You can go to the poshest place in shorts. Make sure that you are in shorts when you fly out of SA.
You are going in the cool season but it is still hot and humid. Luckily there is air-con everywhere. If you go to a restaurant get a chair underneath a roof fan. If it is off ask them to switch it on.
There are scuba places all over, I have no idea what the prices are but the golden rule is to bargain.
In Phuket you should take a one day trip to James Bond Island. Take one that is combined with sea kayaking. It is a bit more expensive at about 1300 - 1500 Bht but it is a lot of fun.
An hour massage is about 200 to 300 Bht. I usually get a foot massage as they still massage your feet, legs, hands, shoulders and head. I go for a massage daily. Manicure and pedicure is very lekker and I always get it done.
The Red Bull can also be bought in little bottles. It is not fizzy and the extract only. If you have the chance order yourself a SangSom set with Coke and Red Bull. They call it whisky but it is actually a rum. If you can order it in a bucket it is even better.
Also try out a fruit shake if you can. In Phi Phi you can still get it made fresh at the beach.
Don't let weather put you off Thailand. I have been in December twice and once stayed in Koh Samui for about three weeks because of the tsunami. The only thing is that it gets a bit pricy and there are a lot of people.
Koh Samui has a few nice beaches with Chaweng being the most popular. Lamai next door is also lekker and is very quiet even in high season. I stayed at Lamai Inn 99 on the beach. The seaview villa is very nice. Lamai inn Koh Samui, Lamai Beach Thailand | Samui Hotel | Samui Accommodation | Samui resort | Thailand Hotel
Phuket has more resort style hotels on the quieter beaches and it can become very expensive travelling to Patong where all the nightlife is. Nai Yang beach near the airport is nice but very far from the rest of the beaches.
Koh Chang is on the east coast and is very non-touristy still. It is the last island before you head into Cambodia. The flight from Bangkok is about 1 hour and if you take a minibus from Bangkok Airport it is about 5 to 6 hours.
We stayed at White sand Beach at Cookies Hotel. Nice and clean with the best stretch of beach.Cookies Hotel & Restaurant, White Sand Beach, Koh Chang (Ko Chang), Trat (Trad), Thailand : Koh Chang Hotels, Koh Chang Resorts, Online Koh Chang Hotels & Resorts by Koh-Chang.com
Here are some websites that can help:
Cheapest flights to Thailand: Malaysia Airlines all-inclusive low fares and flights from South Africa
You can look at Singapore Air who is a bit more expensive but you can use them to fly into Phuket and fly out of Bangkok.
For all domestic flights except Samui flights use: Welcome to AirAsia.com...now everyone can fly... If you book in advance a flight between Bangkok and Phuket is from about 1190 Bht. (R265.00)
Samui Airport is owned by Bangkok Air so you have to use them. Bangkok Airways - Fly different, to feel extraordinary
Phuket to Samui one way is 2275 Bht. (R500.00)
For general information and travellers reviews use: Sawadee.com - Thailands leading tourism portal, Hotel reservation & travel guide.
Use the interactive maps to check out the accommodation.
Koh Samui Map - Koh Samui Interactive Map of Ko Samui Thailand This place looked nice while I was in Lamai. Lamai Wanta Resort, Koh Samui hotels | Sawadee.com, Thailand
Phuket Island Map, Phuket hotels and island guide to Phuket, Thailand
The DIY way is very easy and Thailand is an extremely easy country to travel in.
Feel free to ask any questions. PM me for a link to another forum where I have posted pics and more detailed advice.
Here are some tips and advice I have, just excuse the randomness:
Costs: (4.5 Bht = R1.00)
Beer in pub 60 -70 Bht for small Singha and 100 - 120 Bht for a large one. A can of beer in 7-11 is 30 to 35 Bht depending where you are.
Food in Thai restaurant if you eat Thai food 60 to 100 Bht. Seafood is more expensive.
Red Bull- 12 Bht.
Can of Coke or other cold drinks is 15 Bht. 1.25 L Bottle is about 30Bht.
A day trip costs about 1000 to 1200 Bht per person but that includes transfers and meals. You can bargain about the price.
Don't pay more than 180 Bht for a T-shirt.
The big thing is that you must bargain for everything.
2500 Bht a day will be more than enough if you are not going to eat crayfish or order imported steak from Australia.
I usually rent a Jeep for a day. Get yourself ready to be overcharged by the Phuket Tuk-Tuk mafia. From your hotel to Bangla road which is not far but to far to walk in that heat is going to be 180 to 200 Bht. If you do rent a bike or car you won't need an international license.
You will never wear long pants. You can go to the poshest place in shorts. Make sure that you are in shorts when you fly out of SA.
You are going in the cool season but it is still hot and humid. Luckily there is air-con everywhere. If you go to a restaurant get a chair underneath a roof fan. If it is off ask them to switch it on.
There are scuba places all over, I have no idea what the prices are but the golden rule is to bargain.
In Phuket you should take a one day trip to James Bond Island. Take one that is combined with sea kayaking. It is a bit more expensive at about 1300 - 1500 Bht but it is a lot of fun.
An hour massage is about 200 to 300 Bht. I usually get a foot massage as they still massage your feet, legs, hands, shoulders and head. I go for a massage daily. Manicure and pedicure is very lekker and I always get it done.
The Red Bull can also be bought in little bottles. It is not fizzy and the extract only. If you have the chance order yourself a SangSom set with Coke and Red Bull. They call it whisky but it is actually a rum. If you can order it in a bucket it is even better.
Also try out a fruit shake if you can. In Phi Phi you can still get it made fresh at the beach.
Don't let weather put you off Thailand. I have been in December twice and once stayed in Koh Samui for about three weeks because of the tsunami. The only thing is that it gets a bit pricy and there are a lot of people.
Koh Samui has a few nice beaches with Chaweng being the most popular. Lamai next door is also lekker and is very quiet even in high season. I stayed at Lamai Inn 99 on the beach. The seaview villa is very nice. Lamai inn Koh Samui, Lamai Beach Thailand | Samui Hotel | Samui Accommodation | Samui resort | Thailand Hotel
Phuket has more resort style hotels on the quieter beaches and it can become very expensive travelling to Patong where all the nightlife is. Nai Yang beach near the airport is nice but very far from the rest of the beaches.
Koh Chang is on the east coast and is very non-touristy still. It is the last island before you head into Cambodia. The flight from Bangkok is about 1 hour and if you take a minibus from Bangkok Airport it is about 5 to 6 hours.
We stayed at White sand Beach at Cookies Hotel. Nice and clean with the best stretch of beach.Cookies Hotel & Restaurant, White Sand Beach, Koh Chang (Ko Chang), Trat (Trad), Thailand : Koh Chang Hotels, Koh Chang Resorts, Online Koh Chang Hotels & Resorts by Koh-Chang.com
Here are some websites that can help:
Cheapest flights to Thailand: Malaysia Airlines all-inclusive low fares and flights from South Africa
You can look at Singapore Air who is a bit more expensive but you can use them to fly into Phuket and fly out of Bangkok.
For all domestic flights except Samui flights use: Welcome to AirAsia.com...now everyone can fly... If you book in advance a flight between Bangkok and Phuket is from about 1190 Bht. (R265.00)
Samui Airport is owned by Bangkok Air so you have to use them. Bangkok Airways - Fly different, to feel extraordinary
Phuket to Samui one way is 2275 Bht. (R500.00)
For general information and travellers reviews use: Sawadee.com - Thailands leading tourism portal, Hotel reservation & travel guide.
Use the interactive maps to check out the accommodation.
Koh Samui Map - Koh Samui Interactive Map of Ko Samui Thailand This place looked nice while I was in Lamai. Lamai Wanta Resort, Koh Samui hotels | Sawadee.com, Thailand
Phuket Island Map, Phuket hotels and island guide to Phuket, Thailand
The DIY way is very easy and Thailand is an extremely easy country to travel in.
Feel free to ask any questions. PM me for a link to another forum where I have posted pics and more detailed advice.
RustyPrincess
Expert Member
Thanks, that helps me to.
I booked with Malaysian airlines, and if you show the price on the website to flight centre, you get another R50 off the price, plus the conveinience of them booking for you.
Also booked internal flights with AirAsia, just a slight warning before anyone books in the future, the intial price does not take into account taxes, baggage and a fee for booking on the internet. You also have to pay extra if you wish to choose seats, and you can opt for an in flight meal to at a cost. But even with all that its still dirt cheap.
Thanks, that helps me to.
I booked with Malaysian airlines, and if you show the price on the website to flight centre, you get another R50 off the price, plus the conveinience of them booking for you.
Also booked internal flights with AirAsia, just a slight warning before anyone books in the future, the intial price does not take into account taxes, baggage and a fee for booking on the internet. You also have to pay extra if you wish to choose seats, and you can opt for an in flight meal to at a cost. But even with all that its still dirt cheap.
Meals with Air Asia is not necessary as all the flights are less than an hour. I don't book seats and usually choose one luggage at the lighter rate and one at the heavier rate. They weigh both pieces of luggage simultaneously.
Nok Air is another cheap option.http://www.nokair.com/NokConnext/aspx/Welcome.aspx
I have been getting a few PM's and here are some more info I gave. (I know it overlaps a bit with the above)
There are a lot of stuff to do in Phuket and there are a lot of day trips that are sold by various Tour vendors at kiosks that are everywhere.
They all basically sell trips that are the same although some are on fast boats and some are on slow boats. You can bargain about the price with them.
The trips are cheap for what you get as they all include a big lunch.
My recommendations are:
1. James Bond Island trip combined with sea kayaking.
2. Phi Phi Island on the slow boat with snorkelling. The islands are a bit far from Phuket and if the winds pick up in the afternoon the sea can be very choppy on the speed boats.
3. A Jungle trek on Phuket which includes an elephant ride. There are various options for this that include an elephant show, monkey and crocodile show, river rafting etc.
4. A 3 island snorkelling trip to islands around Phuket although this can be a bit boring as they drop you off on islands for long stretches at a time.
If you do the first three you will have your bases covered and they are usually in the 1300 to 1500 Baht range.
Phuket has great night life with Bangla Road in Patong being the main party strip. Here you will find all sorts of bars and about 150 to 200 meters up you will find the lady-boys and a bit further on the ping pong shows.
Phuket is a crazy place and you either love it or hate it.
There are a lot of stuff to do in Phuket and there are a lot of day trips that are sold by various Tour vendors at kiosks that are everywhere.
They all basically sell trips that are the same although some are on fast boats and some are on slow boats. You can bargain about the price with them.
The trips are cheap for what you get as they all include a big lunch.
My recommendations are:
1. James Bond Island trip combined with sea kayaking.
2. Phi Phi Island on the slow boat with snorkelling. The islands are a bit far from Phuket and if the winds pick up in the afternoon the sea can be very choppy on the speed boats.
3. A Jungle trek on Phuket which includes an elephant ride. There are various options for this that include an elephant show, monkey and crocodile show, river rafting etc.
4. A 3 island snorkelling trip to islands around Phuket although this can be a bit boring as they drop you off on islands for long stretches at a time.
If you do the first three you will have your bases covered and they are usually in the 1300 to 1500 Baht range.
Phuket has great night life with Bangla Road in Patong being the main party strip. Here you will find all sorts of bars and about 150 to 200 meters up you will find the lady-boys and a bit further on the ping pong shows.
Phuket is a crazy place and you either love it or hate it.
I have been on the Phuket and Samui sides in December and have never had problems with the weather. November can be very rainy on the Samui side although it is only bad every three to four years when flash flooding occurs.
I have learnt that the weather is the least of your concerns in Thailand. It does not matter when you go but it will at least rain for an hour on one of your days there. It is actually quite welcoming in the hot season.
My favourite time to visit is April when it is the hot season.
Hi, ive been to Thailand 4 times, last in 2009, beautiful place, if youre on your honeymoon, id stay away from places like Patong/phuket etc, its packed with tourists(50+ men looking for long time) and boozed up drunksters, not really a nice representation of Thailand, If youre up for a bit of a party but want to keep away from the mega crowds - Railey beach is nice, Ko lipe Island is a must - 1 hour boat ride from Pak Barah, we found an area just like in 'The Beach' - unbelievable!
blunomore
Honorary Master
A little bit off topic:
I booked our plane tickets for our December holiday this week and was surprised to find it was less expensive than what we paid last year - a saving of about R 500 per person.
I expected an increase so this came as a pleasant shock. Also, of all the airlines, SAA turned out to be the cheapest.
I booked our plane tickets for our December holiday this week and was surprised to find it was less expensive than what we paid last year - a saving of about R 500 per person.
I expected an increase so this came as a pleasant shock. Also, of all the airlines, SAA turned out to be the cheapest.