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Q: Ever been to Thailand?
I've never been to Thailand. I know nothing about it except stories I've heard mostly about the seedy side of "BangCock" and some overdeveloped beach resorts. (I've also heard the ladies are very friendly...) But I'm wondering: are there areas in Thailand where you can just get away and enjoy the natural, unspoiled beauty of the place? (And still enjoy the favors of the local female fauna and flora?) Is it beautiful? I'm thinking clean rivers, streams and waterfalls, desolate beaches and quaint towns, mountain and hillside retreats without the abject poverty that you see in some relatively poor countries around the world (not excluding the rich industrialized nations).
Guess I'm wondering if it's paradise or not... Any ideas?
I've only been to Bangkok for a week. Would like to go to the tropical paradises on some of the islands, but so far only the big city. I can certainly recommend it for getting away from China. Bangkok is very different from Chinese cities. It is a very easy place to be as a tourist, prices are fair, food is great and lots of things to experience. And, it is easy to get to even if just for an extended weekend.
Red_Fox:
Thanks for commenting. One thing, though... I have heard that Bangkok is really polluted. Is that true in your experience?
Another thing. Is it a safe place to visit? Any problems?
Thanks, again.
Scandinavian:
Coming from China it will not seem polluted, the city feels safe, maybe there are areas you shouldn't go to at night.
I didn't have any problems, I did read in a guide book prior to going there that the taxis from the airport will offer to run on a fixed price rather than on the meter, and unless you know the price and know how to haggle about it, running on the meter will always be cheaper.
Oh, I was there shortly after the "spat" they had in the aftermath of some election. Upon reserving the hotel room, the hotel sent an email saying that guests wearing orange will be asked to to not be on the hotel property as they did not want any part of the political situation This was a 5 star hotel with impeccable service.
How is this CHina related? I will answer your question, but this really isn't connected to Thailand. The only thing that you can connect Thailand to China is that Thailand gets the most tourists from China. I've been to Thailand and around everywhere pretty much in that country. I've been to many islands and Phuket!! It's nice the weather stays the same year round so just bring shorts and a t shirt. 
He he, I said: "shorts"!
philbravery:
Sparky went to Thailand as a Chinese Tourist !!!!!
he he Sparky has finally admitted to being Chinese 
Now only the mental disability and being a woman to go 
TedDBayer:
Sparkey just imagined it, like every thing else. She only visited for the 20 seconds she could dream of it.
This about travel from China, Sparkey.
Bangkok nowadays is also heavy pollution. For the rest yes, much cheaper than China, I visit Bangkok regular for business conferences and clients.
Yes entertainment is much more fun for 'men'. Haha. Enjoy.
Bangkok is divided in "SOI' and Soi 11 is more sophisticated. Soi Cowboy is on of the major 'sex' area.
Someone I know has stayed at a Thai monastery for a month, I'm not sure if this is what you're looking for.
I've never been to Thailand myself.
Red_Fox:
I think I'm looking for a place where I can get away from it all, yet still be pampered. Maybe an affordable health spa or something along those lines. Thanks for your suggestion.
Well I have been there a few times and had a little business there as well. Red....fly into BKK, then take the next plane to ChiangMai. Clean air for a start and some amazing markets. The night bazaar is THE place to go shopping and there are some outrageous bars in that area. Also near the bazaar there is a huge eating area and when I was there last they had two young Thai guys playing New Orleans Blues. These guys are sooooooooo good that Blues players from USA lob there to jam with them. To hear blues songs coming from the mouth of a Thai guy is strange at first but they are really, really cool.
Not far from there, maybe 100 metres, there is the Lemon Grass restaurant. Best Thai food you will probably eat. You can spend the evening reading the signatures left by people on the walls - from all over the world.
In ChiangMai there is the Night Zoo and the Royal Botanic gardens. Must see and then hire a scooter (which you should do on the first day) and ride up the mountain to see the monastery up there. Damn commercial at the entry - like the Great Wall - but the air, the view, the tranquility inside is nice.
I rode my scooter from ChiangMai to Lampoon and Lampang and you get to see the elephant training school along the way. On the way back detour into the Temple at KohKar. Amazing and the wooden section has been preserved from 1400's.
Just outside ChiangMai there is a small place called HangDong and there you will find a national park. Rivers, waterfalls, dense vegetation, bloody beautiful and under developed.
A trip to ChiangRai is suggested to see a temple there on which the carvings are just mind boggling.
The ladies are friendly and so are the ladyboys. There is a ladyboy bar in amongst a laneway of foreigner bars and I had a riotous couple of hours playing pool there with the "ladies" and the little pats on the bum for good shots was all in good fun. No danger there.
I also went to the island of KohSamui a few times. That's paradise but the contrast of poor citizens to rich tourists might surprise.
While shopping in the Night Bazaar is an adventure in itself don't be shy about heading into the back blocks where most communities have a weekly walking street affair and most of the stuff that you can find in BKK and the bigger markets is a lot cheaper at these out of the way places.
Accommodation is cheap, food is cheap, beer is cheap and the people are a lot different to the Chinese. A lot! Enjoy.
DaqingDevil:
By the way, if you're looking for something a bit different and you like drinking a lot while on the beach then Pattaya and Phuket can be okay. I wouldn't go back to either place myself, not my type of entertainment and the behaviour of the western tourists there is something else. But definitely worth a visit and there are some beautiful beaches there away from the central area.
bill8899:
I guess people don't drink on every beach. Patong was fine. Try the jet skis! Slowly at first ...
Oh heck yea. You must go to Thailand. Maybe not Bangkok - just my opinion - but somewhere. I'm going back to Phuket for as long as I can walk. Bring sun tan lotion or buy it there.
Go to the North...I went as far up as Mae Salong...or venture North East.that's where unspoiled Thailand is..forget Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket...
I took my girl friend and her friend were going. I hardly got to do any thing I wanted. I wanted to see the Siam ruins outside Bangkok, Ayuthaya, never did. I did the tourist things, 3 days in Bangkok, saw the floating market, soi Cowboy etc, then on to Pantong Beach where I wanted to just sit and order things to eat and drink all day, never happened.
I went end of April, tourist season was winding down, still hot and humid, like 42*
