h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I have just come across your personal space through reading the 10,000 words of nonsence thread It sounds great living in Thailand. Never been there but heard lots of good things from people that have been there on their honeymoon. Me and OwlofDoom (my fiance and soon-to-be husband), also a researcher on the h2g2 site, are planning to visit Thailand for our honeymoon this September. We heard that Bangkok and some of the islands are worth visiting, such as Pattaya and Koh Samui etc, but would love if you could give us the 'real' picture as you live there about places worth visiting! We enjoy visiting sights and also going to the sea. We don't enjoy places where it's just clubs and pubs but has sights as well and a bit quieter than the usual holiday resorts such as Ibiza and Ayia-Napa. We appreciate natural beauty as well. What do you think?

and also is there a danger in us getting ill by coming to visit Thailand this year, you know with the SARS virus. Some people think we are crazy to go there this year, but there hasn't been any indication of danger, but as you live there, it's much easier for you to let us know if there is.

And one last question, how is the weather in Thailand from beginning to mid-september? I heard the Monsoon season goes until end september. Does it rain a lot and will the weather affect our holiday?

Sorry about all the questions but it would help from someone with a first hand experience! Thanks

Nitina

Hi! Thanks for posting.

First of all, Thailand is NOT Sars infected. There have been a few hospital cases but no public transmission. You'll be able to have a safe stay- just be careful on planes/in airports. And a direct flight would be best, to avoid places that are infected.

Beach places: Koh Samui is a lovely island, Pattaya is very seedy so don't go there. The sea is quite polluted, too. Pattaya is on the mainland, but islands are the nicest beach spots. Puket is the most crowded; others are ok.

Meep. Have to dash urgently. Will carry on ASAP

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Sorry bout that. OK. Weather- monsoon is at its worst in October but it's pretty wet in September too. Apart from a few rare all-day showers, though, storms last about three minutes and then vanish, and the majority of the rain falls at night. The good thing about it is that the rain stops it from getting TOO hot.
Bangkok is great if you know where to go. There are lots of temples and palaces and stuff if you like that sort of thing. Islands are nice, as I mentioned, and the Northern city of Chiang Mai might be a good place to visit. There are also several ancient cities and temples that can be visited on a day trip from Bangkok, either by road or river.
Hope this info helps. Any other questions I can answer?

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