I will be going to Thailand in January (as I can take four weeks off work). I will be flying into Bkk. Is that going to be a good time to go? Also should I book a hotel before I get there, or would people recommend just sorting things out when I arrive. I like the idea of just seeing how things go, chatting to people and going places on a whim. I'm also really into seeing some live music. I live blues and soul, and world music. If anyone can recommend anywhere good for me in Thailand. I don't mind tourist places but I also like to see a more traditional side to places I visit.
Thanks,
Ed

January is a great time to go to Thailand. It's not too hot and humid and is one of the most popular times of the year to be in Thailand.

If this is your first trip to Thailand I would book a hotel for a few nights in Bangkok before you travel. I would recommend staying in one of the more popular area's such as Silom or Sukhumvit road.

I think it is a great time to go. You will find a hotel easily but you may as well work out where you want to stay and book on the internet, at least for the first few nights. There is nothing worse than arriving in a strange city after traveling for 20 hrs and not knowing where you are going.

BigRed

Mark beat me to it!

No mozzies got me in January either. The only trip that I have never been bitten on

Hi London Man,

January is an excellent time of the year to visit Thailand weather wise, but in the height of the tourist season, so hotels etc are busy. For hotels, take a look at the website
http://www.2bangkok.com select a location from the choices on the left and it gives a very good list of local hotels, including prices and on line reservation. I use this website all the time, both for myself and family/friends visiting Thailand, it is a genuine website.

As for staying in Bangkok, only stipulation I would suggest is staying in a hotel close to the SkyTrain service (overhead railway), an excellent and very easy way of getting around, pick a hotel along or just off Sukhumvit Road, around Soi 2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9, these are central locations for getting around and enjoying downtown Bangkok.

If you find yourself planning to visit Pattaya, send me a pm, maybe we can meet up,I will happily give you a crash tour of Pattaya City if it is convenient for me.

All the best..........RayBan

Hi Ed, good to see a new member asking for help, you will get plenty from here, try http://www.asiatravel.com very good for hotels, Mark and Rayban are right about sukhumvit Road good cheap hotel is is the ambassador hotel but in need of refurb good one is the royal benjar not to expensive but good hotel all are cheaper to to book on the net than just walking in plus Jan very popular time so some hotels do get full. Kanchanaburi good place to vist for the day or a few days one of the best hotels there is the Felix hotel right on the river Kwia. But you find Thailand or as we call LOS (land of smiles) will have you going back again and again. have a great time Iam of to los next month staying in Jomtien just past Pattaya, good beach and nice night life.

Hi London Man
you posted

quote:

I'm also really into seeing some live music. I live blues and soul,

Try Pattaya and the Blues Factory off to the left down Walking Street starts at 9pm they have many visiting singers then there is always the Climax Bar on the opposite side of Walking Street all with cheap local hotels from 6 quid a night. Oh yes there is other entertainment aswell



**Ray**
Sorry I didnt call you but am back down there 14th Aug

Tut-tut Mervyn, you should not be encouraging our new members with such places!!!!!!

I am due home from Dubai 5th August, could be going to our home in Buriram on the 10th for a few days, as I believe Dio is on school hol, but should be back in Pattaya by 16th Call me when you have fixed dates and I will ensure I return. All the best ..... RayBan

Will do Ray
Also there is a new GoGo a must see firemans pole the lot !! Cyotee its called

mervyn
i see you are thailand 14 august i leave uk 12 august travel to udon for three nights then drive down to pattay
for nine nights then upto udon.

pattaya is busy now i think as all the hotels we wanted are booked up, now working on second list.

sean

Sean-I presume you've not tried or don't want Pattaya hotels in soi 8. I'm told they are "empty" and soi 8 very quiet at the moment...
Where ever you book,check they have water. It is still a problem in some areas.

Sean
have you tried Roytal Palace or the ones either side all round about 10 to 13 quid a night they have good parking and a water supply ! Wecome Plaza cheapeast abot 10quid and Twin Towers dearest 13 quid all on Second road in area of Garden palaza shopping centre.

I pm you

quote:

For hotels, take a look at the website http://www.2bangkok.com select a location from the choices on the left and it gives a very good list of local hotels, including prices and on line reservation. I use this website all the time, both for myself and family/friends visiting Thailand, it is a genuine website.

Rayban

Did you know, the exact same reservation service can be found here:

http://hotels.thailand-uk.com

Same hotels, same prices, same company (R24/sawasdee.com)

Regards

Hi Maokaang,

Visited your hyperlink and yes it seems very much the same website , however there seems to be subtle differences and with respect I feel the website I posted seems to be much easier to navigate. But if I am reading between the lines and the website you indicated supports our forum, well I would be only too pleased to promote it and switch my preference and recommendation. regards.........RayBan

Hi Ray

Thanks, I'm looking into ways of improving the look and friendliness of our site, it's not very pretty right now. Any suggestions welcome.

Bookings on both sites are made directly with the same company, Reservation 24. The booking process, prices, hotels listed, etc. are exactly the same on both. Scores of other websites also use the same scheme, each one merely placing their own "frills" around the core listings and booking engine.

As you've rightly guessed, small commissions gained from http://hotels.thailand-uk.com go to the costs of running this site. There's absolutely no other difference, cost or otherwise, booking with one site or the other.

Regards