Thailand

[amz]

Anybody been?

The reaosn why i'm asking is that i'm taking a gap year and i'm planning on doing some overseas volunteering, which is the only chance i'm going to get to go travelling (as i've nobody to go with). Whilst I was looking into it I found one over in Thailand - which sounds amazing. The two regions which i'd possibly go to are Bangkok and Trang.

Does anybody know what the place is really like? Also, is it safe? Just this minute theres been some news on it about some extremist Muslims causing problems there in the south that I wasn't aware of, so its scared me quite a lot- (i'm terrified of flying in the first place, and recent events haven't helped :/ )

It sounds and looks so beautiful, but I was just wondering if it's as nice as it seems? Anybody's experiences or accounts of it would be greatly appreciated.

Ta

x

[ShyBoy]

I went, and I loved it! The thing to be careful off is conmen :p because the street traders come up to you and harass you to buy something! Grrrr

Loved it though. And it was safe where I was (phuket) but that was probably because of the overwhelming police presence heh :p

[spanner]

Yes, it's a fab country - I actually found most people to be really friendly and welcoming - much more than in a lot of other countries, but it's worth being o n your guard - especially in Bangkok, which is quite hectic.
My top points were a place called Pai (far North, almost in Burma). It's a bit off the beaten track but really peaceful and beautiful - and very cheap. We did a trekk through the jungle from there and I'd recommend that over one from Chain Mai as they can be much more touristy there and not as 'personal'.
The thing that shocked us was how long the monsoon season went on for. I went in December/early Jan and there was still quite a lot of rain, and when it rains, it really rains!
I could go on for ever but I say get a good guidebook (such as Rough Guides) and talk to lots of people - you'll have a ball!
:)

[amz]

Thanks for your replys.

I'm definately going to go there now, but hopefully the whole chicken flu problem will be controlled and sorted out.. although it will be almost a year from now when i'll be going. I think i'm just going to spend my time in Trang rather than split between the two places.

Anyway, yea, thankyou. :)