im going to Thailand in july/august time this year, for a year

although ive never been, i don't speak the lingo, but im really keen on learning it or an adequate amount before i go across.

the reason i want to go to Thailand is that ive been in the army for five years and thats all i know, ive not really encountered civilians street job wise, so perhaps im just avoiding it at this difficult time. side stepping if you like
but theres also another reason i want to progress in muay thai and that by attending a gym out there for a year will be ideal.

what im looking for, is a room to rent for a year. very basic
ive looked at what the internet has to offer, but i have been told that i will find cheaper accommodation first hand out there,as the solicitors put there price on top of that for commissions etc.

i know that chiang mai is perhaps the cheapest part of Thailand to live. so i would be more inclined to go there.

basicaly this is another thread just to find out what Thailand is all about, and what you enjoyed about it.

and if you have any hint and useful tips it would be much appreciated

thanks minty
keep it frosty

Have fun and be careful! I don't know anything at all about Thailand, so I am no help at all. Sorry....

thanks lil

i'll definitely take all your advice on board :) lol

having fun is certainly the name of the game

If it's sin city? Bangkok (which means city of angels) makes Las Vegas look like kindergarden! Expect the same throughout the country of Thailand. Nuff said!

PS...A whole year? ...God help you!

Sawadee!

buy thai stick-------

thanks Lads

Why stay in the same place for a year? you can travel around dirt cheap and there is cheap accomodation everywhere. I went about 10 years ago for a month and travelled to a new place every few days. There is so much to see there, i wouldnt stay in one big city for the whole time, after a while you will wanna go somewhere more peaceful. The cities are crazy(well Bangkok at least) and it gets to you after a while, and thats coming from a Londoner.

Buy a Lonely Planet guide book, it lists rough prices of a lot of accomodation in all parts of the country.

thanks dan,

i want to go over there for a week or so prior to actualy going out there for longer. but the prices for flights are a bit on the astronomicle side for me, specialy if im saving up for it. but no matter how much info i get from people like your self its still not going to make up for not experiencing it first hand.

but in my head i genuinely do want to be in a quiter area, i know Bangkok will be heaving, and the other resort i thing along the lines paluata which is a touristy resort i want to avoid.

so after doing a small bit of research on chiang mai came across a little bit cheaper and i was under the immpression it wasnt so much hussle and bussle.

and the reason why i said a year i want to stick to a muay thai gym. and then the idea after my year out there is to go travelling but im sure i'll get to see a fair bit of thailand whilst im out there.

Made many trips to Thailand. The best and easiest way to paradise I found in Thailand was a $50 cab ride straight south to Pattaya from Bangkok. Great beach resort with alot to do. For me there was 22 golf courses within 1/2 hour motorcycle ride with golf clubs over the back through the coconut groves.Hundres of hotels with everything from Mom and pop for $25 a night with full breakfast buffet to the Hard Rock Hotel for $75 across the street from the Thai Gulf.Met a many a man their that came for 2 weeks into their second month to Third year. A Paradice for all men to exspierence at least once in their life, or seven times.

LAlooking Amen

a bit of positivness around the room at last.

that was the resort i was looking for pattaya
although im not looking to stay there it does look scrumptious tho

Phukett is a nice place to stay

and cheap

the money is called "baht" to ask how much is something say "gee baht?"

speaking to a female, end the sentence with "kaa"

speaking to a male, end the sentence with "khrab"

"Thank you" is "khorb koon" and if you're thanking a female (and you WILL in Thailand) say "khorb koon kaa" (sounds like "kop poon ka")

ive come to terms with the baht against the pound, from pricing accomodation up

im looking forward to learning another language, if you go on holiday you can get by with speaking your native language as most places speak it.

but theres a bigger incentive on you to learn the lingo to make it easier on your self.

im going to google phukett now

Stay away from Southern Thailand or South of Phucket unless your Muslim. Last I heard they were killing Monks and raiding the police stations for guns. Not very tourist friendly.Pattaya started as a fishing town then during the Vietnam war it became the R&R destination of the soilder. Since has nothing but catter to the capatalistic male.With eveything from golf courses to exscursions to the many Islands off the coast for scuba diving and fishing.It's the Budhist culture of the local people that makes it the friendliest city I ever visit.Find a local woman that's interested in being your tour guide for $25 a day with a 4cycle motorcycle for anothe $1.50 a day their is much to do and see in and around the city, some of my pictures.Took a 5 hour van ride to the Cambodia Thai border to reach Kohchang or Elephant Island. Cheap hotel rooms and huts on the water and tropical forest to spend 3 day weekend, very beautiful.

and remember that while prostitution is legal in Thailand, something like 40% of them have AIDS

and check into the "Thai Full Body Massage"

Their is nothing like a wet massage.Your in a room with nothing but tile from cieling to floor with all the clothes in a dry area.

is it me or is anyone else thinking LAlooking had a little bit to much fun out there?

haha

the internets doing my nut in, im going to have to go out there and find what im looking for whilst im there next july.

so far a all over thai massage
take care with the prostitutes
ive learnt some of the lingo
the currency
places to go, places to stay clear of

excellent thanks guys. if you can think of any other info concerning your stay that could be useful to my self or infact someone else who hasnt been. please carry on what your doing
much appriciated

Whatever you do? I repeat, whatever you do?...And I quote, "DON'T MARRY A THAI GIRL!" ...LAlooking ain't ****tin' ya!

LOts and lot's of English pubs there too!

i can hand on heart promise you i wasnt planning on doing so

No "falang" DOES!

PS...I can see in your face you won't even know what hit you, let alone Thai boxing! Have fun in your ventures!

im sure i can handle a bunch of thai birds saying i love you long time

thanks for your predicament dude, but i'll be fine