Topic: Off Topic - Travelling independently in Thailand and Cambodia

[Late Developer]

An off-topic thread, I know, but as we're a global and intrepid group, I was wondering if someone might be able to help.....

Although my plans may end in nought, I'm thinking about organising a relatively low-cost (by necessity) trip to Thailand and, hopefully, Cambodia for my 50th / wife's XXth birthday (which fall in March / April this year).  

From what I can gather, the best time to travel in that part of the world (dryest and least humid) is November to April. However, I'm considering booking flights only + a night in Bangkok upon arrival and the night before departure back to the UK.

The remaining 12 or so days would be making it up as we go along - including visits to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and, time permitting, an excursion to Angkor Wat / Siem Reap.

My question is whether obtaining safe, clean and (ideally) air-conditioned accommodation on the hoof is easy in this part of the world? Alternatively, is it best to book accommodation prior to travelling? We tend to travel pretty light, even on package holidays and we'd want to spend 2/3 days in each location.

I love a bit of adventure but I know my wife will want to be safe and reasonably comfortable, wherever we end up. If anyone has any tips or advice, I'd be grateful.

Cheers, Paul.

[calbisu]

Hi Paul! I lived for a while in Cambodia so can tell you that there is no problem finding a clean/safe accommodation. It all goes to how much you are willing to spend... Cheap accommodations can be found and most of them will have AC. I found cambodia was a pretty safe place, as well as Thailand. Just usual precautions. Angkor Wat is visited by many tourists so if you want pictures of the temples with no tourists consider going there 5.45 AM. Still there are so many temples around to visit.. A wonderful experience.

Another place that impressed was Bokor Hill at Kampot.

One pic from Cambodia, I am afraid was shot digital as at that time did not know a bunch of crazy people was anchored in the past...

[Late Developer]

Hi Calbisu and thanks for the advice. Having the confidence to "give it a go" goes a long way towards actually booking the flights and, potentially, having the holiday of a lifetime.

Everyone I've ever spoken to who has visited Thailand and the Indochina region tells of friendly people who welcome you into their country and even their homes. Sadly and somewhat cynically, this doesn't sit easily with most westerners as, these days, we are heavily conditioned to taking a default position of distrusting foreign visitors at worst and tolerating them at best.

"Anchored in the past....."? Could that be "Angkor-ed in the past"??

Nice photo by the way. Personally, I don't have any hang-ups with digital as I have a few really nice digital cameras and enjoy shooting both mediums. Mind you, I've been shooting film since the late 1960's / early 1970's and it's all just photography to me.

Paul.

[Mil Mascaras]

I have been to Thai but not Cambodia. That "welcoming the foreigner" deal is hard to find in Thailand nowadays. Too many tourists. If you want that experience go to Jordan, Korea or Taiwan. I have heard it's extremely true in Iran as they want you to change your perception of their country (you probably wouldn't have it if you are there though). In Thailand you'll get the same touts you get in India or Hong Kong. But you'll also find a lot of genuinely nice people that are not interested in your baksheesh.

I have done this in Thailand and I'd recommend you to get an idea of the areas where you may want to go first, i.e., if you land in Bangkok have a rough idea of where Khaosan or Sukhumvit are, and so on for every possible destination. Your vacation is fairly short (12 days) so you don't want to lose a lot of time looking for accomodation.

In Thailand I have had 30 euro rooms as nice as 150 euro rooms in Europe, in hotels with private pool and restaurant. Your wife will be OK.

Good luck and take a million pictures.

[calbisu]

Well, the further you go from the tourist circuit more "authentic" the people becomes. But then everything is a little bit harder, but on the other side more rewarding. Still, I think people in Asia are very friendly (well, Vietnamese were hard people to deal with.. sorry if any Vietnamese member). Display a smile and you will always receive a broader one 

One shot from lovely Cambodia. In Phnom Penh the capital, through the narrow alleys around one market. Some friends sharing some tea.