Tina,
If all the above posts haven't told you it should be BKK already then can I add that I think you will have a far more 'rounded' Thai experience in BKK than in HH as it brings together all the cultural and regional traditions of Thailand in one place. As WL posted, it is the jumping off point for so many things to do both inside and beyond the Kingdom.
Outside of your college life, the choice and quality of things to do are immense, whilst Hua Hin is basically a blown up beach resort - pleasant enough but no BKK.
A word of warning - and it's a cliche - but BKK really can be an assault on the senses! Don't let it put you off if you are feeling overwhelmed by it all after the first week - that is quite normal. Stick at it and you won't regret it I promise!
Have a great time! *Jealous*
Hua Hin vs. BKK
Super Joe said:
Has anyone else ever heard of any problems in this respect. Is the missus just paranoid or are her fears justified?
I thought Tina may want to hear this discussed as it may weigh on her decision of where to live in the city... may want to be close to the skytrain (BTS) or underground (subway (MRT)).
My wife is Thai but hasn't lived in BKK since she was in college in the late 80's. For some reason she is afraid to take a taxi there as an unaccompanied female. She thinks women alone stand a chance of a problem with the driver. She hasn't been able to provide me with specific examples of any problem but she says she's "heard" of bad things happening.Taxis are cheap as chips, no need to walk home at night etc.
Has anyone else ever heard of any problems in this respect. Is the missus just paranoid or are her fears justified?
I thought Tina may want to hear this discussed as it may weigh on her decision of where to live in the city... may want to be close to the skytrain (BTS) or underground (subway (MRT)).
I believe her fears maybe are justified.
When I visited Bangkok in 1996 I remember that 2 farangs were robbed and killed by two different taxi drivers.
I have also heard that Thai women have been raped and murdered by taxi drivers but can not confirm this.
After all the taxi drivers are ordinary people who rent the taxi on either daily basis or when they need to burn off some more Baht's.
(I know a schoolteacher who used to support his mistress with this extra income).
When I visited Bangkok in 1996 I remember that 2 farangs were robbed and killed by two different taxi drivers.
I have also heard that Thai women have been raped and murdered by taxi drivers but can not confirm this.
After all the taxi drivers are ordinary people who rent the taxi on either daily basis or when they need to burn off some more Baht's.
(I know a schoolteacher who used to support his mistress with this extra income).
I intend to live forever - so far so good.
Tina
A couple of questions.
You don't indicate which country you come from.
Where is the Bangkok campus of Webster university? This will determine a convenient place to stay.
I am assuming you do not speak Thai, so you'll want to be in an area where you can communicate with people. This is a second determining factor.
I live in Bangkok, and have been for almost twenty years, but out towards the old airport, so not really in town. The office, though, is in Petchburi road, which isn't too far out.
Bangkok is not as dangerous as it is made out to be, however you have to be aware of what is going on around you. If you go out at night, make sure it's always with someone you know. My wife and her sisters take taxis all the time, as does my sixteen year old son. They, however, are familiar with the place and speak the language so there is a big difference.
If you send me more details, I may be able to ask the girls at work where suitable accomodation can be found.
A couple of questions.
You don't indicate which country you come from.
Where is the Bangkok campus of Webster university? This will determine a convenient place to stay.
I am assuming you do not speak Thai, so you'll want to be in an area where you can communicate with people. This is a second determining factor.
I live in Bangkok, and have been for almost twenty years, but out towards the old airport, so not really in town. The office, though, is in Petchburi road, which isn't too far out.
Bangkok is not as dangerous as it is made out to be, however you have to be aware of what is going on around you. If you go out at night, make sure it's always with someone you know. My wife and her sisters take taxis all the time, as does my sixteen year old son. They, however, are familiar with the place and speak the language so there is a big difference.
If you send me more details, I may be able to ask the girls at work where suitable accomodation can be found.
วินเชนท์
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margaretcarnes
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HuaHin vs Bangkok
I've only had one scary taxi experience on my own in Bangkok, when the driver headed towards the docks area, and didn't appear to speak any English at all.
Turned out he was taking a short cut and eventually we popped out on Rama 4, much to my relief, as I'd been trying to plan how to bail out complete with luggage.
Maybe lucky other times, although I would tend to get taxis known to the particular hotel, or from stations etc.
Advice on going around with others - especially at night - is always sound, and common sense must prevail.
Turned out he was taking a short cut and eventually we popped out on Rama 4, much to my relief, as I'd been trying to plan how to bail out complete with luggage.
Maybe lucky other times, although I would tend to get taxis known to the particular hotel, or from stations etc.
Advice on going around with others - especially at night - is always sound, and common sense must prevail.
A sprout is for life - not just for Christmas.
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elem
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I never had a bad experience with taxis in BKK, but don't use them much any more - living-proximity to skytrain helps.
However, like in any big city, make sure you respect dress-codes and don't 'flash' your bling-bling too much. Take a bag/handbag that you put cross-over your shoulder and don't get into discussions about a few baths if you take a cab at night.
However, like in any big city, make sure you respect dress-codes and don't 'flash' your bling-bling too much. Take a bag/handbag that you put cross-over your shoulder and don't get into discussions about a few baths if you take a cab at night.
We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.[Benjamin Franklin]
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cookmanchef
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Hua Hin v's bkk
Condochain is a shocker tina, I know someone that stayed there! Anyone that isn't sure where it is, it's the derelict looking building on Petchakasem!
8,250 pm is way too much, Thais are paying about 4,000 for room much closer to town, somewhere like Bon Kai.
How big a factor for you is the money? I would bet you would spend half in Hua Hin that you will in BKK. If they offer accomadation in Cha-am do Webster not provide cheap transport?
Previous posters are correct, Bkk is far more cosmopolitan and offers a more rounded experience, however the trendy restaurants bars and clubs charge a very high price. A lot of the areas frequented by the expats are a bit too seedy for a lone female, Khao San Rd is aimed at backpackers.
Difficult choice but I suggest you don't commit to any long term rental so you can move if you change your mind. You may meet a good friend and decide to share.
Plenty of bars and clubs in HH that are not aimed at the "single man', you would have a great time.
8,250 pm is way too much, Thais are paying about 4,000 for room much closer to town, somewhere like Bon Kai.
How big a factor for you is the money? I would bet you would spend half in Hua Hin that you will in BKK. If they offer accomadation in Cha-am do Webster not provide cheap transport?
Previous posters are correct, Bkk is far more cosmopolitan and offers a more rounded experience, however the trendy restaurants bars and clubs charge a very high price. A lot of the areas frequented by the expats are a bit too seedy for a lone female, Khao San Rd is aimed at backpackers.
Difficult choice but I suggest you don't commit to any long term rental so you can move if you change your mind. You may meet a good friend and decide to share.
Plenty of bars and clubs in HH that are not aimed at the "single man', you would have a great time.
Hi everyone-
I made it to Thailand and I am living in BKK...everything has been going pretty well, thanks again for all the input!
My mom is coming to visit me in 2 wks and I am thinking of taking a short trip to HH with her, so I'll be looking around the boards for the best hotel/resort recommendations.
Thanks again!
I made it to Thailand and I am living in BKK...everything has been going pretty well, thanks again for all the input!
My mom is coming to visit me in 2 wks and I am thinking of taking a short trip to HH with her, so I'll be looking around the boards for the best hotel/resort recommendations.
Thanks again!
Good for you Tina. Stay safe and don't hesitate to pick our brains on any questions you may have about life here. Petextina wrote:Hi everyone-
I made it to Thailand and I am living in BKK...everything has been going pretty well, thanks again for all the input!
My mom is coming to visit me in 2 wks and I am thinking of taking a short trip to HH with her, so I'll be looking around the boards for the best hotel/resort recommendations.
Thanks again!
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
How are you finding BKK then?xtina wrote:Hi everyone-
I made it to Thailand and I am living in BKK...everything has been going pretty well, thanks again for all the input!
My mom is coming to visit me in 2 wks and I am thinking of taking a short trip to HH with her, so I'll be looking around the boards for the best hotel/resort recommendations.
Thanks again!
Good for youxtina wrote:Hi everyone-
I made it to Thailand and I am living in BKK...everything has been going pretty well, thanks again for all the input!
My mom is coming to visit me in 2 wks and I am thinking of taking a short trip to HH with her, so I'll be looking around the boards for the best hotel/resort recommendations.
Thanks again!
