I have been to SE asia 7 times in the last 8 years and will soon be returning. I have been to Bangkok(5 times),Phukett(2 times), Chiang Mai, Bali, Singapore and several other destinations.
I would offer a few suggestions. As i said above my most serious advice is DO NOT DRIVE. First,because you can get cheap transportation without you doing the driving. Second, if you are driving,you are not getting to see what’s there- maybe the passengers do but you dont. Third, and most importantly it is dangerous. Consider this: most adults in the United States drive. Yet 35,000 of them die(not injured-die) each year. Of course, most people drive safely and hence they feel safe driving. To listen to someone say “oh, i drove in Thailand and made it- is NOT a ringing endorsement. Most people do- there and here. But consider this. When you are there: A. You can’t read the road signs, B. You don’t know where you are going; C. You don’t know the law: D. You won’t be able to speak to the police who stop you or arrest you (they won’t be speaking english), E. If you are involved with a thai- they will be able to speak to the police, F. The punishments are more severe and finally G. YOU WILL BE AT FAULT! Even if you are not at fault- YOU WILL BE AT FAULT. That’s just how they view it there. If you hadn’t come there, there wouldn’t be an accident. It makes no sense to drive there because for the same cost you could hire a car and driver.
You also need to remember you are not in the USA. You don’t have freedom of speech, assembly and due process we enjoy in the Bill of Rights. In all likelihood, this will not be a problem nor will you see the difference especially since you are staying in Marriotts. But the difference is there. You won’t get to go in the King’s Palace in Bangkok in your shorts. They will force you to rent pants or not enter. You will notice that security guards carry machine guns and not pistols and most residential areas have security guards. You will find there are a whole host of scams. Ie. Your tuk tuk driver doesn’t know a great shopping place where the prices are really low- instead they will get you in there and not let you leave until you buy something expensive.
On a more positive note, it is really a great place to visit. You just have to know what you are doing. Read about these countries on flyertalk.com-look at the destinations BBS and read. In Bangkok- whenever possible travel by the river. Don’t use the high price tourist boats. Use the common.ferries that will take you up and down the river for just a few baht. Use the sky train for everything else- it is safe, convenient and the only way to travel in Bangkok. Go to the end of the line to the North on the weekend to the weekend Market- it’s terrific and low prices. Bargain for prices. Go to the King’s palace- by boat. Get a massage but not at the hotel. It should cost you about $10-$15 for a one hour massage except at the hotel where it will be 5 times higher. Don’t buy tours from the hotel-they mark up the tours by 100% over the same tour sold elsewhere. Go to the Bridge over the River Kwuai but see the movie first. Go to the elephant farm and to see the long neck people. Try to go to the floating markets. Don’t miss the Siam Center and MBK for shopping.
In Phukett- ride an elephant. Go to the Tsunami museum. Go to James Bond island. In Thailand there is a very large tax on ATM withdrawals. It is actually better to use traveler Checks- or just minimize the number of withdrawals or use a Schwabs account.
In Bali, beware of anyone helping you with your luggage at Depassar airport. It is a scam. ABSOLUTELY go to the Wildlife Park. Be careful of Bali Belly. It is like Montazuma’s Revenge only worse. Never drink the water unless it is bottled. Don’t even drink from a glass that wasn’t washed in bottled water. Beware of ice cubes made with local water.
In Chiang Mai, go to the night market (as if you can miss it). Hire a driver to take you to the Golden Triangle. I may have a contact number. There are several parks and memorials to see.
