"Impressions of Thailand" Thailand by worldkiwi

Thailand Travel Guide: 31,045 reviews and 78,188 photos

I found scenes from paradise in 2001...

Lured by pictures of beaches that seemed unbelievable, I stopped over in Thailand in 2001, on my way home to New Zealand after living in my other 'home country', the UK.
The beaches one associates with the image of paradise really can be found in Thailand, but you won't be alone and at times the crass mass tourism all but destroys what must have once been the archetypal tropical heaven! However, after another brief visit in 2004, I think maybe that has a lot to do with the time of year one chooses to go there.
In 2001, sadly, my path north from the Malaysian border was cut short at Phi Phi where I got the worst bout of the dreaded traveller's lurgy that I've ever had. So much for my boasting about a record of never being sick on a trip - whatever hit me made up for all the years I've never even had a tummy rumble! I had to pull out on the trip and head back to Malaysia from Phuket and then onto an early flight home to NZ. Nevermind, I had a taste of paradise and hoped that one day I'd go back. I just hoped paradise would still be there.
In April 2004, I had a business trip to Bangkok and was able to have three days off in Phuket. I found a bit of paradise again and it wasn't too crowded! I didn't want to leave Phuket and had to be dragged kicking and screaming from the island to pick up my business itinerary in Malaysia.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Beautiful beaches, probably the best in Asia; cheap shopping.
Cons:You won't be alone unless you really venture off the beaten track... and that's getting harder.
In a nutshell:A must see place at least once in your life... hopefully for me a few more times!

Last visit to Thailand: Apr 2004
Intro Updated Apr 23, 2004
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Reviews (5)

A deserted Kata Beach, Phuket. - Thailand

Relax on Phuket Island. Things to Do (3)

My first visit to Phuket was less than pleasant due to dodgy seafood in the Phi Phi Islands, back in 2001. However in... more travel advice

Experience Bangkok! Things to Do (3)

Bangkok is an Asian experience that is an absolute must do at least once in a lifetime. I was there during Songkran in... more travel advice

Beach scene on Ko Bulon Leh (2001) - Thailand

Truly off the beaten trail. Off The Beaten Path (1)

Ko Bulon Leh is a small island in the southwest of Thailand. I wasn't sure whether to publicise this place, in fear of... more travel advice

Visit the coast of Ao Nang. Things to Do (3)

The coast south of Ao Nang (about 12km west of Krabi) has one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. There's... more travel advice

Tourist Traps (1)
Spolied by tourism.

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Comments (5)

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ukirsari Sep 9, 2003 at 10:15 PM

Nice place to visit :)
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xaver May 12, 2002 at 3:23 PM

u sure got one more tourist to Ko Bulon Le now:))
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floss1 May 2, 2002 at 10:49 PM

Nice Page!!!
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kiwi Apr 10, 2002 at 4:13 AM

Great advices, sorry about the tummy tho!
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hayward68 Dec 30, 2001 at 7:16 PM

I`ll be back to check out the page!