Traveling in Thailand

I’m on vacation so sending you over to Greg’s blog for a great post on how expensive Bangkok really is to live or visit.

Just a little tidbit to get you to click over, and no offense meant if you are a bearded hippy :

…if you spend time on Khao San Road, you’ll likely run into some bearded hippies who chastise you for spending more than $5 a day on a place to sleep, but less than $40 on some good weed.

There’s a new website in town that you probably want to check out if you’re making travel plans in this part of the world. Newley just posted about it here, with a link to the site.

Great op-ed by Nick Kristof on traveling in rough countries, and evading bandits.

Here’s one of his gems:

10. Don’t wear a nice watch, for that suggests a fat wallet and also makes a target. I learned that lesson on my first trip to the Philippines: a robber with a machete had just encountered a Japanese businessman with a Rolex — who now, alas, has only one hand. read more »

Cathay Pacific is offering a great deal to Bangkok. Fly between September and November for just $810 RT from LAX or $1060 from NY (including all taxes and other charges). If you’re flying to Singapore, it’s about $1 cheaper, but why fly there when you can come to Thailand? Seriously though, this is one of the cheapest prices available right now, and Cathay is a great airline with convenient connections.

The Times just ran a great piece by Matt Gross (aka the Frugal Traveler), Research: The Traveler’s Best Friend with some trip planning tips. read more »