Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai
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Check out The Hangover Part II Filming Locations in Bangkok
https://almostginger.com/the-hangover-part-ii-filming-locations-bangkok/
There are some nice views
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I’ve been to none of them.
I’ll bet TG has some thoughts.
Like maybe photograph embassies.
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I have been to Bangkok and Chiangmai. Don’t recall having been to Phuket.
First trip to Bangkok and Chiangmai was a very long time ago, when I was still in grade school. I remember the old school wax paper umbrella factory, the crocodile farm, elephant ride, monkey show, on-the-water market, etc. But I don’t remember the names of those places. Oh, definitely remember the “ah qua show” — “ah qua” being a local term referring to biological men who have transitioned to womanhood and those cross-dressing as women. I thought they were rather beautiful back then.
Revisited Bangkok a few years ago, also visited some ancient Buddhist temples, rode the water taxi, etc. Again, don’t remember any of the place names.
Maybe it’s nostalgia, when I see the “ah qua” again a few years ago, I thought the “ah qua” I saw back when I was a kid were more beautiful.
I guess if I were to recommend something, maybe go ride an elephant, visit some ancient Buddhist temples, and for sure go watch an “ah qua show.” (ETA: visit a crocodile farm too.)
Not many places you get to ride an elephant (ETA: or see a crocodile farm). Thai Buddhism aesthetic is distinct from Chinese/Indian/Japanese Buddhist aesthetic. Thai “ah qua show” is also stylistically different from the sort you can find at, say, Las Vegas. So these would be fairly unique to Thailand.
If you can, definitely mingle and make friends with the locals. Good luck.
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Phuket - actually never have been there. LOL It is a very popular beach island. People go there for the beach "vibe". So, it your daughter likes that, good place to go. Patpong is the main area and from what I have heard, has a bit of a party atmosphere. There are other locations that are quieter. It is about a hour flight from BKK.
Chiang Mai - Interesting city in the north. Was originally a walled city, and there are still pieces of the wall. It is a square with each wall about a mile long. Lots of interesting little shops, temples inside the walls. Khao Soi is the famous CM food. THere are also some night markets where it is fun to walk around and take in the atmosphere.
Outside the city, there is a famous mountain temple to go to, called Doi Suthep. I was in CM in Nov and hired a baht bus/jeepney to take me there an back and wait for me for about USD$20 (700 baht) for the day (along with some other stops). The temple is on a mountain that is quite tall (about 5500 ft) thought the temple is not that high. You can do hiking there if you like.
The one bad thing is that CM gets hit with the burning season starting about in January. Local farmers burn their land in preparation for replanting and the air quality gets terrible. January "should" be okay but be aware.
BKK - big city (I think 10MM+). As Jon said, she can go and photo embassies and consulates. 555 But seriously, lots of famous sites. One thing I would say to do that maybe is not listed on tourist sites is to take the river taxi on the Chao Praya river. You can take the tourist boat for about 5-10x the price. But you can take the local river taxi which stops at every pier, and can go upriver about 3 miles or so for a couple of USD. Takes about 1.5-2 hours.
Other things that may not be listed in the tourist web sites, which will list Grand Palace, Democracy Monument, etc.)-
CHatuchak Market (on the weekend) - HUGE HUGE market north of main downtown. Fun to wander.
Shopping malls - a ton of different shopping malls, from the very expensive (ICON) to more local (MBK).
Talat Noi - cool neighborhood near the Chao Praya river. Has become a bit of a tourist attraction, but still has some interesting small alleys, shops and restaurants.
Thong Lor/Ekami neighborhood - kind of a hip neighborhood popular at night with hi-so Thais. Also a big Japanese expat community here, so lots of japanese restaurants, etcl (Actually the neighborhood I stay, but I am certainly not hi-so 555)
Lumphini Park - big park in central BKK. Nice green space.
Bang Krachao - BKK green lung. Very cool area close to BKK but you feel worlds apart. Short ferry ride to get to. Recommend renting a pedal bike and riding the boardwalks through the mangrove forests. Like a different world.Day trips or overnights
Bridge over the River Kwai - famous from the movie but quite interesting
Pattaya - used to be known as Sex City, but has cleaned up a bit. Closest beach area to BKK.
FLoating Market - kind of a tourist trap, but can be interesting for the first time visitor.I can provide more info if you would like. Hope your daughter enjoys her trip!!!!
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@Jolly I saw in another post that your daughter was at an airport.
Is this one going to Thailand? How did she like it?
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@taiwan_girl Don't know. If the stars align and the flights connect, I'll ask her tomorrow.
