Post: #1

I ran some searches and there are a number of spots recommended for Thailand, but I'm wondering if there is ONE epic location/district?

I'll be solo in Thailand and since weather in August/Sept sucks, I may or may not bounce to HK or Macau for a few days.

Looking at a hotel for a couple nights, then would like to lock down an apt. for the 2 week duration.

Ideally, this will serve as a brief base of operations and there's a decent change I won't be there the whole time, but I'd prefer to drop the cash and lock it down so I've got a spot without issue for the duration of my stay.

Post: #2

(07-22-2013 06:46 PM)Alpha Mind Wrote:  I ran some searches and there are a number of spots recommended for Thailand, but I'm wondering if there is ONE epic location/district?

I'll be solo in Thailand and since weather in August/Sept sucks, I may or may not bounce to HK or Macau for a few days.

Looking at a hotel for a couple nights, then would like to lock down an apt. for the 2 week duration.

Ideally, this will serve as a brief base of operations and there's a decent change I won't be there the whole time, but I'd prefer to drop the cash and lock it down so I've got a spot without issue for the duration of my stay.

Depends what you're looking for, a strong case could be made for BKK as it pretty much has it all minus the beach, but if its the beach party scene you're after then Koh Phi Phi would be hard to beat. Myself, I preferred two very chill spots; Koh Tao (island, lots of diving) and Pai(very chill small town in the north near Burma). If I had two weeks, I'd either hit up Koh Phi Phi and Phuket (west islands) or Koh Tao and Koh Phagnan (east islands) and have 2-3 days in BKK, either way you'll have a pretty good time in Thailand.

Post: #3

I would not recommend staying grounded for such a long time anywhere in Thailand when there is so much to explore.

But, if you like ...

...partying hipster style + beach life = Koh PhiPhi
...hicking the mountains + partying + cultural activites = Chiang Mai
...partying + beach life + explore surroundings by bike = Ko Samui
...partying/raving + beach life + explore surroundings = Ko Phangan
...partying + whoring + beach = Phuket
...chillout + beach life + diving = Ko Tao
...chillout + smoke weed at he beach + explore surroundings = Krabi or Koh Lanta

possibilities are endless....

Post: #4

(07-23-2013 08:54 AM)Doc_J Wrote:  I would not recommend staying grounded for such a long time anywhere in Thailand when there is so much to explore.

Two weeks is too long to stay in one place?

Beyond All Seas

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling

Post: #5

(07-23-2013 08:54 AM)Doc_J Wrote:  I would not recommend staying grounded for such a long time anywhere in Thailand when there is so much to explore.

But, if you like ...

...partying hipster style + beach life = Koh PhiPhi
...hicking the mountains + partying + cultural activites = Chiang Mai
...partying + beach life + explore surroundings by bike = Ko Samui
...partying/raving + beach life + explore surroundings = Ko Phangan
...partying + whoring + beach = Phuket
...chillout + beach life + diving = Ko Tao
...chillout + smoke weed at he beach + explore surroundings = Krabi or Koh Lanta

possibilities are endless....

Where is High-End World Class partying + beach life ?

Where is BKK meets the beach?

Where is The Thailand South Beach?

Post: #6

It does not exist.

(07-23-2013 10:42 AM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  Where is High-End World Class partying + beach life ?

Where is BKK meets the beach?

Where is The Thailand South Beach?

Post: #7

I believe he's right. There is no South Beach out of South Beach. Need to get back to Miami.... geeez!

(07-23-2013 10:47 AM)DirectDanger Wrote:  It does not exist.

(07-23-2013 10:42 AM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  Where is High-End World Class partying + beach life ?

Where is BKK meets the beach?

Where is The Thailand South Beach?

Post: #8

(07-23-2013 10:47 AM)DirectDanger Wrote:  It does not exist.

(07-23-2013 10:42 AM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  Where is High-End World Class partying + beach life ?

Where is BKK meets the beach?

Where is The Thailand South Beach?

Next closest thing?

Koh PhiPhi?

Ko Samui?

Post: #9

(07-23-2013 12:52 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  

(07-23-2013 10:47 AM)DirectDanger Wrote:  It does not exist.

(07-23-2013 10:42 AM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  Where is High-End World Class partying + beach life ?

Where is BKK meets the beach?

Where is The Thailand South Beach?

Next closest thing?

Koh PhiPhi?

Ko Samui?

Probably Phuket, Samui, or Pattaya. You'll find high-end in all three. Thailand has travelers from every level of society. Book a high-end resort and they'll sometimes have their own bar scene that most of us lower-budget travelers never even see - if they don't, I would bet they could tell you where to go to mingle with the moneyed. If you're an open-minded guy, there's a high-end Thai scene, restaurants and bars, that is awesome - just takes a while to figure out how the game is played. Moneyed Thais have more loot than we could even imagine so there's definitely shiek venues if you want them, and they tend to be my favorite when I can afford it. Just probably not as hopping as South Beach.

Best bet is to go to the high(er) end Thai discoteques and post up with a bottle of Johnn Walker Gold (though all the other colors will do if you want to roll a bit slower). Middle class folks will be in there too but as the guy with money you get true love here. Don't go out with other travelers. Show up by yourself. Be modest and humble but confident. Easygoing is much more favored than brash here. It will be awkward at first but if you're willing to bear it out and have a good humor about you people will eventually break the ice with you. or vice versa. Be judgemental about who you hang with though if you aim to actually meet even semi-important folks - status is huge with Thais.

People bring their own bottles to the club and all stand around at their own tiny little standing table pouring their own drinks, and the tables are close enough to be elbow to elbow, so easy to strike a convo if you're patient.

BKK would be the best for a high-end scene, though obviously no beach, and the women much more international in demeanor. You could kick it there and take a cheap flight down to hang at the beach for a week or something.

I believe Indo probably has a pretty good high-end scene. I know some real fat cats that own surf resorts out there and have been visiting for over 10 years. And if Fisto and those guys where hanging with models and actresses I believe your style would fly in the Philippines too.

In Thailand, it's not so much about finding the high-end scene - though, as I said, it does exist. Rather, people with money learn to make their status work for them. The discos frequented by middle and upper class Thais are pretty classy so you will not feel out of place; women and men alike have a great sense of style. You'll stand out from most of us white boys just by knowing how to dress. The normal ones are somewhat of a challenge though, especially outside BKK - be prepared to separate the wheat from the chaff if you're flaunting sophistication.

Beyond All Seas

"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling

Post: #10

(07-23-2013 10:42 AM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  ...
Where is BKK meets the beach?

Where is The Thailand South Beach?

Pattaya?

There were, as far as I remember high-end hotels on Kho Phi Phi filled with Chinese tourists (some of them were such dolls!) but there were no high-end party scene. I was mainly beach bars / backpackers crowd.

Post: #11

Agree with Beyond Borders.

From what I know I think Samui can get as close as it can be. It is a island big enough to have posh high-end hotels, beach bars and restaurants where you can find the high end entertainment and girls. However it will never be as big as BKK and the low end scene will always be close by.

If you're looking for an alternative, I think Seminyak in Bali, Indonesia is pretty upscale and has what you're looking for. The main clubs stand at the beach and are high class venues. You'll find the rich locals and expats. Sunsets and cocktails.

Post: #12

So Ko Samui, over Koh PhiPhi?

Post: #13

Although Koh Phi Phi wins on natural beauty, the place is crowded with hipsters. So your party will be basically drinking at the beach, watching fire spitting/playing shows and listening to reggae or dubstep.

Ko Samui has way better infrastructure. You'll have roads, have nice hotels, nice restaurants and lounges and a mixed crowd. Of course you also get the ladyboys, go go clubs and all that street trash not to be found in PhiPhi.

But the verdict is that for the classy gentleman who wants to hold his double Cointreau on the rocks with a twist on one hand, and a exquisite-asian-chick-on-her-white-stiletto-4'-heels' shoulder under the other, that man would go for Samui, where it may just happen.

(07-24-2013 11:18 AM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  So Ko Samui, over Koh PhiPhi?