Thailand Reiseberichte Bankgokg über Land, Strand und Leute

MEINUNG / ERFAHRUNGEN / ZUSAMMENFASSUNG
Thailand ist ein Land das für Ferien ideal ist, durch seine Einfachheit des Reisens, seine Sandstrände, den Komfort und den immer lächelnden Einwohnern. Der Tourismusboom ist jedoch kaum in einem Land so sichtbar wie in Thailand – für die jungen Thais ist kaum etwas so nachahmenswert und erstrebenswert wie das Leben bei uns im Westen (USA, Europa).
HIGHLIGHTS / TIPS	NICHT GANZ SO TOLL / SEIN LASSEN
Die Inseln und Strände speziell Koh Chang, Krabi und Koh Lanta	Massentourismus in vielen Teilen durch die enorme Beliebtheit und oft steigende Preise
Das pulsierende Bangkok bietet wohl für jeden Geschmack und zu jeder Zeit etwas für seine Besucher	Die Kluft zwischen dem Touristen angepassten und der "Landbevölkerung" wird immer grösser
Nord- und Ostthailand mit seiner gemütlichen Seite für Wanderungen und Treckings	Schade nicht mehr der Besucher muss sich meist anpassen sondern das Land passt sich an
Ein einfaches Land zum bereisen oder um einfach ein paar Tauchgänge zu machen

As you can see I was on my journey a couple of times in Thailand. An easy country to travel trough, get visas or a flight to somewhere or even better just hung out on one of the beaches.

February 2000. Together with a friend I escaped the bad weather in Switzerland with a flight to Bangkok and from there to Phuket. The next 2 weeks we are enjoying the holidays with swimming, good and fresh Seafood and other Thai dishes, exploring the Island, visiting an old Swiss friend, heading out late to check out the nightlife and so on. We start the PADI Open Water Diving Course, learn the basics from a book, exercises in the swimming pool and later our first dives at Raya Island. The absolute fascinating underwater world is now open after passing the course without any problems. An other daytrip brings us out to the ferry wreck King Cruiser (evil tongues claim the Captain, which sunk that ferry, was bribe by some divers) and to the beautiful coral garden of the Anemone Reef.

Transfer to Bangkok where Andre has to go home and I go on to Chiang Mai in the north. I leave together with a lot of interesting peoples from different countries on a trekking to the Hill tribes of North Thailand near Pai. Daily walks up and down the hills, including Bamboo Rafting, Elephant Ride, food (rice for sure), basic accommodation in a wooden hut and swimming in waterfalls for less than 60 CHF. After a chat and sometimes a beer by the fire, local celebrations we are happy to snuggle in our sleeping bags with less than 5 degrees outside no wonder at all. Against my expectation we not even saw on other tourist – we’re so lucky. Back in Chiang Mai I visit different temples in and around Chiang Mai and had a chat with some monks or better answer their endless questions. After I went to the Island of Ko Samet near Bangkok, where the beaches are okay but to many peoples around especially over the weekends. A "normal" day for me would be: lying lazy on the beach, watch some movies or soccer in the beach restaurants or get a drink (Sang Som Thai whiskey is acceptable) and play a game of pool.

April 2001: After one night in Bangkok and the day as well I was lucky (very busy / Thai New year is soon) to get a bus to Phuket. On the fifth of April I went on a 5 days live aboard DIVING-Trip to the Similans, Ko Bon, Ko Ta Chai and Richelieu Rock. Even if we not saw some of the biggest animals of the Sea I hoped for (Whale sharks or Manta rays) it was a pleasant trip. The highlights where big schools of Barracudas and Snappers at Ko Ta Chai, the colourful Reef of Richelieu Rock, Deep 6 at the Similans with 2 Black tip Reef sharks, Scorpion fishes, swam with a Turtle till almost out of air in my tank. Our last Dive at Shark fin Point (Similans) was snazzy with a Leopard Shark, Morays and a big Napoleon fish.... The weather was fine: the food great with a lot of fresh Fish just catched before....The last couple of days from 11.04.2001 midnight till 15. 04.2001 I celebrate with or was it more against the Thai Peoples Songkran (Water festival also New Year in Thailand). It means you buy yourself a water gun and try to make EVERYBODY soaking wet and get soaking wet as we. The battles in the Street of Patong (Phuket) or in Kao San Road (Bangkok) never stop against pedestrians; cars with hopefully open windows, motorbike drivers, police officers, and peoples around you............. If you are a foreigner (Falang) everybody likes especially to make you wet, but you mostly can take it with a smile it's the hottest month of the year

June and July 2001: Time for an other lazy week or so on Ko Samui, an Island with wonderful beaches and a national Park. Unfortunately a little big to crowded with Package-Tourists. I rented a motorbike to see the Big Buddha (about 25 high), the different beaches, the 2 Waterfalls and the Grandmother and Grandfathers stone formation and went to watch some movies in the cafes and a few drinks in the Pubs, Bars or just on the Beach Restaurant or real late in one of the discos. I did live in a German owned bungalow and had some dives around Ko Tao and to Sail Rock, which were manly disappointing for me. Not much better is Ko Phang Nang just full of young peoples - sorry but mostly nothing else in mind as party’s, stupid games and all kind of drugs. Luckily a couple of beaches are left out from that trouble. I went to Phi Phi Island, with a lot of tourist on the main islands and tons of ugly buildings and did a couple of dives there. Probably one of the easiest places in the world to see some leopard sharks we saw about 10 altogether in just 2 dives.

OPINION / EXPERIENCES / SUMMARY
Thailand is a lovely country popular for it beaches, countryside and the friendly, always smiling peoples. I like to stay and travel trough it. On the other hand nowhere else is tourism so visible like in Thailand. Especially for jung Thais there is nothing so cool like to have a similar life style like the visitor which is in holidays and might not always behave like back home.
HIGHLIGHTS / HINTS	NOT AS GOOD / LET IT BE
The islands and beaches especially Koh Chang, Krabi and Koh Lanta	Mass tourism in many parts as a popular holiday destination and often increasing prices
The urban Bangkok which got for everbodys taste and to every hour something for his visitors.	The gap between the accommodate and the "rural" inhabits is increasing
North and East Thailand which is ideal for a walk or a short trekking	Often not you as a visitor needs to get used for something new- no the people, infrastructure and custom gets used to you
Easy to travel trough and good fun for a couple of dives.