This might be a dumb question, but does thailand have hostels? Or are they pretty much all hotels because of the cheap housing cost?

I'm looking to spend 2 months there, meet people, chill at the beach, motorbike around and explore the national parks. But I'd be traveling alone and hostels(previously) always offered such a great/easy experience meeting fellow travelers. Have done them in europe and us, and been happy both times.

What would you recommend for me in thailand? I'm really more of a nature than city/party person. I don't speak thai, I do like to scuba, love the beach, and would like to learn to surf(not sure if waves are good in thailand). Cost wise, I'm looking more on the cheaper side, but not so much I'd be looking for less of a cool experience type place vs a more expensive cooler option. Like spend <$1200usd for two months on housing.

Any and all recommendations would be greatly appreciated....

it would seem like you would like the southern parts of thailand around samui, krabi, phuket etc. the nature here is very beautiful with most of the nicest beaches being here along with this area being mountainous(if that is a word? ). you can find scubadiving easily though i am not into it so wouldnt know how/where to get the best deals for that. i have never heard anyone coming to thailand to surf so i wouldnt get my hopes up in that department. i wouldnt forget chiang mai either from your plan though it is a bit far away from the places i mentioned but flights are cheap so it shouldnt be a deal breaker

as for accomodation $600/month should be more than enough especially if you are willing to stay a bit longer per location so you have more room to haggle better deals and since you dont seem to require much from the room. prices also vary greatly depending on the time of the year you are planning to come

keep an eye on these threads too. sometimes ppl post about rooms being for rent in the houses they have rented already

i think u can learn to surf in Karon

Didnt Bill take surf lessons somewhere? It mightve been Karon I dont remember

there's basically 2-3 months of surf season, if i remember correctly.... sometime around july-august i think? Kata beach is supposed to be the premier surf beach, but if cost is a big issue, i'm sure there are beaches that are better suited and cheaper to live... but unless samui fits the bill (i have no idea) it won't come with any 2+2 community.

Guesthouses are more popular than hostels in Chiang Mai, but I did stay in a hostel called Lub D in bkk, around Silom area. Lots of travelers coming n going, very friendly people n atmosphere - about $6-$10 a night.

Any gyms in the area or not far from Asok/Phrom Phong that have decent-priced monthly memberships? Always had gyms in the apartment complexes, so haven't really looked into it.

White skin is your credit

Typical is a one year lease with first and last + one month deposit or something, it's all negotiable as you are almost always renting directly from the owner (even if through an agent) rather than a big company who owns all of the units.

There is a California Wow right there at Sukhumvit 25 or 27ish.

I know where some of them are at, pretty hard to miss the Wow, but I asked because maybe someone can inform me about prices in different places. Since they don't have fixed prices, it would be nice to know as well how much should one haggle, especially if you get a monthly membership.

varies depending on many factors, google research what different people got. there standard is to push a 12k+ ish few year/lifetime kind of package.

theres a difference between wow, first and true etc though.

negotiating prices at Cal Wow is possibly the most frustrating bargaining experience I've ever had. If your near asok there are other, better gyms nearby.

Can someone recommend a good place to stay for 7 nights in BBK near all the action? Under 1k baht/night preferably with good facilities.

+1.

Seriously **** California Wow. The level of shadiness employed by the sales people there is unbelievable.

Yea, that's why I asked. I am pretty sure that other places don't have fixed prices as well? I know where at least one true and first fitness are at, but I figured that it's easier to ask here for an approxiate than to start running around and haggle for prices. Or maybe there are some others except those two-three that I don't know about yet. Thanks for any info.

Anybody know of a gym w/ an indoor basketball court?

i go to that california wow at suk 23, after some haggling i got them down to 1k a month if i signed a 1yr contract

yo guys. can anyone advice me about flying companies. whats the cheapest to thailand. dont need baller 1st class etc from holland or belgium.

some finns fly to bangkok through amsterdam with KLM since they are cheaper than finnairs direct

just browse some agent sites like kayak or ebookers etc to find best deals

u can get direct berlin->phuket/BKK for 300ish euros with airberlin

lessu & skill thnx.

klm amsterdam; EUR 1.299,53 (everything around 1.3k)
air berlin; € 458,99 (everything around 450-500)

nice. will do that

ow i forgot to ask, anyone got recommendations about house? its for 3-4 people.. (non ballah) we would like to go in feb for few months.
I did some research already at interweps but maybe someone have connections or know a good place.
tyty

I'm at First Fitness now. I've tried True fitness at Asoke, but they insisted on 21k per year...... if I didn't want Yoga I could get it for 17. Wow exp at Silom asked 18k at first, but got it down to 11k.

Matt you should just stay in an apartment where you pay month by month, there are tons but I think these are the best for a variety of budgets

http://www.touchhillplace.com/ large 1 bet 17k 2bet 26k++(from 26k up)
http://www.thegrandnapat.com/ 2beds 50k+
http://www.nimmanviengping.com/ 1 bed 18k
http://www.thepunna.net/ 1bed 22k++ 2beds 45k++
http://www.greenhillplace.com/ small 1bed 9k large 1bed 17k 2bed 23k
http://www.viewdoimansion.com small 1bed 5k large 1bed 12k
http://www.furama.com/chiangmai/ 2bed 48k incl all bills