Thailand: The Preferred Destination for "Working-Class" Travelers (page 7 of 10)

Most of the tourists—long-term travelers—we ran into over Christmas this year in Samui were Russian.

Families, extremely discreet and considerate.

Two or three French families on the verge of extinction on the beach, yelling at their kids every three minutes for not eating jellyfish, for lending their toys to strangers (Marie-Claire summer special), and for not tearing the sleeve of their Decathlon wetsuit while climbing on the bamboo masseuse hut. With nails sticking out a bit ('See, Timéo, there are nails sticking out a bit'). ++

The cuckoo has resurfaced. The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.

This discussion reminds me of Thailand’s egalitarian side. Those who don’t want to mix with the general public opt for expensive hotels that still don’t meet Western standards, where they’re somewhat cut off from a certain kind of authenticity and sometimes served sanitized food. Meanwhile, those with limited budgets can always count on eating something delicious.

Most of the tourists—long-term travelers—we ran into over Christmas this year in Samui were Russian. Families, extremely discreet and considerate.

Hey! Yesterday, on the Nok-Air BKK-Samui flight via Sri Thammara, it was packed, same with the Lompraya ferry—loads of backpacks, Russians, and Koreans. Pleasantly surprised: 99.99% friendly, people full of excitement, happy to be chasing their dream and having a good time. Chatty enough to practice *sanook* and *mai pen rai* I still admire how well Thais handle such huge crowds of people.

Personally, I’ll leave this thread to those who see travel in black and white.

Thoughts on the water (nothing to do with E. Cantona—no seagulls here, okay?):



Personally, I’m more struck by those massive floating hotels (one and a quarter in the photo) where people live in a bubble and contribute little, if anything, to the local economy.

A few French families—seemingly on the verge of extinction—ruining the vibe on the beach, yelling at their kids every three minutes for not eating jellyfish, for lending their toys to strangers (Marie-Claire summer special), and for tearing the sleeve of their Decathlon wetsuit while climbing on the bamboo massage hut.

Anyway, today’s all about sunbathing, sunshine in sight (view from my window). Gonna go check if they’re still there.

Ten languages asserting their worth don’t compare to two eyes that see. Thai proverb; *Dictionary of Thai Proverbs* (1980)

Happy to be back in your element!? Already choosing a holiday in Samui—isn’t that a bit of a "copycat" move?

Personally, I’ve been living here for 10 years, I speak Thai fluently, and I only hang out with Thais

It’s great that you’ve found your happy place. You shouldn’t ruin it by coming here to stress out on a forum full of farangs 😛

It’s true—living here permanently, I really struggle with comments from some people who come for just a month on "vacation" and suddenly think they’ve become The Experts on Thailand.

I’ve met a lot of expats who, like you, seemed to refuse to learn Thai and only hang out with other expats or the tourists they host—tourists who didn’t understand much about Thailand. Meanwhile, I’ve met regular visitors to Thailand who made the effort to learn basic Thai and were really close to locals, knowing way more about the country than some expats who’ve been here for years.

Le coucou Those on a tight budget can be sure they’ll always find something delicious to eat.

Oh, if only that were always true!

Glad to be back in your element!? Isn’t choosing a holiday in Samui already a bit of a "posh" behavior?

In Samui, some spots cater to "mass tourism," just like everywhere else in the world—jet skis, go-go bars, and young folks out to party. Others are more family-friendly, with parents sunbathing and kids swimming, just like everywhere else in the world. Then there are the New Age vibes, with yoga classes on teak decks and scenic coves, just like everywhere else in the world. But inland—meaning 95% of the island—it’s the traditional Southern Thailand: slow-paced, deserted during the hottest hours of the day, with that little local exotic touch—fish markets, coconut groves, endless beaches, turquoise sea, and no water (wait, what?). So no, choosing a holiday in Samui isn’t automatically a "posh" move. Here like anywhere else, traveling is about choosing your encounters. If some people only meet their own self-satisfaction, I feel bad for them. But I’ll get over it.😎

I’d never go to Samui—I’ve got the same thing back home on the Côte d'Azur in summer, no need to experience that. Plus, there are islands where there’s nobody—why bother with all those falang?

I’d never go to Samui—I’ve got the same thing back home on the Côte d’Azur in summer. No need to experience that. Plus, there are islands with nobody around—why bother with those falang?

Hello, We had a great family vacation there.

We went as a dream team: eight Isaan folks, half an Isaan, and one farang. Quite the crew!

First time swimming in the sea for two little ones.

We ate tons of crabs, squid, fish... real pizza, pasta... basically everything we rarely eat at home. Of course, we hit the shopping mall—Thailand’s national sport.

And we reunited with Thai friends (yes, there *are* Thai people in Samui!), as well as farang friends.

It’s funny, but I find Samui goes beyond authenticity. It’s alive, there’s business, the southern Thai vibe right next to a 5-star resort, and villages from the northeast moving there to work for four months (construction, cleaning, street food, etc.). In short, I think this lovely chaos is pretty Thai after all.

And there are spots where you’ll tear up watching the sun set over Thai families performing *pai thale laen nam*.

Anyway, here’s a little photo—maybe it’ll change your mind!

Huge consumption of crabs, squid, fish... real pizza, pasta... in short, everything we rarely eat back home.

Not to mention the coconut milk-based cuisine, with typical Southern dishes. Just thinking about it gets my taste buds tingling. That said, as much as I enjoy spending a few days there, I couldn’t see myself staying any longer.

That said, while I enjoy spending a few days there, I can’t see myself staying any longer.

It all depends on where you drop your bag! 😇

That said, as much as I enjoy spending a few days there, I couldn’t see myself staying any longer.

It really depends on where you set your bag down 😇

I’ve dropped my bag just about anywhere for a day and ended up staying 3 years. Then 3 years on the little sister, Koh Phangan. When I’d come back to Samui now and then, my Thai friends would always ask how it was going in Koh Phangan. 'Not too tough being far from everything?' :)

Now in the northeast for 3 years.

Visiting the south. Wow. Sawasdee. You’ve picked up the accent. You sound like a... Isaan local. :)

Personally, I prefer Koh Lanta—it’s still more authentic than Samui.

personally I prefer Koh Lanta, it's still more authentic than Samui

Well, reading this thread, it’s clear that "authenticity" is kind of an empty concept. Everyone’s free to fill it in their own way.

At the same time, if you live in Isaan, you can’t really blame someone for wanting to experience a bit of the crowds on Samui for a change.

authenticity is an empty concept

Hey there, Every time I’ve asked for a definition of it, I’ve never gotten an answer. And if the only thing empty was the *concept* of authenticity (lol), the world would be a better place.

Personally, we’re doing a pretty unique trip, but to understand it, you’d need to know the setup: traveling with kids and grandkids (7 in total), including a 1-year-old, which rules out:

- Dream islands without an emergency doctor, - Emotional family reunions,

So yeah, I’m happy and proud to find myself lumped in with the "posh" crowd. We rented a villa in a hotel residence with a private pool*—pretty far from the beaches. *For the pool, so we don’t end up with grumps who can’t handle noise and splashing from real life. That doesn’t stop us from hitting the beach when it’s not too hot. For the rest, a gently sloping Samui, kind of like your setup: voyageforum.com/...post=8385792#8385792 and voyageforum.com/...post=8386113#8386113

Charlie 120—Tom Khaa Talay is still absolutely amazing.

In the end, I really enjoy reading all the best and worst takes here.

so, happy and proud to find myself ranked among the "mimiles"

A fault confessed is half redressed...

Extra smile Lamaï 7:00 AM, window overlooking the courtyard darn! They removed the courtyard

The buffaloes, the coconut trees, the sea

I’d never go to Samui—I’ve got the same thing back home on the Côte d’Azur in summer. No need to live through that. Plus, there are islands with nobody around—why bother with all those falang?

Hi there, That’s exactly what I thought. My wife had never been to Samui, so we went for a week. Whether in Lamai or Chaweng, I felt like I was on a Côte d’Azur beach, just with Asian staff. And the water quality? No thanks. Happy to be back in my Isaan countryside. But of course, that’s just my personal opinion. Have a great day! https://ma-retraite-en-isaan.blog4ever.com/articles/vacances-a-koh-samui