Trip to Thailand

i Tuna · 04/03/2013, 06:55 AM

Hey guys,

I'm in the process of planning a trip to Thailand for about two weeks. What I want to know is this:

Where in Bangkok should I visit for fish stores / aquarium stores / reef stores and so on?

Anywhere else in Thailand that anyone recommends that I must see? (I doubt I'll need to spend the full two weeks in Bangkok.

Any fish / aquarium related events?

Any fish farms (fresh, reef, arowana, etc.) that anyone recommend I visit?

Any reptile / amphibian pet shops / farms that are worth visiting?

Thanks for the help guys!

Not sure if there is the right section to post this thread in, however all the others seemed worse.. If I'm wrong hopefully one of the admins can change it for me.

BIG_KAHUNA · 04/03/2013, 07:40 AM

Don't know much about the area but I can tell you, you need to learn to DIVE!! If you're not certified already. Top diving in the world!

seanothon · 04/03/2013, 07:54 AM

Just got back from a 2 1/2 month trip to Thailand. It is an amazing place. I hope you like spicy food.

Not sure where to find a fish store in Bangkok but at one of the downtown malls they have the largest public aquarium in Southeast Asia. I'm sure you can ask a taxi driver to take you to a pet store but don't let them hustle you and take you to a tourist trap they suggest.

I would suggest not staying in Bangkok too long. I just found it too big and crowded and not as enjoyable as the other places I went.

Do you scuba dive? There is some amazing diving there and you can get certified in a couple days, if you aren't already. The best diving is on the west coast at places like Koh Phi Phi. You can also check out one of the worlds most amazing beaches on that island. It's where they filmed that movie The Beach With Leo Dicaprio.

Regardless of whether you want to dive or not, I suggest going to Railay Beach. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. And if you want to dive, you can easily do it from there.

Other places I suggest seeing are Ayutthaya. Tons of temples and history to see. It's much faster to get there than going all the way up to Chiang Mai and you see a lot of the same things. The island chain of Koh Tao, Samui, and Pa-ngan are very nice. Tao is better if you want a relaxed scene (tons of diving there, btw) and the other two can be crazy party islands, if mushroom milkshakes are your thing.

Overall, just enjoy yourself and eat tons of curries for me!

mess7777 · 04/03/2013, 08:53 AM

get in touch with ChingChai on these forums. He lives there, has an awesome reef tank and I am sure would be happy to point you in the right direction.

That said, do some snorkeling and diving(if you are into that). Why not see the real thing!

There's a million things to see in Thailand, we loved Kanchanaburri, it's a little more laid back and relaxing. Great food, always hot, inexpensive.....oh I would love to go back!

i Tuna · 04/04/2013, 06:21 AM

Thanks for all the great feedback! I do have a deep water PADI scuba license so I'll definitely look into diving sites.

@ Seanothon: I love spicy food / Thai food, also this isn't my first time visiting Thailand, but my previous trip was when I was a child, and I mostly saw touristy / historical / religious / cultural areas and don't remember the trip in detail.

As to your remark about not staying in Bangkok too long, I've heard the same from everyone I know who has been to Thailand recently, not a place I'd want to stay for an extended period of time.

Koh Phi phi I've already visited back when I was a kid, so I'll be skipping it this time around.

I may avoid those mushroom milkshakes, but thanks for the suggestions! I'll look into Koh Pa-ngan and Koh Tao.

Haha thanks bro, will do

@ mess7777 Aye that was the plan, I can't go to Thailand without seeing Chingchai's reefs, he's been a HUGE inspiration to me and almost singlehandedly, re-captivated my interest in SPS reef aquariums.

Will look into Kanchanaburri, I wouldn't mind visiting an area / resort to relax at for a bit, but I also do need to allow the party animal within some time outside.

Also, does anyone know of any area's that are good for sports like rafting, kayaking and hiking?

04/03/2013, 06:55 AM	#1
i Tuna Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Kuwait Posts: 154	Trip to Thailand Hey guys, I'm in the process of planning a trip to Thailand for about two weeks. What I want to know is this: Where in Bangkok should I visit for fish stores / aquarium stores / reef stores and so on? Anywhere else in Thailand that anyone recommends that I must see? (I doubt I'll need to spend the full two weeks in Bangkok. Any fish / aquarium related events? Any fish farms (fresh, reef, arowana, etc.) that anyone recommend I visit? Any reptile / amphibian pet shops / farms that are worth visiting? Thanks for the help guys! Not sure if there is the right section to post this thread in, however all the others seemed worse.. If I'm wrong hopefully one of the admins can change it for me. __________________ Walid Current Tank Info: 60g cube SPS dominated, mixed reef. 20g long Arabian Gulf biotope. Current Tank Info: 60cm(L)x60cm(W)x70cm(D) Sps dominated mixed Reef. pH: 8.03-8.31, Alk: 11.8-12.0, Ca: 520, Mg: 1440, Nitrate: 0, Phospate: Need a reliable test kit...

04/03/2013, 07:40 AM	#2
BIG_KAHUNA Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: 4.815 S 162.342 E Posts: 478	Don't know much about the area but I can tell you, you need to learn to DIVE!! If you're not certified already. Top diving in the world! __________________ Scott

04/04/2013, 06:21 AM	#5
i Tuna Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Kuwait Posts: 154	Thanks for all the great feedback! I do have a deep water PADI scuba license so I'll definitely look into diving sites. @ Seanothon: I love spicy food / Thai food, also this isn't my first time visiting Thailand, but my previous trip was when I was a child, and I mostly saw touristy / historical / religious / cultural areas and don't remember the trip in detail. As to your remark about not staying in Bangkok too long, I've heard the same from everyone I know who has been to Thailand recently, not a place I'd want to stay for an extended period of time. Koh Phi phi I've already visited back when I was a kid, so I'll be skipping it this time around. I may avoid those mushroom milkshakes, but thanks for the suggestions! I'll look into Koh Pa-ngan and Koh Tao. Haha thanks bro, will do @ mess7777 Aye that was the plan, I can't go to Thailand without seeing Chingchai's reefs, he's been a HUGE inspiration to me and almost singlehandedly, re-captivated my interest in SPS reef aquariums. Will look into Kanchanaburri, I wouldn't mind visiting an area / resort to relax at for a bit, but I also do need to allow the party animal within some time outside. Also, does anyone know of any area's that are good for sports like rafting, kayaking and hiking? __________________ Walid Current Tank Info: 60g cube SPS dominated, mixed reef. 20g long Arabian Gulf biotope. Current Tank Info: 60cm(L)x60cm(W)x70cm(D) Sps dominated mixed Reef. pH: 8.03-8.31, Alk: 11.8-12.0, Ca: 520, Mg: 1440, Nitrate: 0, Phospate: Need a reliable test kit...

04/03/2013, 07:54 AM	#3
seanothon Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 291	Just got back from a 2 1/2 month trip to Thailand. It is an amazing place. I hope you like spicy food. Not sure where to find a fish store in Bangkok but at one of the downtown malls they have the largest public aquarium in Southeast Asia. I'm sure you can ask a taxi driver to take you to a pet store but don't let them hustle you and take you to a tourist trap they suggest. I would suggest not staying in Bangkok too long. I just found it too big and crowded and not as enjoyable as the other places I went. Do you scuba dive? There is some amazing diving there and you can get certified in a couple days, if you aren't already. The best diving is on the west coast at places like Koh Phi Phi. You can also check out one of the worlds most amazing beaches on that island. It's where they filmed that movie The Beach With Leo Dicaprio. Regardless of whether you want to dive or not, I suggest going to Railay Beach. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. And if you want to dive, you can easily do it from there. Other places I suggest seeing are Ayutthaya. Tons of temples and history to see. It's much faster to get there than going all the way up to Chiang Mai and you see a lot of the same things. The island chain of Koh Tao, Samui, and Pa-ngan are very nice. Tao is better if you want a relaxed scene (tons of diving there, btw) and the other two can be crazy party islands, if mushroom milkshakes are your thing. Overall, just enjoy yourself and eat tons of curries for me!

04/03/2013, 08:53 AM	#4
mess7777 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: QC,QC Posts: 987	get in touch with ChingChai on these forums. He lives there, has an awesome reef tank and I am sure would be happy to point you in the right direction. That said, do some snorkeling and diving(if you are into that). Why not see the real thing! There's a million things to see in Thailand, we loved Kanchanaburri, it's a little more laid back and relaxing. Great food, always hot, inexpensive.....oh I would love to go back!