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What's the best way to get the feeling of local culture in Thailand?

We are arriving to Bang Kok on 18th June and departing same city on 2nd July. We are planning to spend two days in Bang Kok (depending on things to do and see and sales in shops for my girlfriend. Mind you, I'm interested in digital cameras and electronics) and the rest of ten days in Koh Samui island. By writing "culture" in my question I also meant activities (I'm not kind of person who would lay on the beach all day every day), unusual and weird things to try, places to visit or things to buy. I'm very much in motoring so planning to hire a car and it would be much more fun to drive not Avis brand new car, but something local, old or authentic (or at least 4x4). We like luxury, but would be much nicer to hire a little log cabin (beach house) on the seaside. We're into mountain, water activities, cycling, trying local cusine, meeting local people, etc. Thank you in advance ;)

Public Comments

1. i spent a month in thailand from bankok to chiang mai and also to koh samui. thailand is so poor that you're going to have a good cultural experience no matter what. in bankok, i would recommend taking a tuk tuk around, you can't miss em, little three wheeled carts. i would also check out the palace adn the reclining buddha. make sure to take the water taxis. these can be found under almost every bridge and are unmarked. when you find one, don't take the first one, just watch what everyone else does when getting on/off. the drive doesn't really watch and so you need to make a quick on/off or else fall in very nasty, sewagey water. once on you sit next to a fifty gallon drum that is the fuel tank, but you wanted a cultural experience, right? i think a good day trip, or two, from bankok is to go see the old capital, now in ruins, of Ayutthaya. very beautiful and it is great to see the old ruins. also, being in a smaller city, not as many people speak english and menus rarely have it either. there are monks around the ruins as well that you can talk to and who are interesting. in koh samui, i rented a car with some friends. there are little 4x4 outfits everywhere there and it is relatively cheap. i don't know how we found a way to the mountains, but it was pretty much a no braineer, i don't think that there are that many roads, you'll figure it out. also, when doing this, i highly highly highly recommend going to see the waterfalls. they are not that crowded adn if you go all the way to the top, you have solo swimming in a cool pool underneath a waterfall in the middle of the jungle. one of the trip highlights for sure. all in all, i would say as a general theme to your trip, don't stay in bankok and don't go to phuket. stay in places that are right in the center of things and stay in small cities where you're not as likely to find a mcdonalds. have fun!
2. Motoring is not fun, I've lost a student and friend to accidents (more than in the US). It's is also slow and prone to jams of unknown causes. You also won't find many old cars. Might I suggest motoring on the train? They have first class cabins (2 bed per cabin, sink...) where you can sit and watch the country go by, eat, read, ... Not expensive and you will typically meet natives of better than average means who often can speak English. I'd recommend kayaking around Krabi (near where they shot "Man with the Golden Gun") with lots of rock spires. Can also do rock climbing on those same spires. Scuba is also good there as is hiking. Samui is more of a relax on the beach place, oh, and with partying. Pretty surfy as it's out in the Gulf a ways.
3. Well, lots of issues here.. It sounds like you have plans to spend most of your time on samui.. a very touristy lay on the beach kind of place.. they do have day trips etc for tourists but not too much "real" local stuff.. Ok - shopping for electronics, Panthip in bkk, but computers, cameras etc.. probably cheaper or same as in USA, if that is where you are from.. everything else is at the Weekend Mkt - called Chat-too-chuck or JJ mkt.. tourist areas are expensive [rip off for shopping].. Travel is easy, people are friendly - if you want to venture into outlying areas - - well, I live in Tak Province and there is a beautiful 1st class hotel for 900 baht or $22 or so w/buffet bkfst.. very nice places can be had for $12.. There are spectacular waterfalls - Umphang, not too far.. and many little tucked away places that are end of the world peaceful and beautiful.. there is great fun at Thai music places in bkk.. but so few people get out of the tourist lanes.. it's a shame.. ok - enuf for now - if you want to know more, send me an email.. kenk2424@yahoo.com
4. This probably not the answer you are looking for, but here goes. I do not think you will be able to get a true feeling of local culture in the short time you are in Thailand. The easiest way to enjoy yourself in such a short time, and I know this will sound strange, is to do all the tourist stuff and not venture off the beaten path. All of the tourist activities you find will be at least a condensed version of the culture, one that will be easier to digest. Breaking into true Thai culture takes a long time. If you stray too far from the path of tourism you may be somewhat jaded by your initial reactions to "the real Thailand". Beyond tourism, tourist aren't always greeted with smiles in "the land of smiles". The local people outside the tourist industry do not want to meet you. As far as the cameras and electronics go, I am not sure where you are from but electronics are much cheaper in the USA. Because of taxes that Thailand places on these items you can find much better deals elsewhere. PLEASE stay away from car rentals. I am an avid driver, but even after years of living in Thailand I do not drive. Transportation is cheap and easy to get. Parking and driving are a royal pain in the kingdom. I hope this doesn't sound too negative, I truly love living in Thailand, I just see things for what they are. If I can help you more let me know. Enjoy your trip.