Few more tips i didnt see mentioned....
- dont use ATM and dont exchange at airport currency exchanges, both will rape you dry! Bring USD/Euro cash and
exchange cash at Superrich (by far the best rates you'll find in Thailand). Airport right now will give you 34 per 1usd, superrich's current posted rate they'll give is 36.25. The numbers speak for themself
- Being a first timer, i know it'll be hard to avoid the top touristy places like the farang filled sky bars, Kao San, temples infested with tourism, etc, but i would highly suggest you try to squeeze in some time to visit some real real thai locals places, streetside restaurants that you see filled with Thai's, usually open air, maybe some beer towers, etc, and also the "member clubs", a bit expensive but you can see how real thai hiso guys do it, (not the sleazy style red light district types with females with no/bland personalities) (dont get me wrong those are surely good for something, but i mean this in terms with what you want/dont want as you've said)
- if you're not into red light district but still like to meet some females, try checking out some dating sites..
thai friendly,
thai love links and
thai love lines
That's all i have for now.
And agreed about the Malaria thing, if you plan to go digging through dumpsters or sleeping in jungles, that is a total overkill.
1 more tip, just be safe, careful, and if something seems over priced, dont buy it, if something seems too good to be true, be wary, etc etc, typical rules anywhere you'll go anywhere in the world
