Anonymous wrote:Thailand is currently freaking me out about the numerous human trafficking and kidnappings. So my vote is for New Zealand. Just read where a Chinese actor was saved from a human trafficking ring by his girlfriend when kidnapped and another case where a dad is now looking for his daughter who went missing in Thailand. There are Chinese gangs operating on the border of Thailand.

You have to be a complete dumbass to fall for it. Are you getting contacted for random acting jobs in Thailand on shady apps ? Are you talking to random strangers on the internet who says they'll pick you up on Bangkok once you land? No? Then you're 100% fine. Bangkok is now #1 for most inbound flights in the world. Everyone is traveling to Thailand and 99.9% of tourists are fine.

We are there now. Honestly, the US feels 100x less safe than anywhere in Thailand because of all of the gun violence and criminals run amok. Even Bangkok is incredibly safe. Even Patpong and KSR felt way more safe than the US.

New Zealand will be a lot easier.

New Zealand hands down. Queenstown on the South Island has a ton of things kids can do outdoors.

I went to Thailand as a young teen in the 90s. Loved it. But I will never forget being at an upscale cafe in the middle of the day and seeing multiple older white men dining with teenage Thai girls. It was frightening to me and led to a lifelong interest in issues like trafficking and child prostitution.

It was also a topic among many travelers we met. Not sure if it’s still like that or if I was especially sensitive to it.

That flight time difference means you lose 2 extra days going to Thailand vs. NZ. I just can't stomach a 24 hr flight at this point in my life. So NZ it is.

As to the above:

https://amp.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3294093/chinese-cancel-thai-holidays-actor-wang-xings-kidnapping-fuels-safety-fears

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/world/40044958

Thailand is currently freaking me out about the numerous human trafficking and kidnappings. So my vote is for New Zealand. Just read where a Chinese actor was saved from a human trafficking ring by his girlfriend when kidnapped and another case where a dad is now looking for his daughter who went missing in Thailand. There are Chinese gangs operating on the border of Thailand.

Thailand for sure. NZ is pretty but dull otherwise

Never been to NZ. But we went to Thailand when the kids were around that age - maybe slightly older - and had an amazing time. One of our best vacations.

"Do you like crowded urban life?"

One can visit Thailand without this.

Do you like hot weather?
Do you like Thai food?
Do you like crowded urban life?
If yes, go with Thailand

New Zealand will be easier. Thailand will be more culturally interesting

I’ve taken my kids to both right around the same ages. I would say Thailand, hands down. But, that’s a hefty flight time difference and so I might just go for New Zealand because of that.

When we went, we weren’t living in the US.

NZ

Can stay up to a little under 2 weeks. Kids are 7 and 9.

New Zealand
14 hour nonstop flight, $1000 over Thanksgiving

Thailand
24 hour flight, about $1200