lost

Hi All,

I have 3 weeks that I can take off for vacation (including travel time from Boston) this October or early November. After doing some research I’m thinking of breaking out the time as:
5 days Bangkok
4 days Golden Triangle
4 days Siem Reap
5 days beach (location TBD)

I thought about squeezing in another location, but we don’t like to be constantly “on the go”. I’m perfectly happy spending a day here, a day there, reading a book in a beautiful setting.

A couple of questions:
• I know that it will still be rainy in October in many of these locations. Am I better off pushing things into early November in hopes of getting better weather? Or do you think it won’t really make a difference?
• Again because of the weather; do you recommend doing these in a certain order to try to improve the probability of getting good weather?
• Logistically does it make sense to do these in a certain order (easier airport transfers, direct flights, etc.)?
• Finally, I’m stuck on where to go for a couple of days R&R on a beach. It seems like end of Oct/beg of Nov is right between seasons whether you pick the each or west coast. I would prefer something quiet. We don’t mind being “in the middle of nowhere” as long as the surroundings are nice and we can eat well.

Thanks for the help and suggestions!

Kathie

You are quite right that the beach location is the question. If you can push it later the beach weather will be better. The Phuket side (including Krabi, Ko Lak, etc) gets an average of 12 inches of rain in October, 8.2 inches in november, 2 in December. On the Koh Samui side, it's 10.2 and 11.9 in Oct and Nov. Hua Hin is 10.5 in Oct, 5.2 in November.

On the other hand, prices go up as you head toward December. Even late Nov is more expensive. So think about how important the weather is for you. If it rains all day one day will you feel your vacation is ruined or will you enjoy relaxing and reading listening to the downpour?

So my take on it is to save the beach for last. If you do have to finish the vacation in early November, you might want to choose the Hua Hin area.

Gpanda

Your suggested intinerary looks very good. It gives a good amount of time at four very different places.

The later the better for the weather at the beach. We always go to Phuket/Krabi in late November and the weather has been great. As Kathie says, the prices go up after October 31, but there's a reason for that.

Plus, if you move the trip into November, you can attend the October Boston Get Together. There will be many people who have been to Thailand and are ridiculously willing to share their experience.

If you're at all interested, take a look at ThePLF.org. It's a charitable foundation established by a Fodorite who was touched when she went to some schools in Siem Riep. She used a guide named Ponheary Ly, used by many on this forum and reported lots. Do a search using the search engine on thios forum. Ponheary can be reached at [email protected].

BTW, I live in Cambridge, MA..

AskOksana

Actually it's a great time for northern Thailand, NE Thailand (Isaan Region), BKK & REP... but a terrible time for the Gulf of Thailand (Koh Samui)... so reverse your order... Do Golden (and/or Isaan), then BKK, then REP, then Andanman Sea (beautiful, quiet Khao Lak)... and you will be fine. November is a good time for HKT/KL as the dive/snorkel boats start going out again in Nov.

Oct. is fine for NE or N Thailand (5 days)... it's actually a good time... as the waterfalls are full. Look into NE Thailand (Isaan Region--almost untouristed, Khmer temples, national parks, waterfalls, Isaan cuisine, Karen & Lao tribes--fly into Udoni Thani on the Mekong, stay at western hotel or shuttle into a town on the Mekong & stay at Mutmee Guest House--checkout their website you can go into Luang Prabang for the day, need a Laos visa, go over the Friendship Bridge or tour down to Ubon Ratchanthani-- fly back to BKK or take the train).

BKK, do 4 nights BKK, then fly into REP 4 days, then fly to HKT (Phuket) take shuttle up to Khao Lak ... stay at Khao Lak Orchid Beach Resort (the best deals are via their website/reservations manager 'Jirasak')... If you want cheap, the Poseiden Bungalows... which is in southern Khao Lak... KLOB resort is on a beach w/ just 2 other hotels... we're going in a week.

You have to fly via BKK to go to REP (via Bangkok Air--they have a monopoly).

You can fly home via HKT to BKK.

If you go, fly Thai Air, they have nonstops from LAX (I don't know about Boston)... make sure you get a nonstop & pay for the PREMIUM ECONOMY upgrade, much bigger seat, better service, better food... it's a good deal.

If you forgo Isaan & go to Chiang Mai, you can switch planes in BKK to fly up to CM. I don't know if you have to go through Immigration first in BKK, but we are flying Thai Air direct from LAX-BKK-HKT & will do Immigration in HKT. Call Thai Air & ask them.

Look into the DISCOVER AIR PASS via Bangkok Air sold via their website, you need 3 legs of domestic flights to get it... BKK-REP--BKK (that's two) then you'd need one to NE or N. Thailand.

Avoid the cheapo airlines, they cancel & delay all the time.

We're doing 7 days Khao Lak, 6 REP, 4 BKK... remember you will lose 2 days flying over & 1 day on the way back, plus a 1/2 day to REP & to N. Thailand.

IMO the best BKK hotel rates are via AsiaRooms.com

Sawadee.com is excellent for reading reviews by guests, but I found that booking direct w/ KLOB had the best package.

If you love hiking, river rafting, checkout
www.phukettrekkingclub.com as they have a lodge in the Koh Sok National Park near Khao Lak... and the lake in it is incredible... it's a 2.5 hour drive on a mountain road in, so you want to go for 1--2 nights.

Rent a car via Budget International while you are in Khao Lak... checkout KhaoLakLovers.com for their suggested drives in the KL area.

glorialf

I think your schedule looks great. Only suggestion I would have would be to take one day off the beach and add it to bangkok.

AskOksana

When you depart Siem Reap, you will have to fly REP--BKK--HKT (Phuket).

The KLOB has a private hotel shuttle from HKT to KLOB resort for 1500 BHT... 90 km. to the hotel, it's basically as cheap as taxi, only you will be in a minivan w/ a safe driver who speaks English.

I cannot describe how incredibly kind they have been to me. I am mildly handicapped & when I asked them to put in a railing, so I could step up to the deck around the (giant) pool, they put in a ramp & sent me before/after photos & refused to take a deposit until I was satisfied. Rates include breakfast.

All rooms are ocean view (it's right on the beach) & the strong colonial building was the only one standing after the tsunami. Guests died there, but they are on the beach or in the (not rebuilt) beach bungalows. I've been in contact w/ guests who go back year after year, and they rave about the attentive staff & good care.

If you are going to do a remote temple in REP (Koh Ker) be aware there is malaria there & be aware there is Dengue fever all over SE Asia. Bring DEET & wear it.

Kathie

Oksana, it's great that you are so happy with the place you've chosen in Khao Lak, but I think it's only fair for you to disclose that you haven't yet been to any of the places about which you are making recommendations.

lost

I think that I will try to go as late in October (and into November)as I can and hit the beach last. Besides (hopefully) better weather I'll get some down time before returning to work!

I'll take a look at Hua Hin and Phuket. I'm okay with some rain as long as I have a comfy place to hang out and a good book. Plus wouldn't that be a great time for a massage?

Gpanda thanks for the link to ThePLF. You hit on something near and dear to my heart. In 1992 I spent ~2 months working in Bangkok's Klong Toey slum with the Duang Prateep Foundation. What a life changing experience. I haven't been back to Thailand since and can't wait!

Thanks again!

Gpanda

Many on this forum have gone to schools around Siem Riep with Ponheary and her brother Dara. They are both great guides and the schools need help. Lori (offwego screen name on this forum) has coordinated with several Fodorites for help with the schools.

While I'm at it, when in Bamgkok, many here have used the guide services of Tong or one of her team. They can be reached at TourwithTong.com. This year my wife and I had a wonderful experience at a Forest orphanage. Last year, Tong took us to a large orphanage in Nonthanburi (just north of BKK). Both times we felt that we were doing some small amount of good.

I'm interested in your Klong Toey experience. Tell us more, please.

rhkkmk

we have gone to thailand several times in mid-october....it has turned out fine...any earlier would not be good...

the boston GTG is on oct 11 in cambridge if you have any interest....many of us are regular thailand tourists...

as for the order of where to go....i would do a couple of days in bkk first, then move to the north country....then to siem reap and finish off at the beach followed by a few final days in bkk...

take a look at the bangkok airways pass for saving money on your flights...