twotigers

Hi,
My family is planning to visit Thailand for the first time. Parents in 40s, girls are 4 & 5 yrs old.

Here are our "wish" plan so far...
PLACES: Bangkok, Udon Thani, Beach
When to visit: sometime in Jan - March 2015
Duration: 10-14 days
Budget travel

What would be the best transportation method we should take between Bangkok-Udon Thani-Beach?
Which beach town would be good for 4-5 yrs old?
What do I need to worry about for health or foods?
Or any travel tips you would like to share with us.

Any suggestion would be so welcome. I have been looking bunch of travel guide books but so many beautiful places to see.

Thank you.
Y

rhkkmk

read some trip reports here...

hotels with a/c and a pool, a must with kids

why udon thani?? not that much there to do??

hua hin is a nice beach area... go by bus, train or taxi---3 hours.. from Bangkok

try serviced apartments in bkk: centre point silom, chatrium riverside, Marriott mayfair, Marriott courtyard (hotel), ascott apartments..

nice zoo in bkk and an aquarium too (expensive).

thais love kids.

all kinds of food available for kids too

bulldogtwo

OK, just so you are aware you're going to zig zag a bit in your travels, with two young children, and going north to south, or vice versa I would pick one or the other.

But the best way to travel would be to either drive or fly. Driving would be my preference but that's a lot of driving as well. Flying domestic is relatively cheap even on a budget, the drawback is you don't have transpo once you are at your destinations. Driving is safe and easy in Thailand as well.

Health, I would always when travelling make sure you are up to date on Hepatitis shots, that's the big one in Asia, even in the states. Food, even street food is safe and great to eat. You can usually see people flocking to certain venders, the locals know who's good, even snacks, cheap and delicious. You will also be there when it is HOT, dry season, great for the beach but sunscreen is a must, especially for young ones. The waters here are usually very calm, most all resorts and public areas during the time you are going will be clean and great fun.

Food, again, the street food and deserts and delicious, particularly the young coconut deserts. Try them,, the kids will love them. Fried rice is some of the best in the world, (my opinion) and cheap for the kids. Unless you are in a top end restaurant, food is pretty cheap everywhere. Don't be afraid to go into the local places. The Thai's are helpful/friendly and the food is great.

I wouldn't bother with the zoo, not that great and soooo many other things to do that are worth your time. Like the Grand Palace, Emerald Buddah, Chinatown, Sunday Market on the weekends. Just remember, it's going to be warm, hot, depending on what your used to and coming from, hydrate to keep the kids from getting cranky, or you! The Aquarium in Siam Square is really expensive, but....not sure if it's worth the money to go.

HAVE FUN!

Best beaches, I would pick the Andaman coast, west side of the country, GREAT beaches, bath water warm

bulldogtwo

One last thing, Personally I don't like Phuket, go an hour north and stay in Khao Lak, nice and relaxed atmosphere and the beaches are great. Budget, stay at the PHUKHAOLAK resort.
Phu Khao Lak resort. Very nice and great for the money.Not on the beach but it's not far away.

khunwilko

Udon has the Ban Chiang world Heritage site - prehistoric settlement - it changed the archeological perception of the development of civilisation on S.E. Asia.

To the north is Nong Kai and the Mekong river which forms the border with Lao.

the "Keetakawee" restaurant is a must if you are in Udon.
iy has great food and great "fusion" folk music played by a really talented 13 piece band.
it's near Tescos on the ring road.
check out this percussionist!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MSvS7rtlZc

khunwilko

Best beach is probably Koh Lanta...but real haul from Udon. going to any beach from Udon will almost certainly involve going back through or round Bangkok.

Koh Chang Island might be easier....it's nearer.

you can fly to all these places from Udon.

There is a train as well - you'd need a first class cabin to yourself - if available.

I love self-drive but not for the unsure driver. the main road (route 2) from Bkk to Udon is rather dull.....try a detour via Chayaphum.

rhkkmk

kids would love the zoo, other sites might be boring for them

khunwilko

Beware! - visiting zoos in Thailand is essentially condoning and funding abuse and exploitation of animals.

rhkkmk

kw---don't start!!!!

zoos are not mistreating their animals

khunwilko

I'm sorry to say that Thailand has as absolutely deplorable record as far as animal welfare and conservation. Almost every facet of every zoo in the country falls short of internationally accepted standards.
One has to ask "what is a zoo for" these days....and Thailand fails the test almost every time.
cages are too small, animals bred illegally, incorrect diet, animals forced to perform anthropomorphic acts by use of violence riding elephants etc is very much against all modern thinking.
there are as yet NO animals welfare laws in Thailand and although certain acts against an animal might be treated as a crime, there is little to no enforcement.
animals have about the same rights in Thailand as a motorcycle - guess which is treated better!

rhkkmk

do you have first hand evidence of this kw?

khunwilko

How contradictory your are! - you made a one line comment totally unsupported by any evidence ...now you are trying to make a false argument by suggesting I should supply you with "first-hand" evidence - I think rather than rely on me you should do some reading and get up to speed on the subject. I'm not your teacher and have no interest in becomingness.

i have been involved in animal welfare for 4 decades and am well informed on the subject - if you disagree with something I say, rather then making facile comments why not put up a real, logical argument to the contrary?