Help with Thailand family itinerary
Jan 5th, 2004, 04:31 PM
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Help with Thailand family itinerary
I am travelling with my family (two sons aged 11 and 13) in December 2004. We hope to visit Hong Kong for 3 days, Chaing Mai 3 days, Bangkok 3 days and Phuket for 5 days. Any suggestions on what to do, where to stay, where to eat etc. would be appreciated. We like to keep busy when we travel. Thanks.
Jan 5th, 2004, 06:28 PM
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in all of those areas there is plenty to do so don't worry about being idle...in bangkok, i would suggest that you look at the marriott resort and spa...the kids will love the huge pool and it is perfect for teenagers...it is the best pool in bkk...there is a small attached mall that has a mcdonalds, ice cream stand, burger king, pizza hut, etc....to keep everyone happy you are a bit issolated from the main stream bkk, which might be good if the kids want to wander around---no obvious porno in that area...
the kowloon hotel in hong kong is a great location and reasonable...near-by is the salisbury ymca, which operates more like a holiday inn....great location and reasonable, but not cheap...
i would cut chiang mai back by a day or eliminate it totally--the only thing that the kids might like there is the elephants, and you can find them elsewhere....i'd add on to phuket and bkk....
the kowloon hotel in hong kong is a great location and reasonable...near-by is the salisbury ymca, which operates more like a holiday inn....great location and reasonable, but not cheap...
i would cut chiang mai back by a day or eliminate it totally--the only thing that the kids might like there is the elephants, and you can find them elsewhere....i'd add on to phuket and bkk....
Jan 6th, 2004, 06:30 AM
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rhkkmk - thanks for the info - we were wondering about the chaing mai stop as well - just trying to cover a good portion of the country. Can you do the elephant piece or rafting in Phuket area do you know?
Jan 6th, 2004, 06:39 AM
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If you are looking for fun for the kids you don't really have to go all the way to Chiang Mai. One of the greatest 'adventure' areas of Thailand is the River Kwai area, just 2 hours by road from bangkok.
The famous (infamous) Bridge on the River Kwai, the WWII museums etc, the River itself. You can stay on river rafts that vary from the most basic to a/con luxury river rafts, for a family amazing fun! You can do river Kayak trips, mountain bike trips, river journeys, elephant rides, jungle treks, it is very much a river/jungle adverture area, plus in the region as anywhere in Thailand there are temples etc.
This will save you a fortune as opposed to going to Chiang Mai. You can then fly down to Phuket for your 'beach island' part of your trip which is a lively island with a great deal of trips for all the family.
To get an idea of the River Kwai area
http://www.freewebs.com/hua_hin_hotels/riverkwai.htm
Take a look at the river rafts and read through and you get an idea.
For Phuket there is a range of info, try www.phuket.com
An important factor in your costs will be where you are flying 'from' and which airline you choose to get the best deal.
The famous (infamous) Bridge on the River Kwai, the WWII museums etc, the River itself. You can stay on river rafts that vary from the most basic to a/con luxury river rafts, for a family amazing fun! You can do river Kayak trips, mountain bike trips, river journeys, elephant rides, jungle treks, it is very much a river/jungle adverture area, plus in the region as anywhere in Thailand there are temples etc.
This will save you a fortune as opposed to going to Chiang Mai. You can then fly down to Phuket for your 'beach island' part of your trip which is a lively island with a great deal of trips for all the family.
To get an idea of the River Kwai area
http://www.freewebs.com/hua_hin_hotels/riverkwai.htm
Take a look at the river rafts and read through and you get an idea.
For Phuket there is a range of info, try www.phuket.com
An important factor in your costs will be where you are flying 'from' and which airline you choose to get the best deal.
Jan 6th, 2004, 07:10 AM
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Thanks James for all the info - I will definitely go to the River Kwai web site. We are flying on points from Toronto with an open jaw in Hong Kong, so the flight portion of the trip is taken care of there - we just need to coordinate the flight from Bangkok to Phuket.
Jan 6th, 2004, 07:56 AM
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Although there are now 3 airlines, shortly to be joined by a 4th on the Bangkok-Phuket route your best bet is with Thai who have the most flights ( all wide-body on the route ). Just call Thai's Toll-Free number in Canada. If you are flying in December you might as get get provisional seats now if they let you, but you won't have to pay yet. December is very busy and flight fill fast a long way ahead. The flight is 1hr 10 and Thai fly about every hour.
Jan 6th, 2004, 09:05 AM
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James, just checked out the river kwai web site - I can't believe how inexpensive the package tours are - the western 3 day/2night one sounds great.
I noticed in another posting that Le Meridien in Relax Bay/Phuket seemed to get alot of positive responses. Again, from a family perspective, is this one of the better ones to try for on Phuket? Can we arrange diving/snorkelling and other trips from there?
I noticed in another posting that Le Meridien in Relax Bay/Phuket seemed to get alot of positive responses. Again, from a family perspective, is this one of the better ones to try for on Phuket? Can we arrange diving/snorkelling and other trips from there?
Jan 6th, 2004, 10:34 AM
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I am sure as a parent you know that old adage ' To have a good vacation make sure the kids are happy!'
The Meridien at Relax Bay has deffinate plus points, however, as a family perhaps one 'minor' drawback ( you know your own family so see if this is a problem ) is that because it is on it's own beach/cove and surrounded by hills the only way in or out is using transport.
i.e, if you want to take a stroll away or the kids want to go off somewhere you can't actually 'walk' from the place. Once you are up to the main road it's about 1.5 kms over a hill to Patong or about 5 kms other direction. It is minor and not much of an issue for a couple but if your family is the type who may want to go off, a walk, do something else, it means 'leaving the hotel area' ( not sure that sounds right but hope you get the picture).
Now some people prefer quiet beaches, and regardless of where you stay all trips can easily be arranged. Snorkeling would be on a trip away from mainland, Phi Phi island day trip or half day trips to Coral Island etc.
If you don't mind being in a busier resort and not having absolute Beachfront, as a family with 'amost teens' you might think about Patong, a lively bustling resort, but it's a stroll in the evenings to restaurants, shops, street stalls, in which case if you are happy with 3 star then Coconut Village or Duangjitt are great, big grounds, pools, palm trees, a few minutes to the beach.
The Duangjitt offers hotel style rooms or Bungalows in the gardens for 'same price', so you could have 2 bungalows (color tv a/con etc), they have 30+acres of land, it is what I would call a nice 3-star family place. It has everything you need, the bungalows make a nice 'tropical' change from hotel rooms, it's not a Marriott but has everything you want. Close to everything and easy to organise tours etc. In the evenings you are walking to outside restaurants, often a band or singers, street stalls etc.
Patong also has a Holiday Inn if you prefer a 'named' hotel, busy area but very good place.
If you want a resort area with lots to do but not quite so busy try Kata Beach or Karon beach. The Karon Beach Resort offers 3-star absolute beachfront, all seaview rooms. Walking distance for restaurants etc, also Dino Park (Flintstones style restaurant/mini golf etc).
Duangjitt Resort:-
http://www.r24.org/huahin.20m.com/ph...gjitt/details/
Karon Beach resort:-
http://www.r24.org/huahin.20m.com/ph...beach/details/
Do go to Phuket Fantasea, huge show spectacular, only do the show, not dinner+show, the kids will love it.
Well lots of food for thought there!
The Meridien at Relax Bay has deffinate plus points, however, as a family perhaps one 'minor' drawback ( you know your own family so see if this is a problem ) is that because it is on it's own beach/cove and surrounded by hills the only way in or out is using transport.
i.e, if you want to take a stroll away or the kids want to go off somewhere you can't actually 'walk' from the place. Once you are up to the main road it's about 1.5 kms over a hill to Patong or about 5 kms other direction. It is minor and not much of an issue for a couple but if your family is the type who may want to go off, a walk, do something else, it means 'leaving the hotel area' ( not sure that sounds right but hope you get the picture).
Now some people prefer quiet beaches, and regardless of where you stay all trips can easily be arranged. Snorkeling would be on a trip away from mainland, Phi Phi island day trip or half day trips to Coral Island etc.
If you don't mind being in a busier resort and not having absolute Beachfront, as a family with 'amost teens' you might think about Patong, a lively bustling resort, but it's a stroll in the evenings to restaurants, shops, street stalls, in which case if you are happy with 3 star then Coconut Village or Duangjitt are great, big grounds, pools, palm trees, a few minutes to the beach.
The Duangjitt offers hotel style rooms or Bungalows in the gardens for 'same price', so you could have 2 bungalows (color tv a/con etc), they have 30+acres of land, it is what I would call a nice 3-star family place. It has everything you need, the bungalows make a nice 'tropical' change from hotel rooms, it's not a Marriott but has everything you want. Close to everything and easy to organise tours etc. In the evenings you are walking to outside restaurants, often a band or singers, street stalls etc.
Patong also has a Holiday Inn if you prefer a 'named' hotel, busy area but very good place.
If you want a resort area with lots to do but not quite so busy try Kata Beach or Karon beach. The Karon Beach Resort offers 3-star absolute beachfront, all seaview rooms. Walking distance for restaurants etc, also Dino Park (Flintstones style restaurant/mini golf etc).
Duangjitt Resort:-
http://www.r24.org/huahin.20m.com/ph...gjitt/details/
Karon Beach resort:-
http://www.r24.org/huahin.20m.com/ph...beach/details/
Do go to Phuket Fantasea, huge show spectacular, only do the show, not dinner+show, the kids will love it.
Well lots of food for thought there!
Jan 6th, 2004, 10:49 AM
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Jan 6th, 2004, 11:08 AM
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James, again many thanks for the ongoing info. I checked you suggestion of the phuket.com web site and am wondering about Laguna Beach Resort. It looks stunning!! Great tip on the Phuket Fantasea - I had looked at that earlier as well and it is definitely something my family would love.
Have you done any of the tours on Phuket - like jeep, white water rafting or elephant trekking?
Again, thanks for taking the time to give me some great tips.
Have you done any of the tours on Phuket - like jeep, white water rafting or elephant trekking?
Again, thanks for taking the time to give me some great tips.
Jan 9th, 2004, 08:39 PM
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We travelled with our two kids in July 2000 and got lots of help on this site. Indeed, we going back (kids now 12 and 14) to Thailand, Laos and Cambodia this summer.
Here are some suggestions:
1. Phuket. Sea Canoe companies in both Phuket and Krabi offer guided day tours to Phang Nga Bay, and the trip is definitely a vacation highlight. Tour boats, carrying six to twenty passengers, typically visit four islands, including James Bond Island where the film, The Man With The Golden Gun, was shot.
In order to explore the karsts, caves and lagoons at each stop, visitors are transferred from cruise boats to inflatable canoes. Each sturdy inflatable canoe holds a guide and two tourists. The guide does all the paddling. Our favorite stop was the Bat Cave. We floated into a pitch black cave of stalactites and shone our flashlights upwards to discover hundreds of bats hanging from the cavernous rock ceiling. The kids loved it, despite the foul smell.
Another scenic day-trip from Krabi is the kayak tour through the mangrove swamps. Again, the tour is led by friendly and knowledgeable guides but this time, tourists paddle their own kayaks. Fortunately, the pace of the trip is easy; no kayaking experience necessary. We saw monkeys crashing through the trees and lizards baking on the rocks.
In Bangkok: the Palace and Wat Po are must-sees.
In Chaing Mai we did a one day elephant and rafting trip (many companies to choose from) and the kids became great bargainers at the night market. An important life skill! They loved the elephant camp best of all.
Good luck with your plans.
GBL
Here are some suggestions:
1. Phuket. Sea Canoe companies in both Phuket and Krabi offer guided day tours to Phang Nga Bay, and the trip is definitely a vacation highlight. Tour boats, carrying six to twenty passengers, typically visit four islands, including James Bond Island where the film, The Man With The Golden Gun, was shot.
In order to explore the karsts, caves and lagoons at each stop, visitors are transferred from cruise boats to inflatable canoes. Each sturdy inflatable canoe holds a guide and two tourists. The guide does all the paddling. Our favorite stop was the Bat Cave. We floated into a pitch black cave of stalactites and shone our flashlights upwards to discover hundreds of bats hanging from the cavernous rock ceiling. The kids loved it, despite the foul smell.
Another scenic day-trip from Krabi is the kayak tour through the mangrove swamps. Again, the tour is led by friendly and knowledgeable guides but this time, tourists paddle their own kayaks. Fortunately, the pace of the trip is easy; no kayaking experience necessary. We saw monkeys crashing through the trees and lizards baking on the rocks.
In Bangkok: the Palace and Wat Po are must-sees.
In Chaing Mai we did a one day elephant and rafting trip (many companies to choose from) and the kids became great bargainers at the night market. An important life skill! They loved the elephant camp best of all.
Good luck with your plans.
GBL
Jan 11th, 2004, 06:38 AM
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Thanks for the info GBL. Where did you stay in Phuket and BKK? We are getting a bit confused on the Marriotts in BKK. I think one is called JW Marriott and has been recommended, but we also found one a short ferry ride of BKK that looks nice as well.
The tour into the bat caves sounds like a must do for us - we did something similar in Australia on Kangaroo Island and our kids loved it as well.
The tour into the bat caves sounds like a must do for us - we did something similar in Australia on Kangaroo Island and our kids loved it as well.
