sdptagirl

Me and my husband to be just decided last night that we are going to Thailand for our honeymoon. We are going to make quite a trip out of it. We are planning on going for 21 days at the end of September. I have a few questions for all of you experts.

1) What is the flight path from San Francisco to Thailand? I am asking because I am wondering if we could stop anywhere else along the way.
2) We are planning on going to Phuket for most of our trip and visiting Bangkok for the last three days? Any suggestions? Would 17 days in Phuket be too long?
3) Are there any other islands we should visit?

Thank you for your suggestions in advance!

Gpanda

You will have a great time. 17 days is a good amount of time in Thailand.I will be one of many to strongly suggest that you spend much less time in Phuket (or other beach) and explore the other regions of Thailand. If you're seeking relaxation, you can do this at almost all areas of Thailand. It's such a welcoming place that you will undoubtedly be comfortable everywhere. Others will chime in, but I would suggest that you spend 6 days in Bangkok, 4 at the beginning and 2 at the end. From BKK, try going north for 5 days, split between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Then 6 days at the beach. In September, I think you may have better weather in Koh Samui than Phuket, but again, others will share their knowledge. This will give you a delightful overview of a charming country. Bon Chance.

JamesA

I agree that unless you just want to laze on the beach ( why not ! ) then you will gain a great deal more experience perhaps heading to Northern Thailand, though it so much depends on what you like to do. Thailand has such a wide variety, beaches, islands, jungles, amazing scenary, it really comes down to what you want to do. Weatherwise in September into October Koh Samui would be a better bet weatherwise.
If you are flying from SFO then you have the chance to stopover in various places, Hong Kong comes to mind, you might also think of Vietnam, anyway I am sure you will get lots more ideas, it very much depends on how you want to spend your time, and for places to stay it always helps if you give some kind of budget, as a guide you can get a/c room with TV, Mini-bar etc etc from around $30, for $50 you get a very ncie 3-star, then of course you have a large choice. If you can tell us rough budget and whether you want larger or smaller hotel type places , if you are into major chain hotels or even if you are on a budget trip.

BillT

I should think if this is their Honeymoon that they will be springing for a bit classier place than $50 can buy- don't you?

rhkkmk

from SF there are many options...you can go thai air from LA and maybe SF...you can go untied....with a stop in japan....you can go to Hawaii and then on to thailand...i go on northwest airlines....they always stop in japan for an 1.5 hours....i have done this in conjunction with a hawaii stop too....
malay air goes from the west coast...
cathy pacific also with a stop in hong kong...this is an attractive aleternative...

i would stop in bkk at both the beginning and end of my trip...you need at least 5 days there....day one is always a lost cause as you are so tired...

17 days seems too long in phuket...koh samui is a nice alternative stop as well...
chaing mai for 3 days would be fun...flight from bkk is only about $125 r.t.

look at the hotels along the river in bkk....marriott, peninsula, shangri-la and royal orchid sheraton to name the major ones

a good hotel site is: www.huahin.20m.com

sdptagirl

Thank you for all of your wonderful advice! Here is what I am envisioning: When we are at the beach area I would love to say in a little bungalow or hotel right on the beach. We are really looking at nice places to stay since this is our honeymoon. We are planning on making this be the best trip of our lives! I looked into the Sheraton Lagoon Resort in Phuket and I think that this is more of the type of hotel we are looking for. I have not looked into Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai and never even heard of Koh Samui so it looks like I have some homework to do!

sdptagirl

Thank you for the website suggestions...keep them coming!

Gpanda

This will be the best trip of your lives. Especially with us shoving asked-for advice at you like Halloween candy. Go buy a mainstraem Thailand guidebook, Fodors or Frommers, etc. This will give you a quick overview of possible Thaialnd locations. The typical 12-18 day Thailand vacation is split evenly among Bangkok, Northern Thailand and a beach, generally in that order. This does not mean that it is necessary, but it has been the experience of many that this is a wonderful mix. Many on this forum recommend river hotels in BKK. If this is in your budget, it's the way to go. Rhkkmk neglected to mention the Oriental as a river hotel. The prices for 5 and 4 star hotels in BKK are much lower than normal. In Northern Thailand, many have had a good time at the Anantara, about 1 hour outside Chiang Rai (CR is listed in the Golden Triangle area of Thailand). If you want luxury in Northern Thailand, the Four Seasons is outside of Chiang Mai. As JamesA said, the weather will be more predictable in Koh Samui (Ko Samui) in September. If you're sitting at your computer and want info before buying a guide book, do a search on this board for specific names of places, hotels, activities. You can view the collected "wisdom" of previous posts. The good news is that Thailand is so wonderful that you will enjoy it almost no matter where you stay or what you do. Generally, posters advise against spending too much time at the beach because it is regarded as wasting an opportunity to see a delightful country.

sydneyx

17 days here in Phuket is OK,there's plenty to do and see.But you are only an Hour away from Samui by air and same same for Krabi.Do Samui first,then Phuket and finally Krabi,and then fly out.You'll enjoy it.