Mary

If we go to Thailand we will only have enough time to do one extended tour from Bangkok. Whis is more interesting and worth seeing, Northern Thailand and the Golden triangle OR Southern Thailand and Phuket?<BR><BR>Mary

Meg

Mary - <BR><BR>On our first trip to Thailand, we only had time to go one direction. We went to Phuket. On our second trip, we went to Chiang Mai. Even though I am a beach lover, I preferred Chiang Mai to Phuket. It's really not fair to compare and island to a northern city, but I had a lot more fun in the norht. I think there are some great islands in the south that I would enjoy, but I highly recommend Chiang Mai.

Ursula

Mary: I've visited both on different trips. I'd go north, if you cannot do both. More authentic in a way.

Worldtraveler

I would stay away from Thailand if I were you. People are poor and its a long trip out there. It is hot steamy and tired. Maybe a trip to Florida would be better.

BLaden

Yeah Florida is great. You can learn to fly planes and stuff!

Apiwat

I forgot that every body is extremely rich in America and you live in a perfect country! Didn't tourists use to get shot at and kill for just driving rental cars in Florida? <BR><BR>What part of the rich world are you from Worldtraveler? Only cowards hide behind a false name and email address. Come on... give me your real name. Don't be a pussy like the terrorist!

Morgan

Well a simple solution would be 'Central' Thailand. From Bangkok you can reach Ayuthaya in a couple of hours, history and culture, another couple of hours to the River Kwai and Kanchanaburi area , stay on river rafts, jungle etc. Then about 3 hours to the beaches around Cha Am and Hua Hin, miles of beaches, very cheap, clean and safe. You can elephant ride, see the Crocodile Park, laze on the beach. A few hours along the coast is great snorkeling. You don't waste dats traveling around and a great plus is that you can travel by car+driver on these sectors for less than a single air-fare to the others. I found Chiang Mai and Phuket tourist traps though I found people friendlier in C-Mai than Phuket ( which in my opinion is way over-rated anyway).

angie

What a hostile person that Apiwot is. What's wrong with a person sharing a positive opinion about their country? You sound like you have a warped, prejudiced mind about Americans.

Sophia

How much time do you have and what are you interested in doing? Phuket certainly isn't the only option for the South and Chiang Mai isn't the only option for the North. Also, what level of accommodation are you looking for and what is your budget and what time of year are you thinking of travelling? I live in the South (in Krabi not Phuket), and I have lived in several other provinces in Thailand and travelled through much of it. Happy to give you some ideas if you can say how much time you have and what you want to see.