MPT

We will be traveling to Thailand for the first time the second week of March for about two weeks (incl. travel time). My husband will be there on business and I will join him for a mini vacation. Of note, we would also like to spend two days in Saigon to visit family.

In doing my initial research, I'm overwhelmed by all the options Thailand has to offer and not quite sure where to begin. We are in our mid-30s and have traveled quite a bit. Our last trip was to Vietnam (North to South) and Angkor Wat. Before that, Bali. We enjoy experiencing new cultures, art & antiques, and finding unique items for our home. On this trip, we would like to visit Bangkok and relax at a nice beach resort.

Given the time constraints, could you please suggest an itinerary? Should we hire a driver and/or guide while in BKK? What area do you suggest booking a hotel? Our budget is $250 or less per night.

Thanks in advance!

Gpanda

Where you stay in BKK depends on the location of your husband's business dealings. Traffic can be grotesque. If it makes no difference, stay on the river at the Peninsula or Oriental. If he needs to be in-town, the Four Seasons, the Metropolitan or the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit may fit the bill. He might ask his business contacts about the best area.

For the non-BKK time, Northern Thailand is very nice and can be relaxing. The Anantara outside Chiang Rai has gotten very good reviews. Chiang Mai is also a pleasant visit.

If you need beach time, there are many options depending on how many days. there are close beaches, e.g., Hua Hin or 1-1 1/2 hour flights to Phuket, Krabi or Ko Samui.

MPT

Just to clarify. My husband won't be on business in BKK. He'll be flying in from Singapore.

KimJapan

Since Bangkok will be leisure time for both of you, I think it would be well worth staying on the river. The Oriental might be over your budget, but a deluxe room at the Peninsula would probably be within it. The Marriott Resort and Spa, Hilton, Shangri-La and Royal Orchid Sheraton would all be well within your budget.

Kathie

Yes, do stay on the river - I think it makes all the difference. You can then take water taxis to some of the wats, and can take your hotel's boat to the skytrain. Personally, I have never hired a driver or guide while in Bangkok, except for hiring a driver to the Prasart. Some people do like to have a guide for a day or two. If you are more the independent types, you'll find Bangkok easy to get around once you understand the transportation.

I'd suggest you read some of the trip reports that include Bangkok for ideas. For me, the absolute musts are The Grand Palace/Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Po (the reclining Buddha), the Jim Thompson House and the Erawan Shrine to start. Add in things like the Suan Pakkard Palace, the Prasart Museum, other wats (like Wat Ben or Wat Arun), shopping, great restaurants and you can easily fill a week.

GPanda asks a good question, do you want your relaxation time to be at a beach, or in the hills? Ther are many nice beaches, but ther are also resorts in interesting areas of the north. I love the Anantara at the Golden Triangle that GPanda mentioned.

rhkkmk

more later, but for now check out air france's flight from bkk to saigon, a couple of days per week

Bisbee

AF flies on Sun/Tue/Thu/Sat
LF flies on Sun/Tue/Fri
VN flies daily (1 flight)
TG flies daily (2 flights,except Wed/Fri when they offer 3)

rhkkmk

i too endorse the river hotels, although i have also enjoyed stays away from the river...a combo can also be nice, but not with your limited timeframe..

almost all of the bkk hotels can be had for less than $250 except the oriental and the sukathai and some penn rooms...

you have to decide what you want to concentrate on while on this trip...you really have not given us enough info...

set out a date sequence and then we can help you fill in the days... i.e.

4 days bkk, 4 days phuket, 2 travel days....???

eurotraveller

MPT, I feel your pain! Our first trip to Thailand was difficult to plan as the choices are endless!

It sounds to me like you want to spend time in Bangkok and at a beach location so I will concentrate on advice for that and then add my thoughts at the end.

Bangkok is good for a full 5 days but some people do not care for it at all. I recommend booking your first 3 nights there and then moving towards a beach.

Many people find benefit in hiring a guide/driver to get them to and from the sites. Bangkok is a big, hot city so this would make it a comfortable option. I find that getting around via sky train, river taxi and taxi is easy and inexpensive. It is a matter of personal choice about how you like to travel.

As for a beach location there are countless options, as I am sure you are finding out! Let us know what you are looking for in a beach location and we can better assist you. Personally, I enjoyed the scenery in the Krabi area. It was stunning and there was plenty of snorkeling and kayaking to be done. Ko Phi Phi is also beautiful but in a more relaxing sort of way. Many people enjoy Ko Lanta but I haven't been there.

If your first 3 nights in Bangkok is enough you could plan on adding Chiang Mai to your itinerary. I am one of the people on this forum who loves Chiang Mai! it is much smaller than Bangkok but offers anything you need; Night life, culture, elephant rides, rafting, etc. very nearby.

I hope this helps.

Good luck with your planning!

Cheers!

Wmccawley

I would recommend the River as well, however it is easier to stay in town. The Oriental is nice but I personally like the Penisula better. In town I would stay at the Four Seasons or the Hyatt (they are next door to each other)Depending on what you want to do, I agree with all the advice you have gotten. I have lived in BKK for 4 years now and find something new all the time. Depending on what you want to do, I would spend 3-4 days in Bangkok, fly up North to Chiang Mai then Chiang Rai. You only need a couple days in Chiang Mai and a couple in Chiang Rai. The Anatara in the Golden Triangle in the best and my opinion the only place to stay in Chiang Rai. It is beautiful and romantic as well. I too recommend Krabi. It is not as developed as Phuket, but the rock formations are beautiful. There is so much that I see how it is overwhellming. I recommend building the skelton of your trip and we can fill in and make recommendations regarding hotel stays, restaurants etc.

pak_kith

I do not think a car is necessary in Bangkok with the subway, overhead railway and cheap(ish)taxis. The Shangri-La is my all time favourite for value and service and I endorse all the other comments about the river frontage. Driving once you are outside Bangkok is easy: road signs are in English and they drive on the 'right' side of the road for the British / Australians. The drive to The River Kwai area is good, as is the drive down to and around the south east (beyond Rayong and way beyond the pits of Pattaya!). We lived near Rayong for a year and loved the quiet feel of the area dwn to the Cambodian border. Certainly it is nothing like Koh Samui, but then the choice will depend on what you prefer: to get away from the other tourists, or have the luxuries on tap?
I hope you have as much fun as we did.

MPT

Thank you very much to all that replied to my original post. Based on your suggestions, I've developed a timeline, but still have some questions.

3/10 Arrive BKK at 9PM
3/11 BKK
3/15 Fly to CM or Golden Triangle
3/17 Fly to Andaman or Gulf Coast
3/23 Fly to HCMC
3/24 Depart HCMC at 11PM

1) We are torn between CM and the GT. My husband really enjoyed his time in Sa Pa visiting the hill tribes, but I'm intrigued by the GT based on the commments on tis board. I'm worried that the GT may not have as many activities as CM such as trekking, markets, wats. What are your thoughts?

2) Which beach area (Andaman vs. Gulf Coast) do you suggest given that we'll be there in mid-March? Is rain an issues? We're looking for a nice swimable/wadable beach that has snorkling options, and minimal crownds/beach vendors. Night life is not a must, but a variety of eating options is good. We're also more resort people vs. beach bungalow.

3) What has been your experience using online hotel booking sites such as Asiarooms or Sawsadee regarding price, reliability, etc.?

I really apprciate all your experience and advice.

Mai

MPT

ttt

Kathie

Frankly, I think you don't have enough time in the Golden Triangle. I'd take two days away from the beach and add it to that stop. I recomend the Golden Triangle over Chiang Mai, as it offers more of a contrast to your other stops. It's rural (as opposed to CHiang Mai which is Thailand's second largest city), and has lots to do and see. Staying at the Anantara will allow you to combine activities with blissful relaxation. The beaches in Thailand are lovely, but they are much like beaches all over the world - you won't get much flavor of the culture.

As far as booking is concerned, I either call the hotel directly or use sawasdee. Asiarooms has more mixed reviews.