Kamal159

Hello everyone!
My wife and I are planning a trip to Thailand in mid-August. We are celebrating our 1st year wedding anniversary, and I’m planning it to be a “second honeymoon”
I’m planning to be there in Mid August (most probably 9-22), the trip will begin and end in Bangkok. I know it’s not a lot of time, that’s why I’m planning to be as efficient as possible. I’ll be using flights to move from one place to another to save time.
My main interests:
- We don’t like crowded cities, we prefer to be in open places, nature, forests and beaces. That’s why I’m not planning to stay in Bangok for many days.
- NOT interested in: temples, night clubs and activities, full moon parties etc…..
- I’m not that interested in spending much time on beaches, but staying in a clean, calm beach is a must and mostly enjoying the scenery
- Adventures and trips –I read about many outdoor activities that can be made in the various parts of Thailand, and we’re very interested in that
I’ve never been in Thailand before, but I travelled quite a lot. I read lots and lots of material, websites, guides, itineraries, and I came up with a preliminary plan for the trip, but I need your expert advices.
The main issue I read about is the weather – I know it’s not the ideal season to travel to Thailand, but we’ll live with that. I understand that we’ll have to be ready to lots of rain, but hopefully, we will have plenty of sunny days too.
I also understand that the north (Chang Mai) will be very rainy, and because of the season, I should avoid the southwest (Phuket, Krabi…) and opt for the better weather in the southest Gulf (Koh samui, Ko Phangan….)
So far, I came up with these 2 itineraries, and I’m more inclined towards the first one because of the weather:

Itinerary 1:
1. Bangkok (3 nights) – arrival, main attractions, traditional markets, shopping. I think it will be enough, as we really don’t like crowded and big cities. I also prefer staying in a more calm part of the city.
Possible accomodations:
o Peninsula
o Chatrium Hotel Riverside
o Banyan Tree
o The Okura

2. Ko Samui (5 nights) – direct flight from Bangkok to save time. Here I’m planning to enjoy the beaches, nature and outdoor activities and trips.
Possible accomodations:
o Lanna Samui
o Code
o Khwan beach resort

3. Ko phangan / Ko Tao (5 nights) – I’m still undecided which island to choose. Here we’re planning to relax, stay in a pool villa, away from the crowded places. I know that Ko Phangan is bigger and has more possibilities, but I’m afraid it will be too crowded. Ko Tao should be calmer, and hotels are cheaper.
Possible accomodations:
o Ko Pangan:
 La divine comedie
 Panviman Koh Phangan
 Kupu Kupu Beach Villas & Spa
o KO Tao
 The Place Luxury Boutique Villas
 The Rocks Villas

Itinerary 2:

1. Bangkok (3 nights)
2. Chiang Mai (5 nights) – I am SURE we will be enjoying the countryside, the villages and the rural areas, and the various activities in Northern Thailand, but I’m afraid of the weather that might ruin the whole stay. So I’m reluctant about it.
3. Ko Samui (5 nights)

Now the questions:

1) What do you think about the itineraries in general? Maybe I’m missing something, maybe I should choose other islands, or stay more on one of them?
2) Should I opt for the safer 1st itinerary, or should I still go for the 2nd one and not miss Northern Thailand
3) Hotels- how are the ones I’m considering? Are there any others recommended, still with reasonable price?
4) Ko Samui/KoTao back to Bangkok – My flight back home will be from Bangkok in the morning (~9:00AM). How should I plan my way back from the southern islands by flight? When I should be heading back from the islands to be in Bangkok airport in a safe time frame?
5) Keeping Bangkok to the end – some suggested to head directly to the islands, and come back in the end to Bangkok before travelling back home. What do you think? I’m not planning to buy a lot in Bangkok, and I’d like to finish the trip in the quiet islands instead of Bangkok.

Any advice, suggestions or idea will be gladly welcome, so we can enjoy the trip as much as possible
Thanks in advance!!

Kathie

If you want to avoid very wet weather, then itinerary 1 works best. Both Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai will be quite wet, an average of 9 inches of rain in CM in August, almost 15 inches in Chiang Rai. Also, if you don't want to spend much time in big cities, you wouldn't want that much time in CM, though at a different time of the year, staying outside of CM or in the Golden Triangle area might be just what you want.

I generally recommend that people choose one beach area and stay there, but you have so long at the beach, you might prefer to stay on two different islands. Given what you've said about what you are looking for, make sure you won't be on Ko Phangan during the full moon!

Hotels in Bangkok, Given what you have said, you will want to stay along the river. The Chatrium, while well-priced is not in the same category as the Pen. Both the Okura and the Banyan Tree are in much busier areas. Sorry, I can't help with your island hotels.

Since you don't plan to shop (though you haven't yet seen the lovely Thai crafts!), just an over night in Bangkok at the end might be enough. Follow your instincts on this, if you want to finish with beach, then do so.

rhkkmk

you might also consider hua hin for a beach area. the hyatt there is very nice. it is a car ride from bkk.

many love Thailand in august so you may be just fine... rain tends to come in quick 1-2 hour heavy rain, then calm.

look at the anantara hotels in bkk riverside and samui. renaissance in samui too.

btw, with the exception of the north Thailand is pretty builtup

rhkkmk

plan to return to bkk the night before your flt home

Kamal159

Hello everyone and thanks for the replies!
After lots of asking and reading, I decided to chose this itinerary:
1) Chiang Mai (4 nights) - I decided to begin with it by directly taking a flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.
2) Ko Samui (7 nights) - I don't think it's wise to travel to a 4th destination, I will make cruises to Ko Phangan or Ko Tao from Samui.
3) Bangkok (3 nights) - this way I can catch the early flight, so I thought to keep it as a last step before heading back home.

Regarding accomodations, these are the hotels and resorts I'm considering:
1) Chiang Mai:
- Ratilanna Riverside
- Veranda High resort
- Panviman Spa resort - a bit far from the city, but it might be great to indulge in nature.

2) Ko Samui
- Infinity Residences & Resort - it's far from the beach, but I really prefer a great view with better rooms than being close to the beach.
- Fair House Villas & Spa
- The Tongsai Bay - a bit over my budget, but it has great reviews and probably on the best beach

3) Bangkok
- Okura Prestige
- The Peninsula
- Oriental Residence

What do you think? Is it a good itinerary? Any suggestions for modification or advises on accommodation are welcome !

Thanks again!

Kathie

Your choice of hotel in CM should be based on what you plan to do there. If you just want to relax in the countryside, take a trip to Doi Suthep one morning, then staying outside of town will work well. If you want to explore the wats inside the city walls, you'll be happier in town,

In Bangkok, as i mentioned earlier, the Okra is right in the middle of a busy area. The Oriental Residences (not to be confused with the Oriental Hotel) are serviced apartments, also in the midst of a busy area - both of these are surrounded by high rises. The Pen is a lovely hotel right on the river. I would recommend it to you.

Sorry, can't help with the place son Koh Samui.

MaloBalo

Depending on the flights you got, traveling back directly from Ko Samui is a valid option. You go via BKK either way. Been there and done that.

As to Samui/Tao/Phangan it really depends what you are up to. A day trip to Tao might be a bit exhausting, especially as I imagine you would want to go to Nangyuan. The little beautiful island gets crowded in the afternoon and when you are on a day trip, you will probably have no time to relax there. If you have the budget for it, consider taking the ferry from Samui at night, stay the night on the West coast and visit Nangyuan first thing in the morning.

On Samui, the Fair House Villas & Spa offer your desired nice view only if you are in the rooms located on top. Obviously, sea view gets you a look onto Phangan with good weather but not much more. Don't expect too much. But you can definately relax well, rent a bike and get around the island.

For adventures, snorkeling on any of those islands depends on the weather and sea conditions. We snorkeled all possible spots in Tao and given average whether weren't too fond of it. Diving might be different. Other than that, Phangan offers nice bike tours. Check out their dates. Thai-boxing might get your attention as much as a day-tour ride in Samui's inland.

muwaqar

Dear Kamal,

I was planning to visit Thailand coming August 2016. Just found your thread and wanted to know if you had your trip last year.

Is it a good idea to visit Thailand in August since this is the only slot I can take out but reviews suggest it's a wet season, so it won't be that fun.

Any advice?

Regards,
Waqar