Thailand & China
Aug 18th, 2015, 03:58 AM
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Thailand & China
We are planning a trip to Thailand, summer 2017 (because of school) can't go any other time! My kids are 16 & 14 and have always wanted to visit Thailand...or is the time of year a deal breaker and should we wait until they are in college and do it during christmas break?
Since we are going to be flying FOREVER to get to that part of the world I need to plan other places to see. My idea was China....5 - 7 days in Phuket (is that too many?) and a week traveling a few cities in China....or should we look at Vietnam? Cambodia? We can lay around for only so long...we like to be busy and see lots and eat great food.
Any suggestions are welcome. I am torn!
thanks!
Since we are going to be flying FOREVER to get to that part of the world I need to plan other places to see. My idea was China....5 - 7 days in Phuket (is that too many?) and a week traveling a few cities in China....or should we look at Vietnam? Cambodia? We can lay around for only so long...we like to be busy and see lots and eat great food.
Any suggestions are welcome. I am torn!
thanks!
Aug 18th, 2015, 05:49 AM
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Nothing in your profile tells me where you are from which really does not help.
If by 'summer' you mean June-August (assuming northern hemisphere) then by all means come to Thailand (why post this topic in Laos forum???). Thailand is good at any time of the year IMHO but you just need to be aware of the higher cost of accom when it is high season (late Dec - March).
"Since we are going to be flying FOREVER to get to that part of the world" So why China? it's more hours on the plane from Thailand. I'd would just chill in Thailand as there will be plenty to see and do as first timers. If you MUST go somewhere else, SE Asian countries like Laos, VietNam and Kampuchea (Cambodia) makes more sense.
How long do you have for this trip? This will dictate how many cities you can travel to. The best advice I can give you when travelling is that Less is More.
If by 'summer' you mean June-August (assuming northern hemisphere) then by all means come to Thailand (why post this topic in Laos forum???). Thailand is good at any time of the year IMHO but you just need to be aware of the higher cost of accom when it is high season (late Dec - March).
"Since we are going to be flying FOREVER to get to that part of the world" So why China? it's more hours on the plane from Thailand. I'd would just chill in Thailand as there will be plenty to see and do as first timers. If you MUST go somewhere else, SE Asian countries like Laos, VietNam and Kampuchea (Cambodia) makes more sense.
How long do you have for this trip? This will dictate how many cities you can travel to. The best advice I can give you when travelling is that Less is More.
Aug 18th, 2015, 05:56 AM
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You might be very surprised when 18 months from now the kids say, 'don't want to go, will hang with my friends'. Keep it as simple as possible, and let them make as many decisions as you can handle. China visa very expensive and annoying. Go to VN instead.
Aug 18th, 2015, 06:53 AM
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There is plenty to do and see in Thailand, no need to go to China. But you don't really want to go to Phuket in July/August as it will be stormy and the beaches will be red-flagged. There are other Thai beaches that will have good weather at that time of the year. If you want to visit other countries, I agree that Cambodia, Laos, VN make more sense and are more budget-friendly.
Time to check a whole bunch of guidebooks out of the library and let the whole family peruse them for ideas.
Time to check a whole bunch of guidebooks out of the library and let the whole family peruse them for ideas.
Aug 18th, 2015, 05:32 PM
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I agree with Kathy -- time to hit the guidebooks! And fortunately, you DO have time! 
My personal take: Flying THAT far is all the more reason to take advantage of the opportunities in your primary destination. Adding more travel time (and so reducing your time on the ground) when you are planning to visit places with SO much to see (stuff you could NOT see if you jumped to another location) just doesn't make sense to me. YMMV.
FWIW, I haven't been to Thailand yet -- I know I will want close to 3 weeks there. I spent a month in China and didn't make it south of Xi'an. I have a rough idea of a 4 week trip to VietNam and Cambodia, but can easily imagine that I might prefer 3 weeks per country.....
Good luck!
My personal take: Flying THAT far is all the more reason to take advantage of the opportunities in your primary destination. Adding more travel time (and so reducing your time on the ground) when you are planning to visit places with SO much to see (stuff you could NOT see if you jumped to another location) just doesn't make sense to me. YMMV.
FWIW, I haven't been to Thailand yet -- I know I will want close to 3 weeks there. I spent a month in China and didn't make it south of Xi'an. I have a rough idea of a 4 week trip to VietNam and Cambodia, but can easily imagine that I might prefer 3 weeks per country.....
Good luck!
