Thailand Itinerary - July 2007
Apr 3rd, 2007, 02:33 PM
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Thailand Itinerary - July 2007
Planning on heading to Thailand. First time there - looking for advice. Would you revamp the itinerary at all?
Day 1 and 2: NY > BKK > Phuket or Krabi
* Connecting directly to the beach. Not enough time to spend in BKK. Is this a mistake?
Day 3 and 4: Phuket or Krabi
* Which island do you prefer? Another suggestion besides Krabi or Phuket? We prefer activities and looking to kayak, etc. Prefer to be away from the crowds. Recommendation of hotels greatly appreciated. (Prefer something more authentic and requires less travel time since time in Thailand is limited. Price is not an issue.)
Day 5, 6, 7 and 8: Chiang Rai (Anantara)
* In a dilemma of doing the 3-day Mahout training vs. 1-day Mahout w/ excursion to Golden Triangle and cooking class. Any advice on excursions and things-to-do? Do you need malaria pills here? I've read mixed reviews.
Day 9 and 10: Chiang Mai
* Is the Sunday night market worth it? I have to catch an 8:10 flight back to BKK. Is that enought time to visit?
Day 11: Chiang Mai > BKK > NY
Plan on using the Discover Pass on Thai Airways to go from place to place. Thank you in advance for you comments.
Day 1 and 2: NY > BKK > Phuket or Krabi
* Connecting directly to the beach. Not enough time to spend in BKK. Is this a mistake?
Day 3 and 4: Phuket or Krabi
* Which island do you prefer? Another suggestion besides Krabi or Phuket? We prefer activities and looking to kayak, etc. Prefer to be away from the crowds. Recommendation of hotels greatly appreciated. (Prefer something more authentic and requires less travel time since time in Thailand is limited. Price is not an issue.)
Day 5, 6, 7 and 8: Chiang Rai (Anantara)
* In a dilemma of doing the 3-day Mahout training vs. 1-day Mahout w/ excursion to Golden Triangle and cooking class. Any advice on excursions and things-to-do? Do you need malaria pills here? I've read mixed reviews.
Day 9 and 10: Chiang Mai
* Is the Sunday night market worth it? I have to catch an 8:10 flight back to BKK. Is that enought time to visit?
Day 11: Chiang Mai > BKK > NY
Plan on using the Discover Pass on Thai Airways to go from place to place. Thank you in advance for you comments.
Apr 3rd, 2007, 03:08 PM
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Several comments. If I were you, with a mere 10 days (or is it only 9?) on the ground, I'd choose two places.
The Anantara at the Golden Triangle is really special. I'd leave it in. Whether to do the 3 day mahout training or not really depends on what your interests are. The cooking class is excellent as well. Make sure you leave some time just to enjoy the Anantara.
I think it's a major mistake to skip Bangkok. I'd skip Chiang Mai instead.
And Phuket (and Krabi and surrounding areas) is quite rainy in July - is that what you want? Take a look at www.weatherbase.com
The Anantara at the Golden Triangle is really special. I'd leave it in. Whether to do the 3 day mahout training or not really depends on what your interests are. The cooking class is excellent as well. Make sure you leave some time just to enjoy the Anantara.
I think it's a major mistake to skip Bangkok. I'd skip Chiang Mai instead.
And Phuket (and Krabi and surrounding areas) is quite rainy in July - is that what you want? Take a look at www.weatherbase.com
Apr 3rd, 2007, 03:37 PM
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At the Anantara you can work it so that you can do the 3 day mahout training AND do some other activities, too. You do elephants in the early morning, until about 9:30 AM, then again in the afternoon. You have time between enough to go on an excursion each day. You can do a tour that they have put together already, or make your own with their recommended guides and drivers, or go into Sop Ruak (nearest village) and find a driver and maybe guide to take you around.
If you e-mail to the Anantara and/or John Roberts (the elephant guy there) and ask them about scheduling and about excursions they will help you. The Anantara will send you their standard tours. John Roberts will talk with you about other possibilities and how to work things around the mahout training.
While we enjoyed the Sunday Walking Street in Chiang Mai, I wouldn't go there especially to see that. You might enjoy your time more in Thailand if you limit yourself to 2 locations with only what looks to me like 9 days on the ground.
The Discover Thailand Thai Air pass will be worthwhile for you. You have 3 legs if you fly BKK - HKT, then HKT - CEI, as the Phuket - BKK counts as one leg, and the BKK - Chiang Rai counts as another leg. We are doing the exact same thing.
Although Phuket side might be rainy, I doubt it would rain all day every day. http://thailandforvisitors.com/south/phukvsam.html compares Phuket and Samui rainfall. You might consider a place like the JW Marriott Phuket, because it's on a gorgeous beach with no other resorts and they offer tons of activities that can fill your time should it rain. http://www.jwmarriottphuket.com/ will give you a good idea of what they have to offer. We booked a great package directly with them for August that is very,, very reasonably priced, and includes 2 cooking classes, 2 Thai massages, breakfasts, airport transfers. No crowds at the Marriott.
John Gray Sea Canoe is a must do in the Phuket area. The Hongs by Starlight trip was most excellent when we did it last year. http://www.johngray-seacanoe.com/
I might do 4 nights Phuket, 4 nights Anantara, and 1 or 2 nights in BKK...I can't tell exactly how many nights you have, 9 or 10 or 11.
If you e-mail to the Anantara and/or John Roberts (the elephant guy there) and ask them about scheduling and about excursions they will help you. The Anantara will send you their standard tours. John Roberts will talk with you about other possibilities and how to work things around the mahout training.
While we enjoyed the Sunday Walking Street in Chiang Mai, I wouldn't go there especially to see that. You might enjoy your time more in Thailand if you limit yourself to 2 locations with only what looks to me like 9 days on the ground.
The Discover Thailand Thai Air pass will be worthwhile for you. You have 3 legs if you fly BKK - HKT, then HKT - CEI, as the Phuket - BKK counts as one leg, and the BKK - Chiang Rai counts as another leg. We are doing the exact same thing.
Although Phuket side might be rainy, I doubt it would rain all day every day. http://thailandforvisitors.com/south/phukvsam.html compares Phuket and Samui rainfall. You might consider a place like the JW Marriott Phuket, because it's on a gorgeous beach with no other resorts and they offer tons of activities that can fill your time should it rain. http://www.jwmarriottphuket.com/ will give you a good idea of what they have to offer. We booked a great package directly with them for August that is very,, very reasonably priced, and includes 2 cooking classes, 2 Thai massages, breakfasts, airport transfers. No crowds at the Marriott.
John Gray Sea Canoe is a must do in the Phuket area. The Hongs by Starlight trip was most excellent when we did it last year. http://www.johngray-seacanoe.com/
I might do 4 nights Phuket, 4 nights Anantara, and 1 or 2 nights in BKK...I can't tell exactly how many nights you have, 9 or 10 or 11.
Apr 3rd, 2007, 03:47 PM
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In July, I would go to Ko Samui instead of Phuket or Krabi. The weather will be better. Only Bangkok Air flies to Ko Samui. You should check to see whether there is a flight late enough to catch after arriving from JFK. Note that when we flew in November, the JFK-BKK flight arrived at 1800 hours one hour late.
Another vote to spend some time in BKK. It is magical. I would actually suggest that with such a short time, you skip the beach and do BKK-3 days, Northern Thailand-3 days, BKK-3 days. If you stay on the river in BKK on one of the two times, it can seem very relaxing with pool and spa time.
Another vote to spend some time in BKK. It is magical. I would actually suggest that with such a short time, you skip the beach and do BKK-3 days, Northern Thailand-3 days, BKK-3 days. If you stay on the river in BKK on one of the two times, it can seem very relaxing with pool and spa time.
Apr 3rd, 2007, 06:07 PM
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i agree with kathie and i like what gpanda has suggested the best....choose a hotel on the river with a good pool area so it is almost like being at the beach: peninsula, sheraton orchid, shangri-la or my favorite the marriott resort and spa--most resort/beach like...
Apr 4th, 2007, 07:38 AM
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Dont know why everybody is so fond of Bangkok. For me as an expat its just good for shopping. Polluted air, packed roads almost the whole day over. And even the best pool cant replace a real beach.
By the way, Krabi is not an island but a (more or less lousy) town. There are several islands outside Krabi. And 10 miles or so away there is a beach, which only at the end (Relay or Ralay) is fine.
Kayaking is better done in Phan Nga province (Krabi).
Not many authentic hotels left in Thailand. Even the Oriental in Bangkok or the former Railway Hotel in Hua Hin (now a Sofitel), to mention 2 of the oldest hotels in Thailand,
are no exception.
For some Thai style in Bangkok the Sukhothai hotel could be an option.
Agree with Kim, the JW on Mai Khao beach (not far from the airport but very secluded) is great.
By the way, Krabi is not an island but a (more or less lousy) town. There are several islands outside Krabi. And 10 miles or so away there is a beach, which only at the end (Relay or Ralay) is fine.
Kayaking is better done in Phan Nga province (Krabi).
Not many authentic hotels left in Thailand. Even the Oriental in Bangkok or the former Railway Hotel in Hua Hin (now a Sofitel), to mention 2 of the oldest hotels in Thailand,
are no exception.
For some Thai style in Bangkok the Sukhothai hotel could be an option.
Agree with Kim, the JW on Mai Khao beach (not far from the airport but very secluded) is great.
Apr 9th, 2007, 09:47 AM
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Thanks everyone for your helpful responses.
1. Can you also comment on cooking classes at JW Marriott Phuket vs. cooking classes at Anantara?
2. Also, do you know if malaria pills are required?
1. Can you also comment on cooking classes at JW Marriott Phuket vs. cooking classes at Anantara?
2. Also, do you know if malaria pills are required?
Apr 9th, 2007, 11:30 AM
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I don't know about teh cooking classes at teh Marriott. The cooking classes at the Anantara are excellent, with individual cooking stations for up to eight people.
The Golden Triangle is a malarial risk area, according to WHO and the cdc. Because there is larium-resistant malaria in the area, your options are malarone or doxycycline. For such a short stay, malarone is more practical, as you begin taking it one day before entering the malarial risk area, and continue it daily through your stay and for 7 days after leaving the malarial risk area. Read about malaria at www.cdc.gov/travel before you consult with a travel medicine specialist.
The Golden Triangle is a malarial risk area, according to WHO and the cdc. Because there is larium-resistant malaria in the area, your options are malarone or doxycycline. For such a short stay, malarone is more practical, as you begin taking it one day before entering the malarial risk area, and continue it daily through your stay and for 7 days after leaving the malarial risk area. Read about malaria at www.cdc.gov/travel before you consult with a travel medicine specialist.
Apr 9th, 2007, 02:15 PM
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I just received an information packet for guests of the Anantara that says that the Anantara is not in a malarial risk area, but if you plan on travelling on to stay in Laos or Burma (not day trip, but staying) to be sure to consult your doctor about malaria medicine.
I know the info sheet from the hotel is not a substitute for a doctor...just reporting what they are saying.
I know the info sheet from the hotel is not a substitute for a doctor...just reporting what they are saying.
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