Travelling to Thailand from U.S. this June/July
Mar 5th, 2014, 08:31 AM
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Travelling to Thailand from U.S. this June/July
Hi there!
My friend and I are planning a 3 week trip to Thailand this mid-June-July.
I need some help/advice from those of you that are seasoned Thailand travelers:
-Approx. how much money do you think we'd each need for 3 weeks accommodation (mid-level)/food/fun (tours, spending money). I understand that it will be low season this time of year....
-Should I book all of our hotel stays and train tickets in advance? Or is this something I can do once we arrive?
-We are flying into Bangkok and plan to spend a couple nights there ---any MUST SEE activities? We definitely want to check out the river market, eat some good food, and hit up some fun bars (at least one night).
-After the first couple nights in bangkok, we are heading to Chiang Mai to work at an elephant camp. We plan to take the train there, but after a couple days there, we plan head down (yes, all the way down) to southern Thailand to one of the beach towns (likely koh samui, but would like your input/suggestions).
-Should we take the train or fly from Chiang Mai to Southern Thailand? I realize the train may be very slow and take a couple of days. Is it possible to get a cheap plan ticket?
Sorry, so many questions! I have been researching all of this to no end, but I'd prefer to get advice from people who have been there first hand.
Thanks!
My friend and I are planning a 3 week trip to Thailand this mid-June-July.
I need some help/advice from those of you that are seasoned Thailand travelers:
-Approx. how much money do you think we'd each need for 3 weeks accommodation (mid-level)/food/fun (tours, spending money). I understand that it will be low season this time of year....
-Should I book all of our hotel stays and train tickets in advance? Or is this something I can do once we arrive?
-We are flying into Bangkok and plan to spend a couple nights there ---any MUST SEE activities? We definitely want to check out the river market, eat some good food, and hit up some fun bars (at least one night).
-After the first couple nights in bangkok, we are heading to Chiang Mai to work at an elephant camp. We plan to take the train there, but after a couple days there, we plan head down (yes, all the way down) to southern Thailand to one of the beach towns (likely koh samui, but would like your input/suggestions).
-Should we take the train or fly from Chiang Mai to Southern Thailand? I realize the train may be very slow and take a couple of days. Is it possible to get a cheap plan ticket?
Sorry, so many questions! I have been researching all of this to no end, but I'd prefer to get advice from people who have been there first hand.
Thanks!
Mar 5th, 2014, 08:36 AM
#2
If you have been researching this, what are some of the things that appeal to you so far? Have you read some TRs on this board? They will give you many ideas of what there is to do and a see. What you like maybe completely different than what I like. My favorite site in BKK is Wat Arun.
With only 3 weeks I would fly from CM to the South. Air fares in Thailand are not expensive and you'd save a lot of time.
Have a great trip!
With only 3 weeks I would fly from CM to the South. Air fares in Thailand are not expensive and you'd save a lot of time.
Have a great trip!
Mar 5th, 2014, 09:06 AM
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Chiang Mai to Koh Samui will take the best part of two days via Bangkok but at least one of the segments will be overnight so won't eat into your vacation time too much. You can usually buy tickets to include the ferry to Koh Samui. You can find full detail at http://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm
Flying would be a lot quickerAir Asia operate cheap flights on some routes around Thailand. I have used them between Bangkok and CM but I am pretty sure they don't go to Koh Samui. As yestravel says with only three weeks it would make more sense to fly. It used to be the case that Bangkok airways had a monopoly on KS flights and they used to be very expensive but I am not sure if that is still the case.
Koh Samui would not be my choice of beach resort but the weather is better on the gulf coast than the Anadaman coast at that time of year.
Flying would be a lot quickerAir Asia operate cheap flights on some routes around Thailand. I have used them between Bangkok and CM but I am pretty sure they don't go to Koh Samui. As yestravel says with only three weeks it would make more sense to fly. It used to be the case that Bangkok airways had a monopoly on KS flights and they used to be very expensive but I am not sure if that is still the case.
Koh Samui would not be my choice of beach resort but the weather is better on the gulf coast than the Anadaman coast at that time of year.
Mar 8th, 2014, 09:50 AM
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Hi,
May I also add,please do your homework re. Elephant camps.If u care about the treatment of these animals which there are no laws in Thailand.Please research inadvance what kind of camp you r going to.Most agencys get a kick back from the camps as well as Taxi drivers.
Its big money in Thailand really big!!
Elephant Nature Park outside of Chang Mai is the best in my book!!Its a sanctuary.No chains,no riding,no hooks,no circus tricks!!!
A great days outing as well as overnights.
The owner Lek Chalert has been on National Geo,as well as the White House to honor her as one of six Woman Heroes of Global conservation.
Many Thanks,
Ellen
May I also add,please do your homework re. Elephant camps.If u care about the treatment of these animals which there are no laws in Thailand.Please research inadvance what kind of camp you r going to.Most agencys get a kick back from the camps as well as Taxi drivers.
Its big money in Thailand really big!!
Elephant Nature Park outside of Chang Mai is the best in my book!!Its a sanctuary.No chains,no riding,no hooks,no circus tricks!!!
A great days outing as well as overnights.
The owner Lek Chalert has been on National Geo,as well as the White House to honor her as one of six Woman Heroes of Global conservation.
Many Thanks,
Ellen
Mar 8th, 2014, 11:12 AM
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Zoso is so right! The other highly regarded elephant camp is the Thai Elephant Conservation Center. These aren't places the agencies will book you into as they don't get commissions. These are the only two elephants camps I would consider.
Mar 9th, 2014, 07:35 PM
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Thanks for the advise everyone,
We are actually going through Elephant Nature Park, as I have researched this extensively.
As for other things....we really don't have a strong agenda for sites to see and I'd kind of like to just see what the trip brings us..is that a stupid idea, only having 3 weeks? Also, what beach areas do you suggest? If you could provide some pros/cons about one area vs. another, that'd be appreciated. I originally had my heart set on Phuket, but after readings some reviews, decided on Koh Samui, but now I am wondering if that is a fair choice?
Thanks again!
We are actually going through Elephant Nature Park, as I have researched this extensively.
As for other things....we really don't have a strong agenda for sites to see and I'd kind of like to just see what the trip brings us..is that a stupid idea, only having 3 weeks? Also, what beach areas do you suggest? If you could provide some pros/cons about one area vs. another, that'd be appreciated. I originally had my heart set on Phuket, but after readings some reviews, decided on Koh Samui, but now I am wondering if that is a fair choice?
Thanks again!
