Would you weigh in on 1st-timer's rough itinerary?
Jul 28th, 2017, 07:27 AM
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Would you weigh in on 1st-timer's rough itinerary?
Hello! First time Thailand-trip planner here. Single 40ish female, loves beaches and snorkeling, train travel, food. I'll be there for about 3 weeks, 30 October to 20 November. I'm continuing to work remotely while there, so I'll be staying near wifi whenever possible (thus probably no jungle treks/national park visits this time). How does this sound as a rough plan?
30 Oct - Arrive Bangkok 7pm - sleep!
31 Oct - On to Sukhothai (via overland travel? fly?) 1 or 2 nights, tour ruins. Train/bus on to.....
2 Nov - 6 Nov - Chiang Mai. Enjoy any Loi Krathong/Yee Peng activities, maybe a cooking class here and visit to Elephant Nature Park. Fly to......
6 Nov to 13 Nov (?) - Ko Lanta (via Krabi). Is Lanta a good pick for "touristy enough to have plenty of beach bar/resto options, but not full of wildly partying kids" ?
13 Nov - is it a stupid idea to go next to Hua Hin for a few days? I think it's Kathie who often recommends this destination. I know it's the wrong season for the gulf side, but I read it's in a sort of protected spot, and I thought it would be an interesting slice of Thai culture. But this might be awkward for transport; I imagine I'd have to fly Krabi to BKK and then go back down to Hua Hin.
16ish Nov - 20 Nov - final days dedicated to Bangkok. I'm worried that may be too little time, but I'm not sure what would be the right amount - I already live in a frantic and frenetic city, and the crazy urban pace is not a great fit for me (our living location is a requirement of my partner's work).
30 Oct - Arrive Bangkok 7pm - sleep!
31 Oct - On to Sukhothai (via overland travel? fly?) 1 or 2 nights, tour ruins. Train/bus on to.....
2 Nov - 6 Nov - Chiang Mai. Enjoy any Loi Krathong/Yee Peng activities, maybe a cooking class here and visit to Elephant Nature Park. Fly to......
6 Nov to 13 Nov (?) - Ko Lanta (via Krabi). Is Lanta a good pick for "touristy enough to have plenty of beach bar/resto options, but not full of wildly partying kids" ?
13 Nov - is it a stupid idea to go next to Hua Hin for a few days? I think it's Kathie who often recommends this destination. I know it's the wrong season for the gulf side, but I read it's in a sort of protected spot, and I thought it would be an interesting slice of Thai culture. But this might be awkward for transport; I imagine I'd have to fly Krabi to BKK and then go back down to Hua Hin.
16ish Nov - 20 Nov - final days dedicated to Bangkok. I'm worried that may be too little time, but I'm not sure what would be the right amount - I already live in a frantic and frenetic city, and the crazy urban pace is not a great fit for me (our living location is a requirement of my partner's work).
Jul 28th, 2017, 10:17 AM
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You've made a good start on planning your trip.
I'd choose just one beach location. You're right, it would be awkward getting to Hua Hin from Ko Lanta. Given what you have said, Ko Lanta or Koh Lak would be good options for you.
I've not been to Sukhothai, though I have researched it. I'd say you need two full days to explore the ruins. Dawn Rooney has a book on Sukhothai (she is the expert on Angkor).
It's hard to know what would be the right amount of time for you in Bangkok, not knowing what you want to see/do there. While Bangkok is a big city, you can make it much less crazy by choosing carefully where to stay. I always recommend staying along the river for first-timers. Our last stay in Bangkok we stayed "downtown" and next time we'll be back to the river gain. It makes all the difference for us.
Enjoy your planning!
I'd choose just one beach location. You're right, it would be awkward getting to Hua Hin from Ko Lanta. Given what you have said, Ko Lanta or Koh Lak would be good options for you.
I've not been to Sukhothai, though I have researched it. I'd say you need two full days to explore the ruins. Dawn Rooney has a book on Sukhothai (she is the expert on Angkor).
It's hard to know what would be the right amount of time for you in Bangkok, not knowing what you want to see/do there. While Bangkok is a big city, you can make it much less crazy by choosing carefully where to stay. I always recommend staying along the river for first-timers. Our last stay in Bangkok we stayed "downtown" and next time we'll be back to the river gain. It makes all the difference for us.
Enjoy your planning!
Jul 28th, 2017, 11:02 PM
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Just in case you haven't looked at the recommended overland options available...
https://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm
An alternative to Hua Hin, and only 65km south, is Prachuap Khiri Khan. It's a seaside Thai provincial town, and so far not really on the tourist radar.
It's star turn is Ao Maneo Beach, which is in a unique spot inside the Wing 5 Thai Royal Air Force Base, on the southern edge of town. All you need to do is sign in and out [passport required for initial visit] at the Main Gate, having a hired pushbike or using a tuk tuk to ge there and back is a good idea...
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attrac..._Province.html
A good place to stay in Prachap KK is the Golden Beach hotel...
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_..._Province.html
https://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm
An alternative to Hua Hin, and only 65km south, is Prachuap Khiri Khan. It's a seaside Thai provincial town, and so far not really on the tourist radar.
It's star turn is Ao Maneo Beach, which is in a unique spot inside the Wing 5 Thai Royal Air Force Base, on the southern edge of town. All you need to do is sign in and out [passport required for initial visit] at the Main Gate, having a hired pushbike or using a tuk tuk to ge there and back is a good idea...
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attrac..._Province.html
A good place to stay in Prachap KK is the Golden Beach hotel...
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_..._Province.html
Jul 30th, 2017, 08:03 AM
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Thank you both very much! Goodness, Ao Maneo looks amazing, LL!
And yes, Kathie, I must figure out *what* I'll be doing in Bangkok to properly get a time idea. But I am absolutely going to be staying on the river!! (I think this may even be based directly on your advice from prior posts I'd read.) My initial landing spot upon arrival at BKK is already booked, at the Centre Point Sukhumvit 10. I will research and see if that looks like the right spot for my more extended stay at the end of the trip.
I'm currently in that 'trip-planning middle ground', almost a Catch-22 situation, where I'm trying to nail down my handful of destinations so I can do more in-depth research on what exactly I will do in/how much time spent at each place, but often selecting that special handful of spots is dictated by the very specifics that only come with in-depth research!!
Hence I usually come to the Fodors board experts once I've got a respectable-enough guesstimate of my plan in place to not be shouted offstage.
And yes, Kathie, I must figure out *what* I'll be doing in Bangkok to properly get a time idea. But I am absolutely going to be staying on the river!! (I think this may even be based directly on your advice from prior posts I'd read.) My initial landing spot upon arrival at BKK is already booked, at the Centre Point Sukhumvit 10. I will research and see if that looks like the right spot for my more extended stay at the end of the trip.
I'm currently in that 'trip-planning middle ground', almost a Catch-22 situation, where I'm trying to nail down my handful of destinations so I can do more in-depth research on what exactly I will do in/how much time spent at each place, but often selecting that special handful of spots is dictated by the very specifics that only come with in-depth research!!
Hence I usually come to the Fodors board experts once I've got a respectable-enough guesstimate of my plan in place to not be shouted offstage.
Jul 30th, 2017, 08:25 AM
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I'm confused. You say you are definitely staying on the river, but you have chosen Centre Point Sukhumvit 10, which is in the midst of downtown. If you want a Centre Point property, the one you want is Centre Point Silom which is very near the river has has river view rooms.
Jul 30th, 2017, 09:20 AM
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or right on the river is chatrium riverside, an excellent managed apartment complex with a boat to the shytrain and near to Asiatique.
I also love anantara Riverside and have stayed there for 20 years.
I also love anantara Riverside and have stayed there for 20 years.
Aug 1st, 2017, 03:53 PM
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Kathie, apologies; of course you're correct - I had a handful of names on the 'Bangkok hotel short list' in my research notes, and I grabbed the wrong name when I pasted it into my response! I had only remembered it was an 'S' name from when I booked it (and my Chiang Mai accommodations) about 6 months ago. Thankfully, I use my 'confirmed reservations' folder to guide my ACTUAL travel, heh.
rhkkmk, I've seen many recommendations of the Chatrium; I will investigate that and your Anantara suggestion too for my Bangkok return - appreciate the advice!
rhkkmk, I've seen many recommendations of the Chatrium; I will investigate that and your Anantara suggestion too for my Bangkok return - appreciate the advice!
