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Thailand recommended places for 2 weeks?

Thailand recommended places for 2 weeks?

Old Jul 22nd, 2013, 10:17 AM
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Thailand recommended places for 2 weeks?

I sm planning a trip to either china or thailand for next year, but still unsure about ehich country to visit. I think it depends on which places is more interesting for me to visit.

The tour is planned for 2 weeks in august. We are a couple who likes history, likes to explore culturel attractions like temples etc, found of shopping also, markeds.
big cities, smaller but cities with massive culture exprience and islands with beaches ( not the busy ones ) are of interest.

-So far I have thought about staying bangkok for atleast 4-5 days.
-Checking out one island ( dont know which one, maybe koh samui ? ) Not more than 4 days.

But what else?
read thst chaing mai is city ti visit, but is it really worth a visit? What to do their? Othrr places to visit?

We dont like to rush things, better to stay a day more in a place and exprience more of a place.

Thank u!
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Old Jul 22nd, 2013, 11:41 AM
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With two weeks, you could visit as many as three places, I wouldn't visit more in that time. Given your interests, you will want a lot of time in Bangkok. Which beach to choose depends on exactly when you are traveling (weather issues). Most of the beach areas in Thailand have beaches that are busy and some that are less busy.

Chiang Mai is the place to go if you would like to interact with elephants as one of the well-regarded (for their care of elephants) elephant camps. CM has a lovely must-see wat, Doi Suthep, as well as a number of smaller wats inside the old city walls. CM used to be a shopping mecca, but now, the prices are higher than in Bangkok and the selection not as good. There is no public transport in Cm other than tuk-ytuks and songthaews, so you often need a car and driver.

You could certainly divide your time between Bangkok and a beach and not be bored.

I feel compelled to add another option: what about a side trip to Cambodia to visit the temples of Angkor? Take a look at our photos at www.marlandc.com
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Old Jul 22nd, 2013, 01:12 PM
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Thank u for the respons, kathie. We are not thinking about adding more than 3 places for our visit. That will be more than enough.

Yes, I believe Bangkok will be ideal for that, so We will for sure explore that city.

So Chiang Mai is worth a visit even if one isnt interested in elephants?

We are planning to go their in august. How about koh samui? Are they any resorts which have privat beach ( less busy ) in koh samui?

Hmmm, temples of angkor seems interesting, but how many days do u reccommend their and is the temple only thing to explore their?
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Old Jul 22nd, 2013, 01:25 PM
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To be honest with you, I am not fond of CM. Some people love it, I find it not as interesting as Bangkok. If you aren't interested in elephants, that is one less reason to go to CM.

If you trade out Siem Reap for Chiang Mai, you get the opportunity to see a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the wonders of the world. The temples at Angkor encompass many dozens of temples that were part of the Khmer empire. It takes three full days (4 nights) just to see the major temples. If you aren't interested in temples, it's probably not for you. But the photos should give you a sense of whether it's worth looking at for you. If you think you might be interested, find a copy of Dawn Rooney's book, Angkor: A Guide to Cambodia's Wondrous Temples.

August is a good time for year for Koh Samui.
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Old Jul 22nd, 2013, 01:47 PM
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I understand. Some ppl says its a must visit, so I am unsure about it.

I am fond of temples, facinates me really, but its question about traveling to antoher country. How else is this place, siem, besides the temples? Nice restaurants, hotels?
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Old Jul 22nd, 2013, 01:52 PM
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I agree with Kathie that SR would be a better option than CM. There are tons of hotels and good restaurants in all price ranges in SR. You can cover the main attractions in 3 nights with an early flight out of BKK. Others will chime in on visas which you will need for Cambodia.
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Old Jul 22nd, 2013, 03:55 PM
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After reading about angkor wat I am getting more interested to check out SR. How would u ppl fit in a trip to Siem Reap with bangkok and Koh Samui? Bangkok-SR-koh samui? Are they direct flights from bangkok to SR?

Thank u all for the tips.
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Old Jul 22nd, 2013, 04:21 PM
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Yes, I'd book Bangkok- Siem Reap - (change planes in Bangkok) Koh Samui - Bangkok. Take a look at Bangkok Air's Discovery Pass - it will save you money.
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Old Jul 22nd, 2013, 04:47 PM
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Air Asia has also begun fights to SR.
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Old Jul 22nd, 2013, 05:24 PM
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Oh, yes, I'd forgotten that. So look at Air Asia and look at the Discovery Pass. Remember that Air Asia has lots of add-on fees, for luggage, an assigned seat, etc. that you don't have to worry abut with Bangkok Air.

Does anyone know, has the new competition with Air Asia brought down Bangkok Air prices?
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Old Jul 22nd, 2013, 05:53 PM
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Great!

I am thinking about having 3 nights in SR. Two days at angkor should be enough. Any good guides & drivers recommended?
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Old Jul 22nd, 2013, 06:50 PM
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Based on recommendations from this forum we used the guide David Eath Sovann ([email protected]) for Angkor Wat and had a really good experience. His English was great and he was really knowledgeable and flexible with our itinerary. You can also book a guide directly through your hotel in Siem Reap if you don't want to book ahead.

We liked Krabi for our beach time, but we went in November so I'm not sure what the weather would be like in August. I thought the resort (Tubkaak) was beautiful and not crowded at all.

We also went for two weeks and divided it up over four places so we also included Chiang Rai in our itinerary. I didn't feel too rushed and I loved finishing our trip at the beach.

Here are links to our pictures from Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, and Krabi.

Siem Reap (Hotel & Tonle Sap): http://travelswithcurley.com/2013/07...onle-sap-lake/

Angkor Wat: http://travelswithcurley.com/2013/07...ith-a-toddler/

Krabi: http://travelswithcurley.com/2013/03...i-trip-review/

Chiang Rai: http://travelswithcurley.com/2013/07...hern-thailand/
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Old Jul 22nd, 2013, 07:47 PM
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Thank u for the tips and links, will check them out later

Is it easy to book a car and driver from the hotel also or should it be done in advance?

Read that krabi is more peacefull and less busy than some other islands, but its not so many activities their like in kuh samui?

4 places in 2 weeks is little to much for my taste. Anyways thanks !
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Old Jul 23rd, 2013, 06:02 AM
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It is very easy to book a car and driver and guide through your hotel.

August is not a good time to visit the Andaman Sea side of Thailand, which includes Krabi.
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Old Jul 23rd, 2013, 09:28 AM
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I agree that it's very easy to book a guide through your hotel.

I checked and we actually went in February (not November) and I know the preferred beach destinations change depending on the time of year.

Have a great trip! I really hope we can get back to SE Asia soon.
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Old Jul 24th, 2013, 06:33 AM
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I think we will visit Koh Samui then. After reading up to many trip reports and guides, it looks like Siem Reap is something not to be missed in South Asia. How will the weather be in august there?

Do u guys recommend to book hotels and flights via a tour operator or do it by self?
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Old Jul 24th, 2013, 06:37 AM
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And where do you recommend to stay in Koh Samui if one wants a less busy place but with good/luxury hotels? Does the most hotels have a private beach?
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Old Jul 24th, 2013, 06:34 PM
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Helllo atifba,

Nice private beach resorts choose between Zazen Boutique Resort or Tongsai Bay…
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Old Jul 25th, 2013, 01:49 PM
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Thank u for the tips. Are those resorts located in a less busy areas?

After reading about the thai islands, krabi province ( specialy railey beach) looks more beautiful and sounds more relaxed than samui? But how bad is it their in august? I know it can rain in the evening for some hours, but thats ok. Does daytime get effected?
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