Greetings!

Have looked at this board many times and enjoy reading all the reviews/experiences, etc. Even though we've never met, I feel like I already know Kathie, rhkkmk, Kim, Gpanda. My partner and I have been to Thailand 5 times over the past 10 years: Always the same trip, Bangkok & Koh Samui.
Some background: we have stayed in the Imperial Queen's Park, Holiday Inn Silom (when it was a Crowne Plaza), and Royal Orchid Sheraton (which so far has been our favourite!). On Koh Samui we stay at the Imperial Boathouse.

We're looking to expand out and see more of this beautiful country! Any suggestions on a 14 night itinerary ?
This would be for the Spring 2008.
Of course we'd like to have a few days in BKK... but are also thinking Chiang Rai /
Ko Chang / and Railay (Krabi). We don't like to move around too much... and think we'd rather do at least 3 to 4 nights in each spot. Any/all suggestions would be appreciated (travel logistics/hotel/etc)... Thanks !

Ah! another Thailand addict - welcome!

As you know, I like the fact that you don't want to move around much and, of course, I like your choice of Bangkok hotels! As you may know from my posts, I've been staying at the Royal Orchid during each of my Bangkok stays for 20 some years.

With 14 days in Asia, I'd choose not more than three locations. Here are some ideas for your next trip:

What about Angkor Wat? The temples are truly stunning. We spent a week there in 2001 and had a fabulous time. check out our photos at www.marlandc.com

If you would prefer something more laid back, consider Luang Prabang. It's a sleepy town filled with beautiful wats. The monks and novices are all eager to practice their English. You can see LP phots also on our website.

In northern Thailand, I love the Anantara at the Golden Triangle. It's a gorgeous place! If you want to just stay there, there is plenty to do. I highly recommend their cooking class (you take a morning trip into the mamrket at Chaeng Sean). They have a wonderful spa, and they have elephants on-site. There are also intersting paces to see nearby, such as Doi Tung.

The other places you mention, Koh Chang and Krabi are beach locations. Depending on exactly when you are going, you have to consider the weather. I use www.weatherbase.com For Krabi, use Phuket stats.

One other weather issue to consider is that in the spring, there is burning of fields and sometimes it can get very smoky in nortehrn Thailand and LP. Read crellston's report on this. If you are interested in those locations, choose a time early in teh spring before the fields are burned.

Logistics are pretty easy. Once you ahve some ideas, get back to us and we can tell you about flights, etc.

kathie hasgiven you great suggestions....may i suggest the bangkok marriott resort and spa...imko far better than ROS...

LP & SR are both great destinTIONS...koh chang is too...look at amari emerald cove....fantastic..

Definitely give Siem Riep a visit. The temples are truly amazing, even to a Philistine such as I. I'm sure you've read about Ponheary and her brother Dara, who are great guides. Check out "thePLF.org" for a great organization established by Fodorite Offwego.

I hope you've been to the Gallery Cafe, just around the corner from the ROS. It's our favorite. Bob (RhkKmk) even likes it.

Kathie, Rhkkmk, Gpanda,

Thanks for your quick responses & good advice. I failed to mentioned in my intitial post that we have already done Siem Reap (last year). Great experience, but don't feel like we need to see again.

I think i'm leaning toward 3 spots:
Bangkok (ROS), Chiang Rai (Anantara), and Koh Chang (Amari Emerald Cove).
The Panviman in Koh Chang also looks interesting... anyone been? I'm finding very limited info on KC. It looks to me that it may be like what Koh Samui was 15 years back?

14 nights. Any suggestions how I should alot the time. Also would be most interested in mode of transport, etc. between destinations.

Gallery Cafe... Yes, I think I noticed that place... when you take the turn off the main road at the ROS/Captain Bush Lane sign, the Gallery is on your Left as your approaching the ROS ?

We always have enjoyed Baan Kaanitha for a few dinners while in BKK. Although we like their old location Ruam Ruadee (Ploenchit) better than the new one.

It's an overcast/foggy morning here in the Bay Area, CA. The thoughts of hot sunny weather, zipping around the klongs of BKK in a little private boat sightseeing, a dip in the garden pool, early cocktails in the Towers Lounge & Dinner at Baan Kaanitha are lifting this fog!

Happy Sunday.
David

Those three spots sound like a good balance. I often divide my Bangkok time between the beginning and the end of my trip, as it is my gateway city.

If you have 14 nights, I might do 3 nights Bangkok, 4 nights Anantara, 4 nights Koh Chang, 3 nights Bangkok.

Of course, it depends on what you like to do. While I love SE Asia in general, Bangkok is my favorite city. There is so much to do and see that I always find new things as well as some old favorites even though I've been there some 20 times. If you aren't as fond of Bangkok, take a day or two off there and add it to either of your other two destination.

We loved Krabi. The limestone karsts are spectacular. I would split the time as kathie described, perhaps with Krabi instead of Ko Chang. There are several good hotel choices in Krabi.

BTW, my first wife was/is a ddunn.

I have been interested in Krabi for some time. What would you suggest for hotel? The Sunrise Tropical in Railay has been catching my eye... but still open for suggestion?
We're very interested in seeing the limestone cliffs.

I like Kathie's idea of splitting time in BKK. So possibly BKK/Chiang Rai/Krabi or Koh Chang/BKK.

Any suggestions on Air Route & transfers to and from Krabi/Railay?

Gpanda: My Dunn's are in Massachusetts... Some in Boston area/some around Worcester. my immediate family came down to North Carolina, and me to California.

My former Dunns are from Mississippi.

You can fly easily from BKK to Krabi. We stayed at the Sheraton using Starwood points for free. It was pleasant, but I've read several reports exclaiming over other hotels. I suggest you do a search on this Forum. Also, the Pimlai on Ko Lanta (south of Krabi) has gotten superb reviews.

kathie's suggestion is an excellent one...

i did not like BK ruan R location at all .....i like the soi 23 on however....have not tried the sathorn location yet....you might also like le delat's place on soi 23, sukhumvit--vietnamese...

also harmonique and tongue thai, both not far from the dreaded ROS...