1st time in Thailand...
 

I'm heading to Thailand with one of my girl friends from Dec. 22-Jan. 3rd. The plan so far is to fly into Bangkok and spend maybe 24 hours there, and then go to Ko Phi Phi for 4-5 days (x-mas), ane then Ko Phangan 4-5 days (New Year's Full Moon Party)... Any suggestions for other "must see's" and would love suggestions on getting from Bangkok to Phuket, and then over to Ko Phi Phi etc....Should those smaller trips be booked in advance? Or can we just wing those? Also would love any tips and hotel suggestions for all locations. We are also interested in riding the elephants and possibly seeing some tigers, and temples......Please help:) I can't wait to hear your input....I'm new to fodors.....

My major suggestion is to book your hotels YESTERDAY. My second is to eliminate one beach and spend 4-5 days in Bangkok.

I agree on spending 4 days in Bangkok and doing Phi Phi next time. You're going to miss out on a great city and just do too many beaches.

You need to book asap as this is the highest travel season and a lot of places are already sold out. Same with flights.

Bangkok Airways discovery pass is your best bet for cheaper prices. book asap. they're the only ones who fly to samui anyway and you have the minimum 3 legs. call 1-866-bangkok to book.

my guess is that you will have trouble with hotels at that time doing it this late.....i would do that first....find hotels and then center my stops and dates around hotel availability....

A couple of thoughts. I agree that Bangkok and one beach makes the most sense. At that time of the year, you need reservations in advance for everything. Indeed, you may be too late for some places/flights.

Consider which beach you want (and this may depend on hotel availability). Phi Phi is lovely, and there are lots of ways to fly to Phuket, including budget airlines.

Getting to Samui is expensive, as Bangkok Air owns the airport. The discovery pass requires three legs, and is usually not worth booking two legs and tossing the third on a domestic itinerary. Ko Phangan is always very crowded around the time of the Full Moon parties, and even the cheapest accommodation requires a minimum stay. Also, the Full Moon party is collection of drunk young backpackers throwing up on the beach and generally trashing the place to the sound of techo. If that's what you are looking for, book ASAP. If not, go to PhiPhi.

Mid/late Dec 2006 we had no trouble getting accom in Bangkok or Samui before we found our little villa to rent. You can get to Samui by overnight train/ferry and another ferry trip, to Koh Pha ngan. There are also direct boats from SuratThani, I believe. The full moon stuff is over-rated unless you want to write yourself off for a couple of days & have your stuff stolen! The coup has affected tourism & this year tourist numbers were down in the South. The elections (Dec23) may help numbers increase but people have stayed away in Samui's peak season of August this year. Noone seems to be expecting a bumper Dec/Jan as the rain normally comes!

if you do not stay near the party on KPN, there are no minimums and no crazy partying. we're staying at one of the beaches on the north coase, which is a full 45 min drive from the party beach.