We are two active 50's never been to Thailand, or anywhere in Asia. We arrive Dec. 2 until Dec 25. So far, we have only flights booked and first 4 nights in Bangkok (Chatrium Suites).
We would appreciate advice on how long to stay and how to best get there... we don't want to rent a car...
- Chiang Mai (including possible hill tribe treks)
- River Kwai
- southern beaches
- Khao Sok
- other must-see places...??

What might be the best way to route ourselves after Bangkok... north to Chiang Mai, via Sukhothai by bus or train... with overnight stop (how many nights??) for biking??
Then to the beaches and Khao Sok?
River Kwai last
then airport night of Dec 24??

Is it best to do day trips from Chiang Mai for hill treks, or overnight? We are wondering what the overnight sleeping is like? Any recommended tour companies or guides?

How might one get from Krabi to Khao Sok National Park?

Is it a must to book trains, bus and hotels in advance in December?
More questions to come I am sure...
thank you in advance,
Karla

I'd make sure I had hotels booked ahead. December is the start of the busy season, and hotels in beach areas may be all booked up already.... you may not get your first or second choice (or even third choice) by now.

(mango... be nice)

Carol- I was just looking for you and boom- there you are. My wife is weakening to my persistence and it looks like we may be in BKK over the holidays. I found an $1,100 flight on ANA, which is not bad. Will keep you posted!

In December you really want to plan ahead. The hotels at the beach will be especially booked up, so do book as much as you can before.

Is there a particular reason you want to take the bus or train north? You can fly to Sukothai on Bangkok Air, then take ground transport to Chiang Mai. If you want to see hilltribes with some of their lifeways intact, you'll need to do an overnight trek. Sgt. Kai comes highly recommended (search here for his contact info).

I expect you'll want to fly to Krabi. Flights are relatively inexpensive and the airlines are reliable. A bus or train takes up a lot of time.

River Kwai can be a day trip or an overnight from Bangkok. You may want to return to Bangkok for your last few night before flying home.

When you are ready to book hotels, check www.sawasdee.com a Thai booking service many of us use. The rates include tax and service (which total 17.7%) and often include breakfast, worth $16-20.

December is actually the height of the high season, so yes, book everything in advance if you don't want to end up in some filthy guest house.

You can do River Kwai first or last - but I always have to ask why you want to do it at all. The area is pretty enough, but since you're also going to Chiang Mai, you'll see similar scenery there as well. The 'bridge' (which, all accounts to the contrary, is not 'the' bridge) is not very impressive.

You can do overnight treks from Chiang Mai. Accommodation is usually in village homes, which is appealing to some, but not to over-50 me. Search the forum for recommended guides.

You can book a day trip to Khao Sok park at most hotel's tour desks in Krabi.