I've posted a number of queries on this board and the info has been most helpful. Wife and son with his wife and 8 year old will arrive in BKK from JFK on 14 Nov. We depart on 24 Nov at 1AM. We've been arranging an itinerary assumming that we would spend all that time in BKK but now are wondering if we (or maybe son's family) should spend 3 days/2 nights in Chiang Mai with emphasis on elephants. Your comments would be appreciated. Jerry

With an 8-year-old along, I'd definitely spend some time outside Bangkok. Chiang Mai would be nice - the Elephant Conservation Center is wonderful. Your son would love it.

You will find plenty to do for all of you in Bangkok and maybe a couple of day trips outside the city. It really depends on whether you want to take some of your time to travel (checking in and out of hotels, getting to and from the airport, the flights and waiting time) mean you'll effectively lose one full day just to go to Chaing Mai for a couple of days. Whether this is worth it to you depends on you and how you want to spend your time.

Make sure you choose a hotel in Bangkok with a nice pool area and that is convenient for getting around the city. Bob always recommends the Marriott Resort and Spa for families. I think being on the river makes a lot of difference.

If you had more time, I'd say definitely go north, but with a mere 8 days, you'll have to decide how to use your precious time in Thailand.

I would actually go up to CM for 3 days. The 8-year old will love the elephants. There are so many BKK-CM flights that I think you only lose 1/2 day each time you travel. You'll lose 1 day total. You could actually save 1/2 day by flying uo to CM just after landing in BKK from JFK (assuming you're on the non-stop that arrives around 5:00 p.m). This means you would start in CM, but who really cares?

please also know that for the first two days in bkk you will be quite tired so i would plan for those to be down days when you primarily lay around the pool and unwind/.....so essentially you have very few full days for touring, shopping, etc...

i would not leave bangkok area...as kathie says you will waste tons of time just making the transfers...

i highly suggest the marriott resort and spa to you as a fabulous family hotel....the pool is fantastic...there is mcdonalds and ice cream for the kid out front in the mini mall and the rooms are very comfortable....the hotel is the most affordable one on the river as well....expect to pay $140 in november including tax/service and breakfast per room....this is using one of the discount site....i just booked nov 6th for $136 on asiarooms.com.......

there is a new aquarium in bkk for the kid as well as the zoo...