Hi all, I have been digging through old posts, and very much appreciate all the info you have shared. I would love if some of you could take a look at our plan of attack and give some feedback on a few specific things. Oh, and if you could predict airfare fluctuations and the weather in April, that would be most appreciated as well.

Itinerary skeleton:

4/21/09 11pm Arrive BKK
stay somewhere close to airport?
4/22/09 Fly Bkk to Krabi early, arr 9:20 am
-stay Amari Vogue for complete wedding detox
4/27/09 Fly Krabi/Chiang Mai, (via BKK, only way?) arr 2:05 pm
-stay Puripunn Baby Grand (alt. Yaang Come)
-Cooking School
-Elephant Conservation Center
4/30/09 Fly BKK (am or pm?) or 5/1/09 am?
-stay Peninsula
5/4/09 Fly Bkk-OMA

Our thought was to go straight to the beach to optimize relaxation, then when we are antsy we move on. Any other perspective?

Any strong opinions on 2 1/2 vs 3 1/2 days in Chiang Mai? (fly BKK 4/30 vs 5/1).

I could be convinced that we have to go to Koh Samui instead - I have read that the rainy season comes a bit later there. My hesitation is mostly due to the Amari Vogue - it seems incredible, and I have yet to find a comparable place in Koh Samui. Also have read Koh Samui is maybe getting too over-developed and beaches aren't as nice? Probably over thinking this aspect of the trip.

It seems based on other itineraries and advice that flying w/in the country is relatively seamless; is this an accruate assumption? I am assuming Krabi and Chiang Mai will be easy airports, so the notion of air travel hassles will be minimized? I am trying to translate to what I know of flying in other countries and am having a hard time.

A big thanks to everyone for your input!
-Abby

First night in - stay at the Airport Novotel- fabulous hotel- free shuttle to the hotel- maybe $150/night if your budget allows.

BillT is right, the airport Novotel is quite convenient (though I'd quibble about "fabulous&quot. I believe you can get from Krabi to Chiang Mai only through Bangkok. Domestic air within Thailand is quick, easy, smooth. Frankly, much less hassle than in the US.

While Koh Samui typically gets less rain in April than does Krabi, I'd go with Krabi. April is just moving toward being more rainy in Krabi; you are likely to get rain showers from time to time but not all day rain. The scenery in Krabi is really beautiful.

People tend to be either Bangkok people or CHiang Mai people. As an avowed bangkok person, I'd fly to Bangkok on the eve of 4/30 to maximize my time in my favorite city.

i too am a bkk person....i would love to try to convince you to eliminate CM altogether.... add a day to krabi and the others to bkk....the penn is fantastic and almost like being at a resort...

tons to do in bkk and spend some of that wedding $$....

have tong take you to elephants and the secret place....

april is the hottest month of the year, btw....but you will be fine...just watch out for the sun...keep sunning to early AM and late afternoon..

amari vogue is fabulous...i had dinner there and our friends loved staying there....it is beautiful, but remote....great place to hang out....i was there in may and it was very nice...

i have a bkk restaurant listing if you want it, ask at [email protected]

My advice would have been to stay in Bangkok for 2 or 3 days right at the beginning of your trip and a final night there at the end. Suvarnabhumi Airport is way out in the sticks. If you had a hotel in Bangkok, perhaps the Siam area or lower Sukhumvit Road, even late at night there is life on the streets! Keep in mind that there are two airports that serve Bangkok - know which one your flight out leaves from. BKK means Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang is DMK.

With a few days in Bangkok you would have a chance to get used to the heat and time changes and not have to run around crazy right away. During this time in Bangkok you could purchase your plane ticket to "where ever!" Bangkok is hot and sunny, you can get a suntan in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. More good cheap hotels in Bangkok city too! Hotels are limited near the airport, especially reasonably priced places.

A last night in Bangkok will give a final chance to purchase souvenirs and even take an evening dinner cruise. Also you would not have to worry about a connecting flight breaking down and you miss your ride back home.

From Bangkok you also have the option of taking an overnight sleeper train up to Chiang Mai. If so, book your train ride as soon as you are in Bangkok. The sleeper train would save you from paying for another night in a hotel in Bangkok.

In Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya/Jomtien and Bangkok - if you want a tour just find the nearest travel agency and check out their list of tours, tour company picks up and delivers you! Tours available for Chiang Rai, Golden Triangle area, Long Neck Women's villages, hill tribes, etc.

Change your currency over after you get to Thailand for your best rate of exchange. Thailand uses real banks for changing money over, rate is changed every day - so what rate you see today will be different the following day. Any rate comparison has to be done comparing the same exact day. ATM's available, remember to notify your bank that you will be in Thailand or your ATM withdrawals may be denied!

For Bangkok get a hotel near the Skytrain route so you can use that rail service to get around the city quick and easy. Meter taxi cabs are cheaper than tuk-tuks if you only pay the meter charge. Taxi cabs parked outside hotels, especially expensive ones, will want to bargain the fare - step out to the curb and flag a moving taxi down. Tell the driver meter only and if he agrees hop in, more agree on the meter than do not, taxi rides are cheap!



Good luck.

re: Sir H's comments on taxis

I find that a taxi hailed by the doorman at an expensive hotel will use the meter without a need for you to ask. Those lined up near the hotel trying to catch a fare may want to take you to tailors or jewelry stores - just say no. I do hail taxis on the street a needed, and I think in all of my trips to Bangkok I've only had one driver not want to use the meter... I just got out and took another cab.

Thank you all so much for the replies. We will look into the Airport Novotel for that first night.

We *may* still switch things around as you suggest, SirH, and split our time in Bangkok. We just want to make sure we have some sense of settling in. We'll think about this a bit more.

Regarding Krabi in April, I think we are convinced. If it rains, it rains; no point in getting worked up about it. And rhkkmk, it was your recommendation in a previous post that sent me to tripadvisor to explore the Amari Vogue. Looks.like.heaven!

I will definitely look into the other suggestions as well. I know my fiance is pretty excited about Chiang Mai, so I don't think we'll skip it, but I will take your advice and come back to Bangkok on 4/30.

Thanks so much again! I'm sure I'll be back with more questions.
-Abby

One reason for checking into the airport Novotel upon your late arrival is that if you were to take a cab into BKK to your hotel - it would be quite late and if your room is not to your liking the chances of getting the proper attention to correcting this problem may be an issue given the limited management staff at night.

I rather like your plan to go straight to Krabi - you will get a chance to recover from any jet lag at the beach.

I tend to agree with the go straight to Krabi approach with an overnight at the airport Novotel it is a good hotel for that purpose.

we have done BKK , Krabi and Chiang Mai in the same trip and it was FABULOUS i like both Bangkok and Chiang mai. Kathie is right the scenery in Krabi simply amazing

I can recommend a cooking schoool in CM. Chiang Mai cookery school (choose the "sompons house" location a highlight of our trip to CM). www.thaicookeryschool.com

smeagol---cooking school?? when did you start cooking??

Thanks for the cooking school rec, Smeagol. It appears they have 5 different "courses" depending on day - which one did you take?

we did and introduction to Thai ingredients.
It was a fantasic day and the location at Sompons house is fab.

Now Bob you know well Muffin only makes a show of cooking when we have guest ordinarily i do ALL the cooking!!!

There are two ways of thinking about going directly to the beach.

1.You get to rest at the beach and adjust to the time change in a relaxed setting.

2. By spending a few days in BKK, you get a quick exposure to Thailand and Thai customs. It will give some perspective for adjustment to Thailand.

Either way, you will have a great Honeymoon. Thailand is wonderful.