We will be visiting Thailand for 11 days in Nov. Right now we are planning 4 days in Bangkok, 2 days in Chiang Mai, 5 days in Phuket and/or Koh Samui. This will be our first visit there and we would love any ideas or suggestions. Thank you

The one suggestion I have for you is to visit either Phuket or Koh Samui, not both. Three locations is plenty of places for 11 days. You want to be able to slow down and enjoy the charm of Thailand.

does that mean 11 days in thailand or an 11 day vacation....if 11 in country then 3 places is ok.,...if not cut back one place...remember that day one and two you are pretty tired and it takes quite a bit to adjust to the heat and humidity....travelling to and from the airport at both places consumes 1/2 to 3/4 of a day....especially in bangkok...

Don't waste your time in Bangkok too much unless you are into Temples. It's just dirty. Spend more time in the islands. By the way DO NOT stay at the Oriental Bangkok as they are having serious water treatment problems. I was there last week

Thank you for the input. We are now thinking about planning 4 days in BKK, 3 days in Chiang Mai and 4 days in Phuket...still reading up on what the different locations have to offer.

stephenie -

Instead of 3-days Chiang Mai, you can do 1-day, then head up, by road, to Chiang Sean (on the border with Laos and Burma) and enjoy the Golden Triangle area for 2-days, which we found more interesting than Chiang Mai. From there you can head to Phuket out of the Chiang Rai airport.

The advantage of leaving from Chiang Mai is being able to get a non-stop flight to Phuket (believe there is 1-a-day); from Chiang Rai you transfer via BKK to HKT.

In Chiang Mai try the 'Hilltribe Sanctuary', perhaps book 1 night in town, say the Empress, the people from the Santuary pick you up in 4x4's and take you to the Sanctuary accommodation, you see Hilltribe danes and they have organised trips into jungle and local villages, they do a half-board and a full-board deal, all inclusive which makes it easy, they then drop you to the airport. Note, there is just 1 daily 'non-stop' from Chiang Mai to Phuket (thai). Get the sector deal, fly BKK-Chiang Mai-Phuket-BKK, it's about $50 a sector, you do not have to fly Thai long-haul to buy it, call Thai toll-free and they will tell you about the deal.
In Phuket you have a choice of busy, quiet, in-between. if you want beach plus tours and not too busy Kata and Karon have good sans and fairly quiet but still nice restaurants, bars, local shops. Marina Cottages are very tropical and natural, lots of trees, nice restaursnt on rocks over the water, great for sunsets.
Another absolute beachfront place is the 3-star Karon Beach Hotel, in the $50-60 range, pool right onto the beach, rooms not brilliant but you only 'sleep' in them. If you want a very quiet beach try Kamala, you can get a studio fairly near the beach for around $40 with small kitchenette area, microwave etc, handy.
Bangkok is a bustling city, vcertainly worth a few days, but you should enjoy Chiang Mai for 'nature' and Phuket for beach. If you want somewhere which beaches and scenic beauty try Krabi, 2 hrs drive from Phuket airport or fly via BKK. Tubkaak resort very Thai, quiet, great rooms pool gardens, not sure but I guess about $80-90.

PS: November is known for heavy rain in Samui area so Phuket/krabi best bet for nice weather.

www.balithai.20m
www.patong-beach-hotels.8k.com
www.chiang-mai-hotels.itgo.com

Thank you Sandi and JamesA for your advice. The Golden Triangle area and the Hilltribe villages sound more interesting than just staying the city.

Stephenie -

In addition to Sanctuary that JamesA mentions, we stayed at the Lisu Lodge (and eco-lodge) managed by the Lisu tribe. After having spent 4-nts at The Peninsula in BKK, we had some idea of what to expect, but were we surprised.

Very basic, but great thick mattresses, down filled duvets (after 2nts Siem Reap and 4 BKK) best nite sleep we had because we only had fans and open windows with mountain air.

Meals were basic, but sufficient, plenty of wine, only 1 other couple there. After dinner the Lisu children in traditional cloths put on a dance performance - it was lovely.

Glad we thought"out of the box". The Lisu Lodge has a website (just do a search) and check it out and see if you have interest.

stephenie -

sorry, forgot - the Lisu Lodge is about 30 miles north of Chiang Mai. From here, next morning, we did the elephant safari, then stopped at one of the hilltribe villages - all on the way up to Chiang Sean.

Don't skip the soapy massage. You can grope to your hearts delight.

I was in Thailand for 1 week, I went to BKK and to Phrae. Never been to the other 2 places yet.

Interesting things in BKK off the beaten path :

1) Wander the area across the road from the grand palace behind the ministry of defense building, behind there is a canal with lovely little bridges and apartments with a portuguese origin. The streets are virtually devoid of tourists but are charming in a way.
2) Take a motorized canal boat from the moat area of the grand palace to the world trade center shopping area on Sukumvhit. The boats come in and go out at a very fast clip. So you have to study your approach a few times. Then get on and speed up canal, watch the driver as he cranks down the canopy to fit under the bridge , without slowing down. Young peple in crash helmets walk on the edge of the boat to collect fares and tie up momentarily to the docks.
3) Go to Suan Packard museum. There you can see artifacts from the Bian Chiang (sp)discovery. A prehistoric site that proves there were people living in Norther Thailand in 3000BC , I think. The son of an ambassador discovered the ancient pottery when he tripped over a branch. There are other interesting things there including some 1000 year old buddhas, a teak boat, a restored house from Ayuthya the previous capitol before Bangkok, and an exhibit of paintings that is quite good, by the daughter of the prince who donated his collection for the museum and built a series of Thai style houses to hold it.