Bangkok and Chiang Mai - how long in each?
 

We are spending 8 days in Bangkok and wanted to go to Chaing Mai for two days. We are a family of five with three girls - 22, 19, 14. I was thinking of spending one day in the elephant reserves but wondered if I should then add another day to Chaing Mai and take away from Bangkok. One of the days in Bangkok we are spending with Tong and going to Konchuburi. Any advice about special "not to miss" things in Bangkok or Chiang Mai? Also, should we spend a full day at an elephant reserve?

Thanks for your help!

8 and 2 sound about right to me - there is so much to see and do in Bangkok compared to Chaing Mai.

In my opinion the girls might find 8 days in Bangkok too long and I would suggest 4 days and the rest of the time up north. Maybe 2 days in Chiang Rai visiting the Golden Triangle. 1 day travelling to Chiang Mai taking the scenic long tail boat to Thaton and continuing by bus or taxi. Or you could spend a day/night here enjoying the quiet river town and perhaps visiting a hilltribe. Try to be in CM during the weekend so you can visit the Sunday day market. Whether you spend a whole day at the elephant camp would depend on how much your children wish to be among them.

In BKK the must do's are:
1) Grand Palace,
2) What Po
3) Jim Thompson House
4) MBK
5) Teak mansiion
6) Weekend market
7) Floating market (I don't like but many do)
8) Calypso cabaret - ladyboy show at the Asia hotel - very
entertaining for all audiences. (evening show about $25 each)
9) Riding the river taxis anywhere.

Scotters,

I misrepresented the numbers. We have a total of 8 days when we arrive from Phuket. One of those days is with Tong and we thought two of those days would be going to Chiang Mai (by plane since we don't want to spend the time taking a train). That leaves us actually only 4 (maybe 4 1/2 days) in BKK. I think that will be plenty. The real issue is how to spend our time in BKK (thanks Bill for the must do's!) and in Chiang Mai and if it would be better to use the time in Chiang Mai to tour/trek/village visit/etc. or to spend some of that time at the elephant reserve. Thanks!!!

Your three girls are at ages that they probably would really enjoy shopping. Bangkok has many malls, some typical of those elsewhere, some NOT typical of those elsewhere. There are also lots of market areas for some real bargains.

Pratunam area (malls and market stalls... mostly fashion)
Platinum Mall (pretty much fashion, with a few shoes/purses)
MBK Mall (all sorts of souvenirs, fashion, knock-offs, phones, furniture, you name it!.. plus food courts)

Paragon Mall... upscale, very nice, lots of brand names, really gorgeous mall, basement food court/restaurants are fantastic)
Emporium Mall... not quite so upscale as Paragon (IMO), not quite so large, but a nice selection of Thai made souvenirs on about 3rd floor... can't think of store's name

Other things in Bangkok would be as BillT listed them, plus others will name a few more places, I'm sure. Riding a river taxi or taking a klong tour along the smaller canals by longtail boat is always interesting, IMO.

4 1/2 days in Bangkok for me would be too short, but that's just me. I think a couple of days in Chiang Mai would be nice. Doi Suthep is lovely, on the hillside overlooking the city.

Flights to CM are about one hour... but long enough to be fed if you fly on Thai!

Have fun!

Carol

perfect #'s... 15 min in CM is just about right