Hi - my husband and I are thinking about visiting Thailand for 2 weeks mid September. We're thinking BKK for 5 nights then one of the islands. Koh Samui has been recommended. We are not beach lovers and fancy chilling out after BKK but want to make sure there is plenty to see and do. Having done a little research I am slightly concerned that this area has become too commercialised although in saying that I don't want to be somewhere where there is absolutely nothing to do. Is Koh Samui a good choice or are there better alternatives? Is 5 nights in BKK too much? Should we stretch to 3 centres or will that be too exhausting? Your comments would be appreciated as I would like to get booked asap. Many thanks in advance!

I'd recommend two places in your two weeks. Asia lends itself well to slow travel. Five nights in Bangkok is not too much. There are many of us who have spent twice that much time on many, many trips. Indeed, my first trip to Thailand was two weeks in Bangkok!

If you aren't beach people, I'd recommend going someone other than a beach to relax. I love the Anantara at the Golden Triangle - a gorgeous resort in a gorgeous setting. You fly into Chaing Rai to get there - it's an hour north of Chaing Rai. There have also been some posts about lovely places outside of Chaing Mai. You could opt to spend a couple of days in CM, then stay a few more days out in the countryside.

Agree with Kathie. If you aren't beach people than I wouldn't recommend Koh Samui as it's a beach resort island with little else to do there.

Go north. Go to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pai. Try elephant camp at the Elephant Conservation Center or Elephant Nature Park...do the 3 days as it is a totally different experience than a visit for a day. Spending the nights together, cooking, talking, enjoying the company...that's a lot of what made it special for us.

Bangkok 4 days
Chiang Mai 3 days
Elephant camp 3 days
Chiang Rai 2 days
Bangkok 2 days

would be what I might do.

What kind of accommodation do you like? There are some really neat options in Chiang Mai.
Yaang Come Village www.yaangcome.com
Baan Orapin www.baanorapin.com/
Joy's House http://www.joyshouse.net/new_site/

Elephant camp
www.chiangthai.com
www.elephantnaturepark.org

Thats good advice youve been given. I wouldnt have so many nights in Bangkok though- unless getting clothes made at a tailors.

Why not so many nights in Bangkok? There is loads to do there. We've been 5 times in 4 trips, for 4 -5 days each time, never repeated ourselves, and haven't come close to doing all we want to. Then there's all the things near to Bangkok like Ayuthaya and the Floating market and Kanchaburi. Next time we go, we want to make merit daily in the way another poster did here recently...sounds really nice as well as a good cultural and spiritual lesson.

I suppose I find it all a bit exhausting Kim- theres so much hustle and bustle in Bangkok and I get fed up being harrassed to buy at the markets when I would just like peace to look at stuff.I preferred Chaing Mai as it wasnt so hectic.Its slightly cooler there too.
However,if staying in a nice hotel,you can always relax and chill out there .Such good value in Thailand.

I understand now. We do spend a good bit of time every day winding down in the hotel by the pool, which is why we have so much left on our to do list still! We did find ourselves much busier in Chiang Mai though...maybe because it was our first visit there, though.

You have a lot of choice. You could head north to Chiang Mai if you want a busy non beach area or go further such as Mae Hong Son for scenery and somewqhat off the beaten track, yet with nice accommodation. Isan / North East Thailand can also be interesting and again good accommodation.
Koh Samuiu is a busy tourist orientated Island but that is not all bad as it also means plenty of things to catert to the visitor.
The south east coast takes you along through Pattaya, Jomtien, Rayongh down to Trat and Koh Chang ( if you want a relaxing island not too far from Bangkok ).
You can also travel along the coast south of bangkok beach-hopping through Hua Hin and on to pranburi, Bang Saphan and Chumphon ( from where you can head to Samui or quieter Koh Tao as islands ). The Sunrise Coast has beaches and although not as great as say krabi or Phuket has some superb resorts, though you won't find that much to do in the way of shopping or any nightlife, more if you enjoy scenery, coastlines, national parks / farmlands etc.

Thanks for your responses guys - I'm going to do some more research based on your suggestions. Out of interest, what excursions would you recommend doing on Koh Samui? I've heard this can be a good base for seing other islands.

ttt

There is a marine national park you can take a trip to, or Koh Tao for diving. On Koh Samui, you can have elephant rides, watch monkeys pick coconuts, there's a stone formation south of Lamai that is interesting to look at (male and female). The market in Hua Thanon is small and absolutely local...food market with a few stalls selling housewares and simple clothes. In Nathon, there is some decent shopping IF you hunt around and weed through the junk. The markets there are interesting too. I forget the name of the place, but on the main road next to the water there is a little art shop/cafe that sells unique pottery, prints and paintings, as well as wonderful tea and muffins...natural, organic whenever possible.

Bophut to the north is cute, but we didn't much care for the beach. We spent a morning shopping around (didn't buy anything) and had lunch. The beach is murky and muddy most of the time I th ink...been up there 5 or 6 times in the past and it's never been clear or clean..a bit of garbage always, and broken glass near the tree line and street. I wouldn't recommend staying at any of the places close to the village area there because of this, but go west a bit and it gets a cleaner as the resorts get nicer...beach is still muddy though.

You can hike in the center of the island to some waterfalls and view points. Makes for a nice day out.

If you are concerned about commercialized, steer clear of Chaweng and Lamai...Starbucks, MacDonalds, shop after shop...we didn't care for either of those places.

We did love the southern part of the island, but haven't been back since the resort we stayed at was sold and the basic philosophy of the place changed as well. We used to spend 10 nights there and loved it...but spent most of our time in the resort hanging out with other guests, relaxing, swimming...One or two days a trip we'd venture out with a rental car.

I wouldn't say there is nothing to do. If you choose your resort/hotel carefully to be sure it is exactly what you want, I think 10 days there would be lovely. But I really emphasize choose carefully, as I can't really imagine being happy for 10 days in a run of the mill hotel with guests who don't mingle.

If you look at sawadee.com there is a whole section on what to do in Samui. It's a good resource and would be helpful to you I think.

Hi there,

In three weeks we combined Bangkok, Koh Samui and Chainag Mai. BKK is a great place to stay. If you want to combine all the busy things you can do in BKK with some relaxation, I would recommend the Marriott at the river. Koh Samui is a holiday island like 13 in a dozen, in my opinion. Nothing wrong with that of course when you like relaxing in a nice resort/hotel (plenty of them), but you have to be aware of that when you choose. When you go to the seapark, don't go with seetrang (big yacht, looks luxerious but to much people, not enough facilities, no nice people and very expensive), pick fe a speedboat excusrion instead. We liked a trip called the five islands experience, you can book it at the five islands restaurant (they will pick you up at the hotel in the afternoon (about 14.00), take you to south of the island where you have a private boat trip to the five little islands, some snorkling if you like, shower, sunset coktail and diner at the beach). Really very nice and romantic. Lot's of nice restaurants on koh samui and nice to hire a scooter and just drive around the island.
In the north, life is a lot cheaper than on a touristic island in the south! We stayed at a very nice place called the baan rai lanna, a 45 minute drive from chiang mai. Just as relaxed as any 4 or 5 star beach resort and very intimate and cheap. Check out there website: www.baanrailanna.com and the reviews at www.tripadvisor.com. You can do all the outdoor excursions from there (elephants, waterfalls, hiking, mountainbiking etc.) and relax at the beatifull pool and enjoy the great views over mountains and jungle. Great food also. And the best massage I had in Thailand. After a few days here you can go to Pai or even further north, or just go back to Chiang Mai for some shopping before you go back home. Liked the sunday-evening walking market very much in chiang mai! The english owner of the BaanRaiLanna (Scott) knows the north very well and will be happy to assist you with any excursion of further traveling.
Have fun!

debster:

Have to agree with Kathie and a sidetrip to the Anantara resort in the Golden Triangle. We are just back from the area on suggestions by Kathie and others on this board and had a great time while there. I haven't finished my trip report on it yet but The Anantara Resort is a great alternative to the hustle and bustle of Bangkok.
We took advantage of their "Romance Package" which they are offering on their website from now till Oct 31, 2006. The price includes 3 nites accomodations, round trip limosine transportation to and from the airport in Chiang Rai, a dinner for two including wine at one of their restaurants, a four hour spa package for each person,free Opium Museum tickets and other specials. Really worth the price. Check out their website for info:

http://www.anantara.com/

click on the link and click the golden triangle to get to the site and info of the property . Totally fell in love with the place and will write more when I finish my report

We rode elephants, water buffaloes, Log tail boats,visited a couple of hill tribe villages, went to Myanmar one day and shopped for jewelry in Mae Sai. Lots to do in a very remote area. Hope this helps!

Aloha!

There's more to do in Bangkok than have clothes made...as stated above. There's nothing wrong with spending 5 nights in Bangkok. There's lots to do. I've been there many times...the last being Dec 2005/Jan 2006 and I spent three solid weeks in Bangkok and I still haven't done everything on my list of things to do. Happy Travels!

Five days (6 nights) is just fine in Bangkok with 1 2/3 of one day to floating market and environs. Skip the craft center if you want to get back that day by 1PM and rest and make your way that night at 7-8PM to the night market for 2 hours. That's about all you can take without feeling faint from the heat. I would stay in Chiang Mai for 3 full days going to the Elephant Conservatory on one day and if you are into antiques visit Hong Dong ( real antiques there are 1/4 less than in Bangkok or in Chiangi Mai proper. That is a 3-4 hour trip with visiting 5-6 shops but watch out for reproductions. Anything over $300-$400 should have a document of authenticity. Then on to Chiang Rai for 3 days tops and you have filled 2 weeks with the lost time for travel.