Hi!

I’ve started reading trip reports – (and if you have one buried in the history, would you please post the link for me to read it? ), and now I’m going to be <b>really</b> presumptuous and just ask for help!

DH and I are thinking of going to Thailand in Feb/Mar 2007. We hope to take about 6 weeks (and may use one of those weeks in Japan), and do want to do a side trip to Ankgor Wat.

We are in our 50’s, in reasonably good shape, and enjoy <font color="blue">wildlife, ruins, temples, history</font>. We enjoy time in rural areas more so than big cities (although it is certainly fun to explore cities – just not for too long!), and are definitely <b><u>NOT</u></b> beach people – other than to watch a sunset. Our last trip was to Africa, where we had a fabulous trip. <b>However</b> - we moved every 2 days or so in a month’s time (and 21 flights later, we arrived home), and so this time are hoping for a trip where we can explore and enjoy an area for a couple of weeks at a time. We were thinking of trying to find a serviced apartment/condo/house to rent, but I’m not having much luck there. Plus – I don’t think it would be wise to spend all of our time in one area – it seems Thailand is simply too big to try and take day trips to see all it has to offer. Perhaps an apartment in Bangkok, Hua Hin, and Chiang Mai? (Does anyone have suggestions on how to find them???) Should we instead do a series of tours?

And? We are language-challenged – English and a little French is it!

Can anyone help me decide the best way to go about this? Budget-wise, I don’t want to spend more than $3-5000 on accommodations. We’ll be flying on miles (yahoo!). Should we rent a car, or have a driver/guide/car?

Yikes! I’m really asking a lot here!

<font color="green">Cyn</font>

Here are a few ideas to get you started.

You don't need tours. Thailand is remarkable easy to fo on your own. And if you'd like, you can hire a guide for a day here and there. Also, you can hire a car and driver easily and cheaply. No reason to drive yourselves.

There are lots of serviced apartment in Bangkok. Many are rent-able by the day, so you don't have to spend weeks there.

If I had 6 weeks, I'd opt for a week in Bangkok (at least), a week in Siem Reap to visit the temples at Angkor, a week in Luang Prabang, a week in the Golden Triangle area, and a week in the Chaing Mai area. That leaves one more week. It's up to whether to explore more of Northern Thailand (Pai or Mae Hong Son, etc) or to go to the beach. Since you aren't beach people, I'm not sure I'd recommend Hua Hin or another beach area.

Want some photos to inspire you? take a look at www.marlandc.com

Oooh good - Kathie - I was hoping you'd be around!

Why would you recommend a week in BKK?

<font color="green">Cyn</font>

oh, one website for serviced apartments, etc. is www.moveandstay.com Note that their prices are rather high, and you can call the places directly and get a better price, but it will give you some ideas.

IMO, Bangkok is one of the most fascinating cities in the world. I love Bangkok and generally use Bangkok as my door to SE Asia, so I have visited the city 20+ times. Some of the things you need to see to understand Thailand are in Bangkok (the Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Po, Wat Arun, Jim Thompson House, etc). There is also wonderful food and great shopping. Frankly, if it were my trip, I'd schedule a week in Bangkok at the beginning of the trip and a week at teh end - but you said you didn't like cities that much, so I only recommended a week.

Kathie:

I'll check on the moveandstay sight - thanks! Is that the way you do it, or do you stay in hotels when there?

Yes, we're not city people - maybe 3 days in BKK at the beginning to give us (me!) a chance to acclimate, and then a week at the end to really see the city?

Do you think my accomodation budget is reasonable?

If we go it on our own, do you think the language barrier will be a problem? I just <b>hate</b> being so bad at languages!!! I'll learn how to say please and thank you, but beyond that...

Ok - one other question this time around ( ) - I am very much an animal lover - am I going to have a hard time with the treatment of animals in Thailand? (I <b>do</b> understand the cultural differences, and the economics of a poor culture using any means to get ahead - it just still hurts to see an animal in pain or not in its natural envirnment. The most difficult part for me in Kenya was a lion hunt/kill. We never saw animals in &quot;bondage&quot; (sorry - I know that sounds stupid - just don't know how else to describe...)

<font color="green">Cyn</font>

Kathie - one more thing - thanks for the link to your website - it is <b>wonderful</b>!

<font color="green">Cyn</font>

cyn, I opt to stay in hotels. There are a number of people on this board who regularly stay in serviced apartments in Bangkok. A very reasonably priced place to stay in Chaing Mai is Baan Orapin. A number of the regulars on this board have stayed there and give it rave reviews. It's more of a B&amp;B type place, feels more home-like than a hotel.

Your thought to stay in Bangkok for a few days to acclimate at the beginning then a week at the end sounds good to me.

You'll be amazed at how many people speak English. Even if they only have a few words, they are gracious and will work with you to understand.

I don't think you'll have a lot of problems re: animals. Some people like to visit one of the Elephant camps. If you do so, make sure you choose one of the better camps, known for treating the elephants well.

(Glad you like the website - a picture really is worth a thousand words)

About your accommodation budget: Yes, you can make that work. My recommendation would be to economise in some places so you can splurge in others. In some places you may opt for guest houses, in others, hotels or serviced apartments.

Kathie (and anyone else who wants to chime in!):

Would you kindly list your top-5 sights to see in Thailand? I realize everyone has different interests - that's what makes it so interesting!

<font color="green">Cyn</font>

Cyn-Kathie, as usual has provided helpful info. Your budget can work, but be aware that the price level changes according to location. In BKK, it sounds like a serviced apt. would work. Yopu might actually try two to get a different feel for different areas of the city. In CM, many have enjoyed the Baan Orapin, Yang Come Village or Tamaring House. Do a search on this board and more will be revealed. In Siem Riep, the hotels are more expensive than in BKK. We had veryt good luck using Ponheary as both a guide and someone to arrange our hotel, She can be reached at [email protected].



For top 5 sights, Grand Palace, Chao Phraya River, Doi Suthep (just outside Chiang Mai), Phang Nga Bay (off the island of Phuket) and Prasart Museum (outside BKK, you have to make advance reservations and arrang transport).

Top 5 - Well, I listed 5 in Bangkok. I agree with Gpanda about adding in the Prasart Museum. That makes 6 just in Bangkok. Doi Suthep in CM is really wonderful... As you can see, I'm not good at confining myself to 5! I loved the scenery at the Golden Triangle, and some of the ruins and temples there. Of course none of those ruins hold a candle to the temples at Angkor.

For accommodations, take a look at www.sawasdee.com Most of the time, their prices include tax and service (17%) and many include breakfast.

This site - http://www.talesofasia.com/cambodia-...guide-stay.htm - is a good guide to accomodation options in Siem Reap. No real need to stay in an expensive hotel. Last time I stayed at the Yaklom Angkor Lodge, no pool or room service, but clean and comfortable with good attached restaurant.

Hi Cyn -

I certainly can't compete with some of the experts here regarding Thailand - Kathie, James A, and other (too early in the morning to recall all) who have thus far provided excellent resources. But, if looking for someone close to home you may want to consider the US agent I used.

InnovAsian Travel, Gregg Geoghegan, Armonk, NY 800-553-4665 www.innovasian.com

who pulled our trip together at very competitive prices. Though we visited for only 16/days, we stayed mostly 5* hotels, guide/driver &amp; a/c MercBenz for tours where we felt these necessary, all intra- and inter-country flights. The latter to REP (Siem Reap) for the Angkor temples which you certainly have time to visit.

Of course, there's no obligation, but at least gives you a point from where to compare. A number of posters here have used InnovAsian and been quite pleased with the results.

Contact Gregg, you can use my name, but understand I have to relation or affiliation to this company. Just a good find and well worth it.

I can almost guarantee you won't have to be moving every 2/days or take as many flights as when in Africa; in Southeast Asia you have to slow down for no other reason than the heat is a killer. Happy planning.

CYn,
If I may be so presumptuous as to recommend my trip report...
It provides tons of details about our (mom, 49, daughter, 24) three weeks in Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia in February. We're not beach people either. Our Thailand time was in three spots - Bangkok, Mae Hong Son, and Chiang Mai.
Agree with the previous comments. A week in Bangkok (I'm not really a city person either) will be easily gobbled up. And I too would add Luang Prabang and Siem Reap - we visited all of the above in three weeks. We were moving, but not terribly rushed.
We stayed at Centre Point Silom in Bangkok, a serviced apartment which I can't recommend highly enough. It's undergoing renovations, but I'm not sure the timeframe. If it's available, it's a winner. (You can see it in my photos.)
Language is definitely not an issue. You'd laugh if you had seen all the postings I put on this board prior to our trip - all the concerns I had! We'd never been to Asia before, were a mother/daughter going alone, and a bit intimidated about the idea of doing it without a tour group. But thanks to this board (I am not kidding - we wouldn't have done it without the fabulous people here), we managed splendidly.
Here's my trip report...

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34762799

my final thoughts and top 10 lists...

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34780305

and my photos...

http://kbutler8.photosite.com/

Enjoy!

As requested, here is a link to my last trip report (Feb. 06):

http://tinyurl.com/oevkr

Craig:
When I click on your link I get directed to the tiny url site with the message:Unable to find site's URL to redirect to.

Can you help me out?

<font color="green">Cyn</font>

Ok, I'll get to more personal responses in a day or three, but a general <b>thankyou</b>!!!! for the advice.

This is what I've been mulling over - please give me your candid thoughts:

<b><u>Hua Hin, 7 nights</u></b>
Recover from jetlag, and go to 2 national parks: Laeng Krachan and Khao SOk (perhaps move south for that visit?)

<b><u>Siem Reap, 4 nights? </u></b>

<b><u>Luang Prabang, 2 nights</u></b>
If at all??

<b><u>Chaing Mai/Golden Triangle area, 14 nights</u></b>
include Doi Inthanon national park

<b><u>Bangkok, 5 nights</u></b>

<b><u>Japan, 7 nights</u></b>

Where should I add/subtract time? Does this seem like a good plan, or am I missing something really important? This is such a nice trip to plan, because we really have the luxery of time - we can adjust schedule as needed. (Believe me, I know how lucky we are! )

In addition to the temples/ruins, I'm really hoping to spot some wildlife on this trip (tiger???) - hence a small focus on national parks.

<font color="green">Cyn</font>

Cyn - when I click on it I get to my report but try this (the long version):

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34767241