Doable/worthwhile weekend trips from Bangkok
Jun 20th, 2012, 10:13 AM
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Doable/worthwhile weekend trips from Bangkok
Going to be there for 6 months. Suggestions for doable places to visit for 2 to 3 day weekend trips. Have a visa that allows travel outside Thailand but not sure exactly the
limitations on that.
limitations on that.
Jun 20th, 2012, 10:47 AM
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Lucky you! I don't have any suggestions because I'm planning my first trip to Thailand in November. But I'll be watching this thread eagerly for good suggestions.
Obvious ones that come to mind; Chengmai, Phuket, Koh Samui.
Have you bought Eyewitness Thailand?
Obvious ones that come to mind; Chengmai, Phuket, Koh Samui.
Have you bought Eyewitness Thailand?
Jun 20th, 2012, 10:58 AM
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No...is that supposed to be the best travel guide?
Another question for the forum also. Is there an equivalent to Amazon in Thailand where one can order stuff...books, sheets, towels, whatever...and have it delivered without the obnoxious shipping charges and import fees you have to pay for something going through Amazon?
Another question for the forum also. Is there an equivalent to Amazon in Thailand where one can order stuff...books, sheets, towels, whatever...and have it delivered without the obnoxious shipping charges and import fees you have to pay for something going through Amazon?
Jun 20th, 2012, 11:03 AM
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There aer lots of good guidebooks for Thailand: Fodors, Lonely Planet, Insight Guides...
If you can make the weekend a bit longer, a trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia would be a good trip. Likewise,a trip to Luang Prabang Laos. Also, Penang Malaysia (stay in Georgetown).
I prefer the Golden Triangle area to Chaing Mai - you fly into Chaing Rai. Hua Hin (a beach area) is a 2 hour drive from bangkok, so makes for a quick, inexpensive weekend trip.
You could also take a weekend to fly to Hong Kong or to Singapore. Bangkok is an ideal location for exploring SE Asia.
If you can make the weekend a bit longer, a trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia would be a good trip. Likewise,a trip to Luang Prabang Laos. Also, Penang Malaysia (stay in Georgetown).
I prefer the Golden Triangle area to Chaing Mai - you fly into Chaing Rai. Hua Hin (a beach area) is a 2 hour drive from bangkok, so makes for a quick, inexpensive weekend trip.
You could also take a weekend to fly to Hong Kong or to Singapore. Bangkok is an ideal location for exploring SE Asia.
Jun 20th, 2012, 01:00 PM
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You could do Siem Reap in 3 days , 3 nights if you leave early in the morning on the first day. Luang Prabang - 3 days, 4 nights, minimum. Malaysia is a big country - we spent 2 weeks there and barely scratched the surface. Chiang Mai would be a great weekend trip (2 nights and you may never need to return). Northern Thailand has more to offer - you could do it in 2 or 3 nights. Hua Hin makes sense for a quick trip. Southern Thailand (Phuket or Koh Samui) works for longer weekends and where you go depends on the time of year...
Jun 20th, 2012, 01:29 PM
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Craig's guidelines are good. For Penang, I'd want 4 nights. There are planty of other places to visit in Malaysia as well.
Shopping in Bangkok is excellent - you don't need things like books, sheets, towels shipped to you - just go to one of the department stores. For book, Asia books has stores in many of the huge shopping malls. I'd advise you to go to Asia books when you get there and buy yourslf guidebooks for each of the surrounding countries.
Shopping in Bangkok is excellent - you don't need things like books, sheets, towels shipped to you - just go to one of the department stores. For book, Asia books has stores in many of the huge shopping malls. I'd advise you to go to Asia books when you get there and buy yourslf guidebooks for each of the surrounding countries.
Jun 21st, 2012, 01:32 AM
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For trips outside of Thailand, if you have a six-month visa you'll most likely need to get a re-entry permit. Otherwise your visa is void as soon as you leave. The permit is 1900 for one trip, or 3800 for unlimited trips.
Within Thailand, I happen to think Ayutthaya is a nice weekend trip, as is Kanchanaburi. Lots of people do Khao Yai over the weekends, the main drawback being that lots of people do Khao Yai over the weekends.
Within Thailand, I happen to think Ayutthaya is a nice weekend trip, as is Kanchanaburi. Lots of people do Khao Yai over the weekends, the main drawback being that lots of people do Khao Yai over the weekends.
Jun 21st, 2012, 05:28 AM
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A bit off topic, but I'd buy your guide books in the US off of Amazon or a book discounter. I am an expat living in Asia and the same lonely planet I can buy on Amazon for $16 is sometimes $36 or so here.
Jun 22nd, 2012, 05:59 AM
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Michael, while I love the convenience of Amazon, I do try to buy my guidebooks at my local travel bookstore, as I want it to stay in business. So I pay list price for guidebooks. And when I've purchased at Asia Books, I've paid list price.
I've not seen guidebooks that list for $16 selling for $36, so I wondered where tansmets is located.
I've not seen guidebooks that list for $16 selling for $36, so I wondered where tansmets is located.
Jun 22nd, 2012, 05:53 PM
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I find that a lot of guidebooks sold in Thailand are comparable in prices to those sold in the US. The only exception are the foreign magazines that are sold at 2 - 3 times the price.
Couldn't find the example cited above on Asia Book's website but I did find the following comparison for DK Eyewitness Cambodia & Laos.
Asia Book = special price $18.99 list for $24.
https://www.asiabooks.com/Book_Detai...A-LAOS-1ST-ED/
Amazon = special price $15.62 list for $25.
http://www.amazon.com/Cambodia-Laos-.../dp/0756669774
To me that's the same.
Couldn't find the example cited above on Asia Book's website but I did find the following comparison for DK Eyewitness Cambodia & Laos.
Asia Book = special price $18.99 list for $24.
https://www.asiabooks.com/Book_Detai...A-LAOS-1ST-ED/
Amazon = special price $15.62 list for $25.
http://www.amazon.com/Cambodia-Laos-.../dp/0756669774
To me that's the same.
Jun 22nd, 2012, 06:22 PM
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Interesting.
The most recent book I looked for at Asia Books was the LP guide to Burma. The website says list price 850 baht, their price, 680 baht. US$21.52. I paid $23.99 (plus 9.5% tax) at Wide World Books in Seattle. Amazon $15.05 plus 9.5% tax.
The most recent book I looked for at Asia Books was the LP guide to Burma. The website says list price 850 baht, their price, 680 baht. US$21.52. I paid $23.99 (plus 9.5% tax) at Wide World Books in Seattle. Amazon $15.05 plus 9.5% tax.
Jun 22nd, 2012, 07:58 PM
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I got my example off the book I purchased at Asia Books a few years ago. Pricing may be more competitive now that people have more options and more access to on-line stores. I guess the point is, you take your chances waiting to buy locally in Bangkok. You might pay more, and you will probably find selection more limited as well (Rough Guides, Footprint and even Fodors can be hard to find).
