In need of help! My husband and I are starting to plan a trip to Thailand for December (I'll apologize in advance for the length of this post!)- we are both teachers and have between Dec. 16-31st (including travel time). I know that this is the busiest/most expensive time of year but with our schedules, it is the only option. We are flying from Los Angeles and will purchase our tickets this week to Bangkok. I'm looking to book our hotels and any tours ASAP.

We are both in our 30s, my husband was in the Peace Corps in Mongolia and has spent time in Nepal, India and China- however, I have never been to Asia. I had thought to book a small group tour (gap adventures or similar) for this trip but through these forums and others it seems that most prefer to go on their own and say that it is easy to do. We would like to see some of the 'off the beaten path' parts of the country, take a cooking class, and see the usual sights- major temples/museums, markets, etc. We don't mind doing a lot each day, we are active and willing to have few full days so that we get the most out of our time.

I have done some minor research but not a ton- looking for advice for our itinerary mostly. Our budget for hotels is anywhere from $50-250 per night, I'd like to splurge on a nicer hotel for at least part of our trip- suggestions on which area would be best for this?! Otherwise an average of $50-75 per nt is what we're hoping for. Also, transportation options in the cities, from airports and if flights are the best way to go from one destination to the next.

We know that we want to see Bangkok and Chiang Mai- the rest of our trip is up in the air- So far we roughly have:

3 or 4 nts in Bangkok- hotel options I've looked into are the Bangkok Loft Inn, SilQ, Le Meridien or Chatrium. After such a long flight, I'm thinking a little higher-end hotel would be nice. I have ordered the Nancy Chandler's map/guide to use. Also looking to possibly do a Tour with Tong for a half day or full day- suggestions on which tours are best to see Bangkok?

Fly to Chiang Mai- 3 nts? possibly nicer hotel here and stay at The Chedi or Siripanna. Otherwise, budget hotels in this area that are good? ~$50-75 p/nt. if possible. This seems to be a good place for cooking class/river cruise- any experiences with specific companies? Any other not to miss tours or specific points of interest?

Possibly fly to Siem Reap- 3 nts? stay at Pavilion d'Orient Hotel or Sojourn Boutique Villas- any other suggestions? Angkor Wat- Tour companies/ guide for Angkor Wat?
Also thought of going to Chiang Rai for these few days instead?! I've read the flights can be pricey from Chiang Mai to Siem Reap...

From Siem Reap/Chiang Rai we aren't sure on what would be the best use of time- my husband would like to spend some time at the beach- Phuket sounds like it is super crowded this time of year, would Kho Samui or another beach area be better? Possibly looking at Phuket for a little luxury at the end of our trip and staying at a nicer resort but again, we know it's super busy and it's very touristy which is usually not our thing... However, the Phang Nga area looks incredible to explore- any boat tour suggestions if we were to go there?

The order and days/nights are not set in stone, although we'd like to fly in and out of Bangkok unless somewhere else makes more sense logistically. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated- again, we're in the beginning planning stages but there is so much to see that it's a little overwhelming and we really want to get all we can out of our time in Thailand! Thanks for any and all help

So if you have 15 days including travel time you likely have 13 days on the ground in Thailand.

The problem is never coming up with places you want to see/things you want to do, but editing the itinerary so you have enough time to experience a place. So you should choose 3 places you want to see. Four nights in a place is just three full days.

Bangkok is a fabulous city with lots to see and do. I know many people like to do a one day tour there, but I'm a DIY fan. If you want to use Tong or someone else one day, I'd say use them for an out of town trip. In the city, use the water taxis and the skytrain to get around.

The temples at Angkor are truly one of the wonders of the world. But a copy of Dawn Rooney's book to prepare Angkor: A Guide to Cambodia's Wondrous Temples. It take three full days just to see the so-called major temples. You'll need transport - either a car and driver or a tuk-tuk and driver, your call as to whether you want a guide or not. Also, take a look here for something to add to your time there: www.theplf.org

The third location you visit might be Chiang Mai (not my fave) or a beach or the Golden Triangle area. The Anantara at the Golden Triangle is a beautiful resort, although pricey. If you opt for a beach, there are certainly resorts in Phuket where you won't feel crowded. Also consider the Krabi area for beautiful scenery. IMO, Koh Samui is as developed as Phuket, but your weather will be better on the Phuket side.

It makes the most sense to fly from place to place. The flight to Siem Reap is pricey. The only airline that flies Bangkok-Siem Reap is Bangkok Air. If you take three flights with Bangkok Air, you can buy the DIscovery Pass, which will save you some money.

In Bangkok, I'd recommend staying along the river, the Chatrium is one riverside option. There are lots of good choices in Siem Reap.

I'm curious as to what airfare you're getting from L.A. I fly to BKK from L.A. and the airfares went through the roof in 2008. I used to fly, Thai Air twice a year, for a max of $1200. during high season. Now, it's $2100. in during high season. So, I've looked into Eva Air and it's $1448.10 (total) for a mid December departure and via Taipei.

As for hotels, I've stayed at a lot in Bangkok over a decade, but my still favorite one is www.emporiumsuites.com. I moved in there in 2005.

Emporium Suites is actually a serviced apartment building, but the minimum stay is one night. It's attached to Emporium Mall and supermarket and the Emporium Mall is attached to the Prom Phong skytrain station, super convenient. There is a large variety of apartment sizes in a variety of price ranges. I always contact them to give me a special rate, but they can be booked on www.agoda.com and other websites. There are December rates starting at around $120. for 55 square meters with kitchen. There is a delicious buffet breakfast included in the price if one wants to eat at the restaurant inside the building. Happy Travels!

Minab: Chatrium is owned by the same owner as Emporium Suites. I've been there and seen the place. It's just a different part of town than Emporium Suites. It's on the river. Some like the river area and others like non-river areas. I'm a non-river area person although I have stayed at the Peninsula Hotel , the Oriental Hotel, and the Royal Orchid Sheraton which are all on the river. But, all of the other years in Bangkok, I have stayed at non-river locations. Happy Travels!

P.S. Hi, Kathie. Smiles.

Flying from Bangkok to Siem Reap is one of the most expensive air trips around. Takes one hour. First flight is at 8:00AM and arrives at Siem Reap at 9:00AM.
Remember, this is an international flight,so,you need to be at Bangkok Airport possibly at 6:00AM for check in. Just looked on Bangkok Airways web site,and the cheapest one way fare for two people is 13,200 baht, or approx US$440. (Thats in December, BTW)
I always take the bus from Morchit Bus station in Bangkok to the border ( Baht 212 per person = US$ 7.00),and then taxi from Poipet to Siem Reap US$48.00.

So, for two people travelling via bus / taxi, it will cost $14 bus + $48.00 taxi = $62 approx. I take a 5:00AM bus from Morchit, arrive at the border at 10:00AM, cross the border takes 1 hour,and 2 hours by taxi to Siem Reap. In hotel by 1:00PM. By flying, you get to Siem Reap airport at 9:00AM, and are probably in your hotel by 10:00AM.

Very expensive by plane to save three hours travel.

gearsau, the Discovery Pass cuts the flight price substantially.

While you can certainly go overland as gearsau describes, it typically takes all day. Gearsau is experienced at the overland route and knows the various traps for the unwary and how to avoid them. As a first-timer, even with explicit instructions from www.talesofasia.com it will be a bit of a challenge. WIth your limited time, you have to balance expense with time.

Thank you all so much for your responses! I will take some time to go through your suggestions and I'm sure I'll be back with more questions I will definitely look into the Discovery Pass, I think it is best to choose 3 specific places as Kathie suggested, and I am a little weary of using the bus system-just to make things easier we will fly to each.

The airfare prices we've seen lately have been around $1400-1450pp RT, I usually try to book on Tues. as fares seem to go down. This price was with China Air I believe.

Thank you all again so much, we are very excited to explore this part of the world!

Minab: China Air usually has low prices. I just don't know anyone who has taken them. I've taken Thai Air, Singapore Air, and United since I first started flying to that part of the world. Although I haven't taken Eva Air, it has gotten a lot of positive comments on the forums. Happy Travels!

Congrats on your trip.

These days due to airfare costs

upscale group tours with

smartours.com affordableasia.com

get you food air quality lodging sometimes cheaper than DIY

for newbies from $999 in late fall on sales all in on sites

like travelzoo.com

For self guiding kayak.com/buzz for cheapest air sales

they usually drop in early fall....

5 star hotels like www.amari.com/watergate for me from $50

betterbidding.com otel.com asiarooms.com agoda.com

Also might try to work in www.theangkorguide.net

largest temple complex in Asia simply awesome and not

too far... trim some off of Chang Mai if you must.

Happy Travels!

Thanks Guenmai- I haven't flown (obviously) China Air either and am looking for other deals through Kayak and get email alerts with farewatcher so we'll see this week what I can find. Eva Air looks good and I'm glad that you've heard good things on here. We've had family members fly Singapore and they enjoyed it but I think it tends to be pricier. We may end up spending closer to $1550-1600pp.

Thanks for the websites and info Qwovadis!

Minab: I went straight to the Eva Air website. It's too bad I can't get to BK in November as the airfare is in the $1000. range, total, on Eva Air.
Singapore Air does sometimes run specials, but usually up through November. In 2009, the base airfare from L.A.-Tokyo-Singapore-Bangkok, was $328.rd.trip. Then with the around $75 dollar tax and the carrier fee, it came to $800. total. Happy Travels!

Would you recommend Khao Lak in early December? We have been looking at the La Flora hotel or is Krabi better? More upmarket or upscale as Americans say.We want a nice beach and pool within easy walking distance of a lcal restaurants and a few shops. I can't walk long distances. Thanks in advance for help with this query.

All of the beach areas on the Andaman Sea side of Thailand will have similar weather in December. Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lak, PhiPhi, all typically have lovely weather at that time of year.