Family hoping to get the most out of 2 weeks in Thailand!
 

Sounds crazy but 2 weeks is all we got. Partner and I and 2 teenagers are heading for Bangkok mid August.We were thinking of spending a few days there and then heading north to Chiang Mai or Rai for 5 days then to an island down south to relax! So, please any suggestions about how to get the most of our short stay! We would like to see the popular sights and I'm trying to find some good guides who are not too expensive. Also hotels in the right locations but not too busy and noisy...with pool for the children.Should we take internal flights or train? What island? So many questions I'm sorry but feel I'm going round in circles with all the forums I'm reading.Thanks

Two weeks is a typical first visit to Thailand. Usually, two weeks away is 12 days in Thailand. A simple split is:

Bangkok-4 days
Northern Thailand-4days
Beach-4 days.

This gives a brief introduction to three very different locations. Bangkok is magical. Northern Thailand provides an opportunity for an elephant ride, river rafting and visiting hill tribes. The Beaches are very nice.

Flying is the most efficient use of time, but is more expensive than a train.

If you give us an idea of your per diem budget for hotels, we will make suggestions. You and the kids will love Thailand.

i would skew more days to bkk, less to the north (CM would be best with kids--more to do///although if i had my choice i would skip it and split that time between beach and bkk).....

you might consicer hua hin instead of an island to eliminate the air fares.....but if an island is a must you should fly (both to islands and north).....air asia, nok air, thai air, bangkok air....thai air for most expensive but most reliable (rarely any flight delays)....

in bkk may i suggest the marriott resort and spa...quiet, on other side of river....best pool in bkk to make kids happy....less expensive than many hotels on river...mini mall with things for kids to do.....

another option would be majestice grande.....bangkok holiday inn on plenochit (pool is not good)....nei lert....

hotel sites: www.asiarooms.com and www.huahin.20m.com

for islands i would consider phuket and more especially koh samui

guides: in bkk cherry, tong or ratt...search here for their addresses

in CM: poon, sister of ratt

That time of the year, your best bet weather-wise is Koh Samui if you want an island. But the flights are expensive - only on Bangkok Air (as they own the airport!) Bob is right, Hua Hin would have good weather... it won't be quite as idyllic, but it will be nice. You can hire a van to drive you there from Bangkok. Fly to/from Chiang Mai, otherwise you'll waste too much time.

Thanks for your replys. Wandering what the cost of flight from CM to K Sum.would be? Also what would we expect to pay for 4*hotel as I'm not sure whether to book direct or would a company have better deals?Had originally planned to go to Hua Hin but feedback made it sound inferior to the islands...maybe its just the way I read them!

To get from CM-KS, you will need to fly through BKK. Only Bangkok Air flies toKS. The best way is to get a Discovery Pass. This requires at least three legs, but you will qualify. Call them at 866-226-4565 to get an exact quote.

The beach at Hua Hin is not as nice as some of the Koh Samui beaches, but there are still nice beaches and lovely resorts. I typically find some of the best rates at www.sawasdee.com but I always check multiple sites including the hotel's own.

Hua Hin will certainly be easier (and much less expensive) to get to, which would mean you could spend the money on a 5 star resort. It just depends on what your priorities are.

It will be much cheaper to go to Hua Hin. We stayed at the Sofitel Central, an old railroad hotel that has been refurbished. Everything is within walking distance.

The Sofitel is really lovely, old world elegance on the beach. Other very nice places in Hua Hin include the Hyatt (perhaps on the best stretch of beach) and the Anantara. There are many other options as well.

Hua Hin is easier, but as others have told you the beach is not that good, you need to think of Hua hin as a coastal town with beaches close to National Parks as opposed to Koh Samui which is tropical island style touristy place, so quite different.

So much depends on your budget, it's not easy suggesting places without knowing your idea of what you want to spend. You can do it as cheap or as expensive as you want. With teenagers you are going to be looking at 4 adult fares so the air fare to Samui can become a big chunk of your overall expense, think roughly that 4 return tickets Bankok to Samui could equal 4 nights accommodation in a very good hotel/resort.
Chiang Mai is different because you have budget and low cost airlines so it is competative and cheap. Koh Samui is still only Bangkok Airways ( and also August is peak month on Samui and air fares will be at around their highest, very expensive route indeed ).

In addition to the main resorts in Hua Hin area( Sofitel, Hyatt Regency, Sheraton, Marriott, Wora Bura, H/Inn etc ) there are also vacation apartments at Blue Lagoon which is part of the 'greater' Sheraton develiopment, they are serviced apartments but you can use Sheraton facilities ( except the Fitness centern where you have to pay a nominal fee ) 2 bedroom for 4 people August about $150 a night.
The waterway pool is over 1 km long(!)
You will get the good weather in both places in August.
There are quieter islands near Samui but unless you train/ferry or bus/ferry ( about $28 ) from Bangkok you need to fly to Samui and then boat.

But if you want swaying palms tropical island style then Samui, but just note those air fares
www.bangkokair.com

Also HH area north of town is a high rise Courtyard by Marriott now ( so perhaps look at any reward points you have )

We too are going on a family vacation for 2 weeks in early June....with 2 daughters (18 &22). We are planning spending about 5 days in Bangkok and the rest of the time at a beach resort. Thinking we might now go to Krabi rather than Koh Samui. We want to realy 'Thai' feel at the beach like you see in the pictures and the Krabi areas seems to be it! It is hard to figure out where to go...best place and we have been going around and around with it. I feel like we are going around in circles too! This forum is helping though!! Thanks to all who have shared their advice!

This may also interest others, low season is B 3,000 a night for 2 or 4,700 for 4, so for 3,000 a night plus access to Sheraton facilities quite a bargain that may interests others also. This was the development I kept seeing thinking it was Sheraton, now I can figure it all out! The development is together with the Sheraton on the beach.
For a family with teens it's quite good as 2 rooms, 2 bathrooms, dining area + kitchenette.

http://www.r24.org/huahin.20m.com/hu...agoon/details/

Kfl, what was your Krabi budget? I know you were deciding where to go so opportune seeing here very similar situation as Anna.

I think Sunrise Tropical Resort at Railay beach krabi might fit in with your plans, try a search back as there have been recent reviews.

I know your daughters wanted that idyllic setting so sure, that is krabi, as long as you note the weather and if it rains head to the nearest spa!!

Blimey, have spent my day following up all these leads and now need a holiday! Thanks so much for all your help and I am shocked by the air fare so I think its Hua Hin for us.Has any one used the Blue Lagoon? it sure seems a bargain so have e-mailed an enquiry and now its things to do around Hua Hin!

we actually feel the beach is nicer than at samui, if you are away from town in HH....

We did CR along with islands and BKK last year with young kids up to teens and adults. The favorite part of the trip was staying at Anantara in Chaing Rai (actually about an hour out of the city). They had a Mahout elephant training camp that we did that was FABULOUS! Way better then just riding in a little carrier on the elephant's back like most people do. We LOVED the resort and LOVED the staff, surroundings etc. they also had a VERY intersting museum called the Hall of Opium right across the street from the hotel. Teen might fing this VERY interesting and might deter them from ever doing drugs. :) If you want more info...let me know. :)