This is my first post on this MB. I've been following it for months and find it very informative and by far the best on the web, thanx to everybody for sharing.

Well, we're going to Thailand in may 2006, it's the 5th time but last time was in 1998 so I just can't wait to get back.
Before when we went to Thailand we have always used the thaiairways REPs on the hotels to make the reservation for the next hotel and at an ok price but of cause since we went last time everything is done over the internet and often at a much better price.

As we go in may I expect there will be some very good hotel bargins to get. Already I've booked dusit laguna in phuket for 2 days at $105/nt for a searoom view and included halfboard, normally its only ABF.I found this on dusit own website.

I have my eyes on many bookingsites but there just are soooo many. Does anybody know www.asiaromms.com and www.farangs.com and www.latestays.com ??? Their prices seems very competitive.

We plan to do :
3nt Bangkok at Nai Lert Park Swissotel
2 nt pattaya Dusit or mariott
2 nt chiang mai D2 or sheraton
2 nt phuket dusit laguna (booked)
3 nt phiphi holiday inn
3 nt krabi at sheraton
2 nt bangkok at pen or shangri-la

Well, thats the plan anyway, now I'm just waiting for the may bargains be released.LOL.

As english is only my 3rd language I hope people can understand me....

I look forward to reading your replys. Thanx.

juridf
My first impression is that you are trying to go to way too many places. You are going to spend all of your time traveling. You have not allowed yourself time for relaxing and soaking up the culture and sun (heat/humidity). If it were me, I'd limit myself to three destinations. Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and maybe a combination of Phuket and Phi Phi, since you can go to Phi Phi from Phuket by boat, even for just one day, they are that close.

The heat and humidity are most likely going to drag you down at this fast pace of travel. You won't be able to enjoy your vacation. You are on the move too much. Just my opinion...

A good site is sawadee.com (hope I spelled that right). I have not used it, but others here have.

Carol

look at this site and i think you will see all the prices now avaiable and all included tax/service and many include breakfast:

www.huahin.20m.com

the penn will have good deals nearer to the time on their web site....watch for the ones that flash across the top of the screen...

the hotels are the cheapest of the year starting may 1 until oct 31...so you will find many bargains...

Your itinerary looks good to me. It's very hot in May so those 8 days/nights around Phuket-PP-Krabi will be most enjoyable. The 3 nights at the beginning in BKK will give you a good opportunity to see many of BKK's renowned sites. Also having 2 nights in BKK at the end for final shopping is good too.
My only suggestion would be consider dropping Pattaya and adding those extra couple of days/nights onto CM as 2 nights is not really enough for CM, having 4 would be much better and as you are having 8 days/nights in the Andaman you'll be getting plenty of beaches.

thanx for your input. I'm NOT so worried about the heat. We live in the canary island (spain) and are used to it. About the itinerary, the idea for this trip is to shop,dine,ride elefants and snorkle/relax the last week.

After reading this MB I can't believe that I've been in BKK many times without trying the peking dock at the china house, this time its a must. I think that we also will try bedsupperclub. And maybe launch at the facebar.

Anyone have some tips about dining in Chiang mai ?????

Yes, do have the Peking Duck at the China House!

I would also suggest cutting out Pattaya - it's pretty sleazy and you'll have plenty of time in nice beach areas. Add those days to Chaing Mai or Bangkok.

One of my favorite restaurants in Bangkok is Mahanaga, and they now have a branch in Chaing Mai, so that would be a good bet.

Now I've changed the plan a little bit, we're dropping pattaya and staying 5nts in BKK insted of 3nts.

5 nt BKK Sheraton grande sukhumvit
2 nt chiang mai D2
2 nt phuket dusit laguna
3 nt phiphi holiday inn/zeavola
3 nt krabi at sheraton
1 nt bangkok at pen or shangri-la

At the starwood webpage I found a very nice offer, where I got 25% off the price if I booked 5 nts at sheraton grande sukhumvit. I've read a lot about the hotel here at fodors and at traveladvisor and it seems very nice and super location(for us).

Two items. First, when you're at the Sheraton Krabi, say hello to the baby elephant RaRa for me. She arrives at the lobby at 9:00 a.m. and the beach at 3:00 p.m.. As my son said, however, the elephant is always late.

Second, if you're using Starwood points, you might consider staying at the Royal Orchid Sheraton. The pluses are that it's on the river and it costs only 3-4,000 Starwood points per night. The minus is that it's not as fancy a hotel as Sukhumvit.

only an attorney will talk to a baby elephant and expect an answer...

Gpanda-
Perhaps you did not hear, but the poor baby elephant is currently undergoing intensive therapy to recover from the traumatic encounter with the speedo.

good one cruise!! poor elephant

The key to befriending the baby elephant is to go to the store (just down the street from the entrance to the Sheraton Krabi) and buy a bunch of bananas before her arrival. This will distract her from any speedos in the area.

C-red-think carefully about aligning yourself with Bob. In a battle of wits, he's unarmed. In a word skirmish, he's monosyllabic. Admittedly, he appears harmless, but that's his sneaky manner.