Changed plans and now we are leaving in a week to Thailand. Plan to go to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and a beach close to Bangkok. We have 2 weeks, just my self and my son. Any reccomendations on what a teenager would enjoy the most and a nice beach close to Bangkok? Should I plan a two days elephand ride with my son or should we just go for one day? Any reccomendations on nice hotels in Chiang Mai? Any feed back on Koh Samet? <BR>Many thanks...

For a beach close Bangkok with a 13 year old I think Hua Hin would get the vote for most people as it is 'family' friendly ( that does not mean 'boring' it means that you don't have to worry about ending-up in an sleazy area, because Hua Hin simply isn't like that). <BR>The beaches have hardly any waves so are very safe, horse riding on beach, hire push-bikes around town, ricksaws/trishaws, go-karting for kids and adults, treking, caves. A animal santuary about 40 minutes from town. Nice restaurants, cafes and friendly bars, sailing at the Marriot. Hotels range 750 upwards, 2-star hotel 1,000, 3-star 1,500 to 3,500 on average. <BR>Train takes 4 hrs from Bangkok, taxi 2.5 hrs, bus 3 hrs. The river Kwai is about 3 hrs from Hua Hin. Snorkeling at Prachuap about 1.15hrs south of Hua. <BR>Chiang Mai ideal for elephant treks etc. Try www.asiatravel.com for hotels at all locations, very good.

Many thanks for all the information. Looking forward to have a great time. <BR>Any more suggestions all welcome.

Chiang Mai / Rai are great for treking, elephant rides etc. Sukhotai has wonderful temples/culture. Kanchanaburi has the River Kwai. For beach I'd agree Hua Hin is the easiest to reach from Bangkok and is very good for families. Plenty to see and do, exploring, national park, and safe beaches. Agree train trip is fun. Koh Samet unfortunately is very 'backpack'( No, no criticism of backpackers intended, it's just perhaps not ideal for Mother & son). Should you want to travel further Hua Hin is on the main rail route south so you can always travel down the coast for snorkeling at Prachuap, or even further (3 hrs) to Chumpon and boats to Kao Tao.

Any recomendation for a hotel em Hua Hin? Has someone stayed at Melia Hua Hin(just saw on the internet) or any one on the beach? I would love hear more about snorkeling at Prachuap. <BR>Once again thanks for all the inforamtion

Melia was taken over by 'Hilton' last November, excellent of course, they charge I guess around 3,500 ( that's US$80 approx) but it is a 'solid block' of a hotel, the 'Central Village' is also on beach next to Hilton, 4 star, much much nicer lay-out. Of course you could try the Sofitel (Raffles of Hua Hin) but that's around US$100 a night. Marriot is an excellent choice. www.marriot.com, if you want out from centre of town 'Anantara', Regent, Dusit Resort/Polo Club. I really suggest you look up www.asiatravel.com, click on Thailand then on cha am/hua hin, they have maps and photos of all hotels.

P.S Thinking, if you can manage the Marriot resort ( previously the 'Royal Garden Resort') would probably be nicest as I've noted you are going with your son. It is right on the beach(no roads to cross) and they also have a great Aussy guy there who does sailing, so that might be nice for your son to try. Also it has nice rooms and you can either take a walk into town or go by tuk-tuk in 3-4 minutes. I 'think' they charge about 3,500 a night twin ( sorry I don't know what country to are from but that's about US$80, Ozzy$140, UK pounds about 54.00 ). Naturally there are many cheaper. Try http://www.travel-huahin.com for some ideas on tours from Hua Hin. There's a new go-kart place just out of town and a wonderful animal sanctuary where they take monkeys etc and re-habilitate them for the wild. Prachuap is about 50 minutes away, many agents in town have wide-range of half and full day trips.

Here's the snorkelling info: <BR>http://www.travel-huahin.com/html/Bangsaphan.html <BR>If that is too long to remember call up www.travel-huahin.com and click on tours, looks really nice.

James, <BR>Many thanks very good information. <BR>The Marriot has a special rate of US70.00 plus taxes, sounds a great option for a couple of days.

US$70 sounds ok for Marriot, of course you could pay half that but at least if it's your firt trip you know with a Marriot all will be well. <BR>Tip: If you choose to 'road-it' from Bangkok the rate for a limo(Merc/Volvo) should be ThB 1,500 to 2,200. Local taxis may be a few hundred ThB cheaper but my advice would be to spend a few extra bucks on a decent car. If you want to book the train get your hotel concierge to do it and tip him about $5 as he'll probably send a friend who has to pay for bus etc and queue, easier than trying yourself.