Help --Thailand itinarary question
 

We can fly into BKK at 11:30PM on either July 16 or 17. We want to see some of BKK, then do Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai before we go to Koh Samui. The dilema is-- we want to be in KS by the 23rd for the Carnival. How many days should we allow for BKK/CM/CR given our limited time--- and is it really worth it to try to rush it to get to KS for the Carnival ?? Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Chiang Mai is much larger than Chiang Rai so you need to decide whether you want a busier city enviroment or more natural ( i.e Chiang Mai ). If you are looking for Thai culture, scenary and jungle honestly I would considor doing Ayuthaya and Kanchanaburi instead, both are much closer to Bangkok and you will see far more. Ayuthaya was the original capital and there is plenty to see, Kanchanaburi is the River Kwai which is history and river rafts and jungle, you are then close enough to Bangkok for the Koh Samui hop.
The Koh Samui Carnival is not RIO but it is great great fun. If you are young at heart then do join in! It's a parade, amazing costumes, outrageous, all in all good fun and worth enjoying.

So, JamesA--- how do you think firsttimers should split up 14nts(July16-29--w/at least 5nts in KS)?? Your thoughts would be appreciated.

We did 4 nights BKK, 4 nights Chiang Mai and 6 nights Krabi and were quite pleased with our trip!

Ideally, you would probably want to do Koh Samui last on your itinerary. However, because of the Carnival, that is not practical. You will need at least 4 nights in Bangkok (we did 4 and felt it was not quite enough). I would then head to Koh Samui for your 5 nights and the Carnival. That leaves you 5 nights for Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. We did 3 nights Chiang Mai and 2 nights Chiang Rai and that was perfect. There are no direct flights from Koh Samui to Chiang Mai. As a matter of fact, you will have to change airlines (from Bangkok Airways to Thai Airways) in Bangkok.

The Carnival dates have been confirmed as July 18th-20th. Agree with Craig better to do north first, but in this case I would head down for the carnival and then see how you feel, accommodation won't be a problem and you can make plans after the carnival.

OK--now what ARE the days for the Carnival?? I've heard July18-20 and July 20=24.