Hi,
My family of 4 is traveling to Thailand in December. We will be there 12/28/08 until 1/15/09. I wonder if anyone can help with guided travel people once we are in Thailand. We are not well traveled and kind of fearful of traveling totally independently.

Do not worry. Thailand is a very easy place to navigate on your own. A typical first visit includes three destinations, Bangkok, Northern Thailand and a beach. The airlines in Thailand are very good. Much better than domestic carriers in the US.

You appear to have 16 days on the ground in Thailand. You probably are flying into and out of Bangkok(BKK), so it makes sense to have some time there at the beginning and end of your trip.

You are travelling in the highest of the high seasons. Hotels and flights should be booked as soon as possible. To do this, you need to map out an internal itinerary as soon as possible. If you provide a per night busget, we will be glad to recommend hotels.

Gpanda is absolutely right. Thailand is a very traveler-friendly destination. If you want to employ a driver or a guide at one or more of your stops, it is easy to arrange once you get there. But do wander on your own as well.

Also, if you let us know the ages of your children, we can help with activities they might like.

Hi,
Our daughters are grown. Ages 22 and 25. I know we want to spend the last week in the beach area. I am trying to exchange our timeshare for Phuket, but I haven't gotten a confirmation, yet. I know that we want to go to Bangkok and Chaing Mai. Any other ideas?

BKK, Chiang Mai and Phuket will occupy all of your time. Travel takes 1/2 day each change. Thai Air has one daily CM-Phuket flight. Consequently, I would break up your time as follows:

BKK-2 days
CM 3 days
Phuket-7 days ( I would spend less time here, but I suspect your time share is for a week}
BKK-2 days

Once you pin down your Phuket time share, you should book the flights. Thai Air has a pass that might work.

Instead of Chiang Mai, you could opt for the Golden Triangle. I always recommend the Anantara at the Golden Triangle, but it may be too late to book it.

while in bkk you might want to use one of the travel guides for a day or two....cherry and tong, both frequently mentioned here, might be able to assist you...

you are going at the most expensive time of the year so make your hotel res now...

Since I've never been on any of these posts before, how do I contact Cherry or Tong?
Thanks so much for everybody's help.

There is a search function on this site, just type in what you are looking for.

Tong, who books up very far ahead ha a website www.tourwithtong.com

If you search on Cherry, you'll probobly find her contact info. If not, I'm sure Bob (above) will be back with the info.

While you are at it, read some trip reports on Thailand. It will give you ideas of things to do and see while you are there.

Thanks, Kathie! I found both websites. I appreciate your help