Traveling with my 18 and 22 year old. Starting off in Vietnam to visit Dad for a few days and then spending 8 days in Bali. Have 4 nights/5days in a villa in Ubud, still need to plan other 3 days. Probably spend first few nights and the last night in Seminyak since it's an early flight to Thailand. Leave for Thailand Aug. 5 or 6.
Trying to decide itinerary for Thailand. Flying out of Bangkok to US using miles. So was thinking of flying to beach area from Bali (Krabi or Ko Samui?) and then finishing up the trip with a few days in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. I've read that the weather in Krabi may be rainy, but is it that much of a spoiler? Is it better to go somewhere along the Gulf instead? I'd still like to see one of the beautiful beaches/islands in Thailand, experience Bangkok and see the Karen tribe. I'm pretty sure my kids would love the Tiger Temple or the Elephant camps. At this point I have no idea how to plan the 8 days in Thailand. Any suggestions?

Last year I divided my 8 days in Thailand between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. It was perfect. In Bangkok we visited all the usual sites, took a half day cooking class and shopped til we dropped. In Chiang Mai we spent a day at an elephant camp, more sightseeing and shopping. You can visit the Karen tribe from there but that felt like a spectacle to me. Great food everywhere. It rained while we were in Chiang Mai but it didn't get in our way.

Thanks for the advice! Where did you stay in Bangkok and Chiang Mai? And I still need to fit in a beach somewhere in my trip....Maybe fly into Ko Samui area and spend 2 nights there? Go to Chiang Mai from there and then finish up in Bangkok since I'm flying back to states from there?

Tiger temple in Kanchanaburi is terrible. Worst place Ive seen. Place smells real bad and the tigers look sick and poorly treated.

Krabi is great spot. August can be wet but weather is weather and never stopped me from doing anything.

Samui is mega touristy but drier in August.

Your kids are adults btw.

May I suggest Kanchanaburi. Waterfalls, elephants, hotspring and caves. All just a few hours from Bangkok.

Id skip Chiang Mai. You dont have much time.

Thanks for the input! Which area of Krabi would you suggest? And is it similar to the rain one encounters in Hawaiian islands? i.e. rain maybe once a day for about an hour and then sunny?

Any other suggestions if I want to stick to the Gulf area?

And yes, the kids are adults. Both have traveled quite a bit. Just wanted to let the forum know the age of the travelers and that they are my children. Not a helicopter mom! lol They actually like hanging out with me. Or at least that's what they say.

Rain 1 hour or 2 then sunny. Often rains at night.

A lot of tourists dread rain but not me. Thailand is stinking hot most of the time and rain can be a good thing.

You might like Ko Tao. Good reefs there.

Ao Nang is a handy part of Krabi for tours. Railay nicer beach but more isolated and little to do at night. Krabi Town excellent food but far from beach. Khlong Muang is a nice beach but very quiet area away from most activities.

A good central hotel choice is Krabi Heritage or Tipa Resort.