Ideas for Thailand trip summer 2016
 

We are planning a large family trip to Thailand (15 people including multiple kids and elderly grandparents) next summer. We will have approx. 2 weeks in Thailand. Some advice on planning would be great. We are all part of an extended family who live in different parts of the US and internationally. We try to avoid places that are very crowded and touristy although I guess we will do a few days in Bangkok. Ideally, we like to rent a large villa near a beach or mountains and stay in it together. We like to visit 2-3 places so we get a feel for the country.

Some history/culture is always nice along with beautiful surroundings. What about 3 days in Bangkok, 5 days in Koh Chang and one other location? Is Chiang Mai worth it or will it be too crowded and touristy?

Travel would begin in late June or early July. Would it make sense to combine a week in Thailand with a week in Malaysia (Penang)?

To mobilise 15 people around for a week each in Thailand and Malaysia will be no easy feat, especially when it involves elderly grandparents and kids, so I suggest you plonk yourself down in 1 country.

Presumably you will fly in and out of BKK so I suggest at least spend 1 or 2 nights to let every get over jetlag and acclimatise as it will be 80-90F with quite a bit of humidity (rainy). It also gets you used to the Thai ways - traffic, shops, food etc.

Then get on the next flight to your chosen destination within Thailand whether that be mountains (Chiang Mai - which is lovely and has loads of traditional culture) or beach (e.g. Phuket or Samui)

Many will say Phuket is expensive and overly touristy but it has infrastructure to service tourists. If you stay away from the main strip of Patong and head for Khao Lak or Nai Yang / Mai Khao beaches that will be much calmer and more relaxing.

Samui is also expensive but not quite a madhouse like Phuket.

Both are just a single flight from Bangkok.

Save 2-3 days at the end of Bangkok where you can go mad with shopping and some sightseeing of temples etc.

This is a start and you can now do some more research. Once you have done that, if you want to know more just ask.

The best selection of full service villas large enough for your party are mainly in Phuket.

You can get a tour guide in to go through different excursions that are suitable for different age groups including trips further afield.

For an idea have a look at http://www.thevillas-phuket.com/

Samui also has a good selection of private villas.

Penang is really nice and you can fly direct from Phuket on Firefly.

Thanks All. This is very helpful.
I was hoping to avoid Phuket as it seems everybody goes there.
Do you think we can find large villas around Chiang Mai and/or in Penang?
I will do some more research and come back with questions.

Phuket
Have a look here.
http://www.villabaansurinsawan.com

Chiang Mai
Have a look hre
http://www.thevillaguide.com/villa/b...eep-chang.aspx

As villas with large # of bedrooms are limited, they won't be cheap.

Penang - no idea.

disclaimer: no affiliation with any of the above sites.

Penang seems to be mainly apartments,there may be shophouses in Georgetown but whether they would be big enough so I would go with hotel...there are some really nice options in Georgetown or for beach then Batu Ferringhi area.

I'm looking at flights to Bangkok from the US.
It is so far away, the travel time is just crazy.
I hate being trapped in economy for 14 h at a stretch and this is at least two super long flights :(

Is this a good time to buy tickets for Thailand for next summer?
Prices are in the $1100 + range.

http://www.travelfish.org/weather_fish.php

use this interactive map to check out the mean rainfall in the places you mention....it will give you an idea of what you might get.

you talk about "summer" - I presume you mean at home? Thailand doesn't really have a summer as such, June and July are in the rainy season.

it is generally regarded as the "low season".
Will you all be flying in Thailand?
By road, a group that size would really need 2 minibusses to travel in comfort. This would be about 2500 baht per day plus diesel plus expenses each vehicle.

I think for a large group you might find Phuket better than the other islands as given the possibility of poor weather, Phuket is more "developed" and is connected to the mainland by a bridge.

you could check out Koh Lanta as well.