JA5858

In early Dec my gf and I (25 yr old) will be visiting Thailand for the first time. We have decided against visiting Chang Mai (next trip!). What do you think about this travel plan? By the way our interests include but are not limited to: massage/Spa, food, beach, animals markets, snorkeling or adventure activity.



Sat Nov 26- Arrive Bangkok near midnight

Sun Nov 27- Bangkok

Mon Nov 28-Bangkok

Tues Nov 29- Leave Bangkok in morning, take 1 hr flight to Koh Samui

Wed Nov 30- Koh Samui

Thurs Dec 1- Koh Samui

Fri Dec 2- Leave morning flight 1hr and arrive Phuket

Sat Dec 3- Phuket

Sun Dec 4- Phuket

Mon Dec 5- Phuket

Tues Dec 6- Depart Midday


Thanks.

Kathie

Frankly, I think you will enjoy your trip more if you choose just two locations.You want to maximize the amount of time you spend doing the things you came to Thailand for and minimize your time in transit. WHen you consider packing up, getting to the airport, waiting for your flight, the flight, awaiting luggage, transport to your next hotel... each time you change locations you lose at least half a day.

So I would recommend you choose either Koh Samui or Phuket, not both and that you add a day to your time in Bangkok. When you schedule two nights in Bangkok, it means you have just one full day there. I think two full days in Bangkok is an absolute minimum.

Likewise, you've scheduled yourselves for just one full day in Koh Samui and two full days in Phuket. Choosing one beach will allow you time to enjoy yourselves there.

rhkkmk

i don't see why you would change beach locations... i would stick with samui if that is where the weather is best or i would go to phuket if it is better there...

i would also add more days to bkk..

qwovadis

No clue bout your budget but seems like you are flying
around way to much.Might pick one beach destination not
two Koh Samui and www.divehappy.com Koh Tao for me especially
if a budget traveler.If adventurous might take the train
to Cambodia www.seat61.com and visit www.theangkorguide.net
the largest Temple Complex in Asia truly amazing.

www.sawadee.com good general info for planning but less is more.

Happy Travels!

qwovadis

travelhappy.info Koh Tao is far removed from the madding touristic crowd and best place for snorkel/scuba in Thailand
sort of a green hilly flashpacker mecca lots do not know of.
Might head there cheap diving too which I am more into choose
a nice safe PADI operation but great diving from under $25 there.

KimJapan

Stick to two places with your amount of time so you can relax.

Koh Samui tends to be quite rainy in early December so Phuket side is a better choice.

There is a train from Bangkok to the Cambodian border, but from there you need to take taxi or shared van for Siem Reap.

simpsonc510

If you opt for Phuket, you'd best be thinking about where you want to stay. You are running up against peak season and the better resorts tend to get booked out rather quickly.

As much as I enjoy Samui, I agree that you might want to cut out one of your beach locations and spend just a little bit more time in Bangkok. Bangkok is an amazing city with lots to do and some great people watching and shopping and culture and sights to see! You might end up wishing you had spent more time there. But then, you can always return to Thailand at some point! Many of us here on the forums have been multiple times and continue to visit BKK.

manekimomo

We were in Koh Samui at the beginning of December last year and the rain was incredibly heavy and lasted all day and all night. Hadn't seen rain like that before in Thailand (despite usually going in July/Aug = rainy season for most of the country). It had been raining like that for some time...so I would definitely lose the Koh Samui part of your trip (plus you haven't really got time to fit it both Koh Samui and Phuket). Some people we met who had been there through all of the rain had to throw away washbags/clothes because they had gone mouldy because of the constant damp!

However, once the rain stopped, it was scorching and idyllic!

Some people are a bit sniffy about Phuket and we didn't expect to like it but we did. Karon beach has a quiet end that was just beautiful.

simpsonc510

Kata Noi beach is also very quiet and nice. There is a nice resort there, KataThani Resort. Not sure what it costs during peak season.

Kata Beach is a bit busier than Kata Noi. I would avoid Patong Beach for sure!!

JA5858

thanks for advice