Loacker

I'm thinking of heading to Thailand this Chrisymas. Problem is I only have 10 days.

I know I want to spend some time on an island. I've never been to a tropical beach before. I heard Koh Lanta is still relatively unspoiled so I'm thinking I should spend 4-5 days there. But I can't decide between Bangkok and Siem Reap.
What would you recommend?

Loacker

Sorry for the many typos. Hit submit too soon.

Kathie

Will you be there right at Christmas? I ask because the week from Xmas to NY is the busiest and most expensive week of the year at the beaches. Hotels are often 2x-5x as much as they are at other times. If you can be there the first half of December, you'll find better prices and everywhere will be less crowded.

Koh Lanta is a reasonable option, but also look at Khao Lak.

You are wise to decide between Bangkok and Siem Reap rather than trying to cram everything in to 10 days. And do you have 10 full days on the ground in SE Asia? Count how many nights you have.

Bangkok is my favorite city in the world. And I think it is always a worthwhile stop. Amazing wats, wonderful food, even good shopping.

But Angkor is one of the wonders of the world. Pick up a copy of Dawn Rooney's book, Angkor: A Guide to Cambodia's Wondrous Temples. This will give you lots of info on the temples and sense of whether you want to go there this year. It takes three full days just to see the major temples (so you would have to spend 4 nights in Siem Reap). Many of us have spent more time there - we had a week for the temples and didn't see them all.

Loacker

Thanks for I go Kathie.

Unfortunately, Christmas to New Year is the only period I can take some time off. And yes I do have 10 full days excluding arrival and departure.

What would you say is the most beautiful island or beach? Does Khao Lak fit the bill?

Mt_Fansipan

Angkor is one of most beautiful Wonder in the world and you should give it a try for 3-4days. There are daily flights from Bangkok to Siemreap and should be no problem getting there.
After 3nights 4days there you get back to Bangkok and then chill out on the beach of Koh Lanca

Loacker

I'll try to add a few more days so I can see Bangkok.
What do you think of this itinerary?

Day 1: Fly to Bangkok
Day 2 Bangkok
Day 3: Bangkok
Day 4: Bangkok.
Evening flight to Siem Reap.
Day 5: Siem Reap
Day 6: Siem Reap
Day 7: Siem Reap
Day 8: Siem Reap
Evening flight to Krabi.
Day 9: Koh Lanta
Day 10 Koh Lanta
Day 11: Koh Lanta
Day 12: Koh Lanta.
Evening flight to Bangkok.
Day 13: Depart Home

Kathie

That looks like a good itinerary.

Enjoy!

crellston

"I heard Koh Lanta is still relatively unspoiled" Not really. It is nothing like Phuket of Koh Samui, but has seen a lot of tourist development in recent years. Choose your location carefully. The following site has good info on KL and other Thai islands.


https://www.travelfish.org/location/...krabi/ko_lanta

Loacker

Wow crellston, that's quite an eyeopener. Just when you think you found the perfect island you stumble upon an article that tells you otherwise.

Is there still anywhere in Thailand that fits the image of the tropical paradise? Or has everything been ruined by overdevelopment?