My husband and I will be combining a work/vacation and have about 4 days to travel outside Bangkok, sometime between the last few days of October and the first week in November. His preference is for an island but I am concerned about the weather. We were thinking about Koh Sumai, Phuket, Koh Lanta or PhiPhi. I would like hiking, elephant camp, cooking class, etc., other activities besides beaching. We prefer upscale places but not over the top $$ like Amanpuri. Can anyone help with the likely weather and a hotel recommendation? Alternative if the weather is very chancy would be Chaing Mai. THANKS

That time is just when the weather changes, but we spent the end of October into November in Thailand with Phuket being our last stop. Except for a brief thunderstorm when we arrived at the airport, by the time we arrived at our hotel the sun was bright and it was hot and humid. We had no further rain our remaining time in Phuket, though there was some lightning at night, no rain. Not uncommon in a heat and humid area. As I'm familiar with the latter being in NYC, I'm sure being from DC you've experienced the same night lightning in summer months. Even when in Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai, we had a light shower one evening, lasting no more then 1/2-hour. Other then these few episodes, it was bright sunny, hot and humid. The further into November, the less likely for rain.

For Chiang Mai, you might want to look at Sergeant Kai, ChiangMaitours.com. He's gotten very favorable reviews here. We're using him in November. Also, up north, many have liked the Anantara about an hour outside Chiang Rai. If you went to the search engine on this board, you could see the reports.

On the beach issue, JamesA suggested to my brother (for the iffy Beach season) that he go to BKK and look at the weather reports in the newspapers to determine which beach would be best.

Good Luck.

We visited Phuket in late October and had great weather -- no rain at all. We were unable to book (full), but the Chedi is supposed to be nice and not TOO expensive. We stayed at Marina Phuket (Karon Beach)http://www.marinaphuket.com/ in a cottage on the water and really liked it. Lots of daytrips are available from Phuket, eg, we took a day boat trip to Phi Phi -- gorgeous, but not much there. Was happy to return to Phuket at night and enjoy the nightlife and have a nice dinner.

I live in DC and it's a heck of a lot hotter in Phuket in October than it is in DC in August!

Just to add again that end October/beginning November is really 'take your chance' time, it is not yet the start of high seaosn so accommodation should be no problem at all, I would wait until in Bangkok and check the weather, at that time the weather can take a final vengance and you don't want to get caught out as the seasons change quite dramatically, I would certainly , if the rains worries you, wait until you get to Bangkok.