Need help with Thailand itinerary
 

We have a week to spend in Thailand and are trying to decide between visiting the north or the beach. Can anyone recommend a good beach or tour for the month of March?

If you re interested in Thailand and its culture, cross the beach off your list. If you are looking for somewhere to relax and it doesn't matter that it's Thailand, go for the beach.

Have you been to Thailand before? If not, consider spening part or all of your time in Bangkok. It's an exciting city with lots to offer. If you really don't like cities, then spend just a couple of days to see the major sights and go north.

There is no need to do a tour. You can do all you want to do on your own. If you want to join a group for a day for a specific activity that is easy to arrange locally.

Tell us what your interests are and we can be more helpful.

i would second spending your whole time in bkk....you will waste at least one day moving elsewhere....also you will be tired day 1 from travel and adjustment to the heat and humidity...

for this reason i would choose a hotel with a fabulous swimming pool and garden area....you will feel like you are at the beach....if near the river it feels even more like the beach...

i prefer the marriott resort and spa because of their pool and riverside location...

next i prefer the peninsula for the same reasons, but it costs more...

the royal orchid sheraton is also decent with a very nice pool..

the new hilton is also ok...

shangri-la is nice too...

all these are on the river...

in the center of town, i like the sheraton grande, the nei lert, the conrad, the four seasons, the hyatt...

the restaurants in bkk are excellent so you will have lots of variety there....i have a rest. listing is you want it:

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My husband & I spent a month in Thailand & Bali inOctober. The last 5 days we took a tour of Northern Thailand with Sgt. Kai. It was the best 5 days of our vacation-except for Bali. When I was researching our trip everyone said there were 2 types of people-Bangkok or CM. I am for sure CM. The people were slower paced and seemed more peaceful. The elephants were a highlight of our trip,my husband is still talking about them. The boat ride up from CM to CR was a delight. Our night at the Legend in CR was over the top.Hope this helps Chris

Your entire trip in Bangkok? Ick. I disagree. There are some great sites there, true, but if you've got a week in Thailand, you have plenty of time to hit either a beach or the north.

We were in Koh Samui in August '05, and it was paradise on earth. I don't know what the weather is like there in March. Numerous flights daily to/from BKK.

Chiang Mai is glorious. Just an adorable, fun, exciting little city.

All that said: I do agree with Kathie that you're not going to get a big dose of culture at a beach location.

i once spent all two weeks of my trip in bangkok and i loved it!!!

the key is choosing the right place to stay

In your question you say you are considering the north or a beach. If it is just between these two, then I would go for the beach. And in the month of March, the Andaman Sea would be my choce. Phuket, Krabi or one of the small islands.
Bangkok is an exciting city for sure, but a week is too long for me, though many on this board often spend a week and more. Depends what you want to do really. If it's chill-out time you want, then head for the beach.

For 7 days on the ground for a first trip, I would suggest 2 days BKK, 3 days Chiang mai and 2 days BKK. This will give a quick exposure to two different areas of Thailand. Flights are easy and frequent. The beaches are nice, but they are directed towards the western tourist and not very Thai. BKK and CM are fascinating.

I think we have narrowed it down to a couple days in Bangkok and then want to head to a beach. Any recommendations for beaches and hotels? I noticed Air Asia has some great deals has anyone booked with them before?

Not sure what you're looking for at the beach, but if you want a beautiful secluded hotel on a gorgeous beach with a great dive center I would recommend Phi Phi Island Village on the island of Phi Phi. We spent a week there last December and had a fantastic time. The resort is the only thing on its beach, so you have to be happy just relaxing by the pool and not having much of a night life (there are some local bars behind the resort), but it is absolutely gorgeous and the scuba diving/ snorkeling in the area is amazing.

You'll fly from Bangkok to Phuket and then the hotel will pick you up and take you on a speed boat the the resort.

www.ppisland.com

As far as Air Asia is concerned, there have been at least a hundred comments on them. Do a search on the board.