One week in Thailand-too short?
 

I have about 9-10 days in mid-march for vacation. I've always wanted to go to Thailand (mostly because of all the raving posts on this board). I have read many posts here (from rkkmk and others) saying not to forgo a trip to Thailand in light of the recent tragedy. But I have some questions that I would love to have answered.

1) Are 8 days too short for Bkk& Koh Samui or Bkk and Chang Rai? Should I wait to go when I have more time to spend?

2) $850 including tax, JFK-BKK, Is this a good deal?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

I don't think it's too short at all. On our first trip went spent 10 days in Bangkok and could have easily made it 4-5 and gone to a second city for the other 4-5.

I don't think I'd go to the south right now. Stick with Bangkok and the north and your trip should be fairly seemless.

And the ticket price is good. Go and enjoy. Think of it as your first trip to Thailand.

The airfare is excellent. We paid just $25 for the same routing two years ago.

As to whether 8-days are too short, not really. However, with the west coast in such terrible condition, it's possible that Koh Samui (or other beach areas) might be overbooked. And while time on a beach can be a lovely way to end a holiday, you might better enjoy time up north. We had a few more days then you, so were able to end our holiday relaxing days in Phuket, but our best time was up north in the Chiang Rai, Chiang Sean, Golden Triangle area. If you're traveling that far, you should see more of the country, rather then a beach. My opinion only, considering the limited time.

If you only have a short time there is quite a good 'triangle' trip you can make which packs in a lot of viariety without too much travel.
A couple of days in Bangkok and then take a Taxi, Bus or train(train is nice) to Kanchanaburi/River Kwai, this is just a few hours from bangkok. Here you will find the River Kwai, Elephant rides, jungle, hot springs, golf, and a variety of natural sights. Then it is just 3 hours by taxi heaving south east to the beaches at say Hua Hin. You can then have some beach time. Then it is is just 3 hrs back to Bangkok Airport. It's a way of getting Bangkok, shopping, elephant rides, temples, jungle plus beach all within easy reach. It's a good sampler, don't worry, even if you come for 1 week you 'will' be coming back lots more times, I promise you!

the fare is fabulous...united has a cheaper one right now ...you might want to look...also look at eva air from newark....

it is not a long time, but can be quite enjoyable, especially if you choose your hotels carefully....in bkk i prefer the river and especially the marriott resort and spa....i could spend my whole time there....

it really depends on what you like...bkk is a fantastic city and i once spent 14 days there without leaving....if you choose a hotel with a nice pool (marriott, shangri-la, sheraton orchid, peninsula and oriental have the best pools) it might not be much different than being in phuket or koh samui....that is what i would do...stay in bkk for the whole time or maybe a couple of days at hua hin or pattaya in the middle of my stay....moving about is time consumming and you could find plenty to do in bkk for that length of time...your first day or two will be wasted anyways adjusting to the plane ride...

Thanks for your replies everyone!
Looks like we are deciding to go! I can't wait.

rkkmk: you made a very good point about a nice hotel with pool being similiar to a beach experience. Now, for the continuing BKK hotel debate- it seems the rates are the same (when adding tax) for the Marriott and the Shangri-La. Wondering if I should book on asiahotels.com for around $150 or wait and try to do priceline...any advice would be most welcome.

Thanks again everyone!

overall we prefer the marriott because of the garden and the pool area...sh-la is a more upscale hotel and has a great location right next to the skytrain station, but its regular rooms, while very nice, are not outstanding like the peninsula....

have you tried these sites for rooms: they include tax, service and breakfast usually: www.huahin.20m.com and www.asiavoyage24.com....
both are prepays,,,,

also the regular marriott and sh-la sites...

re the sh-la...join their golden circle club and you get late checkout and free breakfasts (fabulous in bkk)...jin on their web-site....special floors for members too...and special check in...

their pool--sh-la-- is very close to the hotel and does not seem private, but it is a decent pool....

there have been no priceline awards on biddingfortravel for riverside hotels in quite a while....when are you going---by april they will probably re-appear...i am hoping for may/june...

Thanks RKKMK. I am going in mid-march, so still high season. I will probably not chance it with pricline, and just book the Marriott riverside ($137 for riverview, including tax and bkfst. Good rate?)

Now, I am trying to decide on airfare. UAL, EVA and Cathay all came in about the same, around $875. Feedback seems to be that Cathay is the lesser of evils.

Thanks again. I am busy reading all the posts about the Marriott, but am sure I will be back here with more questions before I leave in March....

the price is probably about average...did you try the two sites i mentioned....should be cheaper and inclusive...

so far no one i have sent to the marriott has been disappointed...its not ultra lux, just very nice...better than a marriott business hotel...the garden and pool set it apart...

Yes, the price was the best I found from the 2 sites you mentioned. I will keep checking around. Thanks again.

It's fine for a first trip. The thing about Thailand is that you'll always want to go back.

which airline was that deal on?

It's plenty of time. Enjoy! Happy Travels!

this may blow rhkkmk's minde, but I'd recomend staying at the mariott spa and something... if cruisinred stays in bkk for 8 to 10 days.
I just find it inconvinient if your a first time visitor too the city and staying for 2-3 deays.

yea orgy....you are converted...no more of those flea bags on soi 11

Yup, definitely staying at the Marriott Resort. (I will check to make sure that rhkkmk gets his commission)

Orgy- only 3 days in BKK this trip, as I also want to fit in some beach time and Angkor. But,without even going there yet, I already know I will be back in BKK very soon!

bondgirl78- The deals I found were on UAL and Cathay. Of course, as soon as I booked my tickets on Cathay, they started running a special and the prices were even lower, so definitely check it out.

RHK-- I know ya like teasing but I've never stayed in suk.. I seriously cant stand sukunvit road too damn anoying and touristy.. I've always stayed (siam city hotel) and lived around victory monument.. it's kind of a midle class naigherhood with lots of apartments. and thousends of collage girls walking around in tight black skirts.

orgy---you know those "tight black skirts" are only worn so you will pick one up and take them home to mumma in CT..... don't get caught in their trap....stick with your books...