jfs128

My husband and I are in the beginning stages of planning our trip to Thailand with our teenage daughter this summer. This is our first trip to Asia so we definitely need a lot of help!

We can only go for about 11 days (including travel time,) so we are thinking of spending about 5 days in Bangkok and 3 on the beach. We were originally planning on Phuket but are wondering if any other beaches are better/ closer? Does this sound like a good number of days in each place?

For hotels in Bangkok we are trying to decide between the Oriental Hotel, the Peninsula, or the Marriott.

Some of the activities/ sights we are thinking of are: Thai boxing, markets (which one would you recommend?), the Grand Palace, the Reclining Buddha, Ping-pong, elephant riding on the beach, shopping, and Thai massages (at the Face spa?) Is there anything else we must do/ see?

Should we get a guide or driver for anything? We've seen Ratt recommended.

Also, is the weather in summer so hot and/or rainy that it will ruin our trip?

Sorry for asking so many questions! If anyone could answer even one or two that would be great! Thanks!

jfs128

I forgot to mention that we might stay over one night in Japan, which would account for the missing days in our itinerary.

Gpanda

In the summer, Ko Samui has much better weather than Phuket. Go there. Your break up of days sounds good, but remember you will lose 1/2 day each time you fly. You can stretch the beach time with a morning flight there and afternoon flight back to BKK.

Buy a guide book. We get both Fodors and Frommers. Decide what you want to do and tell us in detail. We can help you arrange it efficiently.

One thing that is great is to combine the night market, Suun Lum with the Joe Louis Puppet Theater. The puppets are unbelievably great.

Heidi_Mo

Phuket was great in March, but Ko Lanta is better weather wise. Having said that, if you do choose Phuket, Karon Beach is great - lively enough so you don't get bored but quiet by 1am. Patong craziness is just a short TukTuk ride away with lady boys and nightclubs and Kata the opposite way for very quiet and relaxed restaurants. Something for all and some great day trips.

Craig

On our first trip to Thailand we went in July. It was hot and humid but not particularly rainy - certainly not bad enough to ruin our trip or discourage us from returning. We stayed on Koh Samui for 3 days where the weather was perfect. If you have 5 days in Bangkok you might consider the day trip to Ayuttya and the Summer Palace, going out by bus and returning by boat. Also, the Jim Thompson house is worth seeing. If the Suan Lum night market is still open, that is the one to go to. Everyone on this board has a favorite hotel on the river - ours is the Penn.

jfs128

Thanks so much for all of your great help! The night market and the puppet show sound great-- we will definitely try to do that! The day trip to Ayuttya also sounds really interesting.

It sounds like Ko Samui is probably the way to go for us (or Ko Lanta... is there much to do there?) If possible, we would prefer not to take a plane to get to the beach. Is it possible to get there another way, or is flying pretty much the only way to go?

Thanks again!

jfs128

I just read a couple of posts on Hua Hin... has anyone ever been there? Is the beach as nice as Koh Samui and is there as much to do? Also, how does the weather compare (in July) ?

Thanks!

LeighTravelClub

Yes. It's very nice. Hua Hin was actually Thailand's first beach resort. The town has a really laid back feel about it.
South of the main beach you can find Khao Takiap (chopstick hill) which is covered with miniature chedis and shrines. Also near there is Wat Khao Lad. 66ft high standing Buddha.

JamesA

Bob and karen and Smeogol have just been in Hua Hin so they no doubt will come in with up to date reports.
We venture down there often and have done so for years, it is not that sleepy anymore! Very much busier now but still retains it's charms.
Don't expect Samui or Phi Phi style beaches, simply not that sort of place, but....if you like the ideas of a couple of hours by cab or limo to get to a beach area and you also want to do Elephant ride, national park or trip into jungle plus restaurants, hotels and resorts right on the beach, night markets etc then it's good, also as leigh mentioned there are some very nice temples in the area especialy if you get away from the central area.
if you put Hua Hin in the search box at the top of this page you will find plenty.
If you want quieter pranburi places like the Evason might be of interest, about 30-40 minutes further.
Although places like Samui are just over an hour flight and easy to get to if you like the idea of just a few hours by cab then it's an option. Some of the top places also run their own shuttles between their Bangkok hotels and HH, Hyatt, Dusit etc.

JamesA

Weatherwise HH has one of the driest climates in the country, Samui and Gulf islands should be fine but just a slight chance of a few showers around but HH and Cha Am area tends to be dry solid until about October time.

jfs128

Thanks so much. That was really helpful. We would definitely rather drive than fly to get to the beach. However, it does seem like Koh Samui may be prettier and worth the trip. I think we are leaning towards Samui at the moment. The problem is that my husband doesn't like flying in small planes... how bad are the flights to Samui? Also, which hotel/ resort would you recommend in Koh Samui (or Hua Hin just in case)?

Thanks!

KimJapan

I believe that a few of the flights to Samui are on small jets, which have less of a small plane feeling than prop planes. When you book your flights, you can see the kind of plane, so you can choose to fly on a jet. www.bangkokair.com