I'm going through a logistical nightmare trying to plan my upcoming trip. I have a tentative date to fly Thai Airways from JFK to BKK on May 17 or18. I chose Thai because of the non-stop from JFK and it's much cheaper than SQ. I can also add on the round-trip from BKK to Jakarta (CGK), for less than $300 above the international fare.

We'll spend the first night at the Asia Airport Hotel (but go into Bangkok for a nice dinner) and fly out to CGK the following morning, and connect to a flight to Jogjakarta. Thanks to the sage advice from this forum, we'll spend the first 5 nights in Jogjakarta and save the 2 nights at the Amanjiwo for the end.

Here's where my troubles begin. The plan was to fly from CGK to BKK and connect to a flight to Chiang Rai and immediately head to the Anatara Resort for three nights, before going back to BKK for 5-6 nights at the Peninsula. The problem is, there is only one flight we will be able to make, and it doesn't get in to CR until almost 8pm. We won't be getting into BKK until early afternoon from CGK, so getting an earlier flight from BKK-CR is out. By the time we get our luggage, get the car, and then the drive, it will be well after 9pm by the time we get to the Anatara and we will have wasted an entire day getting from Jogjakarta to the Anatara. We will also be paying a full days rate at the Anatara just to go to sleep, another waste. I can not find an airline other than Thai that flies to CR from BKK, and forget about trying to find one from either CGK, Solo or Jogjakarta. Does anyone know of any other airline that flies BKK-CR?

We have several options, none are particularly appealing. We can stay the night in Chiang Rai and go to the Anatara the next morning, but again, it's still a whole day wasted going from Jogjakarta to CR.

We can save the Anatara for another trip and fly from CGK to Singapore and spend a couple of nights there and then go to BKK. Other than Changi Airport, we've nver been to Singapore. I wouldn't mind this option but Eric is grumbling a bit because he doesn't know if he wants to go there. He thinks it's just a city and shopping. Not having been there, I can't say. I've read posts about Singapore and still can't figure out what there is to see there. In any case, if we do choose this option, Eric says 2 nights not 3.

We thought of flying to Saigon for 3 nights since we hardly saw the city when we were there, but flights from CGK to Saigon aren't exactly plentiful.

Other options include spending more time on Java and putting East Java back into the picture. Can we easily get flights between either Jogjakarta or Solo and Surabaya? Perhaps 3 nights in East Java would be a good idea.

Or, we can spend 7 nights in Central Java, as indicated above, and 7 in BKK and make the trip shorter than I originally planned and the three nights we cut out, use them for our trip to Sri Lanka next September and have more time there. I'm at a loss as to what to do. The one thing we do NOT want to do is break Bangkok up, other than the first night after flying from JFK.

Any ideas?

Is your Thai flight the one that gets into BKK at 1640 ( 4.40 pm ) ?

It then looks that you are heading for the 1820 ( 6.20 pm )flight arriving 1950 (7.40)

That is quite tight so you are not going to do better than that.

Silk Air have flights in the morning from Solo City to Singapore and that could ( depending on day of week ) get you upt to Chiang Mai by 5.15 pm, so that would be 2 flights Solo to Chiang Mai. Then overnight there are head to Anantara next day.

You would need from Solo 3 flights to get to Chiang Rai the way you are doing it, this would be 2 flights to Chiang Mai.

That is really about the best you are going to manage. But using Silk Air would shoot up your costs.

You could take the 7.25 pm from CGK to Bangkok with Lufthanda ( daily 747-400 ) getting into BKK at 1040 pm and then overnight at the Amari and take the 0825 to Chiang RAI arriving 0945.

That actually is not too bad, you would have plenty of time to get to CGK, Lufthansa flight, overnight BKK and then early morning into Chiang Rai.

Southbound from Bangkok to CGK using Lufthansa the flight departs BKK at 2.50 pm arriving CGK 6 pm ( so you would get a good nights sleep in BKK )

Lufthansa currently offer ( at this time though ) a one way fare of THB 5,000, i.e THB 10,000 return plus taxes etc ( about USD 250 plus taxes ) but you need to be a memeber of their frequent flyer program, though you can do that easily online.

Perhaps an email to Eddie at Seatours in Bangkok and see what fare he can do, likely to be around the same, then you could use Lufthanda BKK-CGK return and then overnight at BKK. The only advantage that has over using Thai as planned is that you are not paying overnight Anantara prices and it gives you more time before having to leave CGK.

You know in the end I would, if you really want to do the Anantara is stick with what you have got!

Or, although a hassle to move you could spend that first night somewhere very much cheaper in Chiang Rai like the Wiang Inn and then wander Chinag Rai in the morning and head to the Anantara before lunch.

JamesA, thanks for all that. The Tahi flight is the one arriving in BKK at 16:40. Now matter which way I do it, I'll be wasting an entire day, something I really want to avoid. I thought about dong the Anatara before heading to Java but I think I'll run into the same problem of wasting a day since the only flight on Thai to Jakarta is in the morning. Using Lufthansa presents the same problem of wasted time (I'm already a member of their frequent flyer program). I guess if I want to do the Anatara, the best bet is spending a night in Chiang Rai and heading to the Anatara in the morning. I'm just not sure if I should do this or save it for another trip to Thailand.

How many days were you planning to spend in Chiang Rai?

Also

Which places have you already been to in Thailand ?

Maybe we could come up with an alternative that doesn't mean so much travel.

I've already spent several days in Chiang Rai, but only a day trip to the Golden Triangle, which is why I wanted to stay at the Anatara. We've been to Thailand 4 or 5 times and have been to BKK (obviously), Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hua Hin, and Ayutthia (sp?). I was thinking of Ko Samui but we're not the biggest beach people and when I looked at flight schedules, I ran into the same problem. I would consider it however if we can get there at a decent hour. Mae Hong Son was another thought but, you guessed it, a day wasted getting there. The whole point was to go somewhere we haven't yet been, which is why Singapore is now becoming an option.

Laurie, this was the part of your itinerary I was concerned about. I couldn't figure out how to do it without losing a full day, either. Frankly, I think you are tyring to get to too many places in the time you have. As much as I love the Anantara at the Golden Triangle, maybe save it for next trip.

A few day stop in Singapore would be fun. Singapore has great hotels and great food. There are a few things I shop for there, but I always find plenty to do there without shopping. Depending on your interests, I'd suggest the Botanical gardens, especially the Orchid garden, the two locations of the Museum of Asian Civilizations, a lovely lunch at Doc Cheng's at Raffles and a visit to the tiny Raffles Museum. Lots of people rave about the night safari; the Jorong Bird park is interesting; and you can hike in a rainforest inside the city limits. Little India is always interesting, and an evening stroll at the Boat Quay or Clarke's Quay is fun as you'll find lots of interesting bars and restaurants there.

Thanks Kathie, I'm realizing that any place in Thailand (other than Bangkok) will require wasting a day to travel there and I REALLY don't want that. Singapore may be the best option, at least it's something new. I'm also looking into flying to Surabaya and spending 3 nights in East Java. It may be more interesting than Singapore and since we'll already be in Java, perhaps this is the way to go. I'm so confused!

Singapore is the only city I've been to in asia that I was ready to leave after one day. Seemed like one big shopping mall to me and way too western and modern. Totally did not appeal to me but obviously others feel very differently. I'd spend my time in java and/or save days for your next trip.

laurie (and poor long suffering eric)...you would like a couple of days in singapore...we did not shopping there and found plenty to do...

how about skipping anantara, as lovely as it is, and fly to yangon for a couple of days....just stay there in the city....plenty to do for 3 days and a totally different experience...pansea is nice as is the lake hotel whose name begins with a "K"...

how about 3 down days at koh chang at the amari emerald cove?? good alternative to anantara and excellent food...

Bob, getting to Ko Chang may be a problem. From what I can see, we would have to fly into Trat and Bangkok Air has limited flights. Thai doesn't even fly there according to their web site. From there, it looks like we would have to take a boat. It would still waste a whole day getting there.

Gloria, I understand what you're saying about Singapore, which is why we have never gone there, but, if we spend only two nights there, it would really amount to a day and a half there, hopefully not enough time to get bored. I like to shop and we both like to eat so perhaps SIN wouldn't be such a bad option. Kathie gave a few good sightseeing options to keep Eric happy.

East Java is very appealing but I think if we did that, maybe cutting a night off Jogjiakarta and adding it on to East Java would be a good idea since anything in East Java worth seeing seems to be at least a 3 hour drive from Surabaya, the airport we would have to fly into. Options there include Mt. Bromo and Melang, but I'm not sure both would be doable in the 3-4 days since they are in different directions.

Since it amounts to only a day and a half why not just add it on to bangkok? If not, that amount of time in Singapore should be fine. It does have excellent restaurants. I didn't find the shopping much of a bargain or very interesting. But maybe that was because I got such a negative vibe from the place. The Botonic Garden, however, is lovely.

I have always wanted to at least see Singapore so maybe this is the time to do it. It's on the way from Java to BKK so we wouldn't have to fly for hours to get there. If we don't like it, we won't go back. Guenmai is always singing it's praises so we should at least see for ourselves. Like I said, I have no problem with this, it's Eric I'm concerned about, but if I make sure he has some good beer and food, he'll be happy enough!

You can definitely amuse yourself for a day and a half. I was there for 5 days when I went which was part of the problem. A shorter time is fun.

We LOVE Singapore and we are not shoppers. It is such a beautiful, clean, safe city. Yes, maybe it is a bit westernized, but there are still many special things to encounter - great hotels with incredible city views, great restaurants, and orchids everywhere. If you go, don't miss the orchid section of the botanical gardens.

Check out the Ritz Carlton Millenia - marina view room is essential.

Shopping and eating - thats what Sing is all about- if you love to do those two things you will enjoy Sing!

as you know laurie even the cheapest hotel in singapore is nice...

I've been looking at the Ritz Carlton Millenia for about 2 years, the last time I considered Singapore. I think I would want to stay there, or, the Raffles Plaza looks good for much less money. I'm still not sure we are going to do Singapore but I'm starting to lean toward it. I need to figure out how much vacation time Eric will have in September. I want at least 2 weeks in Sri Lanka so if it looks like he may not have enough, we may just cut the days off this trip and do Central Java and BKK and bank the days for Sri Lanka.

Rafles the Plaza has a great location. I stayed there a couple of times back when it was a Westin. It has great rooms, huge bathrooms, and the location can't be beat (above the Raff;es Place SHopping center and an MRT station).

I've stayed a number of places in Singapore, and next trip it will either be the Fullerton or Raffles the Plaza.

Singapore is a lovely launching pad to the rest of Asia. If you're looking for something very nice, I would recommend the Raffles Hotel. It's quite lovely. It's an old boutique hotel that has only suites. The night safari is quite interesting.