My husband and I are thinking of taking our 2 kids (ages 12 and 15) to Thailand in early August. We're interested in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Ko Samui, and Siem Reap, and we're looking at approximately 14 days on the ground. Any thoughts on the best routing and number of days in each place? I know the weather is an issue at that time of year and that we should expect at least intermittent rain. Should we be particularly concerned about the rains/flooding in any of those places? Also, should we plan on hiring guides in each place or can most people navigate on their own? We spent time last summer in Southern Africa on a trip that was planned by an agent and where we were met in each place by a guide. is that advisable for Thailand as well? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I think you are going to too many places. Too much time spent travelling from place to place and this cuts into your time to enjoy. I suggest you eliminate either Northern Thailand or Siem Riep. Then you could split your time 5, 5 and 4 among BKK, KS and the third location. I would choose SR, but you will have to judge whether you and YOUR KIDS would enjoy temples more than elephants, river rafting and hill tribes. I really would scale down your number of destinations. You lose at least 1/2 day each time you travel and if you have to connect through BKK, you will lose almost a whole day.

Also, you should look at the Bangkok Air Discovery Pass. This allows for a modest savings when flying numerous legs. Bangkok Air is the only carrier into Ko Samui and the only carrier from BKK-SR.

Gpanda is so right. If you have 14 days on the ground, choose three destinations. You'll all enjoy it more. Asia lends itself best to slow travel. In making your decisions, consider that Siem Reap and the Golden Triangle area are both malarial risk areas.

You do not need to be met in each place by a guide. Indeed, if you opt to hire a guide, it will likely only be for a few days total. Thailand is very easy to do on your own.

If it were me, I'd choose Bangkok, the Golden Triangle (an hour from Chaing Rai) and Siem Reap. But consider what you what to do/see/expereince and what your children will enjoy.

We've been to Thailand twice in August and twice in December/January. Honestly, the weather was about the same both seasons, with August being a bit more humid. August had more days with a bit of rain, but it was in the form of an afternoon/evening storm, then clear again.

With 14 days, I too would limit to 3 locations. Our last trip was 17 days in 3 places, and it was about right, though we could certainly have spent longer in each place. Previous trips had been to two locations in a similar time frame and were very good.

We don't usually hire guides, as it is very easy to use a guidebook and a driver...but we may hire a guide named Tong for one day next trip for some off the beaten path things in Bangkok. In Siem Reap, Ponheary Ly and her brother Dara get good reviews here www.theplf.org may interest you too.

We do hire drivers pretty often, as it is inexpensive and beats a group or arranged tour by far to be able to go where you want when you want for how long you want without the forced shopping stops.

With 14 days next summer, my husband, daughter and self are doing the following from Japan (so no jet lag).
Singapore 3 nights

overnight train to Kuala Lampur (daughter really wants the overnight train experience so we'll do it)

Kuala Lampur to Siem Reap on Air Asia (about $38.00 per person)

Siem Reap 6 nights
Phnom Penh 2 nights

Bangkok 3 nights

Then my husband returns to Japan and my daughter and I will spend a further

5 nights Koh Samui or Chiang Mai (not decided)

5 nights Anantara Golden Triangle mahout discovery package

1 night BKK

For us, it's quite a pace, and it's our 5th trip to Thailand. Daughter is 9.

You could do maybe
BKK 2 nights on arrival
Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai or Luang Prabang 4 nights
Samui or Siem Reap 5 nights
BKK 3 nights

You have to decide whether you want beach or culture, temples or adventure....then you can easily choose your stops based on what you want to see and do.

Thanks to all of you for your advice. I'll have to do some more reading to decide what the 3 essential stops are for our family. Any insights about the difference between the experience (sights, activities, etc.)in Chiang Mai and the Golden Triangle areas would be appreciated. Thanks.

Chiang Mi is a city, from which you can access elephants, rafting, trekking, see temples, the Sunday walking street market...there is lots to do and see very nearby or right in the city. There is a wide range of hotels and restaurants.

The Golden Triangle is not at all a city...Chiang Rai is the nearest city, and it is small. The GT is an hour from Chiang Rai. Elephants, trekking, river boats...more low key I would think...but we haven't been yet, it's my understanding though.

If you require entertainment and a wide choice of restaurants and lots of shopping, then Chiang Mai might be the better choice. We spent a week in the area last December...5 nights in Chiang Mai and 2 at elephant camp at the Elephant Conservation Center. Next trip we'll do elephant camp again, but a version of it that comes with air con, beds and flexibility to do other things during t he day as well. We're going to the Anantara Golden Triangle for that.

There is much more happening in CM than up in the GT or even in Chiang Rai. There are many more restaurants. The shopping/crafts are much more available. However, I think you should regard Northern Thailand as one destination.

We also spent time in South Africa last year and went to BKK the year before and soon will be going back to BKK in two months. Thw only thing we had a guide for was the Grand Palace, but we did have a driver for some other things and that really helped us out like when we went to the floating market.
What kinds of things do your kids like to do? What sort of activities would they like to do on the trip? Last time we split our time between BKK and a little island called Koh Chang and had a great time!
My wife liked BKK so much more than South Africa that why we are coming back this year!

We, family of 6 we the eldest being 14, went to Thailand last spring break for 8 days. We live in Korea so we had no jet lag.

We did Bangkok in one heavy, mean, run through the sites day and hired Cherry as a tour guide to do Floating Market, Kanchanaburi, Tiger Temple, etc. She was wonderful! I only wish we had gotten her for the day in Bangkok as well. She and her husband also arranged for a van to pick us up at the airport in BKK, and they arranged for us to be whisked through customs--meaningful since we arrived in the middle of the night.

Day 3 we flew to Chiang Mai for the other 6 days. The family we travelled with arranged a day trip to the Golden Triangle and really enjoyed it. We did all sorts of things. If you do a search you can find my too long travel report from April of this year.

Have a wonderful time!
Mary in Korea

Hi,

Don't miss Phuket. It's a great place for vacation

Johny

www.allaboutphuket.com