When my wife and I visited Thailand a few years ago, we spend time in Bangkok, Damnoen Saduak, Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Ao Phang Nga, and Krabi. We're planning on visiting again at the end of this year, and while we certainly intend to return to some of these areas, we would also like to try a few new destinations. Any recommendations for cities or areas not in this list would be appreciated. While I wouldn't want to exclude recommendations for any part of the country, specific areas of interest would be:

* Chiang Rai and surroundings: Since we've seen Chiang Mai, does Chiang Rai offer anything sufficiently different to justify a trip to the far North? (We'll be travelling with two small children, so trekking, one of the most popular activities, is not really an option.)

* Kanchanaburi: This area is often prominently mentioned in guide books, but the most famous attractions (at least to foreign tourists) seem to be World War II sites, which we're not really interested in. Is there anything else significant to see or do?

* North-East (Isan): This is a large area that apparently does not see much tourism. Is any part of this area particularly worth seeing?

* South: We were not particularly impressed by Phuket, but really enjoyed the beaches around Krabi. Are there any other particularly beautiful places or islands (that are at least not entirely destroyed by over-development) that are worth visiting? Kho Phi Phi, for example, is reputed to be very beautiful, but also highly developed, with sufficiently wide spread night life that it wouldn't be a good choice for people with small children.

Brendt

My brother went to Isaan and loved it. They visited a number of forest wats and generally enjoyed being out of the tourist mainstream.

For beaches, you might consider Khao Lak. It's about an hour north of the Phuket Airport. Far less development than Phuket.

You might try staying in a different location in BKK. It can give a new perspective on the city.

One of my favourite Issan town is Ubon Ratchathani. Sort of a sleepy town like Luang Prabang and it has several beautiful Wats. The Laotian border is very close by as well so you can make a trip to Pakse from here.

Do consider the Golden Triangle area. You fly into Chiang Rai and go north about an hour drive. Take a look at the Anantara at the Golden Triangle. Your kids will love it. It's a gorgeous place and has a small elephant camp on the grounds, and you can take them to interact with the elephants in the morning. There are some day trips that are interesting and would not be too taxing for the little ones.

as to beach areas you might look at koh chang... it still remains less developed than many of the other beach areas... there is a great variety of hotels to choose from...

the marriott resort and spa in bkk is wonderful for families..

Thanks to those who responded to my posting. Some of these responses raise additional questions:

* Khao Lak: Looks nice, but I assume there's some additional reason for recommending it in addition to the low level of development, which I assume one can still find quite easily (albeit less frequently in the nicest areas)? How does the beach compare with the better ones at Krabi?

* Ubon Ratchathani: What's the easiest way to get here, and how long would you recommend to stay? Is the primary attraction spending time in the city, or would one hire a car to drive around the area? Since you also mention Luang Prabang, and we have never been to Laos, which would you say is more worthwhile to visit?

* Golden Triangle: Anantara looks very nice indeed, but at nearly USD 500 per night, is somewhat more expensive than we are considering. Any other recommendations for places to stay, and things to do/see in this area?

* Koh Chang: This seems like a very attractive destination based on my reading, but it's quite far out of the way from our tentative itinerary, so I don't think it will work for this trip. (Also, being one of the few malarial areas of Thailand is a downside, particularly when travelling with children.)

Does anyone have any recommendations for other areas or islands in the South, or comments on the suitability of Kho Phi Phi?

Brendt

anantara is lovely but $500 is way too much....i agree...

there are a couple of other decent hotels in the same area but i am sorry i do not have names..

we stayed at the meridien at khoa lak...it was very nice and had a fabulous beach....they have a great childrens club there also--not sure of your kids ages... the town is not walkable from the hotel however...

$500 a night? Yipes! We paid maybe $150 all in when we stayed there right after they opened. Are you traveling in the last two weeks of December? If so, many places are very expensive at that time. Indeed, some resorts double their prices for the week between Xmas and New Years. If you aren't traveling in those last couple of weeks of December I'd check some of the discount hotel websites and look for promotional offers from the Anantara.

For Ubon - Thai Airways fly there 3 times a day and Air Asia once a day. Apart from the local sights around Ubon the proximity of the town to Laos is a big bonus as you can explore Southern Laos from there. I suggest 2 to 3 nights in Ubon which should be sufficient for you to explore the surrounding area.

The best hotel in Ubon is the brand new luxury Sunee Hotel. Beautiful rooms and cost only a fraction of an equivalent hotel in Bangkok.


http://www.tourismthailand.org/desti...34-4862-1.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubon_Ratchathani_Province

$500 must be for two rooms or a suite

Thanks for all the additional comments.

The lowest rate at Anantara Golden Triangle in early January, according to the resort web site (goldentriangle.anantara.com) is THB 13500 (USD 391 at the current exchange rate), excluding service charges and taxes. It is possible, I suppose, that lower rates are available through other hotel booking agencies.

You have asked about Phi Phi without getting any responses, so here's my take. There is a common misconception that Phi Phi is overcrowded and overdeveloped. Whilst that is partly true with regard to the Tonsai Village area, it is certainly not the case with the rest of Phi Phi Don. Much of the north east coast has barely changed over the last twenty years. Laem Tong Bay, Loh Ba Kao Bay and Long Beach still offer exquisite scenery and a very laid back vibe. These areas may even be too quiet for many.
As for suitability for children......if they are happy with the beach, pool, and entertaining themselves, then they will have a great time. Loads of kids visit and really love Phi Phi, but, for some......there's not enough action.
We are returning there again in February for the umpteenth time. We never tire of it!

take a look at asiarooms.com....

Brendt, check some of the good hotel booking sites like www.sawasdee.com or agoda.com or asiarooms. You should certainly be able to get the Anantara for less even though it is high season.