Hi All,

Travelling to Thailand for 3 weeks!!! Only ever been to BKK for 24 hours enroute from Taiwan. Traveling with a friend, we are both F in our early 30's. We have the basic direction of the route planned, but would love some pointers from some Thailand vets:

Day 1 - Arrive BKK, fly to Chiang Mai, arrive at 7:30 PM, stay at prob Red Brick
Day 2 -4 - Take the organized 3 day Jeep tour that goes all over the North and Golden Triangle, returning 9:30 PM
Day 5 - Fly mid day Chiang Mai - Phuket. I've heard that we're better off not staying in Phuket and going straight to Kho Pi Pi. Any thoughts?

Day 5-11 - Here's the dilemma - should we stay in Kho Pi Pi the whole time? Should we take 2 days to go up to Krabi/Railley Beach? (We plan to fly from Krabi to Ko Samui but haven't booked the exact date) Or leave before and spend more time on the East side?

Day 12 - Most likely, fly from Krabi to Ko Samui . I really want to be on Ko Phangan a couple days before full moon, so I'm thinking take ferry straight to Ko Phangan, and acclimate there for 2 days before Full Moon, which would come out Day 14.

Day 12-14 - Kho Phangan

Day 15 - 18 - Ok, will we have had enough of Kho Phangan? And if so, should we go to Kho Tao? Or Kho Samui? We will fly from Kho Samui to BKK on Day 18, heard mixed opinions about Samui... Suggestions on how to spend these 4 days gratefully accepted...

Day 18 - Fly from Samui to BKK late afternoon. Any hotel suggestions for BKK? Something with a good location, not too pricey bit still clean, nice, between $60-$150 a night for 2 ppl.

Day 18-Day 20 - BKK - shopping and touring - should we stay in BKK? Should we go to Kachanaburry? Or another day trip? Should we tour on our own, with a group or with a guide like Tong?

Midnight Day 21 - Fly home


I await your sage advice!!! Thanks!!!

Donna

Days 1-5, look fine.
Yes 5-11 is a dilemma. I would stay the whole time at Phi Phi, but that's me. Krabi is worth a day or two, for looking.....but it doesn't really float my boat.
You are heading to Koh Phangan for the full moon party so I would count that as your party time......unless of course, that is what you intend to do at Phi Phi.
Again for me, there is no magic at Samui.
So I would give Bangkok a little more time at the end and certainly Kanchanaburi is a very worthwhile trip.
I have no experience of Tong, but she is held in very high regard on this forum. And whilst a guide in Bangkok is not an absolute must.....I believe that Tong will add a little extra to your Thailand experience.

I think you have too much island or beach time with day 5 - 18(13 days?) allocated. I would cut back on some of those days and spend a day or two extra in Bangkok.

Also, what time of the year are you planning to visit? Some of the islands you've mentioned are subjected to seasonal influences like rough seas or strong wind.

We are looking for a lot of beach time - both of us just need to relax

We will be there Feb 15th - March 7th

I'm more concerned if we are trying to go to to many destinations.

Thanks!

it is a lot of places...

i think too much time on koh P...

while in CM, why not spend one or two days relaxing and looking around...

do bkk on your own and spend at least 4 days there...

If you want to relax, visit fewer destinations. Remember that you'll lose most of a day each time you change locations.

I'd cut at least one beach location and add time to Bangkok. I'm not fond of CM, but many people are. And spending all of your time there on a tour will mean no time to relax.

Two beach locations plus CM and Bangkok would be a much better plan.

One of the great things about Bangkok is that it can be very relaxing, if you take things slowly and don't try to cram too much in. You won't be able to do everything. Accept that and spend some time hanging around the pool.

You're trying to squeeze in to many locations. Chiang Mai, BKK and two beach locations and you'll be able to absorb each one.

Thanks for the input...

So let's be more specific - Best Island on East, best on West? Is Raillay Beach really worth the visit?

On the East, I don't think I want to stay in Kho Phangan the whole time, I do want to be there for Full Moon, but I think I will go to Kho Tao or Kho Samui after. Thoughts?

Also, good Bangkok hotel recommendations - something around the $100 a night range?

Thanks!

Check the weather in the east and the west at weatherbase.com. The weather is usually better in the west in February.

Hey Ohdonnaoh,

Most of the fogies here will tell you not to waste your time at a Thai beach location, claiming that it could be any beach, anywhere in the world. They will tell you to spend more time in Bangkok.....yawn, yawn, yawn.
You have said that you want beach time.
February/March.....ideal Phi Phi time. We will be there from Feb 10th through 21st.
Loads of info, pics videos and now an interactive map of Phi Phi on our site at

http://www.leightravelclub.com/phiphiinfo.htm

Be great to meet up with you if you decide on Phi Phi.

Thanks!!! Will look into it - thou we would be arriving on Phi Phi on the 20th, so we might miss you... Is it your hotel or just a hotel that you stay at?

bkk hotels: majestic grande, courtyard--marriott, rembrandt, centre point silom and other cp locations, and many others... look at sites like (for reference): www.asiarooms.com www.aswadee.com www.agoda.com

Thanks! Will check it out. Sawadee is a great site, but personal recommendations are always best...