Thailand Itinerary - pls comment, suggest, etc.
 

Late-September - early October visit. First time to Thailand. Trying to give ourselves time to add/change/delete activities and events. Do not want to be rushed. Pls let us know what you think of this itinerary. Thanks!!!!!

Day 1: Arrive Bangkok noon-ish: Montiem River Hotel or Royal River or Menam Riverside - rest for the afternoon

Day 2,3,4: Bangkok - Grand Palace, visit 1 or two wats (Wat Arun, Wat Phra Kaeo, Wat Po), Thai-boxing, Calypso show, maybe a massage at Wat Po or other place, a special dinner or two, maybe a bike ride to see klongs in un-tourist areas, check the local newspaper for current events)

Day 5: Day trip to Ayutthaya from Bangkok

Day 6: Flight to Chiang Mai – stay at Baam Opium or similar – remainder of the day to get the lay of the land

Day 7,8,9: Chiang Mai - Young Elephant Training Center, visit to Doi Suthep, hilltribe visit with river ride on bamboo raft, Night Bazaar, Thai massage

Day 10: Flight or drive to Chiang Rai; remainder of day to get the lay of the land

Day 11,12,13: Chiang Rai - not sure where staying yet; some Thai-flavor place -
vist Golden Triangle area, hilltribe visit, Thai massage, relaxing time before return flight home)

Day 14: Mid-late afternoon flight back to Bangkok; hotel near airport (flight back to USA is 11:00 a.m. on day 15)

In general I think it's good. You may want to take a day out of Chiang mai or chiang rai and add it to bangkok. One question-- do you plan on having clothes made? if so you might consider dividing your time in bangkok -- a few days at the beginning and a few days at the end.

Your first day you will be jet lagged and it will be hot. You won't be able to do the Grand Palace/Temple of the Emerald Buddha and other temples. I'd do the grand palace in the morning and then spend the afternoon doing something a bit cooler like Jim Thompson House.

Definitely take a klong trip and go to Wat Arun during it.

Unless you're very into temple archeology with your limited time I think there are other places in bangkok you might go rather than Ayutthya. Don't get me wrong -- I like the place a lot but you have limited time and will be going during the rainy season so there might be better options.

To maximize your time take early flights to both CM and CR.

In Chiang Mai you should definitely visit some of the craft workshops/ You also might consider a cooking class.

In chiang Rai-- don't miss the Queen Mother's garden. It is spectacular.

More later.

Thank you for your comments. Early am flights to maximize time is a great suggestion. Also, yes, we thought we could always cut down on the time in Chaing Mai or Rai by a day, and spend an additional day seeing some others things in Bangkok. We don't plan on having clothes made. The Queen Mother's Garden...great idea...different from other things. Thanks!!!

What's your hotel budget? There may be better options for you in bangkok and we can suggest places for northern thailand.

I agree with gloria about Ayutthaya, especially if you plan on doing one of the boat tours from BKK. You will see almost nothing in Ayutthaya. We did it, after having gone to Ayutthaya for a few days on our own a few years before, and the boat trip was a waste of time. Spend the time in BKK.

Glorialf,
We are trying to keep hotels in the $50-$75 range. We expect Bangkok to cost at the upper end of the range; and the northern area in the lesser. Yes, hotel recommendations are very welcome! We would like to have a river view in Bangkok 'cuz it's our first trip to Thailand. In the northern area, Thai-style recommendations would be appreciated.

Also, do you recommend staying in Chiang Rai or the Golden Triangle?

Thanks for the comments, Glorialf and Laurieco, about Ayutthaya. May reconsider that option...

Thanks!!!

See other posts here on Ibrik (www.ibrikresort.com) about US$80 but contemporary Thai style "on the river" (or their other newer location "in the city"). Enjoy planning your trip!