beshug

We are going to Thailand for 2 wks over xmas break and have no idea on where to go! Anyone have an itinerary for 2 wks? We like to stay away from the crowds if possible. Should we book our rms in advance? Suggestions welcomed. Thanks!!!

Kathie

Christmas is the high season. You'll definitely want to book both rooms and flights well in advance. The prices will be the highest of the year.

It's hard to make recommendations to you with no idea of your interests or your budget.

A typical first trip to Thailand includes some time in Bangkok, some time in northern Thailand, and some time at a beach location.

You might buy a good guidebook and see what interets you. Also take alook at some of the many trip reports here.

simpsonc510

Finding a place that is not crowded at that time of year will be difficult. It is the best of the best, as far as weather. Hotels/resorts are priced at their highest... as already noted.

Let us know some of your likes and expectations and maybe we can suggest some places to stay. You DO need to book ahead!!

Carol

rhkkmk

people come from all over asia to thailand during this holiday period, so nail down some hotels now....and as kathie has said the prices are the hightest of the year....some hotels even have mandatory meals at the hotel on dec 24 and dec 31....and they are very expensive...

Gpanda

If you're coming from North America, 2 weeks is really 12 days on the ground. A very good split is BKK-3 days, CM-4 days, Phuket/Krabi-4 days, BKK-1 day. There is a daily CM-Phuket direct flight at 11:00 a.m.. This split gives a good overview of 3 very different locales. As noted above, we can give more detailed advice if you give a budget range. Kathie is exactly correct. You will need to book hotels and internal flights early.

simpsonc510

People from Europe also flock to Phuket during this time period. I've been on Kata/Kata Noi Beach twice during the New Year holiday time period and saw lots of Germans, Brits, Scandinavians, etc. It gets very busy!! Start looking now, beshug!

Check out the Kata Thani Resort on Kata Noi Beach. It will be a little less crowded than some areas. You may still be able to get accomodations here. I'd suggest a junior suite.

wolfmisc

Christmas is on the Thai map since several years already. And so is New Year. So better book everything during the next 2 months!
If you want to get away from the beaten path, try the Northeast. Khorat (Khmer ruins nearby) and Khon Kaen are not bad. The Sofitel in Khon Kaen is well worth the price. Both cities can easily reached by coach or plane from Bangkok.
For still not so overcrowded beaches go to the islands next to Trang/Kantang. Koh Kradan is fantastic and Koh Muk also good. For information look at kohkradan.com, kradanisland.com or south.sawadee.com/trang/hotels.html and for flights nokair.com. For accommodation in Trang town the Thumrin Thana is ok.
Another good idea (not far from the place where I am living) is Sam Roi Yod National Park, just 30 minutes by cab from Huahin. Several nice beach hotels there. I prefer the Dolphin Bay Resort, but there are others too.