“- is Nov too close to rainy season - would 2 weeks early December be better or is it a wash?”
The change from Southwest to Northeast monsoon is at the beginning of November – a little bit earlier in te North but the change – which is often very sudden can happen give or take a week or so,….. so you could end up with wet weater especially in the Andaman if it’s late. Koh Samui has a second wet season from September to the end of December.
“- proposed itinerary (we will take local tours with small groups or private guides for a least 1 day or 1/2 day at each stop)” – best to book from hotel or at least in Bangkok or CM when you get there.
“looking to rent a car although we drive on the other side of the road it shouldn't be that difficult to switch to the left” – switching to the left is the least of your problems – in fact if you are worried about that, you might want to re-think. Thailand is fine for competent drivers – the likelihood of being killed in a crash is actually less than in the US’s average…but you need to read up on the driving code and behaviours – if they constantly surprise you, perhaps you shouldn’t drive.
“fly to Phuket 4/5 nights - stay in a high rated beachfront hotel maybe Patong or Karon or kata areas” - The later you leave Phuket, the more likely the weather will be rain free.
You need at least 4 days including flights to do Angkor Wat justice
If weather is a key issue for you then I would definitely opt for December. Hotel rates will be higher but the weather will be better and more predictable.
Not sure from your comments whether you are planning on Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai or one or the other. Both have their pros and cons but on balance, I think I prefer Chiang Rai which has less of a big city feel about it. If you rent a car, it will clearly provide you with many more opportunities to get out and about ( and there is a lot to see from both cities). Driving is not especially challenging. Traffic is generally light compare with many countries and driving on the "wrong" side of the road should not present too many challenges for experienced drivers. That said, driving standards are not great as evidenced by the RTA fatalities which are roughly twice that of the USA (as per WHO stats). Drive defensively and expect the unexpected.
I haven't visited Phuket in quite a few years and frankly, the only reason I would entertain going there, would be a great deal in a luxury hotel. I would avoid Patong like the plague, it was the party capital of the island year ago and I doubt much has changed. Ion't know about Karon or Kata, but Phuket is just not my sort of place. https://www.travelfish.org/location/.../phuket/phuket has some pretty good info on the various locations.
If not set on a beach location then there are some very , very nice hotels in Siem Reap these days where you could spend one of those 4/5 day segments and use that as R&R with one or two days spent visiting the key sites of the Angkor Complex couple.
Can't really help with your flight questions as I am mainly UK based, except to say the IME not all premium economy services are equal. Some are much better than others and included much more, sometimes even long access which can be invaluable on extra long flights with connections.
Not sure from your comments whether you are planning on Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai or one or the other. Both have their pros and cons but on balance, I think I prefer Chiang Rai which has less of a big city feel about it. If you rent a car, it will clearly provide you with many more opportunities to get out and about ( and there is a lot to see from both cities). Driving is not especially challenging. Traffic is generally light compare with many countries and driving on the "wrong" side of the road should not present too many challenges for experienced drivers. That said, driving standards are not great as evidenced by the RTA fatalities which are roughly twice that of the USA (as per WHO stats). Drive defensively and expect the unexpected.
I haven't visited Phuket in quite a few years and frankly, the only reason I would entertain going there, would be a great deal in a luxury hotel. I would avoid Patong like the plague, it was the party capital of the island year ago and I doubt much has changed. Ion't know about Karon or Kata, but Phuket is just not my sort of place. https://www.travelfish.org/location/.../phuket/phuket has some pretty good info on the various locations.
If not set on a beach location then there are some very , very nice hotels in Siem Reap these days where you could spend one of those 4/5 day segments and use that as R&R with one or two days spent visiting the key sites of the Angkor Complex couple.
Can't really help with your flight questions as I am mainly UK based, except to say the IME not all premium economy services are equal. Some are much better than others and included much more, sometimes even long access which can be invaluable on extra long flights with connections.
" That said, driving standards are not great as evidenced by the RTA fatalities which are roughly twice that of the USA (as per WHO stats). Drive defensively and expect the unexpected." - this is a misinterpretation of one aspect of road safety in Thailand.Firstly it only looks and deaths per 100 thousand - there are many other criteria and statistics for guaging "road safety"
One thing you need to bear in mind is that looking at deaths 80% are riders and passengers on 2-wheeled vehicles. - (50% of all vehicle on the road in Thailand are motorcycles.)
Statistically if you are in a 4-wheeled vehicle in Thailand you are LESS likely to die than the average for the US. Mind you, compared to Europe, the US has pretty dangerous roads....
One thing you need to bear in mind is that looking at deaths 80% are riders and passengers on 2-wheeled vehicles. - (50% of all vehicle on the road in Thailand are motorcycles.)
Statistically if you are in a 4-wheeled vehicle in Thailand you are LESS likely to die than the average for the US. Mind you, compared to Europe, the US has pretty dangerous roads....
Quote:
One thing you need to bear in mind is that looking at deaths 80% are riders and passengers on 2-wheeled vehicles. - (50% of all vehicle on the road in Thailand are motorcycles.)
Statistically if you are in a 4-wheeled vehicle in Thailand you are LESS likely to die than the average for the US. Mind you, compared to Europe, the US has pretty dangerous roads....
Thanks for clarifying that. Nighttime driving is also more dangerous than daytime. I have rented a car in many countries but very rarely have I driven at night.Originally Posted by khunwilko
" That said, driving standards are not great as evidenced by the RTA fatalities which are roughly twice that of the USA (as per WHO stats). Drive defensively and expect the unexpected." - this is a misinterpretation of one aspect of road safety in Thailand.Firstly it only looks and deaths per 100 thousand - there are many other criteria and statistics for guaging "road safety"One thing you need to bear in mind is that looking at deaths 80% are riders and passengers on 2-wheeled vehicles. - (50% of all vehicle on the road in Thailand are motorcycles.)
Statistically if you are in a 4-wheeled vehicle in Thailand you are LESS likely to die than the average for the US. Mind you, compared to Europe, the US has pretty dangerous roads....
Quote:
I've driven extensively in Thailand for over 25 years, and I avoid night-time driving as much as possible. Largely because at night is when a lot of commercial traffic hits the road, and the road markings and signs are particularly poor at night.Originally Posted by shelemm
Thanks for clarifying that. Nighttime driving is also more dangerous than daytime. I have rented a car in many countries but very rarely have I driven at night.
When touring, I seldom book a place to stay, as that can mean rushing to get to a place before you lose your reservation or having to drive at night.
What I normally do is pull over in the late afternoon and check Google Maps for nearby places to stay, and that is where I stay that night.
When we fly international business we do not mind the longer flights as we seem to get more sleep. It depends on the time of departure. We both got over 6 hours of sleep in November flying ANA SFO-HND a few months ago because our flight left at midnight. Would not have done so well if the flight left during the day. Flew 14 hours UA CHC to SFO in December with departure in the afternoon and it was pretty decent. If it were me I would base my flying decision on cost and timing and airlines. Would have no problem flying SN EWR to SIN-BKK or ANA EWR-TYO-BKK or some such itinerary. Turkish via IST would also be ok. Would not mind spending a night or two in Tokyo or Istanbul or Singapore etc but not at the expense of time in Thailand.
Quote:
any feedback on this flight or premium economy class on Singapore Airlines?
I've flown Singapore Air regularly since the late 1990s and as for Premium Economy, it's very good. I started flying it when Singapore Air first added it although other airlines already had it. I think it was in 2015 when I first flew that class on Singapore Air. Originally Posted by fodorsuser71829
another alternative is to fly Singapore airlines EWR/JFK to SIN? I know its 19 hours nonstop but if you stay in Singapore 3 or 4 days its only 1 hr to Kuala Lumpur or 2.5 hours to bkk or 3 hours to Vietnam.any feedback on this flight or premium economy class on Singapore Airlines?
I bought a Premium Economy Class ticket, from LAX to Singapore, for Dec 2015-Feb 2016 (?), but when it was time for me to leave in December the planes hadn't been configured yet to add Premium Economy. Singapore Air contacted me by phone to let me know and after I bargained back and forth for a while, the agent said that he would put me in Business Class for $300 more than I had paid for my Premium Economy Class ticket. I jumped on it. Then, on my way home, I was in Premium Economy as the planes were ready by then as it was around 7 weeks later when I flew home.
As for my flight path, it's usually SQ 11, LAX to Singapore via Narita (Japan) with a little over an hour in Narita, enough time to go to my sushi place near the gate where Singapore Air lands and also takes off again. And then back on the plane for the same flight number and on to Singapore, about 7.5 hours, but at night and landing into Singapore around 1AM. Perfect. I then sleep at the Transit Hotel inside of Changi Airport and don't clear immigration nor collect my luggage. As for the Transit Hotel, one reserves a room usually in either a 3,6, or 12-hour blocks. I like the Transit Hotel and that area. There's even a swimming pool and a free movie theater.
When I check in at LAX, I have my luggage tagged to be sent through to Bangkok and I don't see it again until I arrive into Bangkok. And when I get to Bangkok, I go to the AOT counter and reserve and pay for a private car. Then, I go to the carousel to see if my luggage has arrived. When I exit, the AOT representative is there waiting for me and walks my luggage to the AOT car and off I go into Bangkok. Easy.
While in Singapore, if I don't stay at the Transit Hotel, I then go through immigration, pick up my luggage, and walk to the Crowne Plaza hotel which is directly connected to Changi Airport at Terminal 3 and where my Singapore Air flight lands. I don't even have to go outside.
When I arrive to my room, I fill out my breakfast card, hang it on the outside of my door, set my alarm clock, go to sleep for some hours, get up and eat breakfast in my room, and then self-check out of the hotel. I take my luggage and wander over to the Jewel section in Changi Airport since it's usually too early to check in luggage for my flight on to Bangkok, at the regular Singapore airline counter. I just have the folks at Jewel check it in as they have a baggage check in there and they take care of getting one's luggage to the correct airlines. I'm then free to enjoy Jewel.
After walking around Jewel and relaxing, I head back over to the main part of the airport, and I'm off to Bangkok. By the time I get to Bangkok, 2.5-hours flight, I'm really relaxed because I have slept, changed into fresh clothes, and also had a solid breakfast.
Changi Airport is my #1 airport. I've been flying to Singapore and Thailand regularly since the late 1990s. And on the way home, I'm on SQ 12, after spending a week or two in Singapore at the end of my 6-7 weeks in the region. Again around 7.5 hours to Tokyo-Narita and then less than 10 hours back home to LAX. It takes 12 flying to Narita, but less than 10 flying from Narita. And the flight lands into LAX at a decent time, right before noon.
As for non-stop flights to Bangkok, I tried that back around 2005 when Thai Air started flying 18-hour non-stops, for a while, but I just can't do them. I need a break, time to walk around and get some exercise, get a bite to eat, and then continue. I feel more rested that way when I finally arrive to Bangkok to start my day. I remember when Thai Air stopped those flights, years ago, as they said that they weren't cost effective. Now, they are connected with EVA Air's schedule and fly LAX-Taipei-Bangkok. I have also flown EVA via Taipei as once I took an EVA flight from LAX, I guess it was.
Now, Starlux seems to be giving EVA competition. It supposedly started up due to a family feud when the founder, father, of EVA passed away and one of the kids inherited EVA, but which didn't sit well with the others. So, he decided to just start his own airline, Starlux, but then the pandemic hit. But, he came out of that fog after the pandemic started winding down and the airline is still flying. As far as what I have noticed in airline prices, Starluxe has the most inexpensive Business Class from LAX-Taipei-Bangkok-Taipei-LAX.
Happy Travels!
Quote:
I bought a Premium Economy Class ticket, from LAX to Singapore, for Dec 2015-Feb 2016 (?), but when it was time for me to leave in December the planes hadn't been configured yet to add Premium Economy. Singapore Air contacted me by phone to let me know and after I bargained back and forth for a while, the agent said that he would put me in Business Class for $300 more than I had paid for my Premium Economy Class ticket. I jumped on it. Then, on my way home, I was in Premium Economy as the planes were ready by then as it was around 7 weeks later when I flew home.
As for my flight path, it's usually SQ 11, LAX to Singapore via Narita (Japan) with a little over an hour in Narita, enough time to go to my sushi place near the gate where Singapore Air lands and also takes off again. And then back on the plane for the same flight number and on to Singapore, about 7.5 hours, but at night and landing into Singapore around 1AM. Perfect. I then sleep at the Transit Hotel inside of Changi Airport and don't clear immigration nor collect my luggage. As for the Transit Hotel, one reserves a room usually in either a 3,6, or 12-hour blocks. I like the Transit Hotel and that area. There's even a swimming pool and a free movie theater.
When I check in at LAX, I have my luggage tagged to be sent through to Bangkok and I don't see it again until I arrive into Bangkok. And when I get to Bangkok, I go to the AOT counter and reserve and pay for a private car. Then, I go to the carousel to see if my luggage has arrived. When I exit, the AOT representative is there waiting for me and walks my luggage to the AOT car and off I go into Bangkok. Easy.
While in Singapore, if I don't stay at the Transit Hotel, I then go through immigration, pick up my luggage, and walk to the Crowne Plaza hotel which is directly connected to Changi Airport at Terminal 3 and where my Singapore Air flight lands. I don't even have to go outside.
When I arrive to my room, I fill out my breakfast card, hang it on the outside of my door, set my alarm clock, go to sleep for some hours, get up and eat breakfast in my room, and then self-check out of the hotel. I take my luggage and wander over to the Jewel section in Changi Airport since it's usually too early to check in luggage for my flight on to Bangkok, at the regular Singapore airline counter. I just have the folks at Jewel check it in as they have a baggage check in there and they take care of getting one's luggage to the correct airlines. I'm then free to enjoy Jewel.
After walking around Jewel and relaxing, I head back over to the main part of the airport, and I'm off to Bangkok. By the time I get to Bangkok, 2.5-hours flight, I'm really relaxed because I have slept, changed into fresh clothes, and also had a solid breakfast.
Changi Airport is my #1 airport. I've been flying to Singapore and Thailand regularly since the late 1990s. And on the way home, I'm on SQ 12, after spending a week or two in Singapore at the end of my 6-7 weeks in the region. Again around 7.5 hours to Tokyo-Narita and then less than 10 hours back home to LAX. It takes 12 flying to Narita, but less than 10 flying from Narita. And the flight lands into LAX at a decent time, right before noon.
As for non-stop flights to Bangkok, I tried that back around 2005 when Thai Air started flying 18-hour non-stops, for a while, but I just can't do them. I need a break, time to walk around and get some exercise, get a bite to eat, and then continue. I feel more rested that way when I finally arrive to Bangkok to start my day. I remember when Thai Air stopped those flights, years ago, as they said that they weren't cost effective. Now, they are connected with EVA Air's schedule and fly LAX-Taipei-Bangkok. I have also flown EVA via Taipei as once I took an EVA flight from LAX, I guess it was.
Now, Starlux seems to be giving EVA competition. It supposedly started up due to a family feud when the founder, father, of EVA passed away and one of the kids inherited EVA, but which didn't sit well with the others. So, he decided to just start his own airline, Starlux, but then the pandemic hit. But, he came out of that fog after the pandemic started winding down and the airline is still flying. As far as what I have noticed in airline prices, Starluxe has the most inexpensive Business Class from LAX-Taipei-Bangkok-Taipei-LAX.
Happy Travels!
I don't know why my readable paragraphs disappeared after posting and posted in such a jumbled up way. Oh, well. Originally Posted by Guenmai
I've flown Singapore Air regularly since the late 1990s and as for Premium Economy, it's very good. I started flying it when Singapore Air first added it although other airlines already had it. I think it was in 2015 when I first flew that class on Singapore Air.I bought a Premium Economy Class ticket, from LAX to Singapore, for Dec 2015-Feb 2016 (?), but when it was time for me to leave in December the planes hadn't been configured yet to add Premium Economy. Singapore Air contacted me by phone to let me know and after I bargained back and forth for a while, the agent said that he would put me in Business Class for $300 more than I had paid for my Premium Economy Class ticket. I jumped on it. Then, on my way home, I was in Premium Economy as the planes were ready by then as it was around 7 weeks later when I flew home.
As for my flight path, it's usually SQ 11, LAX to Singapore via Narita (Japan) with a little over an hour in Narita, enough time to go to my sushi place near the gate where Singapore Air lands and also takes off again. And then back on the plane for the same flight number and on to Singapore, about 7.5 hours, but at night and landing into Singapore around 1AM. Perfect. I then sleep at the Transit Hotel inside of Changi Airport and don't clear immigration nor collect my luggage. As for the Transit Hotel, one reserves a room usually in either a 3,6, or 12-hour blocks. I like the Transit Hotel and that area. There's even a swimming pool and a free movie theater.
When I check in at LAX, I have my luggage tagged to be sent through to Bangkok and I don't see it again until I arrive into Bangkok. And when I get to Bangkok, I go to the AOT counter and reserve and pay for a private car. Then, I go to the carousel to see if my luggage has arrived. When I exit, the AOT representative is there waiting for me and walks my luggage to the AOT car and off I go into Bangkok. Easy.
While in Singapore, if I don't stay at the Transit Hotel, I then go through immigration, pick up my luggage, and walk to the Crowne Plaza hotel which is directly connected to Changi Airport at Terminal 3 and where my Singapore Air flight lands. I don't even have to go outside.
When I arrive to my room, I fill out my breakfast card, hang it on the outside of my door, set my alarm clock, go to sleep for some hours, get up and eat breakfast in my room, and then self-check out of the hotel. I take my luggage and wander over to the Jewel section in Changi Airport since it's usually too early to check in luggage for my flight on to Bangkok, at the regular Singapore airline counter. I just have the folks at Jewel check it in as they have a baggage check in there and they take care of getting one's luggage to the correct airlines. I'm then free to enjoy Jewel.
After walking around Jewel and relaxing, I head back over to the main part of the airport, and I'm off to Bangkok. By the time I get to Bangkok, 2.5-hours flight, I'm really relaxed because I have slept, changed into fresh clothes, and also had a solid breakfast.
Changi Airport is my #1 airport. I've been flying to Singapore and Thailand regularly since the late 1990s. And on the way home, I'm on SQ 12, after spending a week or two in Singapore at the end of my 6-7 weeks in the region. Again around 7.5 hours to Tokyo-Narita and then less than 10 hours back home to LAX. It takes 12 flying to Narita, but less than 10 flying from Narita. And the flight lands into LAX at a decent time, right before noon.
As for non-stop flights to Bangkok, I tried that back around 2005 when Thai Air started flying 18-hour non-stops, for a while, but I just can't do them. I need a break, time to walk around and get some exercise, get a bite to eat, and then continue. I feel more rested that way when I finally arrive to Bangkok to start my day. I remember when Thai Air stopped those flights, years ago, as they said that they weren't cost effective. Now, they are connected with EVA Air's schedule and fly LAX-Taipei-Bangkok. I have also flown EVA via Taipei as once I took an EVA flight from LAX, I guess it was.
Now, Starlux seems to be giving EVA competition. It supposedly started up due to a family feud when the founder, father, of EVA passed away and one of the kids inherited EVA, but which didn't sit well with the others. So, he decided to just start his own airline, Starlux, but then the pandemic hit. But, he came out of that fog after the pandemic started winding down and the airline is still flying. As far as what I have noticed in airline prices, Starluxe has the most inexpensive Business Class from LAX-Taipei-Bangkok-Taipei-LAX.
Happy Travels!
Happy Travels!
