I've been trying to get my ducks in order before I wrote...I think I'm ready to ask about our trip itinerary now. My husband and I are traveling there Dec. 29 -Jan. 11 (I know- it's the peak season, but it's my Christmas break and that was the best time to go)Here's what I have so far:

Fly from Detroit to Bangkok 12/29 arrive 12/30.
4 days in Bangkok- 2 days in city, 1 day at the floating market and Tiger temple, 1 day at Ayutthaya. Stay at the Old Bangkok Inn in the Lemongrass Room.
Flight to Siem Reap. 1/3/08 spend 3 days visiting Angkor Wat and Tonle Sap Lake. Stay at Bopha Angkor Hotel.
Flight from Siem Reap to Phuket. 1/6/08. Transfer to Khao Lak,stay at the Similana resort for 4 days. We plan to scuba dive while we are there, but have not decided whether to just take day trips or do a liveaboard.
Flight to Bangkok the evening of 1/10/08. Stay at hotel near airport before 8:15 flight home on 1/11/08.

I have a couple of questions:

1. Have we alotted enough time in Siem Reap, or should we stay 4 days?
2. Has anyone stayed in Khao Lak, and if so are you familiar with the Similana?
3. Any recommendations for a cheaper hotel near the airport?

We're still tweaking the itinerary, but this is the basic plan for right now. We found cheap flights between Siem Reap-Phuket-Bangkok on Air Asia, but have not booked yet.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

You have enough time in SR for a quick view.

I would not do two out of town trips while in BKK. It is a magical city. The Grand Palace is not to be missed. Riding the river ferry is wonderful. Just wandering can be amazing. The FM and A are good if you have lots of time, but yours is short.

The only flights between Siem Reap and Bangkok are on Bangkok Air. Air Asia flies to PP. Bangkok Air has a flight from Siem Reap to Phuket that counts as only one leg, I understand. So check out teh Discovery pass on bangkok Air.

Overall, it's a good schedule. Three full days in SIem Reap will give you a chance to see the majot temples.

The one thing I'd re-think is your time in Bangkok. You only have 4 days and you are spending two of them outside the city. Since you are going to Angkor, I'd skip Ayutthaya, as it pales in comparison.

Sounds like a great trip!

Thanks for your input. My biggest obstacle to Bangkok is my husband's lack of interest. He's really focused on Angkor Wat and diving. So I am trying to come up with a compromise!

Thanks, Kathie! I'll seriously consider losing Ayutthaya.

So, what would you consider the "Not-miss" sights in Bangkok? And would you do them on your own or hire a guide?

i too would skip ayut....angkor wat is far superior in every way...

contact tong to take you to the FM and see if you can also go to the "secret place" on the way back to bkk...

are you flying on N/W? if so ask for seating in row 63 or 64, the only two seaters on the plane...

on your last nite i would stay in the city in bkk...far cheaper and that way you can have a nice dinner and some last minute shopping...

Thanks rhkkmk...I'm thinking I'll definitely skip Ayutthaya.
How does one get a hold of Tong? I've seen his name on here before...
Also, would you hire a guide for all 3 days at Angkor Wat, or just part of the time, and if so, who? I know Ponheary is very popular, but have no idea how to get a hold of him either.

Oh, I forgot to mention...I don't think we're going to fly NWA. Their flight to Bangkok is running $1550 right now. American Airlines has a flight for $945. I would rather fly Northwest, since both my husband and I are frequent fliers through them, but that's too big a price difference for me.

I knew Bangkok Air was the only way to get to Siem Reap, but Air Asia has a sale right now that you can get from Siem Reap to Phuket to Bangkok for about $140 for 2 people! Can't beat that...

Oh how I wish you had time for Chiang Mai. It is such a wonderful place. But you will love Bangkok!

I wish we were going there too. I guess I'm hoping my husband will be charmed enough by the place that we can plan a return trip!

Heymo, Is Air Asia now flying from Siem Reap to Phuket? If so, that is new.

Must sees in Bangkok depend on your interests, but for sure I'd say The Grand Palace/Emerald Buddha, Wat Po (Reclining Buddha), Jim Thompson House, the Prasart Museum (if youa re interested in SE Asia arts and antiques), riding the public water taxis, perhaps a klong tour, perhaps some shopping...

I'm a do it myself kind of person, so I don't hire a guide or even a driver in Bangkok.

While in Siem Reap, keep in mind that a trip to the Tonle Sap could use up a whole day so you may end up with only two days at the temples. Something to keep in mind. It was a good 45 minute drive to the edge of the lake for the boat trip that I took, several hours out, then the 45 minutes back so it can be a pretty full day just for that- and WELL worth it!

I just looked on the Air Asia website...Siem Reap to KL, then KL to Phuket. I didn't check the connection time, but given that Air Asia doesn't sell it as a connecting flight, I would not chance and would go with Bangkok Air's direct flight instead.

See...so are we for the most part. But when we went to Egypt last fall we ended up going on a private tour, and there is something to be said for going around with someone who knows where to go and what to see. I usually like to wander off the beaten path and see the non-touristy type things. I know I want to see the Grand Palace/Emerald Buddha and Wat Po and definitely want to ride the water ferries!

As far as Air Asia flying to Phuket the answer is yes, and no. We are flying from Siem Reap to Kuala Lumpur ($20 each) then to Phuket from Kuala Lumpur. ($30 each)The flight from Phuket to Bangkok is $20 each as well! I tried checking the price on Bangkok Air from Bangkok-Siem Reap Phuket-Bangkok and got almost $1000 for the flights. Better to take advantage of the sale while we can!

The flight from Siem Reap to Kuala Lumpur gets in at 12:40, and the flight from Kuala Lumpur to Phuket is at 3:20. I think there's enough time...unless you know something I don't about the airport!

Just realize that if for some reason you don't make the connection time, Air Asia will not do anything for you....even if you are connecting from another Air Asia flight....it is not like a 'regular' airline in this way.

Did you check out the Bangkok Air Discovery Pass? The price for the 3 legs= BKK-SR $90, SR-Phuket $90 and Phuket-BKK $50, plus tax

http://www.bangkokair.com/discoveryairpass/?id=2

Thanks...I'll check it out. As an alternative, I guess we could always stay over night in Kuala Lumpur!

You better recheck the flight schedule from Siem Reap/Kuala Lumpur/Phuket I read it as leaving SR at 11.35, arriving KL at 2.40. Not enough time to connect with the 3.20 to Phuket. So a overnight stay is required.

I assume you are flying Bangkok Air To SR from Bangkok and not going through KL with Air Asia. If that is the case then a discovery pass would be just a few dollars more. BK/SR/Phuket/BK would cost around $281 including taxes (but not the airport tax). Going with Bangkok Air to SR and then Air Asia the rest of the way would be about $246 (176+70) plus a hotel in KL for 1 night.

I would opt for the pass

Thanks Scotters- when I went back this afternoon I saw the schedule change. Guess I might have to go for the Discovery Pass. Have you used one before?

Also, I went to Tong's website, and it's in some language I didn't recognize. Almost like Spanish and Latin combined. How can you change it to English? And how far in advance did anyone book her? (Sorry-I called her him earlier!)

american will be fine i am sure...i think they partner with japan which is even better...

[email protected]
this is tong's address....

we had a guide for the entire time in SR, but some prefer not to...to me you would waste too much time figuring things out and trying to tell the driver where to take you next to not have one and they are sooooo cheap...

either ponjeavy or her brother dara are the fodor favorites...