paigeTN

Right again Gloria! I checked for flights after my last post and discovered that it was about 14hrs to HK or Tokyo. We'll just fly non-stop to BKK then. The Fodorites are 1000 times better than a decent travel agent...and we don't even have one (.

paigeTN

Never know how these emoticons would turn out. That was supposed to be my sad face.

Guenmai

I'll have to look at my ticket to Bangkok now. I bought a ticket from L.A. to Bangkok on Thai Air four months ago for BK this coming December and just assumed that I would be stopping in Osaka. No one at Thai Air said whether the plane was non-stop or not.It's good to know this. Do you know what time the non-stop planes arrive into BK from L.A.? Since it's non-stop then it'll probably arrive earlier in the evening which would be great. Then I'd get more time in my hotel room that I've paid for as of check-in time at 2PM. Happy Travels!

rkkwan

Guenmai -

From Thaiairways.com, Mon/Thurs/Sat will be the new non-stop, leaving LAX at 22:30, arriving 7:01 two days later.

Tues/Wed/Fri/Sun will continue to be the Kansai one-stop, leaving 12:05, arriving 22:55 next day.

The new non-stop flight seems to be starting Nov 7. And the one-stop seems to be downgrading to a 346 from a 744 at the end of the year.

glorialf

Guen -- the non-stop flight from LA was just announced beginning in November and it is only a few days a week (3 I think). There will still be some flights that make a stop. You should call Thai and find out what you're on and perhaps see if you can switch to the non-stop.

Guenmai

Thanks folks. I'll have to look at the ticket. I don't remember what day of the week I'm leaving on that trip. Happy Travels!

travelbunny

..just a quick comment- if you wish to spend anytime at a beach resort, Christmas time is absolute high season with top rates. Do not expect to save any money as these weeks tend to be the most costly. In addition many places book up early so if interested reserve now.

simpsonc510

We spent a few holiday seasons at both Mom Tri's Boat House and Villa Royale on Phuket and know that prices at that time of the year are at their very highest. We also paid premium for New Years Eve when you are automatically charged for the Gala dinner (which we did attend and it was very nice). It is absolutely necessary to make any reservations NOW or the chances of getting what you want are NIL.

We wanted to be on Phuket last Dec/Jan. Many of our friends knew that, and we had soooooo many emails and phone calls making sure we were safe. We did not get to go to Phuket, as there just wasn't enough time to make the trip then. But I'm very anxious to get back to Phuket next month to see for myself how the recovery is/has been going.

Carol

paigeTN

We wanted to go before Xmas but doesn't look like we'll be able to. Are accommodations cheaper and easier to get after 12/25? Same with airfare?

JamesA

From Dec 20 to around 4th - 10th Jan is absolute peak and rates are the highest of the year, be prepared for 'compulsory' New year's Eve Party at almost all hotels, they add on a lot, but having said that the good resorts do put on a good party, it's a nuisance and it annoys many but do watch for how much that is!

Flights within Thailand from Friday 23rd Dec all through until 3rd/4th will be very heavily booked so if you plan on BKK-Phuket although there are budget carriers I would suggest book with Thai and get firm seats 'now'.

mrwunrfl

The LAX->BKK non-stop is scheduled at 17hrs 31min. The BKK->LAX flight is 14 hrs 40 min, arriving at LAX at 8:10 PM, twenty minutes before it left BKK.

paigeTN

My husband and I are planning our 2nd visit to Thailand either late Nov/early Dec, or after 12/27. I understand that this time period has good weather for Bangkok, cool for Chiang Mai, and rainy for Samui. But does it rain a lot during this time? Should we not go there at all and go to Phuket instead. We just love Samui with our little bungalow facing the ocean!

Thanks so much, Thailand experts!

glorialf

Can't speak about southern thailand but the weather in Bangkok and Chiang Mai will be as close to perfect as it gets in thailand. And you will have no rain there at all.

tdldtiwivee

Hi guys! I'm new here. I've been on line for hours trying to find a non stop from Bangkok to Los Angeles or Las Vegas. The closest thing I can find is the Thai flight that goes through Osaka (which we have done before) and the Air China flight which stops in Taipei. Is there one from BKK to LAX a real non stop? If so what airline?
Thanks, -V-

rkkwan

There is no BKK-LAX non-stop. The only plane that can do that right now is the 340-500. Thai has two of those, but is running JKF-BKK.

tdldtiwivee

Thanks for the info. It has saved me hours of research.