Thailand Combo

[kyshel]

Hello, Community. I know many of you have been to Thailand--some quite recently.

I'd like some advice about combining a 5 night Thailand trip (Phuket) with another stop for 2-3 nights on the way back home. Our plan is to fly into either Seoul ICN or Tokyo NRT from Atlanta. Preferred airlines for our purposes are Korean, Thai, Singapore, SilkAir and Garuda but we can work around others as necessary for connections.

I'll take any ideas and work from there. Since we aren't exactly going to enjoy much culture in Phuket, maybe we should go to Chiang Mai? I haven't been to the library yet, but you guys are nearly as informative.

Thanks for the help!

[mary-j]

As far as the airlines are concerned, I flew with Thai Airways and they were excellent in my opinion. Sorry, butI can't comment on the other airlines as never used them. We did Bangkok with Phuket so you if you are looking for culture then Bangkok would be as good as anywhere.

[kyshel]

Thanks Mary--we're looking at connecting thru Seoul w/Korean w/miles (confirmed seats!!) or buying standby Thai or JAL thru Tokyo, great. My husband has 17 days off, but we can only use a max of 13 (NFL starts,re-training, etc--all the things that disrupt my travel time!)

Here's the dilemma:
We can either do "quickie"--connect each end one night+travel time, 2 nights Bangkok, 5 nights Hua Hin (3 hrs south of BKK) That's total 11 days. I'm afraid that's really pushing it.

OR take 2 more days and go to Chiang Mai? Has anyone been? Is it worth visiting? Are we attempting too much at once?

What did you do while in Bangkok for your whirlwind trip? Was it tight? Did you like the location of the Royal Orchid? We're looking at Sofitel (they give us a huge discount) Sukhumvit or Chateau de Bkk at the Metropolitan. Just trying to get a grip on this trip.

Everyone is invited to add your cents or pence or bahts (or not). All advice is appreciated, y'all!

Message Edited by kyshel on 08-18-2007 08:17 AM

[cruisinred]

Hi Kyshel-



Sounds like you have a good start on a great trip!

From what I read, you have 12-13 days...minus travel days that is about 10 days on the ground.

If you have days planned for Phuket, that is another 5 days for another place (or 2) I estimate.

Bangkok is a wonderful, dynamic city with lots of intersting sights (temples, palaces, markets, etc) as well as some world class hotels, shopping and restaurants....all significantly cheaper than Hong Kong I might add.

Instead of Chiang Mai, I would recommend spending 2-3 days in Siem Reap, Cambodia to see the ruins or Angkor Wat if you are at all intersted in ancient ruins, history/culture, etc. There is an airline called Bangkok Air that offers a great deal on their "discovery pass", which offers very reduced rates on 3 or more flight legs. For example, they fly from HK to Angkor Wat (direct) and from their onto Phuket and fromPhuket to Bangkok.I always like to have my beach/veg time at the end of a trip.



Please let me know if I can offer some more precise suggestions on your itinerary. I love travelling in South East Asia and I'm sure you will too!

[kyshel]

Red--I knew you'd have some answers for me-thanks a bunch! Looks like it will first Nov instead of Sept (yeah, I've been trying to squeeze it in very last-minute and, yes, I'm crazy!) I haven't figured out the average temps/rain tho, since I get conflicting info for Hua Hin and BKK and they're only 200 mles apart)
I'm working on re-designing part of the trip. We have 5 days LL pkg in Hua Hin and have to drop Chiang Mai anyway. I was wondering about going to Angkor Wat--maybe another trip? My guess is we'll HAVE to come back....poor babies!! Then, there's Bali, too. SO many places...

So far, the most difficult part is timng the flight connection to fit Delta, Skymiles and partner airlines! ARGHHHHH The schedules for BKK back to NE Asia are red-eyes, so that messes up connections like nobody's business.
Any recommendations for hotel location in Bangkok? Does it really matter much? Do you have any particular tour company/guide to recommend?
As always--any insight is appreciated.

[kyshel]

Cruisinred or anyone else who has answers!!
I'm trying to decide where to stay in Bangkok. I can't seem to quite figure out the areas like NY where chelsea melts into midtown melts into theatre into central park etc.
I have no clue--even with my eyewitness guide!
So, I have deep discounted Accor hotels:
Sofitel Centara Grand, Chatachak Market
Sofitel Grand Sukhumvit and Asoke Residence are bustling areas?
There's a Regency Park Mercure for less than I expected to pay for one night (I guess it's a bid dated but it's a boutique type property)
Do either Lumpini or Siam Square have any importance for good location?
We'll stay 2-3 in BKK, take train to Hua Hin (hope that's a good choice!) for 5 night LL auction spa villa and stay over a last night before heading back to either ICN or NRT.
Does it really matter where--we love walking a neighborhood and we're not big shoppers (carry-on bags, only)
After seeing 2 library videos on Thaniland, we know we have to come back to see more. One trip at a time...
Thanks again!

[cruisinred]

Hi Kyshel-



In my opinion, the river is the place to be in Bangkok. Are you comitted to the sofitel options? If not, I would highly recommend a place on the river such as the Peninsula or the Mandarin Oriental (pricey, but both amazing hotels). The Marriott Riverside is also lovely, but less expensive. These hotels have boat shuttles to transfer one to the skytrain (like a monorail) station. I wouldn't really categorize Bangkok as a walking city...lots of traffic....so its best to take the sky train to zip around above it all.



I'm sure you've come across the following info but the main sites in Bangkok are the Grand Palace, the Wat Po temple and the Jim Thompson house. All 3 places can be visited in a single day, but best to get an early start and then relax by the hotel pool in the heat of the afternoon.

Nov. should be a fine time weater wise, so I wouldn't worry about that. Not sure about the train to Hua Hin...I didn't know that was an option. But it shouldn't be a terribly long trip and sounds like a fun way to travel.

[kyshel]

Thanks Red! I didn't realize the "street" wasn't the place to be--gotta spend the day at the pool reading all I've missed. Bangkok is so complex!
The Accor hotels are pricing 50-75% off rack rates, so $35-$100 for exec suites/kings w/BF and taxes included, so that's pretty attractive. I don't think I can beat that. I think we have a Marriott special, so I'll look into that, too.
I suppose we'll spend a full day outside of the city--maybe River Kwai area (must ride elephants!!!) as well as the military/historical interest.
The train was just a recent find thru NYTimes article. Apparently, the Sofitel Hua Hin has been totally restored (old railway station) sftyer having been used for a set for the film, "Killing Fields". So, the train is an option for lots of reasons--fun and scenic, etc.
Thanks again for the prompt reply.

[kyshel]

HellO Red--I took your advice about the sky train and worrying about the hotel location and made a decision. (With so many options, for me, that can be a major task!)
So, I went with...are you ready?? ....
FREE!!
I remembered something about Radisson hotels and Goldpoints and VOILA'--15 k/night, not-the-best but acceptable location [with transport galore]. I had enough points for the return stay after Hua Hin trip--ergo--4 nights for steal! I would not have chosen Radisson in the States--they have a much better rep overseas, tho. Since our main objective will be sightseeing, the location wasn't an issue.
I am so tickled--dropped $500+ off the trip budget!
I'm glad you mentioned the Marriott--not as good as free, but it looks really nice and would definitely consider it another time.

Do you just find a good travel agency to book tours? I'm not always crazy about how hotels price their packages. Any advice?

Thanks again!
PS--this is the edit part:
I can't believe I didn't see that I omitted the "o" in hello--that must have been a shock to a few people--my typo apologies! Unfortunately, I made same mistake sending email to a buyer once--but the content made it extremely funny--Good thing he had a great sense of humour!

Message Edited by kyshel on 08-27-2007 01:39 PM

[cruisinred]

Hi Kyshel-



Its hard to beat free....I'm sure the hotel will be great location from which to explore the city.

Can't wait to hear about your trip upon your return.