Thailand Holiday Ideas

johnfás

Was just wondering if anyone who has been to Thailand could give some pointers on having a two week holiday there on a budget? I have been trying to look up sample itineraries and that sort of thing through Google but have met with very limited success!

jelly4

Hi Johnfas,

it really depends on what you are looking for. Relaxation? Trekking? beaches? boozing? Let me know when you are going and what you would like to do/see and I'll come up with a few ideas.

Two weeks isn't a long time in Thailand so if I were you I would probably choose 3 days in Bangkok, 4 days in Chiang Mai and 7 days on the beaches Koh Samui / Phuket. but again its depends what you like to do on holidays.

johnfás

Moreso relaxation but obviously see some interesting stuff too. Money is fairly tight and I have some exams at the end of the summer so can't afford (in either sense of the word) to be away for that long, I could probably stretch it to 16/17 days though. I was trekking around East Africa not that long ago so I am happy not to be travelling to a different place every day this year. Probably heading with the girlfriend and that wouldn't be her cup of tea, equally no need to booze in that context!

We'd be going in June.

Alot of people seem to fly between different places in Thailand, would that be the best mode for getting between the three places you mention above?

Thanks so much for your help.

lady_j

johnfás wrote: »

Moreso relaxation but obviously see some interesting stuff too. Money is fairly tight and I have some exams at the end of the summer so can't afford (in either sense of the word) to be away for that long, I could probably stretch it to 16/17 days though. I was trekking around East Africa not that long ago so I am happy not to be travelling to a different place every day this year. Probably heading with the girlfriend and that wouldn't be her cup of tea, equally no need to booze in that context!

Thanks so much for your help.

Stick to the islands then, If I was you I'd pick 2/3 days bangkok, then sample an island either side- head to Ko Tao and then onto Phi Phi. Ko Tao is very cheap if you stay away from the main strip and has very cheap diving if you're into that.Its beautiful. Phi Phi surrounded my the amazing karsts and everything you'd probably associate with thai beach scenery. I have no idea why but it was by far the cheapest island we stayed on, and there are lots of good day boat trips etc. Don't prebook accomodation on the islands, you'll pay through the nose if you do. Travelfish is a useful website for planning cheap trip in Asia http://www.travelfish.org/country/thailand

johnfás

Thanks for that advice lady_j. What is the best way for getting around these places, is it something which you need to consider in advance (ie booking internal flights) or is it more public transport and something which one deals with when they are over there?


Great board by the way, I've never really contributed to the Holidays board, tend to get tied up on the Legal Discussion one but hopefully will be able to contribute here going forward as I have been a fair few places myself. Don't want to feel as if I am taking rather than also giving advice!

twenty8

Just check the weather. As far as I remember June is the rainy season in Thailand - and also one of the hottest months. That will probably dictate where you should go.

paddyc

get out of BKK as soon as you can, if you are gonna stay head over to rama 4 and stay away from Kohsan rd area its a kip


chang mai n maehong song are lovely as it ayutthada

islands can be full of **** bags to so choose carefully


paddy

jelly4

Ok.. first things first - you need flights! And I think Ebookers is as good as any website for flights but its no harm in checking with Trailfinders and Usit.
Here's some flights I found - I would pay the extra to fly with Thai air as its a direct flight from the UK.

(Qatar Airways) London to Bangkok - Sat 30th May to Sun 14th June - €482 each (if you don't mind organising you own flights to London)

or

(Thai Airways) Dublin to Bangkok - Sat 30th May to Sun 14th June - €698 each

I would try to spend around 3 days in Bangkok - yes, it grotty and smelly but its an interesting place and its got great sight seeing and shopping.
You can pay as much or as little as you want for hotels in Bangkok but my advise would be to book a nice hotel in Bangkok because its not so pretty out side and its a relief to get back to your comfy hotel after a few hours of sightseeing and bargain hunting in the markets.

Speaking of markets - don't miss the weekend Market in Bangkok - Its an experience in its self.

For the internal flights check Thai Air, Bangkok Airways and Air Asia (v.cheap). There are trains + buses but you don't have that much time so I wouldn't bother with them. I think the flights need to be booked a few days in advance or by ringing the airline on the day of travel.

As Lady-J said Phi Phi is lovely and there's so much to do around that area. I haven't been to Ko Tao but I have heard good reports. I liked Koh Samui and Phuket - as long as you stay off the main strips.

To be honest I wasn't a huge fan of Chiang Mai - but other people rave about it - again its all down to what you like doing on hols. I'm not a fan of trekking through jungles but you might love it!

Try this website for hotels - it will compares prices between a number of websites so you can find the cheapest rate:

www.hotelscomparison.com

Again you can pay as much or as little as you want.

The restaurants and bars are very cheap compared to here so you can eat and drink very cheaply compared to here.

My brother is going to Thailand in June with his girlf and they have booked international flights, 3 nights in Bangkok (Hilton) , internal flights and 8 nights in Phuket(4* hotel - can't remember the name of it) for €1000 each.

If there's anything else you want to know just let me know...

I'm very jealous.. I'd love to be going back to Thailand. Can I come with you?? ;o)