My Thailand plans

bewhiched

Hello,

Hope you can help we have booked 3 weeks in Thailand.
3 nights in Bangkok 3nights in chaing mai
4nights in Phuket (should I change to samui) heard bad reports on Phuket kind of puts me off...
6nights in krabi is this too long!!!
Is it worth seeing?
And doing 3nights in KL ON THE WAY HOME to Dublin

Would really really love expert experience on this please we are 3 pals going in our 40s never been here b4 massive thanks

Tipperary animal lover

Where in Phuket are ye staying? What type holiday ye looking for? With the mix of places your staying in ye will have a good mix partying relaxation and plenty to do.

bewhiched

Hi ya Phu nana boutique hotel Rawai beach I think it's called thanks for the reply

bewhiched

Just need to make sure IV the right choices in the places areas IV booked

jon1981

You need to get up north, 4 nights in Chang mai would be my advice. Phuket is worth it as a base for exploring the surrounding islands. Koh samui is worth going to if you plan to get a full party in , more relaxed and a short hop to the full moon across the water.

Definitely look into carving out some time for up north, completely different experience to the south.

Also if you're going to KL I'd reduce Bangkok to 2 nights or vice versa. I found them somewhat similar all be it one more poorer than the other.

duffman13

bewhiched wrote: »

Hello,

Hope you can help we have booked 3 weeks in Thailand.
3 nights in Bangkok 3nights in chaing mai
4nights in Phuket (should I change to samui) heard bad reports on Phuket kind of puts me off...
6nights in krabi is this too long!!!
Is it worth seeing?
And doing 3nights in KL ON THE WAY HOME to Dublin

Would really really love expert experience on this please we are 3 pals going in our 40s never been here b4 massive thanks

Have to say Krabi is way too long in my mind! Really need some background to give the right advice, what kind of holiday are you looking for? Party, Cultural, landmarks, a mix?

bewhiched

Ok maybe 6 nights is too much in Krabi. Might do just 2nights in Phuket also and tip over to samuni or is it too much moving around... 3 nights up north is suitable for us. Happy with our Bangkok time and KL time jus have to work on the others parts just don't want to be staying in a kip full of drunks and filth

Tipperary animal lover

Id put 3 nights in Chang mai if u can, i found Phuket fine once outside patong( of course ya'll have to go to patong for a night to see all the craziness on show). Its very easy to travel around so while yr there for 3 weeks you might aswell see as much of Thailand as ye can.

bewhiched

Yes I think I might be ok just looking at it now. Yes will have to pop down to have a look alright thanks very much

killbillvol2

If you could take a couple of nights off Krabi and add it to Chiang Mai you'd be good to go. Although if you're relaxing in a nice resort in Krabi leave it.

I was in Phuket last week and drove all over the island to see if there was anywhere relatively civilised. (Wasn't my choice to go there, I really don't like it, I was visiting a friend). Of all the places I saw Rawai was easily the most pleasant. Good choice.

There is absolutely no similarity between KL and Bangkok except that they're large Asian cities. I've spent a lot of time in each and flew from one to the other today. They're both well worth 3 days.

Assuming that you're mainly flying from place to place your itinerary isn't bad at all. Enjoy!

bewhiched

Cheers guys

athtrasna

jon1981 wrote: »

Also if you're going to KL I'd reduce Bangkok to 2 nights or vice versa. I found them somewhat similar all be it one more poorer than the other.

Apples and oranges. KL is the most boring capital city I've ever endured. Bangkok on the other hand is vibrant and exotic with so much to do. I definitely wouldn't cut the Bangkok time. Personally I'd ditch Kl altogether but the OP seems happy with this part of the trip

bewhiched

Yeah it's just for shopping on our way home not for sightseeing it's just for 2nights so not too bad I thought it was 3

Thanks guys your a great help

Ed_Stephens

bewhiched wrote: »

Hello,

Hope you can help we have booked 3 weeks in Thailand.
3 nights in Bangkok 3nights in chiang mai
4nights in Phuket (should I change to samui) heard bad reports on Phuket kind of puts me off...
6nights in krabi is this too long!!!
Is it worth seeing?
And doing 3nights in KL ON THE WAY HOME to Dublin

Would really really love expert experience on this please we are 3 pals going in our 40s never been here b4 massive thanks

It depends what sort of holiday you are looking for which you haven't mentioned. 3 nights in Bangkok will only scratch the surface and is barely time to do a few temples and shops and sample some of the nightlife. Chiang Mai is quite different from the rest of Thailand and hardly seems worth it for 3 nights to do it justice.

What puts you off about Phuket? It's similar to Samui but it probably has more to offer in terms of nightlife and shops and general things to do. Samui is more just for the beach and sea stuff.

Why Krabi for 6 nights? Why Krabi at all? Again depends what you're looking for, Hua Hin is also a good option and also don't count out Pattaya, I know it has a bad reputation but it's hard to find another place that offers city convenience with easy access to beaches.

PM if you don't want to put your intentions on thread, I've been there 10 times so have plenty of experience and willing to share.

asteroids over berlin

hmm i would have phi phi in there for 3 nights or so, instead of krabi or indeed Phuket, probably only do 1 to 2 nights in Krabi myself. I love phi phi though, possibly because I left 3 days prior to the tsunami and then went back to help out! my go to place in the world for both to get away and emotional reasons!

spiderman1885

Going myself in November, Been before to Thailand- saw alot of Bkok, and Koh Samui & Koh Phangnan.

Going with the gf this time, 4 nights Chiang Mai, 2 Nights Phuket, few nights on islands on Andaman coast, Koh Lanta - Lipe, 1 or 2 nights in Krabi then fly back to Bkok for 2 nights and then home...

Mainly going for relaxation, but also some activities -Trekking diving etc.

Ed_Stephens

Personally I'd limit the amount of travelling as there's lots to see and do and one night here and one night there does limit your ability to investigate. Up to you though as the Thai's say.

Pilkington

I'd recommend going to Chang Mai using the over night train - can be a bit of craic

Also adding Phi Phi islands for a few nights is well worth it

killbillvol2

Pilkington wrote: »

I'd recommend going to Chang Mai using the over night train - can be a bit of craic

Also adding Phi Phi islands for a few nights is well worth it

The overnight train is interesting if you're 12-20. It's a hellish experience if you're in your 40s. Fly.

Ed_Stephens

killbillvol2 wrote: »

The overnight train is interesting if you're 12-20. It's a hellish experience if you're in your 40s. Fly.

Definitely, the long distance trains in Thailand aren't quite as good as the MRT and Skytrain city services.

Pilkington

killbillvol2 wrote: »

The overnight train is interesting if you're 12-20. It's a hellish experience if you're in your 40s. Fly.

Not hellish if you book the 1st class ticket which gives you a private cabin - relatively cheap too

killbillvol2

Pilkington wrote: »

Not hellish if you book the 1st class ticket which gives you a private cabin - relatively cheap too

I had a first class cabin. I still couldn't sleep. Thai rail lines are not conducive to sleep unless you're Thai.

I thought it was only me but an Indian guy I spoke to when we got off thought it was rough, as did an American who'd spent 4 years on nuclear subs.

In any case, if you're going on the overnight train because it's good craic you should be in the bar, not a first class cabin. I enjoyed it when I was 20, now I'll fly.

Graham_B18C

4 people in their 40s won't fancy the trains. Book flights in advance and just fly everywhere. I got trains and buses around Thailand while backpacking, seeing as it's a 3 week holiday you won't be quite as worried about money as most backpackers (I'd imagine). Some of our journeys were great fun, but as another poster said - they can be hellish. Just not worth it for the sake of a few quid extra for flights.

I'd also advise to ignore Krabi. Look into places like Koh Lak, Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, and Koh Tao. I wasn't in Koh Lak personally but I've heard it's beautiful

jimosterberg

I have been to Thailand a few times. In my opinion Railay beach is the most beautiful beach there. It actually has two of the most beautiful beaches I've seen. There's not much in Krabi town. People normally go to Krabi to stay in Ao Nang or Railay. Its very laid back but the bars on east railay are fun at night. Its only accessible by boat but from Krabi airport you can go to Ao Nang pier and from there get a 15 minute boat to Railay.

I don't like Phuket, too built up and parts of it very seedy but some people like it and there are nice parts to it too.

For a mix of good nightlife and beautiful beach I'd recommend Sairee beach on Ko Tao, beautiful spot and plenty to do at night. Phi phi isn't what it used to be - hardly a square metre hasn't been built on now and I didn't really like Samui. Ko phanang is nice, easy to find a quieter area than haad rin but still be able to access there at night.

Bangkok is a great city, Wouldn't bother with KL

shoe addict

+1 for Railay - beautiful beaches and nice and chilled out. Personally would recommend leaving out Phuket altogether - far too many dirty (old) men everywhere - no getting away from it! Phi-Phi for 2-3 days and Koh Samui is also great - if you're there are the right time head across to the full moon party. Loads to see/do in BK so 3 days will be easily filled.

Ed_Stephens

Strange how dirty young men pumped full of drugs at the full moon party don't seem to bother some people but older men do.

bewhiched

Ed_Stephens wrote: »

Strange how dirty young men pumped full of drugs at the full moon party don't seem to bother some people but older men do.

I can imagine wouldn't be for me a full moon party no thank you