Boards are fundraising to help the people of Ukraine via the Red Cross at this horrific time. Please donate and share if you can, you will find the link here. Many thanks.
Hi. Looking for some tips advice on 17 days in Thailand.
Day 1/2 - Bangkok (arrive 14:00 day 1)
Day 3 - Train to Chang Mai
Day 4/5/6 - Chang Mai
Day 7 - Fly to Islands
Day 8-14
Day 15 - Travel back to Bangkok
Day 16/17 - Bangkok (Deapart at 23:00 on day 17)
How does the above look? The main questions I would have are.
1 - Is 3 days enough in Chang Mai?
2 - Have I enough time in Bangkok. Could consider adding a day at the start and cutting it at the end.
3 - What way should I do the islands?
Even though I have listed the above I am open to a totally different route. Any 5* star type hotels are welcomed aswell. Happy to spend 100-200 a night and if someone could fire out something crazy nice I would spend a bit more for one or two nights.
I have not been to Thailand yet, but hope to in the next couple years when the kids are a bit bigger. However, with 17 days why not go off the beaten path while over there. Air Asia are a great airline and very affordable, why not fly to Luang Prabang in Laos for 3 or 4 nights? Exceptionally beautiful country and LP is on the Mekong. Unbelievable waterfalls (even I was amazed) and an amazing experience. With 17 days, you could spend 10 in Thailand, 3 or 4 in LP and another 3 in Siem Reap etc.
Sorry I couldn't be more help to you, just thought I'd give a suggestion or two.
I did an almost identical trip 10 years ago and it was a great mix, you won't be disappointed ted with that. Chiang mai is a bit more chilled out than the islands (partying) and Bangkok (all round craziness). I wasn't a huge fan of Bangkok and a couple of days were fine.
I would also look into a place called Pai which is nothing and on the Burmese border that people go to from chiang mai. Never got to go myself but everyone we met raved about it. If I was doing it again I might cut the 6 days in the islands to squeeze that in, but you won't go wrong with the trip you have planned
Not sure when you are planning to go but there is a national holiday in April that is essentially a national water fight that might be good craic
Yeah, I was at a wedding in Malaysia a few years ago and a few of us went on to Siem Reap for 2 nights, Luang Prabang for 4, Hanoi for 3, Hoi an for 3 and Ho Chi Minh for 2. Well worth it. Luang Prabang was the class, Siem Reap was an eye opener (Angkor Wat is something else) and Hanoi was great. Hoi An was disappointing.
You have so many options, but as someone above said it depends on what you are looking for.
Are you thai? Or have you been approved for entry already? Are you vaccinated? If not, I dont think you can do this as flying into BKK, you have compulsary quarantine. It is a very fluid situation there and it is evolving rapidly.
Phuket is a holiday destination and they have special arrangements there, but you cannot transit via BKK, it has to be a direct flight.
Take a good close look at the regulations but they are changing rapidly. At present, I am 99% sure you just cannot do this, although I would be delighted for you if I am wrong. They have a scheme called sandbox but this will prevent your plans.
As another poster pointed out check entry requirements and also the weather.
I would minimize time in Bangkok and use them days elsewhere. Treat yourself to a nice hotel there for your entry and exit from the country. Spend more on getting a suite in a very good hotel than a standard room in a more expensive 5* hotel.
On the island's you need to pick the ones that suit what ye are into. I really enjoyed Ko Lipe small quiet and scenic. Have heard good thinks about Lanta as well but have not been there.
Bangkok is always "do less time there" but I did 3 days first time and 7 days next time. There's so much to see and do. Didn't do any of the islands but over other trips took in Chiang Mai (loved it), Hua Hin (the beach without heading to the islands, perfect relaxation, met the Queen!!) and Pattaya (avoid at all costs).
The trip is in June. I get it is rather complicated right now but I feel comfortamble enough in gambling that the world will be in a better place come June.
Best of luck. Make sure you get a refundable flight. I do notice there are mulitple hotels REALLY cheap in thailand at present. Check out secretflying.com and holidaypirates
Moderators, Category Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Social & Fun ModeratorsPosts: 20,363CMod ✭✭✭✭
Join
Date:
Posts: 19113
Bangkok is a nice city although getting up towards the palace area can be difficult. Go up the river on the boat. If you need formal work clothes this is also the place to get them. Keep your wits about you in the evening time and don't be tempted to do something dodgy for the experience of it (stay out of ping pong clubs for example. They will rob you).
Phuket is nuts with the islands a bit more laid back. If you want to try scuba diving Thailand is the place.
I haven't been to Chang Mai which is a regret.
Enjoy your trip. Learn a few words of Thai and you will be treated like a linguistic genius
Lebua is seriously over rated as a hotel. Go to the rooftop for an overpriced drink (look at Octave for high end but affordable drinks, especially between 5-7pm daily for 2for1 cocktails). Marriot Sukhumvit is where this bar is located. Lovely hotel right next to BTS. You won't go wrong there.
My preference for Bangkok is decent rooftop pool. Check out Hotel Icon on Sukhumvit 2. Only 8 stories high but rooftop has excellent views and is very relaxed. Our preference when in BKK. That said, there are nice hotels along the river if that's your choice but can't recall any rooftop pools.
If by the river make siure you stay on the East Side especially of you'll be out late at night, much easier for taxis etc
The latest iteration of the Thai "Test & Go" program will be formally published on Wednesday and requires mandatory PCR test and overnight hotel quarantine on both day 1 and day 5 of your trip.
So that is effectively 2 days/nights of your trip written off, and you also need to be in a position to check in to a quarantine hotel on day 5 so can't be too far off the beaten track. This testing regime also effectively rules out any side trips to Laos or Cambodia as you would need to repeat quarantine on your return
Hopefully they will relax things in the future, but having just spent 10 days in mandatory quarantine for failing my second PCR test, i would have second thoughts on travelling there until they relax the requirements
I don’t know about CV19 restrictions. However June is not a good time for the islands. The monsoons will have started and I’m not sure if sailings are restricted. We were in Tarutao a long time ago when the Island was only accessible for 6 months of the year (November to May ). Also You sure about 4 nights in Phi Phi? Li Pe is a great island as someone above suggested but it again might be affected by seasonal sailings ( Li Pe is beyond Tarutao & same ferry serves both islands.
As someone else says avoid Pattaya no matter what. It’s a Kip. I’m also not gone on Koh Samui. Found it incredibly boring.
Before You make final arrangements You really must check out the entry status ( virus Wise ) & seasonal sailings to the islands.
I love BKK never tire of the metropolis. Anyhow best of luck. I hope everything works out for You
