Trip to Thailand

I'm going back in a few weeks. I'm flying with Qatar Airways again, I have no issue with them - Emirates are another option but I'd just go with what's cheaper as both are very good in my experience.

I always do my own thing so I never book package deals, it's very easy to do everything yourself in Thailand anyway. I was in Koh Samui last year and it's fine but you should consider going to Chang Mai, I really like it there - very relaxed and there's lots to see. I guess it just depends on what you want to get from the trip though.

Definitely check it out, it's a lovely place to relax in. I hired out a Grab driver for a day and got to see lots of the area too so it's very easy to see the sights.

Chang Mai is closer to what authentic Thailand is all about. I really enjoyed it there, its nice and relaxed, lots of beautiful temples etc.

Krabi is good for beaches if that's what you're into. Bangkok is a great city too.

Just to note, if you are into trekking or trailing you will prob need to get some shots weeks before going.

Jumping into the thread even though I can't offer any experience of being there. Have booked my first trip to Thailand recently for July - going to Bangkok, Gulf Islands (Koh Samui and another), Chiang Mai and flying home from Bangkok. Flying with Qatar Airlines and got return flights via Doha for €700 each which felt like a great deal about a month ago.

I've done a lot of research which I'm happy to share if you need anything, we're staying on Sukhumvit Soi 16 in a hotel called Gardina Asoke. That intersection at Asok seems to be the sweetspot transport wise as you have access to both the BTS and MTR, but I guess we won't know until we get there. Another area we looked at was around Sathorn Pier by the river as its meant to be a bit more relaxed and you can access the main sights by boat.

Internal flights in Thailand seem reasonably priced. Flying to Koh Samui for €60 each with a bag included and then flying from there to Chiang Mai which will probably be about €120 each.

A question I have for anyone who's been - any advice for how to allocate days in the Gulf Islands? We've about 12 nights there. Don't know whether to bother visiting both Koh Tao and Phangan. Have heard mixed reviews on Phangan with the type of person it attracts and very limited transport to get around. Might just stay in two different areas of Samui with 4 nights in Koh Tao in between but would love to hear some feedback or suggestions.

Thai drug squad doing sweeps of Koh Phangan for the last 2 weeks.Collecting lots of "customers"both foreign and local.One Israeli guy will be doing lots of state time.Relaxed attitude to drugs in general is coming to an end following 00000s of complaints about behaviours

I celebrated my 50th in November, myself and my wife went on a similar trip. booked it all myself as it gave much more control. we had a great time and i wouldn't change a thing if i was to book again…

We flew from Dublin to Singapore with Etihad and availed of the free stopover in a hotel in Abu Dhabi for two nights - Lovely place and 'Teamlabs planets' in Abu Dhabi there is amazing. Singapore was also amazing, supertree grove, gardens by the bay , chinatown ect - it was just brilliant. Stayed there for a few days

when finished in singapore i flew to Krabi and stayed in Ao Nang, took trips to kong island, Railey beach ect - Loved it all !

Flew to Shanghai after that via Bangkok, Id highly recommend this , Shanghai was just amazing - So safe, Modern and clean and flights were cheap and high end hotels were a very good price, its just another world ! , from there we flew home. One of the best holidays we ever had, and we travel quite a bit !

I think i was around 16/17 nights total - we couldn't go for two long as we had the kids being minded at home by my parents ,didn't want to take too much of an advantage of them !! Would have loved to stay longer, but in fairness we never felt rushed . I chose the destinations and route as i wanted a mix of city and scenery ect. just a big verity in destinations ie.. going from modern spotless Singapore to ao nang is a big contrast and we loved it, taking the long boat to Raily beach and the tour boat to Kong island -( its amazing and like the Thailand you imagine from photos, pure stunning scenery). As for Shanghai………… I cannot stress this enough…..Just go. it is amazing, the cost of the flight's are really good from Thailand, its an unreal city. Singapore was one of the safest and cleanest city's I've ever been to, Gardens by the bay, supertree grove ect… , i wasn't expecting shanghai to be similar, we walked the streets very late at night and always felt safe. I've already booked flights back to China this year as i was so impressed with it, the are light years ahead of us…!. The trip was for my 50th, i always said id do something a bit special for it and it ended up being the best trip i ever had !

On the subject of airlines, has anyone used Thai airways to fly to Bangkok? How do they compare to BA?

Flew KLM Premium Comfort last June (family of 4) return for 4500 (PC was about 1000 extra but we booked early).

Well worth it. Flew Dublin-Ams-Bkk.

Our itinerary:

• 4 x Bangkok
• 5 x Koh Tao (flew Bkk to Chumphon - Air Asia - and took ferry)
• 6 x Chiang Mai (ferry from Koh Tao to Koh Samui and flight up to Chiang Mai - Bangkok Airways)
• 5 x Luang Prabang Laos (flew Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang - Laos Air)
• 3 x Bangkok (flew Luang Prabang to BKK - Air Asia)
• Home

There was a good bit of hustle for our visit but that's the way we like it. Plus, we didn't bring the kids devices so their motivation levels were through the roof.

Thailand is stunning and we'll be back in a year.

How did you find Luang Pabang? We haven't been there since 2010 and would love to go back, but we're afraid, after 16 years, there'll be massive change (and not for the good!)