Thailand

[shadytree]

Mrs Tree and myself are considering a trip to Thailand this year.

We've decided on a bit of culture/adventure mixed with spa/beach. I'm considering Bangkok for a few days, then Chiang Mai in the north, then down to Hua Hin for a week or so.

Soes anyone have any experience of these are or any recomendations of Thailand ?

Any comments/input would be much appreciated ?


Shady


>> Edited by shadytree on Tuesday 10th January 10:01

[diddyman]

Why not do a side trip into Cambodia instead of going to Chiang Mai? There are direct flights from Bangkok to Siem Reap, and the temples at Angkor are by far the finest anywehere in SE Asia. (assuming that;s what you wanted to see in Chiang Mai?)

[shadytree]

diddyman said:

Why not do a side trip into Cambodia instead of going to Chiang Mai? There are direct flights from Bangkok to Siem Reap, and the temples at Angkor are by far the finest anywehere in SE Asia. (assuming that;s what you wanted to see in Chiang Mai?)

yes, temples, buddha stuff, elephants etc etc

No land mines though

[tallbloke]

Avoid the Chickens.

[marki]

Try Phi Phi island it really is a beautiful place , stay at PP Princess bungalows (if they are still there ) i am planing on a trip there in the next couple of months

[diddyman]

shadytree said:

diddyman said: Why not do a side trip into Cambodia instead of going to Chiang Mai? There are direct flights from Bangkok to Siem Reap, and the temples at Angkor are by far the finest anywehere in SE Asia. (assuming that;s what you wanted to see in Chiang Mai?) yes, temples, buddha stuff, elephants etc etc No land mines though

The land mines are easily avoidable. For starters there are signs showing the areas that are still mined, and if you stick to the main temple areas and don't venture off into the bush you will be fine.

[littlegreenfairy]

Bangkok is amazing- make sure you do all the touristy things like the floating markets and night markets, royal palace etc, they are all well worth a visit. If you are looking for somewhere really nice to stay try the Sukhothai and there is a fantastic restaurant called the Banyan Tree (or something like it, can't really remember)

Food wise, deep fried chicken in banana leaves, Tom Yam Goong (hmm...will burn your face off but so so delicious) and of course Pad Thai OOh and banana fritters and pancakes from street vendors washed down with sugar cane juice *yummy*

Outside of Bangkok go to a Mangrove swamp - for monkeys and crocs (mebbe they were aligators..) Make sure you swim in the blue crystal clear WARM water- nothing like old blighty and eat as much fresh fruit as poss because you'll never taste anything like it again.

[humpbackmaniac]

If you go down to the Islands, take the train, its a bit rough, but an excellent adventure. (but fly back)

[J-Skid]

Can recommend Hua Hin!

[shadytree]

J-Skid said:

Can recommend Hua Hin!

anywhere in particular ?

[rude girl]

littlegreenfairy said:

Food wise, deep fried chicken in banana leaves, Tom Yam Goong (hmm...will burn your face off but so so delicious) and of course Pad Thai OOh and banana fritters and pancakes from street vendors washed down with sugar cane juice *yummy*

Sounds like a crash diet before you go, and taking two sizes of clothes might be good advice too

[chilli]

shadytree said:

Mrs Tree and myself are considering a trip to Thailand this year. We've decided on a bit of culture/adventure mixed with spa/beach. I'm considering Bangkok for a few days, then Chiang Mai in the north, then down to Hua Hin for a week or so. Soes anyone have any experience of these are or any recomendations of Thailand ? Any comments/input would be much appreciated ? Shady >> Edited by shadytree on Tuesday 10th January 10:01

Been to Thailand loads of times....Generally spend 3 or 4 nights in Bangkok, then move on to the beach. The place is brilliant. Customer service in second to none, which I rate pretty highly on my "needs" for a holiday.
Depends on what your after in your holiday, but If you need any more details on hotel experiance etc, let me know, and I'll type away!

Cheers.

[shadytree]

chilli said:

shadytree said: Mrs Tree and myself are considering a trip to Thailand this year. We've decided on a bit of culture/adventure mixed with spa/beach. I'm considering Bangkok for a few days, then Chiang Mai in the north, then down to Hua Hin for a week or so. Soes anyone have any experience of these are or any recomendations of Thailand ? Any comments/input would be much appreciated ? Shady >> Edited by shadytree on Tuesday 10th January 10:01 Been to Thailand loads of times....Generally spend 3 or 4 nights in Bangkok, then move on to the beach. The place is brilliant. Customer service in second to none, which I rate pretty highly on my "needs" for a holiday. Depends on what your after in your holiday, but If you need any more details on hotel experiance etc, let me know, and I'll type away! Cheers.

Just good recomendations really

[pdV6]

shadytree said:

J-Skid said: Can recommend Hua Hin! anywhere in particular ?

The Railway Hotel is Thailand's answer to Raffles. Very nice.

[FunkyGibbon]

I can highly recommend the Peninsula in Bangkok.

Excellent rooms, service, food, pool, view of the river, location etc. The place is just superb.

FG

[J-Skid]

shadytree said:

J-Skid said: Can recommend Hua Hin! anywhere in particular ?

Stayed in the The Evason spa - was fab

[chilli]

shadytree said:

chilli said: shadytree said: Mrs Tree and myself are considering a trip to Thailand this year. We've decided on a bit of culture/adventure mixed with spa/beach. I'm considering Bangkok for a few days, then Chiang Mai in the north, then down to Hua Hin for a week or so. Soes anyone have any experience of these are or any recomendations of Thailand ? Any comments/input would be much appreciated ? Shady >> Edited by shadytree on Tuesday 10th January 10:01 Been to Thailand loads of times....Generally spend 3 or 4 nights in Bangkok, then move on to the beach. The place is brilliant. Customer service in second to none, which I rate pretty highly on my "needs" for a holiday. Depends on what your after in your holiday, but If you need any more details on hotel experiance etc, let me know, and I'll type away! Cheers. Just good recomendations really

my favourites are....
The Marriot resort and spa in Bangkok is quality. Just far enough out of the city centre to be quiet, but only 5 mins ibn a cab to the "interesting" areas. Also has great restaurants, pools and a gym. Top quality rooms and service complete the deal.

The Amari in Koh Samui is also a quality place. Recently refurbished, the rooms are lovely. The hotel sits right on the beach and there are very nice pools. Once again, it is 5 mins walk from where is all happens along Chaweng beach, so you get the best of both worlds. Restaurants and bars are also top drawer, and you'll be treated like royalty!....Roll on March!

[Yex]

FunkyGibbon said:

I can highly recommend the Peninsula in Bangkok. Excellent rooms, service, food, pool, view of the river, location etc. The place is just superb. FG

Totally agree with above. Staff are superb without being intrusive and food and drink places second to none, especially the terrace buffet each evening. Was fortunate enough to have 15th floor suite on last visit which had a corner location so you could see the river at night - made the M25 look like a country lane Go to all the markets and temples you can, they are truly excellent places to visit. If you need a decent tailor the one over the river behind the Oriental is superb and has made lots of shirts etc for me at ridiculous prices If you are into golf they have their own course outside of town, and if you fancy being a bit flash you can fly to and from the airport via helicopter to the pad on the roof

I can also recommend The Central Samui Beach Resort on Koh Samui. Stunning hotel and location with everything you need for a relaxing visit. Opposite the hotel is a restaurant called "Zico's". This place is superb value for money and has a Brazilian theme, ie: eat as much meat and fish as you can for a set price (about £10 last time I was there), oh and you also get a few genuine Brazilian carnival dancers there sometimes Have also been to Crabi (sp?) which is a bit lower key and under developed but nicer for it IMHO.

Yex - away to Thailand again in Late Feb

[T5-R]

Bangkok - Send the missus out shopping, then make your way to Pat Pong and the Nana Entertainment Plaza. (nudge nudge wink wink)

Chiang Mai - the Night Market is a must!! As is Doi Suthep (sp?) temple.

>> Edited by T5-R on Tuesday 10th January 12:08

[Stuart Davidson]

Just come back from Christmas in Thailand.

Three days at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit in Bangkok - lovely hotel and right next to the Skytrain and MRT station. Wonderful City... absolutely loved it! Friendly people, very affordable, great shopping, interesting sight seeing. Will definitely go back.

Then we went to Chiang Mai and I'd wished we'd not bothered. Regardless of the accommodation (we stayed at the Rydges Tapae and it wasn't great!) Chiang Mai was basically a bit downtrodden. The idea of this beautiful walled city is nonsense and the surrounding countryside is alright, but nowhere near as beautiful as the guidebooks supposedly make out! The elephant trekking stuff is basically a choice of two small zoos and the hill tribe trips are on the whole nothing more than a faux Disney-hill tribe experience! Chiang Mai itself basically seems to be a backpackers stop-off and a Gary Glitter sex tourist venue for Europeans and Americans looking for cheap Laos and Burmese prostitutes! The night market sells just the same stuff as in Bangkok and no cheaper!

We were glad to leave after two days and fly on to Phuket - where we stayed at Cape Panwa on the southern tip of the island (and was a million miles away from the Blackpool-esque tat of Patong!)

Just my quick two penn-orth, anything else you want to know (ie restaurants, excursions etc!), just ask!