Thailand November-advice for first timer

[a311]

Hello all,

Due to doing some work on the house we're having to scale down out holiday plans. We were looking at October but now more likely November-December (we're pretty flexible at work with leave). We could go Jan-Feb time but like to ski so it would result in a clustering of leave.

Thailand is one place that remains for us to visit-we looked at going a few years ago and were about to pull the trigger but a fresh set of riots kicked off so stayed away.

I normally like to do self drive holidays and not really one for spending more than a week on a beach unless there's plenty to do, Thailand appeals as you can mix it up a bit with a city stay in Bangkok and places like Chiang Mai.

I appreciate there's already numerous posts on the subject but would appreciate if anyone can offer a quick guide. Looking at a couple of weeks, could stretch to 3 but trying to keep to a budget, say £1500 each for travel and accommodation-am I right in thinking it's best to keep away from the gulf areas at that time of year? I know next to nothing and there's a lot of info out there.

Secret Escapes have an offer on the below itinerary, it expires so but suspect I could DIY for similar but something along the lines of this appeals.

http://www.secretescapes.com/thailand-city-rainfor...

Would be looking to fly from Manchester, but Newcastle and Glasgow equally close.

Cheers

[a311]

Nobby Diesel said:

I would say, look at flights very carefully.
I can see your preferred departure airports, but consider LHR and using EVA.
LHR-BKK direct, non stop, at a very competitive price.

Once in Thailand, domestic travel is relatively cheap and easy to arrange.
Many domestic flights can be had for peanuts and trains are cheap too.
If you fancy some time on the coast or the islands, I would suggest the Indian Ocean side at that time of year.

How about a few days in Bangkok, train up to Chang Mai, fly down to Phuket for a stay in Khao Lak.
That's your 2 weeks sorted.

Cheers, I'm going to price it up today and will report back, I was interested to see if the SE deal I posted was good for the price or if it's actually more than doable DIY. Checked out the EVA flights they're around £600, we'd have to get a flight down to London so will probably make it quite a bit more expensive than if we did a change out of Manchester. Emirates are around £508 with a not too long change in Dubai. Actually Etihad are very cheap ~£420 but the change over is ridiculously long....

[a311]

Thanks for the replies. It's me and the Mrs going.

Pretty much decided that it will be Bangkok, Chiang Mai area, then beach. I try to convince myself I'm not much of a beach type person but usually enjoy it when I get there, I'd normally rather being doing stuff. Would like to do some adventure activity type stuff in CM-white water rafting-maybe an over night trip-anyone done this? Also a few people have mentioned getting the train from BK to CM is this the most economic way time wise?

Beach location I'm not too fussed but keeping away from Russians would but good, not to tar them all with the same brush but I've experienced a few on holiday before..... recently getting a connecting flight in Amsterdam two groups (sat at opposite ends of the bar) were having a conversation with each other at the top of their lungs-just a bit different aren't they?

It seems like there's going to be quite a few short flights. Most hotels seem to be B&B so proximity to good restaurants (what are the prices like in 4* type places?) and away from any rowdiness would be good. We went to Mauritius HB a couple of years ago, it's was a top notch hotel but the food and drink was eye wateringly expensive, so much so it seemed no one was willing to pay it so there was no atmosphere in the evening. Knocking on £8 for a small larger no wonder....... Narrowing it down to Khao Lak and Krabi at the moment.

[a311]

Lozw86 said:

Good food and drink can be had cheaply all round Thailand

Prices for a main course start at literally £1.50 in some basic places.

In a nice, up market restaurant a couple can eat 3 courses and say 3 drinks each for under £50

A bottle of beer can be £1-£3 and large spirit and mixer £3 ish. "Buckets" are popular in Thailand.. Basically a small plastic bucket filled with spirits / cocktails. Prices can be negotiable. Wine can be more expensive and is not always available.

Trip Advisor is great for finding well rated dining in your locality and budget

Thanks for the info. You asked a few more questions I had re: food and drink costs. I'd normally budget £100-£150 a day for the two of us when going on a holiday where the food and drink isn't pre-paid in the accommodation i.e. AI, HB etc. Some days we'll spend more some less so it tends to balance out.

Internal flights are mighty cheap as suggested. £16 from BK to CM and about £50 to get to somewhere kike Phuket airport and then back to Bangkok for the flight home.

[a311]

Thanks for all the replies and delay posting back. Booked the return flights to Bangkok tonight @ £470 Newcastle via Dubai even less with a bit o cash back to come. This will give us time to think about our exact itinerary. Due to the flight time on the way back (0200hrs local) I'm tempted to do the Bangkok part last heading straight to Chaing Mai, South for some time in a beach resort and back to Bangkok.

Still up for debate but thinking Khao Lak, I want to devote a decent wedge of time to Chaing Mai as it appeals most to out of the city and the beach so probably 3/4 Nights in Bangkok 5 in CM and 6/7 on the beach.

[a311]

XJSJohn said:

2 things to be aware of - it is (supposed to be ) the wet season now, so Chang Mai should be getting lots of rain storms and floods. At the moment it is not however (el ninia year or some such eco blather) but this may change, so keep an eye on the weather relative to how much time to spend there. (although November is supposed to be the end of the wet). The plus side of the end of teh rainy season is there are some good fun activities to do there in-between temples and markets, such as the white water rafting and zip lining (flight of the gibbons is fantastic fun)

Personally i would not bother with the train but that's me, its slow, clunky and hot (in theory you cannot drink on the train any more either .... )

Beaches in the south at that time of the year, you are looking at Krabi, Phuket at the surrounding islands!

give us a shout when you are in Bangers, will take you out for a few beers :cheers:

Thanks for the offer. We've decided to do Bangkok last, so when we arrive we have 3hr 45 mins to get our luggage and get on a Bangkok Airways flight to Chaing Mai. Still debating the split of days. Any hotel/area recommendations for BK?

Cheers

[a311]

XJSJohn said:

thehawk said:

a311 said:

Any hotel/area recommendations for BK?

What is the budget and what do you plan to do?

took the words right out of my mouth !!!

Would Suggest Sukhumvit (Ploen Chit / Nana / Asoke end, its not all sleaze there, honest!!!) or Chinatown / Riverside, both areas are close to plenty of tourist stuff, shops, food, booze and easy transport to other areas.

Sorry for the delay. No set budget, on one hand I'm loathed to pay too much for somewhere to sleep but as it's the last leg of the holiday willing to push the boat out a bit, £100-£150? We'll have 5 days in BK so a couple of trips outside the city and the usual touristy stuff.

Cheers

[a311]

Thanks for the replies and to The Hawk for your particularly comprehensive reply.

Bangkok has rather a large selection of very nice hotels..........