Ideal three weeks in Thailand?

[XJSJohn]

michaelmartins said:

We're also not planning anything between arriving in Phuket and leaving for Bangkok. We'll book the first few day's hotel in Phuket then wing it after that as we're not sure on where we'll want to go and we'd like a bit of freedom with that. Would this be ok in January? Will hotels be booked up or easy to find?

Thanks for any more help you can give!

You will have no problems booking rooms on the day in Phuket and Pang Na area, but they may charge a little extra, not that they are expensive anyway.

[AJS-]

XJSJohn said:

You will have no problems booking rooms on the day in Phuket and Pang Na area, but they may charge a little extra, not that they are expensive anyway.

True but if you're not used to Asia then be prepared to be bombarded with offers of help from touts selling overpriced and/or shoddy rooms and claiming every other place has closed or burned down, especially in Phuket. If it was me I'd have somewhere booked at least for the first night, get your barings.

[g3org3y]

michaelmartins said:

Thanks for all your help. The pictures are great!

Here's our planned itinerary:
day 1: Arrive at Bangkok in the afternoon
day 2: Get the train to kanchunaburi and spend 5 nights there
day 8: travel back to Bangkok for one night
day 9: fly to phuket and spend the next 9 days visiting various Islands/sunbathing/partying
day 18: fly back to Bangkok for three nights
shop and do touristy things
day 21: fly home

How does this sound to you experienced Thailand goers?

We're planning on not booking the train to Kanchunaburi and just getting tickets on the day, would this be ok?

We're also not planning anything between arriving in Phuket and leaving for Bangkok. We'll book the first few day's hotel in Phuket then wing it after that as we're not sure on where we'll want to go and we'd like a bit of freedom with that. Would this be ok in January? Will hotels be booked up or easy to find?

Thanks for any more help you can give!

Glad you like the pics.

IMO 5 days in Kanchanaburi is a touch too long.
One day for the tiger temple
One day for an elephant trek
One day the river Kwai/death railway

As mentioned above, I recommend the Jolly Frog, great value accommodation and you can arrange the day trips directly from them. Lovely relaxing location. Here's are a few more pics to tempt you:









Re: travel to Kanchanaburi, typically I think most backpakers get a coach/minibus from Bangkok. This is usually organised via one of the many 'travel agents' in and around Khao San Road. Iirc, there were one or two a day.

I missed the one scheduled for the day and had to get a local minibus which essentially drives up and people get on/off at their leisure. I was the only westerner and have to admit was quite worried (no-one else seemed to really speak much/any English) about actually getting there. There are few (if any) official stops, you just kind of get on/off as you please. I almost missed the River Kwai and when dropped off had to walk back 20 mins to reach Kanchanaburi (I was also chased by a dog but that's another story!). Tourist bus (or train!) might be a better option.

If you're interested, can also post up some pics from Bangkok.

Edited by g3org3y on Sunday 16th December 19:21

[laminad123]

Re-reading my post there is a lot of travelling involved!

Just a couple of points,

I'd happily spend 5 nights in Kanchanaburi but I fear it might be a bit long as part of your holiday. We actually trained it there (most memorable, if slightly uncomfortable rail trip of my life) and took the coach back. We hired a car and driver for the day for a couple of days (£20/day all inc iirc), might not be everyone's bag but if you know where you want to visit its a lot quicker and comfortable. I also took a copy of Eric Lomax's "the railway man" soon to be made into a movie.
I'd also far rather visit the Erawan waterfalls and national park than see a bunch of drugged up tigers lying around for the tourists' pleasure. Guess it depends how mobile/adventurous you are.

http://tripideas.org/erawan-falls-a-must-see-in-th...

http://www.seat61.com/Bridge-on-the-River-Kwai.htm... gives you an idea of what it's like

I'd also recommend taking a couple of days less in Bangkok/Phuket at the end and spend a couple of days in Chiang Mai - you can get direct flights from there onto Phuket. There are some lovely beaches but also some awful ones too! Inland the only thing I enjoyed was the gibbon sanctuary and the thai night markets. Night life on the beaches is pretty cool depending if its high season, Patong is pretty dire, but I greeting viewing!!

In Phuket you'll get what you pay for and the touts won't give you any extra special deals, best to get one olace booked for bearings etc.

Lovely pics btw g3org3y

Edited by laminad123 on Monday 17th December 01:28

[ben_h100]

Hi OP. Thailand is a fantastic country, quite an eye opener. As others have said I'd just pitch up in Bangkok and sort out the onward travel/accom when you get there.

The only annoyance we had was in Bangkok - many of the tuk tuk drivers are contracted to take tourists to the suit/jewellery/tat shops in return for free fuel. We got fed up of this after a couple of days. Saying that, it's the cheapest transport you are likely to find in a capital city!

[AJS-]

The minibuses also go from Victory Monument which is generally more convenient unless you're staying on Khao San. I tejd to avoid these though as they tend to cram far too many people in and then drive like absolute idiots. If you're not in a hurry, river boat up to the train station then train to Kanchanaburi is the best way. The government buses are ok but they mostly go from the southern bus terminal.

For speed and convenience you could always just get in a taxi which shouldn't cost more than 2000 THB (about £40) which makes sense for 3 with luggage IMO.

Regarding the fuel coupon tuk tuks, I'd avoid them. Most are ok, but the best you'll get is a cursory visit to some temple and an afternoon at the jewellery/souvenir/tailor shop. Some of them can get a bit stroppy if you don't buy their tat.

[michaelmartins]

So it's looking like 5 days in Kanchanaburi is going to be too many. So if we were to do 3 nights there then travelled to Ayutthaya for a night or two, then took a boat trip back to Bangkok, do you think this would be a better option?

Is there anywhere else not to far from Kanchanaburi and Bangkok we could visit for a day or two?

again, thanks for the help.

[AJS-]

Ayuttaya is a nice spot. Can do a day trip to one of the floating markets. Ampawha is the most famous and sort of on the way to/from Kanchanaburi. Bang Saen is about an hour down the coast, not the best beach in the world but a nice get away from Bangkok and none of the sleaze of Pattaya.

[Gazzas86]

Guys, as there are alot of people on here who are familiar with Thailand, I've been informed that there are indeed 2 airports in Bangkok, We land at Bangkok International(Suvarnabhumi) at 13.50pm Local time and we need to fly from Bangkok (Don Mueang) at 18.10pm local time to get our internal flight to Krabi. i dont suppose anyone knows the best way to transfer between airports at all???

Thanks,

Gaz

[AJS-]

There are regular shuttle buses between the two airports, but I'd just take a meter taxi. It's quite a trek, probably around an hour depending on traffic and if there's any delay you don't have that much time. Taxi fare should be around 500 THB (£10) at a guess.

[g3org3y]

michaelmartins said:

So it's looking like 5 days in Kanchanaburi is going to be too many. So if we were to do 3 nights there then travelled to Ayutthaya for a night or two, then took a boat trip back to Bangkok, do you think this would be a better option?

Is there anywhere else not to far from Kanchanaburi and Bangkok we could visit for a day or two?

again, thanks for the help.

Certainly recommend Ayutthaya. Iirc, it's the old capital. Lots of temples to see. Best way to explore is on bike. I randomly met a German couple on the train up to Chang Mai and we decided to check it out en route.

A few photos:

[exgtt]

If you end up in the main train station in Bangkok make sure you go to the food court. Counter on the far left facing you as you walk in (not the halal one on the far far left) does awesome fresh cooked dishes. Plateful of mixed seafood fried rice 80p! A few scoops of chilli laced fish sauce ontop

Lumpini park worth a visit about 3 miles from the trainstation if you have a spare hour - big bd lizards basking on the lakeside in the morning and turtles swimming about. Its funny - plenty of signs saying no drinking in the park but no signs saying watch your kids there are big lizards about!!

[mudster]

laminad123 said:

I'd happily spend 5 nights in Kanchanaburi but I fear it might be a bit long as part of your holiday. We actually trained it there (most memorable, if slightly uncomfortable rail trip of my life) and took the coach back.

Me and the other half did exactly the same a few years ago. The train takes so long that the bus was quicker to get back to Bangkok. The train fare is about £5 return from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi from memory.

Rather than spend 5 days in Kanchanaburi, head to the end of the line at Nam Tok and then to Hellfire Pass. You can still see the drill bits the prisoners used sticking out of the rock cutting - it's quite a moving place. It'll add 2 days to a Kanchanaburi trip. Buses go from Nam Tok town and drop you off at the war museum.

[pteron]

g3org3y said:

I went (alone) for a couple of weeks bout 4-5 years ago.

Some great photos there - EXIF suggests a 10mm lens? Fixed or zoom? EFS?

[g3org3y]

pteron said:

Some great photos there - EXIF suggests a 10mm lens? Fixed or zoom? EFS?

Thanks.

Sigma 10-20.