Ideal three weeks in Thailand?
Discussion
We're going to Thailand for three weeks in January and would really appreciate some advice on the best places to visit and the best route around the country.
Which methods of transport would be best? Would it be best to book transport and all hotels before we go?
Ideally we'd prefer to not spend too much time travelling so we're thinking flying within Thailand may be best.
What's the best way to take money, cash or card?
How would your ideal three weeks in Thailand be spent?
Thanks for any advice you can give.
Mike, John and Lisa
Which methods of transport would be best? Would it be best to book transport and all hotels before we go?
Ideally we'd prefer to not spend too much time travelling so we're thinking flying within Thailand may be best.
What's the best way to take money, cash or card?
How would your ideal three weeks in Thailand be spent?
Thanks for any advice you can give.
Mike, John and Lisa
i book flights but just show up to hotels if there is three of you its worth getting taxis for anything less than cross country trips and sleeper train for long journeys
with 3 weeks i would spend a few nights in bangkok then head to an island in the south for a week relaxing samui or phucket if you like it touristy then get train to chang mai for sight seeing then back to bangkok
rent some scooters eat lots of street food drink sam song wiskey
take english cash and exchange at banks for best rate
with 3 weeks i would spend a few nights in bangkok then head to an island in the south for a week relaxing samui or phucket if you like it touristy then get train to chang mai for sight seeing then back to bangkok
rent some scooters eat lots of street food drink sam song wiskey
take english cash and exchange at banks for best rate
Pretty much bang on that ^^^
Check if theres a full moon party on in Koh Phangan on, you will need to get there a couple of days before though to get a good room.
Spicy Thai is where i stopped in Chang Mai and it was great, easy to sort out plenty of trips from.
Get yourself a Lonely Planet guide and you cant go far wrong!
Check if theres a full moon party on in Koh Phangan on, you will need to get there a couple of days before though to get a good room.
Spicy Thai is where i stopped in Chang Mai and it was great, easy to sort out plenty of trips from.
Get yourself a Lonely Planet guide and you cant go far wrong!
te! Got to drinking games with some of the bar girls last night. Staying in Pattaya for a few days then on to Bangkok by taxi.I seem to recall that Silk Air (or one of the other athai carriers) do a multi trip air fare for travelling within the borders.
Phuket is starting to look like an Odessa Beach Resourt the amount of Russians everywhere, but the southern end or Surinam Beach are still nice.
Pattaya is as expected and also full of Russians, I avoid but fr a first time it is an eye opener!
Inland to Chang Mai is Rey nice too, BKk well worth a bit of time for the experience, from the city to the shopping malls, people, soi cowboy etc
There is also a big national park to the east of Bangkok before Korat where you can rent mountain cabins too, but you will need a car to get there.
Places like Krabi and the Resourt islands off lying are nice for a chill out, as are some parts of Koh Samui.
Phuket is starting to look like an Odessa Beach Resourt the amount of Russians everywhere, but the southern end or Surinam Beach are still nice.
Pattaya is as expected and also full of Russians, I avoid but fr a first time it is an eye opener!
Inland to Chang Mai is Rey nice too, BKk well worth a bit of time for the experience, from the city to the shopping malls, people, soi cowboy etc
There is also a big national park to the east of Bangkok before Korat where you can rent mountain cabins too, but you will need a car to get there.
Places like Krabi and the Resourt islands off lying are nice for a chill out, as are some parts of Koh Samui.
I went (alone) for a couple of weeks bout 4-5 years ago.
1) Get yourself a Rough Guide or Lonely Planet.
- Pretty much everyone uses these and follows the same routes.
- It'll outline transport links/times/approximate costs
2) Spend some time in Bangkok, it's a crazy city. Plenty to see and experience.
Lots of temples which are worth a look.
Night market is good (and you can pick up some bargains - be prepared to haggle)
Everyone (i.e. all the backpackers) stays in Kao San Road. I remember the D&D Inn being particularly good value.
Watch out for 'scammers'. They'll approach you on the street claiming to help you see the sights, offer to organise you transport etc. All they do is take you round and round to nowhere and demand lots of cash. Ignore/flatly refuse.
3) Are you into military history? If so I'd recommend Kanchanaburi where you can visit the bridge over the River Kwai. Stay at the Jolly Frog.
While around there, you can visit the Tiger Temple.
View from the Jolly Frog
4) Kho Phi Phi. Relaxing, plenty of beach resorts - very pleasant. They were doing lots of reconstruction work when I visited post tsunami.
The view from the top overlooking the two islands
While in Phi Phi you can visit the beach from 'The Beach'!
5) Hire a scooter. Epic fun but probably the scariest/most dangerous thing I've ever done. Yes I did fall off (twice) and yes it did hurt.
6) Don't discount domestic flights if time is short and you need to get from one end of the country to the other.
7) Ayutthaya is worth a look (it's the old capital) - plenty of interesting temples. Explore by bike.
8) Did a trek in Chang Mai where we stayed with some mountain folk. Was good fun and really interesting.
9) Cash points are frequent in cities and I had no issue using my (Visa) debit card to get cash out.
1) Get yourself a Rough Guide or Lonely Planet.
- Pretty much everyone uses these and follows the same routes.
- It'll outline transport links/times/approximate costs
2) Spend some time in Bangkok, it's a crazy city. Plenty to see and experience.
Lots of temples which are worth a look.
Night market is good (and you can pick up some bargains - be prepared to haggle)
Everyone (i.e. all the backpackers) stays in Kao San Road. I remember the D&D Inn being particularly good value.
Watch out for 'scammers'. They'll approach you on the street claiming to help you see the sights, offer to organise you transport etc. All they do is take you round and round to nowhere and demand lots of cash. Ignore/flatly refuse.
3) Are you into military history? If so I'd recommend Kanchanaburi where you can visit the bridge over the River Kwai. Stay at the Jolly Frog.
While around there, you can visit the Tiger Temple.
View from the Jolly Frog
4) Kho Phi Phi. Relaxing, plenty of beach resorts - very pleasant. They were doing lots of reconstruction work when I visited post tsunami.
The view from the top overlooking the two islands
While in Phi Phi you can visit the beach from 'The Beach'!
5) Hire a scooter. Epic fun but probably the scariest/most dangerous thing I've ever done. Yes I did fall off (twice) and yes it did hurt.
6) Don't discount domestic flights if time is short and you need to get from one end of the country to the other.
7) Ayutthaya is worth a look (it's the old capital) - plenty of interesting temples. Explore by bike.
8) Did a trek in Chang Mai where we stayed with some mountain folk. Was good fun and really interesting.
9) Cash points are frequent in cities and I had no issue using my (Visa) debit card to get cash out.
Berw said:
There was/is a power problem on Ko Sumoi and the near islands due to a broken sub sea cable, not much in the press, as bad news is not reported, not a huge problem but worth asking the question before you travel there and maybe avoiding if you haven't pre booked or paid,
The power came back on after 3 hot, sticky and smelly days. Think......no A/C, water pumps, sewage pumps etc. Power outages are common on Samui, but not usually 3 days.I've been about 7 times now, three weeks is the optimum time for a good trip.
Arriving in Bangkok I would allow 2-3 days to explore the city and immediate vicinity, staying on the river.
Day trips or possible overnight trip to Ayutthaya
2 day trip to Kanchanaburi is highly recommended, Erawan national park is spectacular as is the death railway ( v different reasons of course)
I'd then either go up to Chiang Mai or possibly head East to Koh Chang/Koh Samet for 5 days.
Going down the spine id possibly stop off at Hua Hin or if it was too much of an effort, head straight down to Krabi. I'd stay a couple of nights in Krabi, Koh Lanta, and see the Touristy bits. I'd then either go for the traditional Phuket resort spec, or if I was feeling a bit more adventurous, head down to Pakbara via Trang and go to one of the spectacular islands down there. I can recommend Koh Bulon Lae, Koh Lipe is supposed to be amazing too. A real barefoot paradise. Then again if its about spas and service, Mom Tris, the twin palms or the Banyan Tree are great on Phuket.
imo Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Phi Phi are centred around the backpacker/student/2 week city-beach package holidays. They offer a complete condensed flavour of Thailand, much to their detriment - and if you had to choose something like that you might as well go to Phuket.
Arriving in Bangkok I would allow 2-3 days to explore the city and immediate vicinity, staying on the river.
Day trips or possible overnight trip to Ayutthaya
2 day trip to Kanchanaburi is highly recommended, Erawan national park is spectacular as is the death railway ( v different reasons of course)
I'd then either go up to Chiang Mai or possibly head East to Koh Chang/Koh Samet for 5 days.
Going down the spine id possibly stop off at Hua Hin or if it was too much of an effort, head straight down to Krabi. I'd stay a couple of nights in Krabi, Koh Lanta, and see the Touristy bits. I'd then either go for the traditional Phuket resort spec, or if I was feeling a bit more adventurous, head down to Pakbara via Trang and go to one of the spectacular islands down there. I can recommend Koh Bulon Lae, Koh Lipe is supposed to be amazing too. A real barefoot paradise. Then again if its about spas and service, Mom Tris, the twin palms or the Banyan Tree are great on Phuket.
imo Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Phi Phi are centred around the backpacker/student/2 week city-beach package holidays. They offer a complete condensed flavour of Thailand, much to their detriment - and if you had to choose something like that you might as well go to Phuket.
Nobby Diesel said:
XJSJohn said:
well, i will be driving up through Thailand next week, so if i think of anything new to add ... going from Malaysia to Surat Thani to Hua Hin to Chon Buri to Buriram
XSJohn - that's a trek!Christmas in Chom Buri with friends then on to Bururam for New Year. May also stop off in Khao Yai
Sounds like a fantastic journey John. Post up some pics.
Echoing what others have said, Khao Yai, about 3 hours north east of Bangkok, is a lovely place and probably your best chance of seeing wild elephants and gibbons up close. If you're driving it's also a fairly short hop from there to Koh Samet or Koh Chang for some beach time. Both are also on the right side of town for the airport to save you driving in Bangkok traffic. Which can be awful.
Plenty of flights up to Chiang Mai. Chiang Rai is meant to be even better but I've never been.
Trains, charming as they are, can be terribly basic and hours late. Take one out of Bangkok up to Kanchanaburi first. It's about 3 hours, so use that to gauge how you would feel about 12 up to the north.
Take a river boat in Bangkok. Whole different way to experience the city and a great antidote to hot, crowded streets and endless shopping centres.
ATMs all over the place. I wouldn't bother with carrying large amounts of cash just draw out enough for a few days.
Have fun. Avoid the Sang Som but get stuck into the Leo beer.
Echoing what others have said, Khao Yai, about 3 hours north east of Bangkok, is a lovely place and probably your best chance of seeing wild elephants and gibbons up close. If you're driving it's also a fairly short hop from there to Koh Samet or Koh Chang for some beach time. Both are also on the right side of town for the airport to save you driving in Bangkok traffic. Which can be awful.
Plenty of flights up to Chiang Mai. Chiang Rai is meant to be even better but I've never been.
Trains, charming as they are, can be terribly basic and hours late. Take one out of Bangkok up to Kanchanaburi first. It's about 3 hours, so use that to gauge how you would feel about 12 up to the north.
Take a river boat in Bangkok. Whole different way to experience the city and a great antidote to hot, crowded streets and endless shopping centres.
ATMs all over the place. I wouldn't bother with carrying large amounts of cash just draw out enough for a few days.
Have fun. Avoid the Sang Som but get stuck into the Leo beer.
OP, Very Similar to what me and the GF are doing, We fly out on the 27th Dec, We're going away for 3 weeks, Our plan is as follows,
Land at bangkok then fly straight down to Krabi via Air Asia, Then Taxi to Ao Nang to stay there for 6 nights to explore surrounding area's. Then we get a boat to Koh Lanta for a week and visit nearby islands such as Koh Phi Phi etc, We Then Briefly stop at Phuket to fly up to Chang Mai with Air Asia again for 5 days, then back to bangkok for 3 days to do the tourist stuff. Then back to the glorious UK.
My GF has been to Thailand before, however she has not been to some of the places we're going, I've never been so i don't know what to expect. She did all the sleeper trains when she last came as a 'traveller' and said she wouldnt like to do it again. mainly because we're restricted to 3 weeks and want to get the most out of it.
One thing i will ask, anyone know what the weather will be like this time of year/January. I'm looking at the minute and it shows Thunderstorms
, hope it improves.
Land at bangkok then fly straight down to Krabi via Air Asia, Then Taxi to Ao Nang to stay there for 6 nights to explore surrounding area's. Then we get a boat to Koh Lanta for a week and visit nearby islands such as Koh Phi Phi etc, We Then Briefly stop at Phuket to fly up to Chang Mai with Air Asia again for 5 days, then back to bangkok for 3 days to do the tourist stuff. Then back to the glorious UK.
My GF has been to Thailand before, however she has not been to some of the places we're going, I've never been so i don't know what to expect. She did all the sleeper trains when she last came as a 'traveller' and said she wouldnt like to do it again. mainly because we're restricted to 3 weeks and want to get the most out of it.
One thing i will ask, anyone know what the weather will be like this time of year/January. I'm looking at the minute and it shows Thunderstorms
, hope it improves. Edited by Gazzas86 on Friday 14th December 17:28
Gazza,
You are spending the majority of your time in the Andaman Sea region, which should usually offer good weather at this time of year.
Bangkok will be the usual mixture of haze, sunshine, rain, haze, sunshine, haze and maybe some haze and sunshine.
I have no idea what the score will be up north, but generally, you should be fine.
Thunderstorms are quite often forecast and quite often dont materialise.
You are spending the majority of your time in the Andaman Sea region, which should usually offer good weather at this time of year.
Bangkok will be the usual mixture of haze, sunshine, rain, haze, sunshine, haze and maybe some haze and sunshine.
I have no idea what the score will be up north, but generally, you should be fine.
Thunderstorms are quite often forecast and quite often dont materialise.
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!
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!
Train tickets on the day are usually no problem unless it's a holiday, so double check the dates beforehand.
Kanchanaburi is a nice little town but not much in the town itself to keep you interested for 5 days. Either book a boat trip, elephant trek and jungle walk etc or rent a car and explore the area yourself. Work your way up towards to Burmese border at the Three Pagodas pass, following the attractively named "Death Railway" which was build by Alec Guinness in WW2. It's beautiful country.
Kanchanaburi is a nice little town but not much in the town itself to keep you interested for 5 days. Either book a boat trip, elephant trek and jungle walk etc or rent a car and explore the area yourself. Work your way up towards to Burmese border at the Three Pagodas pass, following the attractively named "Death Railway" which was build by Alec Guinness in WW2. It's beautiful country.
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