Discussion
Morning , thinking of family trip 8-9 days to Thailand end May18. Kids 13,11
So any ideas on on what to do - fancy a bit of Bangkok , beach and anything else recommended .
Don't mind bit of backpacking type stuff and decent hotels
Weather I know is varied but any advice here also welcome
Thanks
So any ideas on on what to do - fancy a bit of Bangkok , beach and anything else recommended .
Don't mind bit of backpacking type stuff and decent hotels
Weather I know is varied but any advice here also welcome
Thanks
First time in Thailand, fly down to Krabbie, stay at the Beach Terrace hotel Ah Nang, Thia owned not part of a big chain, at the North side of the beach direct access to the beach from the breakfast terrace and beach is a uniform slope, very safe, you can watch the kids while you have coffee, my kids loved it at that age, you can book all the trips you want from the hotel, should be less than 40 pounds a night with breakfast for 2, at that time, for a new std room, rooms just been upgrade.
Ko Lanta is very good for kids, but not as compact as Ah Nang.
Book direct with the hotel for some reason this is cheaper then the web site booking agencies,
Ko Lanta is very good for kids, but not as compact as Ah Nang.
Book direct with the hotel for some reason this is cheaper then the web site booking agencies,
Bangkok is fun but 2-3 days is enough. Islands are a good idea but you are just on the cusp of the green season (wet). So it’ll either be as hot as it gets or the rain will have arrived. During this time, the eastern side of Thailand (Ko Samui, Ko Tao, Ko Pha Ngan) may be a slightly better bet. Personally, Ko Lanta (Krabi Province) is my favourite. It’s like Phuket and Ko Samui were 25 years ago. Can’t really go wrong though. The country is wonderful. The people are beautiful. Enjoy!
Done all of the places, Ko lanta is to spread out for young teenagers, need a Tuk Tuk everywhere, Phucket is OK but has gone to Russian for me, This years monsoon is like nothing I've seen in 20 years in Asia, predicting which side of Thailand will be best in May is a guess at any time, but based on this year next year is totally unpredictable, first time trip I stick by Ah Nang for a family beach holiday, Asian enough for first time, and there's a Big Mac when the kids get fed up with rice.
If you can fit it in then visit this place, perhaps even spend a night at the ecolodge and if you're lucky you'll wake up to happy elephants having a bath in the big lake in front of your balcony. If you're even luckier they'll come up to you and eye up your fruit 
Koh Samui and Koh Tao are pretty nice, try to avoid the westernised areas of each region/island etc.
Koh Samui and Koh Tao are pretty nice, try to avoid the westernised areas of each region/island etc.
Hi
I'm after some recommendations on places to stay in Thailand. The wife & I plan to go for 2-3 weeks end of Feb or middle or March (undecided as yet). Will goto Bangkok for 2-3 days then want to head south but welcome the advice of the learned Pistonhead members.
I have been before (although not to Bangkok) but Singapore to Phuket, then a week in Khao Lak (diving) then Phuket, Patong, Phi Phi and Koh Lanta - however this was before the current wife!
I quite fancy Krabi and/or Koh Samui but unsure of weather.
Want to combine a bit of beaches, sites, decentish hotels etc. Prob around 17 days in total.
I would be grateful for your wisdom.
cheers
Mark
I'm after some recommendations on places to stay in Thailand. The wife & I plan to go for 2-3 weeks end of Feb or middle or March (undecided as yet). Will goto Bangkok for 2-3 days then want to head south but welcome the advice of the learned Pistonhead members.
I have been before (although not to Bangkok) but Singapore to Phuket, then a week in Khao Lak (diving) then Phuket, Patong, Phi Phi and Koh Lanta - however this was before the current wife!
I quite fancy Krabi and/or Koh Samui but unsure of weather.
Want to combine a bit of beaches, sites, decentish hotels etc. Prob around 17 days in total.
I would be grateful for your wisdom.
cheers
Mark
General thoughts for folks planning trips to Thailand, for the first time.
It goes without saying, the weather is going to be key to your enjoyment.
Research carefully, as islands which are geographically fairly near one another (Phuket and Samui), can experience wildly differing weather patterns at the same time.
Example - in April, Samui will be great but Phuket will not.
December, Phuket will be great, Samui will not. The reason is that the two place are subject to the effects on the Monsoon season or the Typhoon season.
Don't underestimate the importance of having lots of activities and adventures close at hand, with kids in tow. Sight seeing, "recharging the batteries" and reading books, do not keep kids happy, for too long in my experience. With this in mind, consider the more established islands/areas for your first trip.
Phuket, Samui, Koh Tao, Koh Chang, Khao Lak and Krabi have lots to offer.
Don't go too high end, with the hotel choice. Standards of mid range hotels are generally good and you have a good chance of there being other kids around, for your kids to meet.
Big resort hotels have lots to offer, but my own feeling is that you are somewhat insulated from the experience of visiting Thailand.
Travelling within Thailand is easy and can be great fun. Don't be scared to consider train journeys especially.
I've spent a lot of time in various island destinations in Thailand, so feel free to ask specific questions and I would be happy to try to help.
It goes without saying, the weather is going to be key to your enjoyment.
Research carefully, as islands which are geographically fairly near one another (Phuket and Samui), can experience wildly differing weather patterns at the same time.
Example - in April, Samui will be great but Phuket will not.
December, Phuket will be great, Samui will not. The reason is that the two place are subject to the effects on the Monsoon season or the Typhoon season.
Don't underestimate the importance of having lots of activities and adventures close at hand, with kids in tow. Sight seeing, "recharging the batteries" and reading books, do not keep kids happy, for too long in my experience. With this in mind, consider the more established islands/areas for your first trip.
Phuket, Samui, Koh Tao, Koh Chang, Khao Lak and Krabi have lots to offer.
Don't go too high end, with the hotel choice. Standards of mid range hotels are generally good and you have a good chance of there being other kids around, for your kids to meet.
Big resort hotels have lots to offer, but my own feeling is that you are somewhat insulated from the experience of visiting Thailand.
Travelling within Thailand is easy and can be great fun. Don't be scared to consider train journeys especially.
I've spent a lot of time in various island destinations in Thailand, so feel free to ask specific questions and I would be happy to try to help.
Update from me.
Flights from MAN to BKK booked for the end of May for two weeks.
Going Finnair, which gives a late Friday departure and a morning departure on the return, so it maximises our time there.
Itinerary wise we are looking to have a few days in Bangkok before heading north to Chiang Mai by train.
Trying to decide on where to head from there, Phuket (Ko Yao Yai) or Krabi looking to be favourites which internal flights to get there and back to BKK.
Flights from MAN to BKK booked for the end of May for two weeks.
Going Finnair, which gives a late Friday departure and a morning departure on the return, so it maximises our time there.
Itinerary wise we are looking to have a few days in Bangkok before heading north to Chiang Mai by train.
Trying to decide on where to head from there, Phuket (Ko Yao Yai) or Krabi looking to be favourites which internal flights to get there and back to BKK.
wobert said:
Update from me.
Flights from MAN to BKK booked for the end of May for two weeks.
Going Finnair, which gives a late Friday departure and a morning departure on the return, so it maximises our time there.
Itinerary wise we are looking to have a few days in Bangkok before heading north to Chiang Mai by train.
Trying to decide on where to head from there, Phuket (Ko Yao Yai) or Krabi looking to be favourites which internal flights to get there and back to BKK.
Did 9 days in Chiang Mai in October, it's a great place.Flights from MAN to BKK booked for the end of May for two weeks.
Going Finnair, which gives a late Friday departure and a morning departure on the return, so it maximises our time there.
Itinerary wise we are looking to have a few days in Bangkok before heading north to Chiang Mai by train.
Trying to decide on where to head from there, Phuket (Ko Yao Yai) or Krabi looking to be favourites which internal flights to get there and back to BKK.
wobert said:
Update from me.
Flights from MAN to BKK booked for the end of May for two weeks.
Going Finnair, which gives a late Friday departure and a morning departure on the return, so it maximises our time there.
Itinerary wise we are looking to have a few days in Bangkok before heading north to Chiang Mai by train.
Trying to decide on where to head from there, Phuket (Ko Yao Yai) or Krabi looking to be favourites which internal flights to get there and back to BKK.
Depends what you are after. If you want laid back vibe do Koh Lanka (Krabi Province)...by far my favourite place in Thailand. Flights from MAN to BKK booked for the end of May for two weeks.
Going Finnair, which gives a late Friday departure and a morning departure on the return, so it maximises our time there.
Itinerary wise we are looking to have a few days in Bangkok before heading north to Chiang Mai by train.
Trying to decide on where to head from there, Phuket (Ko Yao Yai) or Krabi looking to be favourites which internal flights to get there and back to BKK.
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