Discussion
HTP99 said:
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.
I know there’s elephant tours up that way (something my daughter really wants to do), temples etc.
We’re booking accommodation with a place that does various tours or organises self-navigated tours.
We want to experience a bit of the “real” Thailand whilst there, hence going by train from BKK to Chiang Mai.
Taaaaang said:
Be careful of the weather in HKT in May.
Last year was rain pretty much all day every day for the whole month.
The weather reports and forecasts for the island are useless as it has about 10 different microclimates.
We’ve left the bit between Chiang Mai and returning to BKK to come home, open.Last year was rain pretty much all day every day for the whole month.
The weather reports and forecasts for the island are useless as it has about 10 different microclimates.
From looking at weather averages it looks like Koh Samui might be better than Phuket?
Chiangmai is great. Plenty to do there; zip lines (flight of the gibbon), elephant nature park, night market, day trips, etc. We stayed in a tree house up there and loved it.
Having been twice, I would say one night in BKK is plenty.
ETA: We took the train north and looking back, although it was an ‘experience’ we would take the flight given the choice again. Exciting, but we didn’t get much sleep and arrived in Chiangmai exhausted. We had booked flights south and couldn’t believe the difference in travel times - has to be the slowest train I’ve ever been on..! Please don’t let me put you off, we look back at it and laugh, but it’s not for everyone. Although it’s the first time I’ve had a shower on a train, so not all bad..!
Treehouse: http://www.chiangmaitreehouse.com
Zip line: http://www.jungleflightchiangmai.com
Night market: https://images.thrillophilia.com/image/upload/s--y...
Having been twice, I would say one night in BKK is plenty.
ETA: We took the train north and looking back, although it was an ‘experience’ we would take the flight given the choice again. Exciting, but we didn’t get much sleep and arrived in Chiangmai exhausted. We had booked flights south and couldn’t believe the difference in travel times - has to be the slowest train I’ve ever been on..! Please don’t let me put you off, we look back at it and laugh, but it’s not for everyone. Although it’s the first time I’ve had a shower on a train, so not all bad..!
Treehouse: http://www.chiangmaitreehouse.com
Zip line: http://www.jungleflightchiangmai.com
Night market: https://images.thrillophilia.com/image/upload/s--y...
Edited by ben_h100 on Saturday 13th January 17:22
wobert said:
We’ve left the bit between Chiang Mai and returning to BKK to come home, open.
From looking at weather averages it looks like Koh Samui might be better than Phuket?
I would agree. Samui should be great that time of year.From looking at weather averages it looks like Koh Samui might be better than Phuket?
Tremendous range of hotel options and activities.
You can quite easily find some "real" Thailand on Samui too.
Quite happy to put some suggestions down for you, if you want to PM me your budget and wish list.
wobert said:
Taaaaang said:
Be careful of the weather in HKT in May.
Last year was rain pretty much all day every day for the whole month.
The weather reports and forecasts for the island are useless as it has about 10 different microclimates.
We’ve left the bit between Chiang Mai and returning to BKK to come home, open.Last year was rain pretty much all day every day for the whole month.
The weather reports and forecasts for the island are useless as it has about 10 different microclimates.
From looking at weather averages it looks like Koh Samui might be better than Phuket?
ben_h100 said:
Having been twice, I would say one night in BKK is plenty.
The problem is jet lag. One night means wondering around in an exhausted stupor not really knowing what's going on.BKK is what you make of it really; there's plenty to do and I think it takes a day or two to just settle in there and get used to the place.
The other thing about Phuket is that I don't think you can really enjoy the place without getting out and about.
Which means hiring a car, which means Wacky Races 24/7.
I've spent over a year on the island in the last few years and I absolutely love the driving but lots of people hate it; it is mental but better than a few years ago!
Which means hiring a car, which means Wacky Races 24/7.
I've spent over a year on the island in the last few years and I absolutely love the driving but lots of people hate it; it is mental but better than a few years ago!
Taaaaang said:
The other thing about Phuket is that I don't think you can really enjoy the place without getting out and about.
Which means hiring a car, which means Wacky Races 24/7.
I've spent over a year on the island in the last few years and I absolutely love the driving but lots of people hate it; it is mental but better than a few years ago!
Agree with Taaaaang, with regards to the driving! I've driven a fair bit, both on Phuket and Samui. Samui is waaaay more relaxed. Which means hiring a car, which means Wacky Races 24/7.
I've spent over a year on the island in the last few years and I absolutely love the driving but lots of people hate it; it is mental but better than a few years ago!
Hiring a car on Samui means that you can access all the non tourist/uncommercial parts of the island. Head over to the west of the island and spend some time discovering the food markets of Nathon. It's a proper, working town and home to a large fishing fleet. The markets are an absolute experience.
The streets are lined with all the regular shops and businesses the residents need; butcher, baker and candlestick maker.
Visit a local temple.
Stop at interesting locations along the way. Take the across the island road and get some great views.
Nobby Diesel said:
wobert said:
We’ve left the bit between Chiang Mai and returning to BKK to come home, open.
From looking at weather averages it looks like Koh Samui might be better than Phuket?
I would agree. Samui should be great that time of year.From looking at weather averages it looks like Koh Samui might be better than Phuket?
Tremendous range of hotel options and activities.
You can quite easily find some "real" Thailand on Samui too.
Quite happy to put some suggestions down for you, if you want to PM me your budget and wish list.
Taaaaang said:
ben_h100 said:
Having been twice, I would say one night in BKK is plenty.
The problem is jet lag. One night means wondering around in an exhausted stupor not really knowing what's going on.BKK is what you make of it really; there's plenty to do and I think it takes a day or two to just settle in there and get used to the place.
Despite Ben_h100’s comments, we’re still keen on the train, trying to give the offspring as much of Thailand as possible.....
wobert said:
Taaaaang said:
ben_h100 said:
Having been twice, I would say one night in BKK is plenty.
The problem is jet lag. One night means wondering around in an exhausted stupor not really knowing what's going on.BKK is what you make of it really; there's plenty to do and I think it takes a day or two to just settle in there and get used to the place.
Despite Ben_h100’s comments, we’re still keen on the train, trying to give the offspring as much of Thailand as possible.....
Once you've seen one rai of thai countryside you've seen em all...
wobert said:
HTP99 said:
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.
I know there’s elephant tours up that way (something my daughter really wants to do), temples etc.
We’re booking accommodation with a place that does various tours or organises self-navigated tours.
We want to experience a bit of the “real” Thailand whilst there, hence going by train from BKK to Chiang Mai.
https://www.bigboytravel.com/asia/thailand/chiangm...
Elephant at sanctuary; expensive but absolutely worth it:
https://www.elephantnaturepark.org
I love cooking, this was by far the best value day that we had:
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g2...
If you can, you must do the night time markets:
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand/chiang-mai/s...
Take a red truck taxi to the highest temple in Chiang Mai; Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, it'll cost about £11, well worth it.
Edited by HTP99 on Saturday 13th January 19:49
HTP99 said:
wobert said:
HTP99 said:
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.
I know there’s elephant tours up that way (something my daughter really wants to do), temples etc.
We’re booking accommodation with a place that does various tours or organises self-navigated tours.
We want to experience a bit of the “real” Thailand whilst there, hence going by train from BKK to Chiang Mai.
https://www.bigboytravel.com/asia/thailand/chiangm...
Elephant at sanctuary; expensive but absolutely worth it:
https://www.elephantnaturepark.org
I love cooking, this was by far the best value day that we had:
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g2...
If you can, you must do the night time markets:
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand/chiang-mai/s...
Take a red truck taxi to the highest temple in Chiang Mai; Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, it'll cost about £11, well worth it.
Edited by HTP99 on Saturday 13th January 19:49
We have done Elephant nature park and Patara elephant farm,the latter being the best by far,we did a private day tour(which isn't an option now)
Behind Chiang Mai zoo through the university is a fabulous restaurant rarely frequented by foreigners.Go in the day for a fabulous view over CM(it can be chilly in the evening)
Get your hands on a Nancy Chandler map for places and things to do.
Behind Chiang Mai zoo through the university is a fabulous restaurant rarely frequented by foreigners.Go in the day for a fabulous view over CM(it can be chilly in the evening)
Get your hands on a Nancy Chandler map for places and things to do.
wobert said:
Flights to Koh Samui seem pretty expensive, so we’re looking at flying Chiang Mai to Surat Thani then on by boat to either Samui or Ko Pha Ngan.
Returning to BKK we would pay the flights from Samui....
All very easy to do.Returning to BKK we would pay the flights from Samui....
You can buy a combined ticket for flight/bus/ferry, which will get you into Nathon.
Walk off the ferry and onto the port - taxis will be waiting.
Just be aware, that this option will pretty much chew up a whole day.
The issue with the cost of flights into Samui, is that Bangkok Airways own the airport on Samui and therefore restrict the competition. This allows them to inflate the flight prices. The situation is the same for Trat.
Nobby Diesel said:
wobert said:
Flights to Koh Samui seem pretty expensive, so we’re looking at flying Chiang Mai to Surat Thani then on by boat to either Samui or Ko Pha Ngan.
Returning to BKK we would pay the flights from Samui....
All very easy to do.Returning to BKK we would pay the flights from Samui....
You can buy a combined ticket for flight/bus/ferry, which will get you into Nathon.
Walk off the ferry and onto the port - taxis will be waiting.
Just be aware, that this option will pretty much chew up a whole day.
The issue with the cost of flights into Samui, is that Bangkok Airways own the airport on Samui and therefore restrict the competition. This allows them to inflate the flight prices. The situation is the same for Trat.
We don’t mind using a day to travel, as again it gives a flavour of the local culture....
wobert said:
Taaaaang said:
ben_h100 said:
Having been twice, I would say one night in BKK is plenty.
The problem is jet lag. One night means wondering around in an exhausted stupor not really knowing what's going on.BKK is what you make of it really; there's plenty to do and I think it takes a day or two to just settle in there and get used to the place.
Despite Ben_h100’s comments, we’re still keen on the train, trying to give the offspring as much of Thailand as possible.....
https://www.seat61.com/Thailand.htm
We picked our tickets up from the office across the road from the station.
Elephants? Chang Mai? http://www.thailandelephant.org/en/ Not as cheap as it once was, but well worth a stay. I still have my "driving licence". 
Try and be in Chang Mai on a Saturday or Sunday Night, so that you can visit the "walking streets", rather than the 100%-tourist-tat night market. If you want to go further North, Pai is quite nice and a couple of hours by minivan.
Trains - seat61 as above gives all the advice you need. I'd suggest NOT going for the first-class cabins, get on one of the 7-8pm ish trains in second class with a few beers and enjoy the backpacker-y feel.
Try and be in Chang Mai on a Saturday or Sunday Night, so that you can visit the "walking streets", rather than the 100%-tourist-tat night market. If you want to go further North, Pai is quite nice and a couple of hours by minivan.
Trains - seat61 as above gives all the advice you need. I'd suggest NOT going for the first-class cabins, get on one of the 7-8pm ish trains in second class with a few beers and enjoy the backpacker-y feel.
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