Discussion
shtu said:
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.
Thanks for the info on the trains, yes my initial thought was to go first class, but second looks to be more of an experience....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.
Coincidentally, a mate is currently in Chiang Mai, so there has been some comma via FB.
Incidentally, the missus subscribes to SecretEscapes and today’s offer was a resort hotel in Ko Pha Ngan.
In spite of Nobby’s recommendation we’ve decided to opt for Ko Pha Ngan as we think it will offer what were are after. No full moon during our visit, plus we’re are on a quiet side of the island from what we can see....thanks for the recommendation and other info though... :-)
Doubtless we will pay a Koh Samui a visit whilst we are there....
Just trying to sort a BKK hotel, my mate has recommended a few places as he’s spent the last 2 years working for Pandora, so has moved around a lot during weekends/holidays.
Just to update the thread, we are onwards with getting stuff booked.
Current itinerary is:
Fly MAN-HEL-BKK with Finnair.
Arrive BKK for 3 nights - Hotel TBC
We’ve now decided to fly to Chiang Mai.
Thinking we will be struggling with the time difference (my daughter suffered when we went west to San Francisco in 2016) so a long train journey early on isn’t great, plus flying is cheaper (£60 all in)!
4 nights in Chiang Mai, staying at Funky Monkeys Guest House.
Fly to Surat Thani, then transfer via coach and boat to Koh Pha Ngan.
7 nights at Paviman Beach, special deal via Secret Escapes
Transfer to Ko Samui and fly back to BKK
1 night near airport, then return flight to MAN with Finnair arriving later same day.
Current itinerary is:
Fly MAN-HEL-BKK with Finnair.
Arrive BKK for 3 nights - Hotel TBC
We’ve now decided to fly to Chiang Mai.
Thinking we will be struggling with the time difference (my daughter suffered when we went west to San Francisco in 2016) so a long train journey early on isn’t great, plus flying is cheaper (£60 all in)!
4 nights in Chiang Mai, staying at Funky Monkeys Guest House.
Fly to Surat Thani, then transfer via coach and boat to Koh Pha Ngan.
7 nights at Paviman Beach, special deal via Secret Escapes
Transfer to Ko Samui and fly back to BKK
1 night near airport, then return flight to MAN with Finnair arriving later same day.
shtu said:
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".
To the OP, don't even consider an elephant visit where you ride them or they perform 'art' or other activities. Despite their size, elephants are not suited to taking loads on their back, and develop damage over time if they take riders. The 'training' camps are pointless, cruel, and are only there to make a cheap buck. As others have suggested, if you want to see elephants, visit somewhere like https://www.elephantnaturepark.org/ where they try to rehabilitate elephants from the logging and tourist trade, and just let them be elephants - you'll also see the psychological damage inflicted on these animals by 'training' and forced breeding programs.
You don't need to see them pull logs or paint; just appreciate them for what they are.
Taffer said:
shtu said:
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".
To the OP, don't even consider an elephant visit where you ride them or they perform 'art' or other activities. Despite their size, elephants are not suited to taking loads on their back, and develop damage over time if they take riders. The 'training' camps are pointless, cruel, and are only there to make a cheap buck. As others have suggested, if you want to see elephants, visit somewhere like https://www.elephantnaturepark.org/ where they try to rehabilitate elephants from the logging and tourist trade, and just let them be elephants - you'll also see the psychological damage inflicted on these animals by 'training' and forced breeding programs.
You don't need to see them pull logs or paint; just appreciate them for what they are.
Thought I’d update the thread, as we are midway through our second week...
Have to say Thailand has taken my breath away, what a lovely country to visit and experience.
The people are so friendly and helpful, such a contrast to the UK, where most seem to go out of their way to be, well the opposite!
BKK was great. We did the Grand Palace, Reclining Buddha in a day and topped it off with a ferry trip down the river. Our hotel was close to the MBK so pretty central.
Second we went out exploring....river area.
We then headed to Chiang Mai, such a different vibe. Accommodation basic but functional with a/c, so at least cool at night.
We went to Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and had a great day with the elephants learning about them, feeding them and finally having a mud bath / swim with them in the river. Such gentle creatures, my daughter loved it!
We also did a “hidden” tour, where we had a personal guide for the day with a Songtaew?
We did a number of places in Suthep NP, including a waterfall swim, a visit to Wat Pha Lat Temple, coffee plantation and a visit to the H
Tribal village.
Nice to experience a bit off the beaten trail. We also paid Doi Suthep a visit on the return back to CM.
Final day was spent exploring the old city, markets, river etc.
We then headed south by air to Surat Thani, then coach / ferry transfer to Koh Pha Ngan.
Weather has been hot, mix of sun and cloud and the occasional thunderstorms in the evening. Looking at the forecast for the west side, it’s seems it is raining over there most days, so certainly the right choice to head east....
Resort hotel in Pan Noi is fantastic (Panviman). Staff can’t do enough for us and we have the benefit of a small village 5 mins away with some facilities, shops, 7/11s, restaurants etc to give a bit of variety. The kids love the sea, nice and warm!
All in all a great trip so far. Would certainly look to revisit, particularly the west side, Krabi etc.
Have to say Thailand has taken my breath away, what a lovely country to visit and experience.
The people are so friendly and helpful, such a contrast to the UK, where most seem to go out of their way to be, well the opposite!
BKK was great. We did the Grand Palace, Reclining Buddha in a day and topped it off with a ferry trip down the river. Our hotel was close to the MBK so pretty central.
Second we went out exploring....river area.
We then headed to Chiang Mai, such a different vibe. Accommodation basic but functional with a/c, so at least cool at night.
We went to Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and had a great day with the elephants learning about them, feeding them and finally having a mud bath / swim with them in the river. Such gentle creatures, my daughter loved it!
We also did a “hidden” tour, where we had a personal guide for the day with a Songtaew?
We did a number of places in Suthep NP, including a waterfall swim, a visit to Wat Pha Lat Temple, coffee plantation and a visit to the H
Tribal village.Nice to experience a bit off the beaten trail. We also paid Doi Suthep a visit on the return back to CM.
Final day was spent exploring the old city, markets, river etc.
We then headed south by air to Surat Thani, then coach / ferry transfer to Koh Pha Ngan.
Weather has been hot, mix of sun and cloud and the occasional thunderstorms in the evening. Looking at the forecast for the west side, it’s seems it is raining over there most days, so certainly the right choice to head east....
Resort hotel in Pan Noi is fantastic (Panviman). Staff can’t do enough for us and we have the benefit of a small village 5 mins away with some facilities, shops, 7/11s, restaurants etc to give a bit of variety. The kids love the sea, nice and warm!
All in all a great trip so far. Would certainly look to revisit, particularly the west side, Krabi etc.
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