Thailand - tour agencies
Discussion
We're finally looking at going abroad on holiday for the first time in nearly a decade, and SWMBO fancies Thailand.
We will have 10-12 days available, and want a bit more than just a beach holiday. We will be going in June, because that's when we can both get the time off, and have already accepted that regular rain that time of year is balanced by cheaper prices.
Budget is maybe £5-6k for the 2 of us, which it looks to me should cover decent quality accommodation etc - not the absolute high end, but a long way off backpacking hostels.
I've done a bit of a search on here, and I know the standard advice is to just sort everything yourself when you get there for the best prices etc, but we are aware that we're not there for long and would much rather have things mostly arranged in advance and quite possibly pay for private local guides etc in advance too.
I think we're not too worried about Bangkok; SWMBO would like to go to an "ethical" elephant sanctuary (she's worried about big tourist trap ones dragging in and abusing elephants) and some cultural bits; I'm fairly relaxed about what I do so long as it's something over that length of time. Then probably a few days on the beach, maybe a boat day trip or off to an island, that sort of thing. So likely just 2 main bases.
Anyhow, there appear to be about a thousand companies offering the best guided experience of Thailand; has anyone got any recommendations of specific people to go with or avoid; or any hints and tips for picking one?
Thanks in advance!
We will have 10-12 days available, and want a bit more than just a beach holiday. We will be going in June, because that's when we can both get the time off, and have already accepted that regular rain that time of year is balanced by cheaper prices.
Budget is maybe £5-6k for the 2 of us, which it looks to me should cover decent quality accommodation etc - not the absolute high end, but a long way off backpacking hostels.
I've done a bit of a search on here, and I know the standard advice is to just sort everything yourself when you get there for the best prices etc, but we are aware that we're not there for long and would much rather have things mostly arranged in advance and quite possibly pay for private local guides etc in advance too.
I think we're not too worried about Bangkok; SWMBO would like to go to an "ethical" elephant sanctuary (she's worried about big tourist trap ones dragging in and abusing elephants) and some cultural bits; I'm fairly relaxed about what I do so long as it's something over that length of time. Then probably a few days on the beach, maybe a boat day trip or off to an island, that sort of thing. So likely just 2 main bases.
Anyhow, there appear to be about a thousand companies offering the best guided experience of Thailand; has anyone got any recommendations of specific people to go with or avoid; or any hints and tips for picking one?
Thanks in advance!
Just back from Phuket and hated it.
We had a beach resort holiday, the beaches were filthy. The whole place was very sleazy, lots of older gentlemen with very young girls on their scooters. We took day trips to visit other attractions (Big Buddha, Phi Phi islands (£400), James Bond Island (£300), water park (£200)).
Our researched pointed to the fact that none of the “ethical” sanctuaries were actually ethical, so we didn’t visit them, however we did see elephants in chains at the side of the road on the way to visit other attractions. We found it very expensive for what it was. Basically European pricing for dubious quality. Everyone seemed to on the look out for tourist money, asking for “donations” wherever we went.
I hope you enjoy it - I wish I had done more research before going, though everyone we spoke to said we’d have a great time. (To put it in to comparison we’ve been to Japan, China and a host of other western countries)
We had a beach resort holiday, the beaches were filthy. The whole place was very sleazy, lots of older gentlemen with very young girls on their scooters. We took day trips to visit other attractions (Big Buddha, Phi Phi islands (£400), James Bond Island (£300), water park (£200)).
Our researched pointed to the fact that none of the “ethical” sanctuaries were actually ethical, so we didn’t visit them, however we did see elephants in chains at the side of the road on the way to visit other attractions. We found it very expensive for what it was. Basically European pricing for dubious quality. Everyone seemed to on the look out for tourist money, asking for “donations” wherever we went.
I hope you enjoy it - I wish I had done more research before going, though everyone we spoke to said we’d have a great time. (To put it in to comparison we’ve been to Japan, China and a host of other western countries)
Avoid Phuket, avoid Pattaya.
Bangkok is actually worth visiting. Stay near the metro line, the traffic is horrendous at rush hour.
I’m not sure I’d bother with a tour company.
There are elephant sanctuaries that do a good job and rescue elephants properly. You could argue that they need tourists in order to make rescuing them from the forestry industry worthwhile but having been to one I’m still slightly uneasy about it. The elephants were very well treated where we were and left to do their own thing most of the day only interacting with tourists for their mud baths and feeding. Elephant Jungle Sanctuary is the name, they’ve got 4 across Thailand.
Bangkok is actually worth visiting. Stay near the metro line, the traffic is horrendous at rush hour.
I’m not sure I’d bother with a tour company.
There are elephant sanctuaries that do a good job and rescue elephants properly. You could argue that they need tourists in order to make rescuing them from the forestry industry worthwhile but having been to one I’m still slightly uneasy about it. The elephants were very well treated where we were and left to do their own thing most of the day only interacting with tourists for their mud baths and feeding. Elephant Jungle Sanctuary is the name, they’ve got 4 across Thailand.
After talking about this for a couple of weeks or so, and me getting around to posting this thread, SWMBO has been chatting to a friend who reckons 10-12 days is not enough and 3 weeks should be the minimum, so now she's gone off the boil a bit on Thailand...
Choosing holidays is very stressful. Might need a holiday to get over it!
Choosing holidays is very stressful. Might need a holiday to get over it!
We spent the best part of a month in Thailand. Phuket - Chiangmai - Udon - Bangkok. Got Trailfinders to piece together the itinerary. We sorted a couple of the direct internal flights and AirbnB in BKK ourselves. The three hotels they recommended were spot on, as were the prearranged airport transfers.
We sorted out the tours in Chiangmai via KKDay.
Mrs wants to go again but we’ll book direct ourselves.
We sorted out the tours in Chiangmai via KKDay.
Mrs wants to go again but we’ll book direct ourselves.
If you look back through this thread I have posted answers to similar questions. But if you are going to Thailand for a beach holiday in June it really is the wrong time of year, January to April is the best time.
But it’s a good time for sightseeing as less busy.
2 weeks is plenty time in Thailand if planned correctly and £5k all in is plenty, did 7 weeks all in flights, nice hotels etc for £6.3k for two of us.
But it’s a good time for sightseeing as less busy.
2 weeks is plenty time in Thailand if planned correctly and £5k all in is plenty, did 7 weeks all in flights, nice hotels etc for £6.3k for two of us.
Edited by GT4P on Monday 14th August 13:34
I have been to Thailand 4 times. Multiple parts of the country. If you are looking to go in June it looks like somewhere like basing yourself on Samui would be ideal.
You can get a direct flight from Bangkok to Samui if you go with Bangkok air (More expensive but saves the faff of going to mainland (Surat Thani and mess about with ferries as it turns into a full day travel) you can spend some time in Samui, you also then have Koh Phangan which is a short ferry and Koh Tao. I recommend Koh Phangan. I have stayed on bottle beach which is stunning and also Haad Salad. Both Beautiful.
As to ethical elephant experiences, the most ethical really is no riding, bathing and watching from a sensible distance throwing the odd banana. More chance of ethical in say Chiang Mai but tripadvisor is your best bet for the reviews and I tend to book this online as opposed to an agent because it’s usually specific to a sanctuary that looks ‘ethical’.
You’ve a healthy budget. I have always booked everything separately which is super easy in terms of flights, accommodation and trips because you pay a premium for travel agents like Kuoni etc. Personally I would do everything DIY as Thailand is so geared to tourists and prices are pretty much identical for set trips. I then set up a Whatsapp group where all my accommodation bookings go into, international & internal flights, Screenshots of trips ive seen on the internet. Then write an itinerary for example:
12th June - Arrive in Samui 2pm (3 days)
- Half day tour elephants on 1st day
- 2nd day Chill or pig island?
- Island hopping trip last day
15th June - Ferry at 11am to Koh Phangan 2 days…..
Organising trips is easy in Thailand but you also have it at your fingertips. Get your guide, Tripadvisor etc. but again some trips are just a case of booking a taxi to a place of interest.
You can get a direct flight from Bangkok to Samui if you go with Bangkok air (More expensive but saves the faff of going to mainland (Surat Thani and mess about with ferries as it turns into a full day travel) you can spend some time in Samui, you also then have Koh Phangan which is a short ferry and Koh Tao. I recommend Koh Phangan. I have stayed on bottle beach which is stunning and also Haad Salad. Both Beautiful.
As to ethical elephant experiences, the most ethical really is no riding, bathing and watching from a sensible distance throwing the odd banana. More chance of ethical in say Chiang Mai but tripadvisor is your best bet for the reviews and I tend to book this online as opposed to an agent because it’s usually specific to a sanctuary that looks ‘ethical’.
You’ve a healthy budget. I have always booked everything separately which is super easy in terms of flights, accommodation and trips because you pay a premium for travel agents like Kuoni etc. Personally I would do everything DIY as Thailand is so geared to tourists and prices are pretty much identical for set trips. I then set up a Whatsapp group where all my accommodation bookings go into, international & internal flights, Screenshots of trips ive seen on the internet. Then write an itinerary for example:
12th June - Arrive in Samui 2pm (3 days)
- Half day tour elephants on 1st day
- 2nd day Chill or pig island?
- Island hopping trip last day
15th June - Ferry at 11am to Koh Phangan 2 days…..
Organising trips is easy in Thailand but you also have it at your fingertips. Get your guide, Tripadvisor etc. but again some trips are just a case of booking a taxi to a place of interest.
If you only going to only Samui best getting one ticket London to Samui return with a stop over Bangkok about 1-2hours to change planes, this is with Thai air and bags are checked all the way and if you take the morning flight from Heathrow will arrive Samui also in the morning local time
June can be fine. My mates went last year and it was glorious. Just a bit of a coin flip.
You don't need three weeks minimum. Two weeks is fine if you plan ahead, and, utilise internal flights - they are dirt cheap booked in advance. Like £16 from BKK to Krabi, for example.
Elephant sanctuary that is ethical? You need to go North to Chang Mai where there is an elephant sanctuary run by a well know lady who rescues them. We did it. All the stuff in the South is basically animal abuse. She is rescuing most of them from there. Do NOT go on elephant rides. If you go north you can wash them in the river, feed them etc. It's magical. (Elephant Nature Park is the name).
If you want to experience actual Thailand then don't go to Phuket, or Samui, or "Krabi" (Ao Nang ,but tourists think it's "Krabi". Krabi is actua!ly a lovely large town and a region, Ao Nang is a beach resort / Blackpool on Thailand). Do a bit of research. You'd do far better at somewhere like Koh Chang. Still touristy with very nice hotels but also traditional cheaper beach bungalows on heavenly beaches populated by Scandinavians and Brits, with no seedy old guys with Thai hookers (There is plenty of sex trade on Chang mind you). It's a good stepping stone before you venture more off the track, like Koh Lipe foe example. Or, quieter parts of Koh Lanta.
Just do a bit of research, there are even still nice places on Phi Phi (Viking Nature Resort for example).
We spend most winters on small islands over there and love the country.
If you do decide to go feel free to contact me for itinerary help - I have a good understanding on how get from place to place and how long it takes and costs (including between the smaller islands and the bigger ones). Chain Mai , for example is going to eat into a good 3 days of your holiday min, depending on how you do it. Fly there, then Elephants the next day, then fly back - you could poss fly back the same day, but then you'd miss walking round the city which is fun. Or, sleeper train up, but I'd recommend that only if you are not on time constraints, and, its bloody hard to sleep on now they insist on never turning off the lights!
Oh - and as for tuor agencies, if you want to book all your accom ahead you are better off booking your accom through something like Booking.com yourself, then, booking your own internal flights, plus researching ferries. In ither words, do the transfers yourself - Thailand is absolutely set up for "transfers" - ask your hotelier how to get from there to your next place and within minutes he'll sell you a "joint ticket" and a taxi/tuk tuk will pick you up in the morning. I simplify it a bit, but that's the gist of it.
Basically you want to decide where you want to go, and look at the main transport links (bus/planes/ferries), make sure the links are in place, then book the accom, planning to end up near your final internal airport on the day before you go home - unless you want a day or two in BKK at the end. For two week you'd do well to stay on either the Gulf side, or the Anderman side, as they are a plane flight (2 flights) apart, and you can't fly across, you have to fly up to BKK, then back down - so it eats a day away.
We are going back to Koh Jum this Nov so I have flights booked to BKK, then the same day from BKK to Krabi. One night in a random hotel in Krabi (not booked yet), then the next morning we get a couple of local trucks (think pick ups with benches) to a harbour, then a £5 local ferry to Koh Jum. I then had flights from Krabi to BKK booked one month later - and we have not booked any accomodation. We will arrive in Koh jum and then get a tuk tuk to the place we normally stay and see what rooms they have. If they dont' have what we want, we'll leave our bags there and walk along the beach and check out the others, It is THAT relaxed. :-)
You don't need three weeks minimum. Two weeks is fine if you plan ahead, and, utilise internal flights - they are dirt cheap booked in advance. Like £16 from BKK to Krabi, for example.
Elephant sanctuary that is ethical? You need to go North to Chang Mai where there is an elephant sanctuary run by a well know lady who rescues them. We did it. All the stuff in the South is basically animal abuse. She is rescuing most of them from there. Do NOT go on elephant rides. If you go north you can wash them in the river, feed them etc. It's magical. (Elephant Nature Park is the name).
If you want to experience actual Thailand then don't go to Phuket, or Samui, or "Krabi" (Ao Nang ,but tourists think it's "Krabi". Krabi is actua!ly a lovely large town and a region, Ao Nang is a beach resort / Blackpool on Thailand). Do a bit of research. You'd do far better at somewhere like Koh Chang. Still touristy with very nice hotels but also traditional cheaper beach bungalows on heavenly beaches populated by Scandinavians and Brits, with no seedy old guys with Thai hookers (There is plenty of sex trade on Chang mind you). It's a good stepping stone before you venture more off the track, like Koh Lipe foe example. Or, quieter parts of Koh Lanta.
Just do a bit of research, there are even still nice places on Phi Phi (Viking Nature Resort for example).
We spend most winters on small islands over there and love the country.
If you do decide to go feel free to contact me for itinerary help - I have a good understanding on how get from place to place and how long it takes and costs (including between the smaller islands and the bigger ones). Chain Mai , for example is going to eat into a good 3 days of your holiday min, depending on how you do it. Fly there, then Elephants the next day, then fly back - you could poss fly back the same day, but then you'd miss walking round the city which is fun. Or, sleeper train up, but I'd recommend that only if you are not on time constraints, and, its bloody hard to sleep on now they insist on never turning off the lights!
Oh - and as for tuor agencies, if you want to book all your accom ahead you are better off booking your accom through something like Booking.com yourself, then, booking your own internal flights, plus researching ferries. In ither words, do the transfers yourself - Thailand is absolutely set up for "transfers" - ask your hotelier how to get from there to your next place and within minutes he'll sell you a "joint ticket" and a taxi/tuk tuk will pick you up in the morning. I simplify it a bit, but that's the gist of it.
Basically you want to decide where you want to go, and look at the main transport links (bus/planes/ferries), make sure the links are in place, then book the accom, planning to end up near your final internal airport on the day before you go home - unless you want a day or two in BKK at the end. For two week you'd do well to stay on either the Gulf side, or the Anderman side, as they are a plane flight (2 flights) apart, and you can't fly across, you have to fly up to BKK, then back down - so it eats a day away.
We are going back to Koh Jum this Nov so I have flights booked to BKK, then the same day from BKK to Krabi. One night in a random hotel in Krabi (not booked yet), then the next morning we get a couple of local trucks (think pick ups with benches) to a harbour, then a £5 local ferry to Koh Jum. I then had flights from Krabi to BKK booked one month later - and we have not booked any accomodation. We will arrive in Koh jum and then get a tuk tuk to the place we normally stay and see what rooms they have. If they dont' have what we want, we'll leave our bags there and walk along the beach and check out the others, It is THAT relaxed. :-)
Edited by Griffith4ever on Tuesday 15th August 09:33
Suspicious_user said:
Just back from Phuket and hated it.
We had a beach resort holiday, the beaches were filthy. The whole place was very sleazy, lots of older gentlemen with very young girls on their scooters. We took day trips to visit other attractions (Big Buddha, Phi Phi islands (£400), James Bond Island (£300), water park (£200)).
Our researched pointed to the fact that none of the “ethical” sanctuaries were actually ethical, so we didn’t visit them, however we did see elephants in chains at the side of the road on the way to visit other attractions. We found it very expensive for what it was. Basically European pricing for dubious quality. Everyone seemed to on the look out for tourist money, asking for “donations” wherever we went.
I hope you enjoy it - I wish I had done more research before going, though everyone we spoke to said we’d have a great time. (To put it in to comparison we’ve been to Japan, China and a host of other western countries)
Thats such a shame. Phuket is a sWe had a beach resort holiday, the beaches were filthy. The whole place was very sleazy, lots of older gentlemen with very young girls on their scooters. We took day trips to visit other attractions (Big Buddha, Phi Phi islands (£400), James Bond Island (£300), water park (£200)).
Our researched pointed to the fact that none of the “ethical” sanctuaries were actually ethical, so we didn’t visit them, however we did see elephants in chains at the side of the road on the way to visit other attractions. We found it very expensive for what it was. Basically European pricing for dubious quality. Everyone seemed to on the look out for tourist money, asking for “donations” wherever we went.
I hope you enjoy it - I wish I had done more research before going, though everyone we spoke to said we’d have a great time. (To put it in to comparison we’ve been to Japan, China and a host of other western countries)
t hole run by Russian maffia. The rest of Thailand is wonderful, and cheap.We flew into Phuket once to get a ferry and the staff at the airport were so rude it was beyond belief. One yank was having a right go at one of them for being so rude, to no avail. We were glad to see the back of the place. Never in all my Thailand travelling years have I seen Thais be so rude like that.
Griffith4ever said:
Suspicious_user said:
Just back from Phuket and hated it.
We had a beach resort holiday, the beaches were filthy. The whole place was very sleazy, lots of older gentlemen with very young girls on their scooters. We took day trips to visit other attractions (Big Buddha, Phi Phi islands (£400), James Bond Island (£300), water park (£200)).
Our researched pointed to the fact that none of the “ethical” sanctuaries were actually ethical, so we didn’t visit them, however we did see elephants in chains at the side of the road on the way to visit other attractions. We found it very expensive for what it was. Basically European pricing for dubious quality. Everyone seemed to on the look out for tourist money, asking for “donations” wherever we went.
I hope you enjoy it - I wish I had done more research before going, though everyone we spoke to said we’d have a great time. (To put it in to comparison we’ve been to Japan, China and a host of other western countries)
Thats such a shame. Phuket is a sWe had a beach resort holiday, the beaches were filthy. The whole place was very sleazy, lots of older gentlemen with very young girls on their scooters. We took day trips to visit other attractions (Big Buddha, Phi Phi islands (£400), James Bond Island (£300), water park (£200)).
Our researched pointed to the fact that none of the “ethical” sanctuaries were actually ethical, so we didn’t visit them, however we did see elephants in chains at the side of the road on the way to visit other attractions. We found it very expensive for what it was. Basically European pricing for dubious quality. Everyone seemed to on the look out for tourist money, asking for “donations” wherever we went.
I hope you enjoy it - I wish I had done more research before going, though everyone we spoke to said we’d have a great time. (To put it in to comparison we’ve been to Japan, China and a host of other western countries)
t hole run by Russian maffia. The rest of Thailand is wonderful, and cheap.We flew into Phuket once to get a ferry and the staff at the airport were so rude it was beyond belief. One yank was having a right go at one of them for being so rude, to no avail. We were glad to see the back of the place. Never in all my Thailand travelling years have I seen Thais be so rude like that.
michael2219 said:
Griffith4ever said:
Suspicious_user said:
Just back from Phuket and hated it.
We had a beach resort holiday, the beaches were filthy. The whole place was very sleazy, lots of older gentlemen with very young girls on their scooters. We took day trips to visit other attractions (Big Buddha, Phi Phi islands (£400), James Bond Island (£300), water park (£200)).
Our researched pointed to the fact that none of the “ethical” sanctuaries were actually ethical, so we didn’t visit them, however we did see elephants in chains at the side of the road on the way to visit other attractions. We found it very expensive for what it was. Basically European pricing for dubious quality. Everyone seemed to on the look out for tourist money, asking for “donations” wherever we went.
I hope you enjoy it - I wish I had done more research before going, though everyone we spoke to said we’d have a great time. (To put it in to comparison we’ve been to Japan, China and a host of other western countries)
Thats such a shame. Phuket is a sWe had a beach resort holiday, the beaches were filthy. The whole place was very sleazy, lots of older gentlemen with very young girls on their scooters. We took day trips to visit other attractions (Big Buddha, Phi Phi islands (£400), James Bond Island (£300), water park (£200)).
Our researched pointed to the fact that none of the “ethical” sanctuaries were actually ethical, so we didn’t visit them, however we did see elephants in chains at the side of the road on the way to visit other attractions. We found it very expensive for what it was. Basically European pricing for dubious quality. Everyone seemed to on the look out for tourist money, asking for “donations” wherever we went.
I hope you enjoy it - I wish I had done more research before going, though everyone we spoke to said we’d have a great time. (To put it in to comparison we’ve been to Japan, China and a host of other western countries)
t hole run by Russian maffia. The rest of Thailand is wonderful, and cheap.We flew into Phuket once to get a ferry and the staff at the airport were so rude it was beyond belief. One yank was having a right go at one of them for being so rude, to no avail. We were glad to see the back of the place. Never in all my Thailand travelling years have I seen Thais be so rude like that.
My Mrs HATES the sex trade - its just so grubby - and I understand her. So we don't hang around if its prevelant. It's an odd mix at times. We stayed in a fab hotel in the best suite in Koh Chang. Amazing private beach, amazing infinity pools, quiet, fab. Leave the main entrance and dead opposite is a "walking street" complex - all sexy bars. No one from the hotel goes there, and it's all on its own on a quiet road. Just one of those things!
Sadly development, like anywhere, spoils things. Used to go to Mai Pen Rai on Than Sadet beach on Koh Phang nang. Absolute Robinson Crueso heaven. Then they built a road to it (previously a dirt track than required a 4x4)
2009: (one Reggae bar at the end. Hammocks, spliffs, chill)
2020: Doesn't look "horrific" but much busier, and Ruskies demanding champagne brought to their towels , boom boxes etc. Staff all now grumpy as they are treated so badly.
Note: I have nothing against the Chinese - just they travel in such vast numbers they change the landscape, and not for the better.
smifffymoto said:
I understand your reluctance but Thailand is such an easy destination to sort out yourself,it really is a doddle.
^^^^^^ thisInternal flights are easy. Just research where you fancy going, and as said, avoid the places that attract the people just looking to sit on a beach all day and/or party every night. We did Bangkok, then Chiang Mai and both were fantastic taking in the culture, night markets, and the elephant sanctuary.
The second week was in Khao Lak in a resort-type hotel. I would not do that again as you could have been anywhere really. We just used it as a base and explored the local culture and restaurants as well as the various Tsunami places to visit. We took a private visit to James Bond island taking in the floating village and the mangroves. Then after that, taken by our tour guide to a back street cafe for some amazing Thai duck. That particular trip was a bit touristy, but the tour guide gave us an amazing account on the Tsunami and his personal involvement in rescues. We probably stay in a smaller hotel if we did Khao Lak again.
Just research and put together your own trip and make some up on the way. Getting a set itinerary is akin to being trapped on a cruise liner.
Griffith4ever said:
J
Elephant sanctuary that is ethical? You need to go North to Chang Mai where there is an elephant sanctuary run by a well know lady who rescues them. We did it. All the stuff in the South is basically animal abuse. She is rescuing most of them from there. Do NOT go on elephant rides. If you go north you can wash them in the river, feed them etc. It's magical. (Elephant Nature Park is the name)
Thanks especially for this, and generally to all replying... I am feeding back to the other half Elephant sanctuary that is ethical? You need to go North to Chang Mai where there is an elephant sanctuary run by a well know lady who rescues them. We did it. All the stuff in the South is basically animal abuse. She is rescuing most of them from there. Do NOT go on elephant rides. If you go north you can wash them in the river, feed them etc. It's magical. (Elephant Nature Park is the name)
IMO it’s a fair old schlep for 10/12 days. However, people saying you need 3 weeks, why? Do you need 3 weeks to go to Spain; you ain’t going to see much in 10/12 days.
10/12 days is what you’ve got to work with, so be it. As others have said it’s a very easy and inexpensive country to travel around. All can be researched before leaving home.
It will certainly be different, the food, culture, scenery and people are amazing and all relatively safe.
10/12 days is what you’ve got to work with, so be it. As others have said it’s a very easy and inexpensive country to travel around. All can be researched before leaving home.
It will certainly be different, the food, culture, scenery and people are amazing and all relatively safe.
daqinggregg said:
IMO it’s a fair old schlep for 10/12 days. However, people saying you need 3 weeks, why? Do you need 3 weeks to go to Spain; you ain’t going to see much in 10/12 days.
10/12 days is what you’ve got to work with, so be it. As others have said it’s a very easy and inexpensive country to travel around. All can be researched before leaving home.
It will certainly be different, the food, culture, scenery and people are amazing and all relatively safe.
We've been to Thailand a bunch, and all but once we've been in the "rainy" season, and it's not something you really need to worry about. If it rains, you might get unlucky and it rains all day, but generally it rains for a bit, then it's sunny again. And if it does rain, who cares? You're in Thailand. On one visit I was in the pool with one of the kids, and within 5 minutes it had turned grey and started moderately raining. 2 minutes later we were looking at a water spout a couple of kms out in the ocean. 5 min later it was hot and sunny again.10/12 days is what you’ve got to work with, so be it. As others have said it’s a very easy and inexpensive country to travel around. All can be researched before leaving home.
It will certainly be different, the food, culture, scenery and people are amazing and all relatively safe.
The good elephant sanctuary's are a day trip around Chiang Mai. We were there last year, and stayed at a fantastic AirBnB - Villa Nittra Singharaj.
10-12 days isn't enough to really travel around, so if you're dead set on the elephant thing, do Bangkok, then fly up to Chiang Mai for a couple of nights (max), then take a direct flight to the South for a week, where you've got 2 main options; Phuket, or Koh Samui.
Phuket: Land and get off the island immediately. Spend half a day and transfer to any number of the other areas/ islands in that part of the country. We loved Koh Lanta (where we saw the water spout), and stayed at a wonderful resort (Pimalai), but it is very sleepy during that part of the year, which suited us perfectly and was why we went.
Ko Samui: Developed, but much less so than Phuket. If you pick the right property, you'd have a wonderful week. There are also 2 islands to transfer to; Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. We really enjoyed Ko Phangan, but we stayed on the northern side of the island (Anantara Rasananda), which is much quieter, but as the poster above said, you can find dips
ts anywhere. We went to Koh Tao about 10 years ago, and really enjoyed it. There have been some reasonably high profile tourist deaths there over the last few years, and I'm not sure how much more the island has developed.Thailand is dead easy to navigate, and I wouldn't bother getting locked into any tour groups or agencies.
vtgts300kw said:
We've been to Thailand a bunch, and all but once we've been in the "rainy" season, and it's not something you really need to worry about. If it rains, you might get unlucky and it rains all day, but generally it rains for a bit, then it's sunny again. And if it does rain, who cares? You're in Thailand. On one visit I was in the pool with one of the kids, and within 5 minutes it had turned grey and started moderately raining. 2 minutes later we were looking at a water spout a couple of kms out in the ocean. 5 min later it was hot and sunny again.
The good elephant sanctuary's are a day trip around Chiang Mai. We were there last year, and stayed at a fantastic AirBnB - Villa Nittra Singharaj.
10-12 days isn't enough to really travel around, so if you're dead set on the elephant thing, do Bangkok, then fly up to Chiang Mai for a couple of nights (max), then take a direct flight to the South for a week, where you've got 2 main options; Phuket, or Koh Samui.
Phuket: Land and get off the island immediately. Spend half a day and transfer to any number of the other areas/ islands in that part of the country. We loved Koh Lanta (where we saw the water spout), and stayed at a wonderful resort (Pimalai), but it is very sleepy during that part of the year, which suited us perfectly and was why we went.
Ko Samui: Developed, but much less so than Phuket. If you pick the right property, you'd have a wonderful week. There are also 2 islands to transfer to; Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. We really enjoyed Ko Phangan, but we stayed on the northern side of the island (Anantara Rasananda), which is much quieter, but as the poster above said, you can find dipsts anywhere. We went to Koh Tao about 10 years ago, and really enjoyed it. There have been some reasonably high profile tourist deaths there over the last few years, and I'm not sure how much more the island has developed.
Thailand is dead easy to navigate, and I wouldn't bother getting locked into any tour groups or agencies.
Airports - add Trat to that - the gateway to Koh Chang , Koh Lipe etc. Very close to Chang - the taxis and minivans at Trat assume that's where you are going and ask which Koh Chang accom you are going to.The good elephant sanctuary's are a day trip around Chiang Mai. We were there last year, and stayed at a fantastic AirBnB - Villa Nittra Singharaj.
10-12 days isn't enough to really travel around, so if you're dead set on the elephant thing, do Bangkok, then fly up to Chiang Mai for a couple of nights (max), then take a direct flight to the South for a week, where you've got 2 main options; Phuket, or Koh Samui.
Phuket: Land and get off the island immediately. Spend half a day and transfer to any number of the other areas/ islands in that part of the country. We loved Koh Lanta (where we saw the water spout), and stayed at a wonderful resort (Pimalai), but it is very sleepy during that part of the year, which suited us perfectly and was why we went.
Ko Samui: Developed, but much less so than Phuket. If you pick the right property, you'd have a wonderful week. There are also 2 islands to transfer to; Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. We really enjoyed Ko Phangan, but we stayed on the northern side of the island (Anantara Rasananda), which is much quieter, but as the poster above said, you can find dips
ts anywhere. We went to Koh Tao about 10 years ago, and really enjoyed it. There have been some reasonably high profile tourist deaths there over the last few years, and I'm not sure how much more the island has developed.Thailand is dead easy to navigate, and I wouldn't bother getting locked into any tour groups or agencies.
Samui - yeah - jump point for KP and KT - we stayed at Koh Tao and it's not bad at all - would not return though - a bit too overrun with Chinese now. KP - still can be good in teh North.
Stayed at Koh Lanta a million times - still largely unspoilt.
I think Chang is a great option if you are pushed for time - close airport, airport close to accom, lovely hotels OR classic beach bungalows. Bit of everything. I'd say 14 days min. 10 days is way too tight unless flopping in Samui / Phuket for 6 days after elephants, plus, missing out on a couple of days eploring BKK would be criminal :-)
Lin's Bunglaows, last year (K Chang) - our sun loungers. Lovely informal restaurant on the beach behind. Photo is taken from our lunch table.
This really helpful information! My partner and I have booked flights to Bangkok for late January and have two weeks to spend in Thailand. I'm keen to spend 3-4 days in Bangkok but have no plans for where to go next. Like the OP I would like to avoid the more sordid areas and Russian enclaves.
Any suggestions for research would be appreciated.
Any suggestions for research would be appreciated.
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