Hi all,

Planning on going to Thailand for 4 weeks as of 28/12/2007. Travelling with my 16 year old daughter.

We plan on spending approx. 10 days down around Phuket/Krabi and Ko Samui. Then the rest of the time up north around Bangkok/Pattaya/Kanchanaburi and Chiang Mai.

Below are my questions:

Is it easy to get flights once you are in Thailand to Phuket - Ko Samui, KoSamui - Bangkok, BangKok - Ciang Mai, Chiang mai - Pattaya and if so are they expensive and which airlines do you recommend?

Also, how long does it take to drive to Krabi from Phuket, and how much for a driver or bus whatever you recommend.

Can I buy a package deals for say the first 6 nights at Phuket from Sydney and then the return leg home to Sydney from Bangkok - Sydney, or once you book a package do you have to start and finish from the same point.

That will do for now,

Thanks in advance.

Krabi to Phuket will take about 2.5 to 3 hours and with own driver and aircon vehicle will cost about 2,ooo bhat.
Only Bangkok airways fly in to Samui and out.
I don't know much about the north but someone else will advise you.
You are travelling in Peak season so prices will be higher and transport fuller.
i don't know about to Aus regaring different setting off and landing points.
don't put too much in that you don't enjoy it. Don't forget that Samui is right over the other side with a different weather system etc. It may be that there is still a bit of rain if you go late December very early jan.
Enjoy I like the prep as much as the going sometimes.
Don't do everything you will be back.

__________________
Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

Thailand has 3 main budget airlines which fly domestic routes.
to AirAsia.com...now everyone can fly...
to NokAir.com -Low fares airline
Orient-Thai Airlines

I have used Air Asia flight a lot and Nok Air once, no problems booking online in my experience but Air Asia once lost one of my bags on a direct flight from CM and also once landed in completely the wrong part of the (old) airport on a flight from Penang. I think the pilot forgot which airline he was flying, because they kept saying thank you for flying Thai Air. They don't have a very good reputation for being on time but the last flight I took with Air Asia a month or so ago was spot on leaving and arrived in advance. Air Asia has leather seats and quite new planes, can't remember what the Nok Air plane was like...pretty OK I think though the flight was delayed.

Although Orient Thai (One-2-Go) has been in operation for several years they have a really **** user-unfriendly website. I've never yet managed to book a flight on it. Too bad for them if they lose zillions of customers because they can't can't get their act together!!!!!!!!!!

You are best booking Air Asia and Nok Air online as much in advance as possible to get the best deals rather than waiting till you're in Thailand. You can get tickets at the airline offices at the airport too though.

Other airlines which fly domestic routes are:

Thai Airways
Bangkok Airways :: Asia Air Travel, Airlines, Flights, Samui Thailand

If you require free food and drink during your one hour flight, you will get some on these two but your ticket will cost twice as much. Bangkok Airways has a monopoly on the Airport in Samui but you can fly to Surat Thani on Air Asia and get the ferry from there if you want to cut costs.

You can also get overnight sleeper trains to Surat Thani and Chiang Mai. Tickets can be obtained either from travel agents in BKK or from Hualumphong train station. Travel agents charge a small commission of course, but save you having to hop on the MRT (underground) and go and pick up the tickets yourself. Sleepers need to be booked a few days in advance, especially during peak season and, if you're going to Surat Thani when there's a wretched Full Moon Party on Ko Phangan.
I have only been on one train that actually derailed but they are often late arriving at destination. The sheets etc are clean, they serve you meals and beer but the toilets and washing facilities aren't Hilton standard.

There are several types of buses. The most comfortable ones are 1st class VIP buses (24 seats) but these are mainly overnight buses. They have toilet, videos and airline type hostesses who bring you drinks, snacks and sometimes an entire meal (included in the bus ticket price). VIP buses with more seats do too...what you get depends on which company you choose. Then you get ordinary A/C down to rickety fan, lots of different types of buses in Thailand. However I would strongly advise you to get tickets from a government bus station rather than a travel agent. Any bus that goes anywhere near Khao San Road should be avoided like the plague unless you are willing to risk having your bags in the hold relieved of a few items while you sleep. Minibuses that go anywhere near KSR should also be avoided, cramped and they tend to have long rest stops at their buddies eateries en route.

__________________
“Not all those who wander are lost.” Tolkien.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Mark, I have no business interests with either Air Asia or Nok Air ...those waving welcome thingys aren't my work...reckon it comes from the word welcome on the sites themselves....you were probably too tired to put semi colons on *welcome* I expect huh? Anyway I can't be bothered doing yet another embarrassing edit with a long explanation so I'll let you delete them instead.

__________________
“Not all those who wander are lost.” Tolkien.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Also I tried to write *really user-unfriendly website* in bold print but it looks like I said a rude word instead... same same I guess, so I won't bother editing that either.

__________________
“Not all those who wander are lost.” Tolkien.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Hi Enpi
We have recently bought a package flying with Thai Airlines which includes a few nights accommodation, then we have our 'own arrangements' for the rest of the time. We have booked direct with the hotel. We have done this a few times now. If you have any problems getting this (some agents may try and sell you the whole deal) pm me and I'll give you the phone number of where I booked from. Thai Airways prices are out until the end of March 2008.
As Jax has already said your travelling in the high season... certainly for Phuket and you can expect to pay higher prices for a nice hotel. If your 16 year old is still at school then you may not have the option when you can travel.
Trip advisor is a good source of reference for hotel reviews.
Cheers Geri

Thank you this is a good start for me.

Regards,

Dave

Dave, You do not have to have same arrival and departure points within a package deal, a package deal will include things the way you want.
Cathy