Ok Everyone,

Myself and my partner would like to go to Tahailand next April for around 10 days. We would be travelling from London and want to spend aroud 3 days in bangkok and the rest on a lovely beach somewhere. We would like it to be somewhere where there is something to go and see for a day in this beach area. The trouble is there is so many places with so many recommendations. Intial thoughts were phuket but not sure.

Also one other burning question - is it better to just book flights there and then sort out our hotels and domestic flights when we get there? I'm really unsure about this or whether to sort it all out beforehand.

Any thoughts/suggestions would be most appreciated.

ta

April contains songkran so accommodation can be scarce. You can also get some good deals from the UK including flights and accommodation. Try mercury, trail finders, travel mood. If you go in May you get a lot of deals of pays for so many and get so many free through the agents here.

__________________
Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

I don't think it will be that difficult to obtain a flight in Bangkok in April, especially near the end of the month. Some foreigners try to avoid Songkran and some choose this time to visit - sort of a wash. If you do come during this time expect to be soaked thoroughly! If you have a camera with you or other electronics keep it in plastic bags. Do not wear expensive clothing that would be damaged by pails of water thrown at you, fire hoses, water pistols or even poured on you out of the 2nd floor of buildings.

Buying your plane ticket out of Bangkok after you get to Thailand has the advantage of flexibility. You may prefer to do something else at the last minute and fly out on another day.

Since you mention a holiday trip of only 10 days you ought to also consider that a few more days in Thailand is not that much more expensive once the cost of the plane ticket is taken care of. There are lots of cheap places you can use to save money and stay longer in Thailand.

Phuket is popular but my opinion it is a little over priced, but you will be in Thailand during the beginning of low season so you should be able to get some good prices. Google up transportation from Phuket airport to hotel for some ideas before you show up. Several choices for beaches in this area.

Pattaya is not that far from Bangkok. Hotels are cheaper than Bangkok and Phuket. Transportation only 10 baht. Beach is not as good as Phuket, Hua Hin or the islands. But you can walk on the beach, sunbathe, shop at malls, visit or ignore the nightlife, eat at good restaurants, etc. Swim at Naklua, Jomtien or Koh Larn Island. But the Phuket area does have better beaches! (Bus ride of 2 hours to Pattaya from Bangkok is only around 124 baht.)

In Thailand when you need a tour you can get them from local travel agencies pretty easy. There are lots of travel agencies in Phuket, Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Pattaya. Stop in and check out what is available. There are lots of places to visit in the Bangkok area or from Pattaya. In Phuket James Bond Rock is popular and some dinner cruises too.
A Google check like this will give you some idea what to expect in Phuket. 10 Things to See in Phuket - Phuket Travel Information

I would spend the last night in Bangkok instead of flying in at the last minute. Transportation from the airport to Bangkok is pretty easy to get at the airport. If you arrive after midnight your options are more limited to meter taxi. Airport Link rail service may be working by April so keep that in mind. Finding a hotel is easy during this time of year. If you need a recommendation mention a price range - don't say cheap or middle priced hotel room - use a baht figure.
Taxi - bus link:
Bangkok Airport Public Taxi Service | Suvarnabhumi Airport | New Bangkok Airport Guide

For Bangkok having a hotel near the Skytrain may make it easier to get around the city. If you are quite young then check out the Khao San Road area where other young people head for - no Skytrain in that area. The Skytrain can connect you with many places in Bangkok. It can connect you with the subway, to the Ekamai bus station, Chatuchak Weekend Market, MBK, Patpong and lots of places.


Good luck.

You don't say at what time in April you'll be in Thailand, but I would like to draw your attention to the thing that Thai New Year is celebrated from about April 13 until about April 17, and if you have the chance you definately shouldn't miss this exciting event, when everybody everywhere are happy and having fun with watersplashing.

Yes, I would recommend Phuket. Lovely beaches and enough to do and see besides the beaches. I would recommend to avoid Patong, but others will disagree on that.

Additional advantage: on Phuket Songkran is not overdone, mostly only 13 April. One day watersplashing is fine with me, but it does get tiresome not to be able to go outside without getting completely soaked, as is the case in many other places.