Hi! I'm new here and planning a trip with my hubby to Thailand in Jan for 3 wks. and would like advice. How does this sound?
day 1- arrive BKK
day 2- fly to Chiang Mai for a week in that area- Phrae, Elephant trip, hiking, biking
day 8- fly to Phuket area for 8 or 9 days--Nai Harn Beach, Raillay Beach, Haad Nai Yang Park
day 17 back to BKK for 4 days--Ayutthaya for 1 day
day 19-21 BKK

Is it best to fly to Chiang Mai and Phuket or what about a train? Do I need all hotel reservations ahead of time? Things we're missing? thanks much!

Hi Linda,
You have to fly to Phuket as I'm pretty sure that the train does not go all the way there. As for Chiang Mai, you can catch a train there but it is around a 12 hour trip which will mean cutting into your holiday a bit. Depends whether you really like train rides and can spare the time. If you have a look at Air Asia's web site they are doing some really cheap deals to both these places. Can't remember the travel dates though but it is worth going and having a look.
The places you mentioned in Phuket - are you planning to stay at all of them? If so I personally thimk that you will spend so much time repacking and arranging tranfers which are not cheap!
If you give more information on what you hope to do/see there and also in Bangkok, people might be able to recommend the best area to stay. It might be better to arrange a guide/driver for the day to go to other areas.
Also how much were you planning to spend per night on accomodation? This way people can recommend places to stay.
Definately go to Ayutthaya for the day. It is a great place to see.
As for booking accomodation - I think January is high season and if so you will need to book. Maybe someone who has been there at this time can give you a rough guide of how soon to do it.
Happy planning - hope this helps a bit

regards

Karin

Thanks, Karin. We're hoping to stay for about $60/night although it appears it will be more like $100/night in the Phuket area. I had thought that we could stay in one place for the week in Phuket area--maybe Nai Harn or Kato Beach and day travel to the park & Raillay Beach from there. Too far? Are those good places to use as headquarters? Thinking of Kata Poolside Resort as a possibility---any others? Other great things to do in the area?

In Chiang Mai--also planning to do day trips from one place. Any recommended places to stay in that area? Good local craft & weaving places to see? Would also like to take a Thai cooking class--any suggestions? What's the best way to travel to Lampang?

I've heard the Asia is nice in Bangkok. Don't really know yet what we'll do there---need to do more research.

Is there anything we just shouldn't miss during this trip? Thanks for any and all advice.

Linda sent you a private message.

Karin

Hi Linda,

I would go with Kata Beach . Even though Nai Harn is lovely, I would find it a bit isolated. If you want to escape the crowds, stay at Kata Noi, the beach wont be anywhere near as crowded there, even in high season.
Having said that, if you want a really quiet location with just a few restaraunts and bars, then Nai Harn may suit. I just prefer the balance at Kata, plenty of choice without the craziness of Patong and the beach is truely stunning.
As for Railay, you will be hard pressed doing it in a day, even by speed boat, it would be a 3 hour trip each way after a 45 min road transfer. Far too taxing for one day.
Consider flying Air Asia to Phuket,staying a few days and then transferring by road to Ao Nang/ Railay and flying out of Krabi, if you really want to see RAilay.
I will be there in a few weeks so I will let you know whether Railay is all it is hyped up to be. I have been getting mixed reports about all the constuction going on there but we decided to check it out for ourselves. We are also going to Phi Phi for 6 days as we have done Phuket to death over the past 10 years and want to try something same-same but different.

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Thx for the tips, Shanek. I have decided on Kata Beach for just the reasons you mentioned. Unfortunately Kata Poolside Resort is booked up. Any other suggestions for hotels in that price range? I'll wait to hear what you think of Railay. Have a great trip!

Hi Linda,
We stayed at the Kata Beach Resrt which was fantastic and right on the beach ,but we paid about $100aus a night during low season. It is proberbly more like 150-180 during the time you are planning to go.
Try the Tropical Gardens Resort. I had some friends rave about it who stayed there last year. The location is good and it should be within your price range. The only slight negative that they brought up was the uphill hike to their room. Bear in mind that they are in their late 50's, smokers and not particularly fit and they still managed and said they would stay there again. I have seen photo's of the view from their room and it was stunning.

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I love Thailand this much

Thanks for the advice. I checked around and was able to get Kata Poolside Resort thru another service.