Hi Everyone

My husband and I have booked our flights to Bangkok for boxing day. We are from Sunny Manchester England, in our Late 20's and like to travel, meet new people and just enjoy new surroundings. We went to Bali last year and travelled around, did 5 destinations and had a great time.

We have been reading up, doing our research and it is difficult to cross places off our agenda in Thailand. Everywhere looks and sounds so nice!!

We like to do culture and beaches, but nothing too quiet. We loved Ubud in Bali but also Kuta. If you know the area, you will know how different the two places are.

Well these seem like the places we want to go, but it seems like too much to do. We would like to chill out for a couple of nights for each stop at least and perhaps see neighbouting islands too. Could people help work out what would be best or what we should leave off for another trip. Also my husband is a really keen photographer, but I'm sure you'll tell me everywhere is great for brilliant shots.

Bangkok
Koh Samet
Koh Chang
Chang Mai
Phi Phi
Ko Lanta
Ko Samui
Ko Phangan

Basically thought of doing the Eastern Islands after Bangkok, then flying upto the north, then flying from Chang Mai down to the south, Islanh hopping then back upto Bangkok.
We are happy to travel by rail and bus but also a couple of internal flights to get more in. Sorry if I sound like such a beginner, any advise would be appreciated and If I've missed of somewhere unmissable please do tell,

Thanks all, I'm so excited!!

Hi i am just up the road from you near blackburn.
That is a busy schedule. although i can see that most of them are in groups of twos.
do be aware that at that time of year everywhere is super busy as compared to other times.
I don't know what sort of accommodation you are looking fo and I have no doubt that you will get some but be aware that a lot is booked up and some is cheaper before you get there.
Make sure that ko phangan does not coincide with full moon or new year or you will not get any where unless you book 3 nights.
Been to Bangkok., phi phi, Koh Lanta, samui and loved them all you have a good mix there to give you everything that you are looking for.
Enjoy and post a report when you return.
Don't blame you for being excited !

__________________
Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

Hi Jax

Thanks for the reply. I have been trying to plan the trip all day today when I should be working instead ;) !!
I have found some good flights too and accomodation. Found flights with Nokair.com (sounds like no care !!) But have checked reviews and they seem to be okay.

So far it looks like 2 nights in Bangkok then Koh Samet for new years eve 4 nights. Then fly upto Chiang mai for 4, down to Bangkok and flight to Krabi (plus islands) then Ko Samui, Koh Tao, ferry to Mainland and back to Bangkok.

Did you use many internal flights? I can't find out how early you need to be at the airport before your flight leaves, Any idea?

Blackburn's not far from here, are you escaping for Christmas??

hi
We tend to use bangkok air into Samui. The only carrier that goes there. We have used thai before to Krabi. i would be there a good hour before.
You will be on the move.
we are going to cuba this year for New Year. Last 2 years have been in Thailand for a month. Not really looking forward to the cuba one. i am planning on a month in May back to Thailand 9hubby does not know that yet though!)
Where are you from then? We live in Rishton.

__________________
Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

I'm sure Cuba will be amazing, how come you're not that excited about it? You must really love Thailand to go back so much! We are thinking of dropping Ko Samet for another time. I really want to explore each destination and take everything in and realx too. The islands on the South sound beautiful, I'm sure they will keep us busy. Have you been to Chiang Mai? Would love to hear what you thought of it.

One of our flights gets in at 8.55 and then our next flight is at 10.00 to Krabi and there's no other flights that day. It's with the same airline, so we should be okay hopefully aslong as there's no delay. Suppose we could always stay a night in Bangkok if we miss it. Do you have to wait long for your luggage to come through?

Anyway, i'm sure your husband won't be too dissapointed with your plans for Thailand too. Where do you usually stay or do you travel around different areas?

I'm in Manchester Town Centre but originally from Worsley area. Really can't wait for those beaches and sun!!

We don't usually travel around too much. I love Samui with a passion. all parts of it.
we also like Krabi and phi phi. i am not totally sold on phuket although i know that there will be good pockets that we have not seen.
We have never been to chang mai but it is on the list.
We have been to Thailand 7 times and the last 4 have been for a month at a time. During the last 4 years i have suffeed from really bad health hence the more static stays. I have recently had a gastric by pass that has meant that I have stopped using insullin and my weight is going down and my blood pressure. It has been like a miracle. So i hope that my next trip will be far more active.
cuba- well, i would always rather be in thailand. It's a bit addictive as you will gather from this forum !
by the way had the op in the alexandra at cheadle.

__________________
Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

Hi

My boyfriend and I went to thailand last year for first time and going back this saturday for 2 weeks, last year we done phuket onto krabi (raylei at bottom of krabi is stunnign but v quiet so purely for total relaxation for a couple of nights was lush) then we done 5 days in phi phi which was gorgeous, just lively enough at night time but calmer in day so a nice balance, we took a few trips from phi phi very cheap longtail trips for teh day to Maya Bay (wher the movie the beach was filmed) and Bamboo island - here u stop for an hour and th esnorkelling is amazing, even knee deep in the water there are thousands of fish all sorts which will eat fruit from your hands. Then we done the ferry- bus - ferry journey to samui which was longish but i enjoyed it. the eastern islands defo dont get anywhre near as good weaether as the western side and samui is so built up now not that nice if im honest so id only advise bothering if you wanted to do the full moon party in ko penang. this year we are doing similar, couple days in bangkok, doing some 'tiger temple, bridge over river kwai' day trip which came highly recommended from a friend. then we are spending couple of day in raylei again to super charge the batteries, then we are going phi phi again as we loved it there lots of young people but not idiots if you get me, then we go up to chiang mai for a couple of days and from there we are spending 2 days/1 night at the elephant nature reserve (google it) which, foraround 80 gbp each you get to do all manner of amazing things with the elephants, bathing them in the river feeding them learning about medicinal stuff for them. its entirely donation based charity set up by one woman and if yoru a nature lover this will be amazing.

we are similar age to yourselves and we found last year just brilliant, doing it slightly different this year ie not bothering with samui, doing chiang mai for the elephants etc but all the places ive talked of are great.
hope u have a good time!

kirsty

Jax, looks like you're the krabi guru we need! Our first time there and have booked into the lai thai-do you know anything about it? Also, where is a good place to eat in ao nang? We also like samui and have always stayed at the baan samui which is wonderful.

I am sorry but don't know the place that you are booked in to.
We often ate down the nopparata side of Ao nang. in my opinion the food, although good, does not compare any where with samui. both me and dave felt the same. along the main road in aonag there is a food market. in retrospect we would have eaten here far more for value and taste.
the scenery and islands around Krabi are really beautiful and i was really impressed with koh lanta that we drove to one day.
Have you looked for the hotel on sawadee? they have reviews on there.
when you going?

__________________
Kiss
God laughs at people who make plans.

Hi Sue in Wales,
We've just got back from Ao nang and stayed at the Somkiet Buri which is about 250m from your hotel. We were there for 8 nights and didn't have a bad or even average meal the whole time we were there. The Somkiet Buri has an excellent restaraunt in beautiful surroundings. Just walk towards the beach from your hotel and you will find it opposite Mcdonalds and 7/11. They are muslim owned so they dont serve alchohol but they are happy for you to bring your own. On the opposite side of the road about another 50-100m down there is a place called Chilli that is also excellent. This place overlooks the road so the setting is not as idyllic as the previosly mentioned place but it is owned by a really nice family and the service and food is very good. The food market place that Jax mentioned has a great atmosphere as it is always busy and has about 10 little restaraunts/stalls selling very good seafood and Thai food. It is across the road from the Krabi resort on the main beach road and will be about a 60 baht tuk tuk ride from your hotel. A little bit further away from there, on the beach is a very big seafood place called Wangsai seafood which is also excellent.

__________________
I love Thailand this much