OK,
here it is.

Bangkok for 5 days
Chaing Mai for 1 1/2 days
Phuket for 4 days

What are must see/do's for these areas that you would recommend?

Thanks in advance.

If you like snorkeling and diving, spend time on Koh Phi Phi instead of Phuket. If not, at least take a day trip to PP.
http://www.phi-phi.com

Thanks travelem, we are divers. There is a day trip to a group of islands in a protected national park sanctuary to the NW of Phuket in the Adamman(sp?) sea that we have plans for. KPP is planned for another trip late next year.

How about Koh Samui? Anyone been there?

You're not doing Chiang Mai justice, you should add an extra day there, if only to go to the countryside.

Plus the Night Market is much nicer/authentic/relaxed/cheaper there.

Never been in Samui so can't tell, but the weather is nicer in HKT this time of the year anyway.

If you're going diving skip Phi Phi and board a 3-4 day sailing tour to the Similians.

Agree 100% with celbrian about Chiang Mai. A day trip to Doi Suthep (all the hotels can help you organize these) is breathtaking, and a walking or private tour of the city and its splendid wats (temples) is well worth the effort. And the night market is extraordinary -- a wonderful time with wonderful bargains. (I'd suggest staying at a nice place near the Night Market, such as the Royal Princess Chiang Mai, rather than at one of the outlying hotels such as the Westin.)

Frankly, I much prefer Chiang Mai to Bangkok: easier to navigate, no traffic issues, much less pollution, and a better-looking city.

[This message has been edited by wideman (edited 12-05-2001).]

I have to agree with the other posters and suggest you add more time to Chiang Mai and deduct this extra time from Bangkok. If you've never been to Bangkok, you should certainly spend some time there, but 5 days seems just a wee bit too long. The traffic, air pollution and possible heat & humidity will quickly take the "glow" off of Bangkok.

Some travelers to BKK always make a point of staying at one of the riverside hotels in order to have a park-like refuge from the urban congestion.

Seeing as lodging and airfare are so cheap, I will take this advice and switch another day to Chiang Mai. Thank you.

I had a fantastic time in Chiang Mai and spent a lot more time there than I had originally planned. In the 7 days that I was there, I took a two-day Thai cooking classes, went on a two-day trek, visited the winter royal palace grounds and Wat Doi Suthep, shopped at the Night Market more than a few times, and got several two-hour Thai massages. The variety of activities and overall better value really made me fall in love with Chiang Mai.

I am going to Bangkok for 5 days and hope to take a couple excursions outside BKK for day trip without a tour group. Have anyone been Huahin, Lop Buri, the ****ERNSADUAK floating market? Any suggestions that for cities within 2-3 hours of BKK by train or bus worth exploring. Any Flyertalk members in BKK interested in a get together?

thanks,

Adamman Islands? I am really jeleous. How are you getting there? Don't they belong to India?

As far as Koh Samui..... My friend and I were on a plane there and after seeing a plane full of "tourists" and not "travelers", we decided to take a boat to Koh Phan Ngan (sp?) Really fantastic. If you happen to be there during the full moon parties watch out; the population increase by a few thousand. Did some diving which was nice.