Hi,

I have searched, read and searched and read again and also changed my first inter-Asian flight.
Current Reservations:
Arrive HKT from HKG at 5:05 PM on Oct 10. Staying at Hilton on Karon Beach.
Depart HKT to BKK: Oct 15 - time PM?
BKK Conrad.
Depart BKK Oct 18 6:00am.

I have already shaved a day off my HKG portion (and paid $100 change fee pp) so that I could extend another day in BKK. Four nights in HKG. Question to everyone is BKK the place I should be adding the day?

After reading about the weather in Oct, things to do in BKK, cost for hotel rooms in HKT vs BKK, I am hoping that some fellow Ftalkers will advise me on whether I should spend 5 or 6 nights in HKT and/or 1 or 2 nights in BKK.

We like to snorkel, scuba, golf, swim. Drink beer :D

If we were to spend 6 nights in HKT and leave in the AM to BKK would the 1 remaining full day in BKK be enough to see the city? We like to take city tours.

I don't anticipate returning to this area of the world for several years.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Help a woman make up her mind :)

Thanks,

Gwen

I travel to BKK about 4 times/year for about 7 to 10 days. The first time I went, I took a Friday off to see the sights. This was my itinerary for that late April Friday (90F/90% Humidity):

1.) Leave hotel at 9AM to take skytrain/tuk-tuk to Grand Palace.
2.) Grand Palace tour until noon or so. Hired "private" tour guide outside palace for 200B (little more than 5 bucks at the time). Got picture taken with Vietnamese tour group--I think they thought I was somebody, so I played along.
3.) Walked over to the Chao Phraya river and took a Klong boat tour for about an hour or so.
4.) Took the public ferry up the river for 10B, mostly just to cool off, relax and see more sites from the river.
5.) Got off the ferry at the spot for the Golden reclining buddha. Spent about and hour plus in the temple area.
6.) Headed back to Sukhumvit area, had a late lunch.
7.) Did some shopping for the late afternoon, got back to hotel around 6:30PM, exhausted and flew home next day.

Having been there several more times, there are obviously many other things to be seen, but I felt I got a good cross section of major sights in that one day. It was tough with the heat and humidity, though--but I would do it again.

There are many other sights and shopping to do in BKK, so you could easily fill up a second day with either. Also, don't forget the Thai massages are a good way to pass the time.

My vote would be for 2 nights in BKK, but then I tire easily of snorkeling, scuba golf and swimming. :p

Good luck

Definitely schedule more time in Bangkok. Phuket is just a resort island. Many of the activities can be done anywhere in the world. It's certainly a pretty spot (in places), but you really don't get much Thai culture in Phuket. Bangkok is the place to find culture and really experience Thailand. On a first visit with no plans to return for years, even two days is not enough. I would have reversed it: 5 days Bangkok, 2 days Phuket. Four days in Hong Kong is a good amount-- you should be able to experience quite a good bit of the city in that time.

My 9-night trip to Thailand last year included:
BKK Airport: 1 night
Ao Nang, Krabi: 1 night
Railay: 2 nights
Koh Phi Phi: 2 nights
Phuket: 2 nights (2 different hotels, including the Nai Yang Beach Resort (http://www.gothailand.com/hotels/phuket/frameme.php?page=/nai-yang-beach-resort/)at deserted Nai Yang Beach near the airport)
BKK Airport: 1 night

I can't imaging staying at the same hotel for 5 or 6 nights!
But I will admit, my itinerary was a bit hectic. :)

On Phuket, I loved Nai Yang's long stretch of empty beach, and proximity to the airport. The end of HKT's runway is just maybe a quarter mile (?) from the beach.

Thank you all for taking the time to help me with my vacation planning. Your comments are greatly appreciated.

Gwen