Thailand - Next March Thailand Travels

Well I just booked the flights for our trip to Thailand next year. Very excited and looking forward to it.

We leave Feb 24 and fly into Bangkok and stay there for 3 nights at the JW Marriott. Have not booked the domestic flights yet, but will then fly into Phuket and stay either at the JW Khao Lak or the Ren for 5 nights. Then we will fly to Hong Kong for 3 nights at the Westin or Le Meriden and return back to the states March 8th. Doing this all on points right now. Are there any tips for domestic flights there to utilize some programs points? The flight from BKK to PHK is really cheap at first look, so probably would not waist points on that, but the PHK to HGK that looked like a few hundred each, so worth it there.

Has anyone stay at the Ritz in Hong Kong? Lots of points for 3 nights, but is it worth it?

I have received lots of good feedback on the hotel forums, especially the Marriott gang.

I am going to by the eye witness guide for Thailand as I like those books to see what we should embark on in our short stays in each location.

If anyone has any general recommendations on things to do, see, eateries, travel tips, visa stuff or anything, I am all ears :D

When in Bangkok, definitely go to the floating market. It's an awesome experience and quintessential Bangkok. Go there hungry, the food is awesome!
Watch your personal belongings though. You can also bargain at the shops.

I also forgot to ask if anyone has recommendations on a iphone translation app that would be good to use?

Have a look at this: http://www.thai-faq.com/best-iphones-apps-living-bangkok/

Haven't used something like this since I have reasonable language skills, and Mrs TK can always help (she is local...).

Enjoy your trip - we'll also be around 22 Feb - 09 Mar 13, although details of locations yet to be set. The 'Meet a FlyerTalker' thread is well worth a visit.

Cheers, TK

Edited to add: I have played around with Talking Thai-English-Thai v1.6 and consider it a good product http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/talking-thai-english-thai/id411632067?mt=8

Then we will fly to Hong Kong for 3 nights at the Westin or Le Meriden and return back to the states March 8th.

I don't think there's a Westin in Hong Kong. We have a Le Meridien :rolleyes:, a Sheraton :td: and a W ^

In Khao Lak,

I am curious why the JW and not the Le Meridien ?

The Ritz Carlton in Hong Kong stole the view from W. Now when you are staying at W your view of HK Central skyline is partially blocked by the ICC building where the Ritz is. My point is, the view from the Ritz would be pretty awesome.

^^^ I have a ton more Marriott points than SPG. So I was mistaken. I have booked the JW in Hong Kong, Ren/JW in Phuket and the Westin in Bangkok. I still have the JW in Bangkok booked too. Will finalize all the hotels before cancellation and see if any will upgrade that far in advance to solidfy my choices :D

I did not even look for properties in KL for SPG. Again I have 500k in Marriott and 28k in SPG :p

The Ritz is still on the radar once I cancel and return many of the points, but 210k for 3 nights is a tough pill to swallow and for just putting our head down, not sure, but if I've got'em I am sure I will us'em.

Thanks I will check out these apps. Overall are there many english speaking folks over in these destinations I am heading too? I know it would not hurt to have these apps, but could I 'get by' without one and hope I will get enough english speaking folks to manage thru the trip?

I never thought about the Meet a Flyer person. Might have to look into that.

Mrs TK, how do you contact her and what does she help you with? Is she a tour type person that can take you around? She offer suggestions?

Thanks for your input.

Have a look at this: http://www.thai-faq.com/best-iphones-apps-living-bangkok/

Haven't used something like this since I have reasonable language skills, and Mrs TK can always help (she is local...).

Enjoy your trip - we'll also be around 22 Feb - 09 Mar 13, although details of locations yet to be set. The 'Meet a FlyerTalker' thread is well worth a visit.

Cheers, TK

Edited to add: I have played around with Talking Thai-English-Thai v1.6 and consider it a good product http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/talking-thai-english-thai/id411632067?mt=8

Mrs TK, how do you contact her and what does she help you with? Is she a tour type person that can take you around? She offer suggestions?


Erm, that would be Thai-Kiwi's wife :)

Ah, that is funny, now I feel silly :rolleyes:

I guess you need to compare prices for getting between HKT and HKG. One option you may want to consider from a novelty point of view is the Emirates A380 that flies BKK-HKG. Business class is a few hundred on that route and the first suites are just a couple hundred more. I would use the ITA website to look for best fare options from HKT. I probably wouldn't spend miles unless you have a lot to burn.

Ah, that is funny, now I feel silly :rolleyes:

Forgiven! Same language doesn't guarantee a thing!

I understand that in the northern hemisphere that the water goes down the sink in the other direction as well....;)

Cheers, TK

I don't have miles to burn so yes I will have to check out web fare options. I have not heard of ITA? Not too familar with all options out there since I typically use my points and their sites.
I don't mind paying a few hundred dollars if they are relatively affordable. (Gotta get there somehow :p )

I guess you need to compare prices for getting between HKT and HKG. One option you may want to consider from a novelty point of view is the Emirates A380 that flies BKK-HKG. Business class is a few hundred on that route and the first suites are just a couple hundred more. I would use the ITA website to look for best fare options from HKT. I probably wouldn't spend miles unless you have a lot to burn.

ITA is owned by Google now, but its technology underlies a lot of other fare search websites.

http://matrix.itasoftware.com/

You can't book directly, but it will show you available fares. Sometimes it will show routing options that are not obvious. It can be quite powerful if you learn the ins and outs of the advanced search features.