Asia - Thailand Itinerary/Domestic Airfare Questions

I'm very excited to be making my first trip to Thailand at the end of next month (late August) but methinks I'm going cross-eyed searching through forums on FT and other sites. I've already decided there seems to be much more that I'd like to see and do than I have time for (I guess all that means is I need a return trip someday soon!), and I've got some definite ideas already, but am interested in hearing any opinions on how you would spend 12 days in Thailand on your first visit.

Right now I'm thinking of splitting time between Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui and Siem Reap (yes, I realize it's not in Thailand!) but don't think 12 days is really enough for all 4. How would you split days between each? 3 days each? 4 days each for Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Siem Reap (and skip Koh Samui)? 2 days BKK with an extra day up north? Would you go out to the River Kwai or focus on BKK? Spend most of your time in Chiang Mai or go on an overnight hike?

Also, it seems from reading forums that I can save $$ by purchasing domestic airfare once I get there, but my experience elsewhere has always been sold-out or outrageously expensive flights as a walk-up. Even in the mini-peak season of August, would I be okay to not make definitive flight arrangements beforehand in case we want to have some flexibility? At first blush, it looks like some flights have already begun filling up or becoming more expensive to places like Samui (I don't plan on taking the bus/boat combo) so it's made me a bit more apprehensive about not booking everything this week!

Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated!

As you have guessed - 12 days is not much to enjoy time at all the places mentioned.

The upside with flying in Thailand is that the airports usually flow a lot faster than in the US.

If you are thinking about flying to cities that Thai Airways has airports, you could look at the 3 flight pass they have for a pretty decent price. This must be purchased from the US.

I have had luck with buying tickets last minute, and when coach has been sold out, buying 1st Class for $20-40 more.

In regards to your destinations, it will be well into monsoon season, so any beach time may be wet, and snorkel/scuba diving could be limited due to rough waters and visibility -- which means that Samui may not be the call. If you just like beaches/islands and can deal with some wind and rain --then maybe not a problem.

I would suggest getting away from Chang Mai and hitting the hill tribes. There is a lot more to see/do if you are up for that kind of travel. REP is nice and could be crowded and expensive as far as hotels and flights -- check availability and your budget, and consider booking with a Thai travel agent.

Enjoy your trip

I just did 10 days there .. We faced the same dilemma you did , went through all the options - we wanted to do BKK, Chiang Mai, Angkor Wat & either Phuket or Samui.... and ended up doing only BKK & Samui..

3 nights & 2 full days in BKK is enough to see a few things .. we mainly took the water taxi & skytrain ( that way we saw more of the city ) & metros when we needed to make up time and wandered around .. we of course just saw a few things and one could stay there for months , but I feel like I saw enough of BKK to get a small taste of it - walking through chinatown was definitely something!

We then went on to Samui.( stayed 4 nights Chaweng & 2 nights in Bohput) . If you love beaches I'd spend maybe 2 nights in Samui and go on to Koh Phangan.. It is not as modern as Samui but it is beautiful and not as overrun with british pubs, german restaruants & shops selling fake anything you can imagine.. just be careful not to go during full moon party ( unless you want to go to a party with 10,000 people on a small beach) As far as monsoon Phuket & Samui have opposite monsoon seasons -we were in Samui in June and it was their dry season whereas Phuket was in monsoon ..however it did rain each day in the early evening ..

For my return trip to Southeast Asia I will most def. take more time & do Cambodia ..

Regarding Airfares ....Bangkok air had some good deals on the internet & it was a nice airline- i got RT tickets from BKK to Samui for around 200 they also have a deal called discovery pass where you can buy tickets for 50$ a leg - you have to buy a book of 4 i believe .. you may want to check out their website..

Whatever you do ... be sure to get massages ( especially the foot massage)!!! many of them and enjoy the curry.. the food was so amazing and if you stick to Thai food ( not eating western food ) you will hardly spend any money for suberb food ! With all that said no matter what you do or how you get there - Thailand is an amazing experience - have fun!!

In regards to your destinations, it will be well into monsoon season, so any beach time may be wet, and snorkel/scuba diving could be limited due to rough waters and visibility -- which means that Samui may not be the call.
Summer is the west coast monsoon. Koh Samui is on the east coast, and right now is in fact the best time to go!

Note that flights to both Koh Samui and Siem Reap are monopolized by Bangkok Airways, meaning comparatively very high fares on both sectors, so you'd do well to look into their airpass. They also fly to Chiang Mai.

First choice : 3-3-1-3-1 BKK-Chiang Mai-Siem Reap and spare 1 day for total transit between destination. You have to do BKK-CM-BKK-SR-BKK. It's doable quite tight but all you have to do is using the same hotel in BKK. So, you don't have to carry your luggage around.

Second choice : 3-3-3-1 BKK-Chiang Mai-Samui and spare the last day in BKK. It's more convenient than the first choice, do have to rush. You can even have one or 2 day spare for anything come up last minute.

Don't recommend visiting all your desire : BKK-Chiang Mai-Siem Reap-Samui. You won't get anything from running around destination without enjoying them.

The domestic airfare is fixed price but might not be able to get on certain day of the week. Let's say BKK-Chiang Mai on Friday night or back to BKK Sunday evening. I recommend you buy the whole package from your destination. If there is any change in the country, you can check the availability locally.

Right now I'm thinking of splitting time between Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui and Siem Reap (yes, I realize it's not in Thailand!) but don't think 12 days is really enough for all 4. How would you split days between each? 3 days each? 4 days each for Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Siem Reap (and skip Koh Samui)? 2 days BKK with an extra day up north? Would you go out to the River Kwai or focus on BKK? Spend most of your time in Chiang Mai or go on an overnight hike?
fly bangkok air everywhere---although you may have to take thai to siem reap because i dont know if bkk air flies direct there---you may have to connect through phnom pehn...waisting more of your already short stay. bkk air is pleasant and cheap, and you can find it i think on travelocity, but if not, go to a reputable travel agent in bangkok (no advance purchase nessasary)....this is the HOT season in koh samui, with rain at night, bangkok isnt too bad, and ive never been to chang mai....but it is very hot in koh samui now...but i'd stay there for all of it, cheap+beautiful--maybe a 1-2 day trip to siem reap, do that last though in case you get robbed in cambodia!!

It's always hot in Thailand, everywhere. Just drink a lot of water and MSport, the Thai sports drink. And fruitshakes.

Bangkok Air is an excellent airline, and if you can afford it, just do everything with them, especially since, as mentioned in another post, they own the Samui airport and they monopolize Siem Riep.

Personally, I think Samui is rubbish. If you're willing to spend money, fly to Trat and take the ferry to Ko Chang. Way less commercialized but nice. It will rain some, but not all day, and that means there will be water in the waterfalls for you to swim in. Rent a motorbike and ride around. Samui is overrun with tourism

Chiang Mai is great. You can fly there from BKK on AirAsia for cheap if you book a week in advance.

I think you need 3 days for Angkor Wat. Just my opinion

You lose one day already from travelling time from Bangkok either by car or by air to Trad and take the ferry which still not a proper standard yet!!!!

But if you fly to Trat on Bangkok Airways (twice daily, I believe), you wouldn't lose a day.

.....

.....