Programs: UA 1.75K, AM, HH Gold, Global Entry Gold
Posts: 1,682
First trip - Stay BKK or Phuket/Pattaya?
I'm making my first trip to Thailand in January. I arrive BKK at 2345 on 2 January and fly out of BKK at 0635 on 8 January, so my time in country is 3-7 January.
My internal debate is whether to stay in Bangkok or skip Bangkok and go to either Phuket or Pattaya. I'm not a "beach guy" in that I don't lie on the beach or swim in the ocean but I do enjoy the atmosphere in beach communities. I also enjoy large cities.
What say you? Should I stick to Bangkok for my first visit to Thailand or skip Bangkok and visit one of the beach communities?
Programs: United 1K MM. 1K by segments each year since 1997.
Posts: 947
Quote:
Originally Posted by Diplomatico
I'm making my first trip to Thailand in January....Should I stick to Bangkok for my first visit to Thailand or skip Bangkok and visit one of the beach communities?
Diplomatico:
Are you firm on visiting a beach community? My usual trip to Thailand includes three days in BBK (first day and last two days), and a three day stay up in Chiang Mai. Having been to Pattaya, unless I'm missing something, would much rather spend a few days in CNX. Haven't been to Phuket, so can't address that destination. But in my opinion both are so tourist oriented that I think you would miss so much of what Thailand is about if you choose to go to either beach destination.
Being as this will be your first trip to Thailand, I certainly would not dismiss spending a few days in BKK. There are so many interesting things to do and see in that city. As many times as I have been to Thailand, travel programs I've viewed on TV indicate I have many things yet to experience in BKK.
Programs: UA 1.75K, AM, HH Gold, Global Entry Gold
Posts: 1,682
Quote:
Originally Posted by ColoBill1
Diplomatico:
Are you firm on visiting a beach community? My usual trip to Thailand includes three days in BBK (first day and last two days), and a three day stay up in Chiang Mai. Having been to Pattaya, unless I'm missing something, would much rather spend a few days in CNX. Haven't been to Phuket, so can't address that destination. But in my opinion both are so tourist oriented that I think you would miss so much of what Thailand is about if you choose to go to either beach destination.
Being as this will be your first trip to Thailand, I certainly would not dismiss spending a few days in BKK. There are so many interesting things to do and see in that city. As many times as I have been to Thailand, travel programs I've viewed on TV indicate I have many things yet to experience in BKK.
Hi Bill. Thanks for the reply.
No, not set on the beach at all - just heard from others that the beaches are nice and thought it might be worthwhile to check them out.
I'll look into Chiang Mai as another option. Thanks again!
Since you don't exactly have a ton of time I would probably stick to Bangkok and do a day trip to Ayutthaya one of those days and maybe a day trip over to Kanchanaburi/River Kwai. There are a number of big attractions in Bangkok which will take you a couple of days to visit. That time of year the weather should be pretty good, but adjusting to the crowds/pollution/traffic/etc can take some time. Personally I would not add a set of flights and airport time and so forth to such a short trip. Five days is not a lot of time.
Moderator: GLBT Travelers, Hyatt Gold Passport & National
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: CVG
Posts: 7,957
Since its your first trip, I would not totally skip BKK but perhaps split the time as has been suggested by others here. Pattaya is relatively close to BKK (the airport is actually between Pattaya & BKK) but the town itself is rather seedy although there are some nice resorts just south of town in the vicinity of the Sheraton and the adjacent large Royal Cliff Resort. However, since you said that you're not a beach person - 5 days is way too long for Pattaya.
Hua Hin is a better beach town than Pattaya, so if you prefer to visit a beach I would go to HUA HIN for 2 days and rest in Bangkok. I would surly stay in BKK for the last 3 nights.
Given your time constraints, I'd spend more time in Bangkok. Bangkok is a truly cosmopolitan city and always worth more time to explore especially for a first time visitor to Thailand, as in your case. I didn't visit Phuket until my third trip to Thailand and Chiang Mai until my fourth ... never been to Pattaya.
The weather will be great in January ... I suggest that you see the Ratanakosin "Island" area (including Banglamphu), which is the heart of Bangkok's historical and architectural heritage. I'd also suggest that you stay at a hotel near a skytrain station for easy access to all Bangkok's points of interest.
Location: Rio Grande Do Sul, Brasil and Rayong, Thailand
Programs: American Platinum Lifetime, Starwood Gold, United, Krisflyer, Delta, Lufthansa, Thai, Int. Avenger
Posts: 235
If you want to walk away from Thailand with a positive attitude, come up here to Chiangmai. This is almost like another country compared to BKK, Pattaya and the environs. I have never been so happy in Thailand!!.....too bad I have to return to Rayong shortly
Programs: UA 1.75K, AM, HH Gold, Global Entry Gold
Posts: 1,682
Thank you for all of the constructive responses. Two things have become apparent - (a) I should probably just stick around BKK and explore the city on this trip and (b) this won't be my only trip to Thailand.
If you want to walk away from Thailand with a positive attitude, come up here to Chiangmai. This is almost like another country compared to BKK, Pattaya and the environs.
I second this suggestion. With your schedule you could have two full days in BKK on 3rd and 4th, and then fly to CNX early on 5th where you could stay until late evening 7th, returning to stay at an hotel close to your departure early on 8th. Personally, I'd do a full day tour of BKK main sites on 3rd, a River Kwai/Floating Market/Temple tour on 4th, Chiang Mai city tour on 5th, Golden Triangle tour on 6th and relaxation on 7th before onward journey. since you are not into beaches then Pattaya will be of little attraction unless you are interested in the seemier side of life. There is much more to Phuket than its beaches but given your comments I'd recommend BKK and CNX if you want to do two centres. If you like to see a place in more depth then I recommend sticking to BKK for first trip.
Have fun.
I'd recommend spending the entire time in Bangkok. There is tons to see and experience. On my first trip, I spent about nine days in country, with one overnight on Ko Samet, an island off the coast southeast of Bangkok (beyond Pattaya). Even with all that time in Bangkok, it wasn't enough to see everything I wanted to at the pace I wanted. Now I go to Bangkok regularly, and I never tire of it.
I haven't been to Pattaya. I've been to Phuket and thought it was okay but not great. Since you're not really much of a beach person, I don't see a reason to go. At that time of year, it will be crowded with foreigners and relatively expensive. The overall experience on Phuket is not all that Thai. Chiang Mai would certainly be an authentic Thai experience, but I wasn't all that crazy about Chiang Mai.
I would recommend taking the money you would save by not flying to Phuket or Chiang Mai and upgrading to five-star hotel - preferably in a club-level suite.
This will make your stay in BKK much more enjoyable.
i am planning a 28 day trip to Thailand including flying time. What are the must see places and attractions. i am not a beach person but wont mind visiting for a day or 2. Any suggestions are most welcome and appreciate you'll's replies and help.
Will be travelling with family.
I want to enter and exit via Bangkok. Which will be better Phuket or Krabi when added to other places?
There is much to see in and around Bangkok. 5 days is hardly enough. Visit a local travel agency not in your hotel to arrange days trips and tours. All tours will end with a visit to the Gem Gallery. Be polite but don't buy anything. Everything there is over priced.
Stay near the Skytrain. It's air conditioned and immune to traffic. In Bangkok anything goes except the traffic.
Don't go shopping with cab drivers. They get a kickbacks from the overpriced shops they take you to. One scam is a "doctor" approaching tourists near the 4 Face Buddha (BTS skytrain ,Chit Lom station, near Police Hospital). He tells you there is a special sale happening and wants to send you on a tuk tuk to another very overpriced shop. In general, whenever anyone asks if this is your first trip to Thailand, just say no.
