Originally Posted by
jpatokal
Any point in Thailand is within about an hour's flight or an overnight train journey from Bangkok.
Sure looks like it. Please start by consulting a map, and you'll find that your question is absurd, as the mainland has the same climate and same appearance as any islands next to that part of the mainland.
A slightly more sensible division of the country:
Now, tell us what kind of things you're interested in, and we can start suggesting where you might want to go.
Well, bearing in mind I've got two young teenage boys all activities are pretty much geared to them.
So I suppose water sports, snorkelling, elephant trekking etc would be on the list but not in a hugely touristy area - the kids are happy travelling ad hoc and don't require full resort facilities.
And it would be nice to see some authenticity which is really why I asked whether mainland might be better than island.
Oh and Mrs Showbizguru wants to sleep at least one night in a hut over the water.
And I quite like sitting in a beach bar throwing back cocktails while watching the sun go down.
And everything has to be quite cheap even though it's December.
Thanks.
( I told you I knew absolutely nothing ! )