This is a late addition, but I highly recommend www.grasshopperadventures.com - we did a cycling tour with with (Bridge over the river Kwai) and it was one of my best travel experiences yet. Not too scary and lots of relaxation time. We're doing their coastal ride to Chumphon/Ko Samui in February.

We also did a cooking class in BKK - a great way to immerse yourself while also not, and get amazing food out of it too.

1) If you are a SPG Platinum and were considering Chiang Mai, do not change your plans. Chiang Mai is a great city, and perfect for a new visitor... and the suite upgrades at the Le Merdien Chiang Mai are fantastic. You may not want to leave after 2 days.

2) Do not choose the Sheraton Krabi, if you have other choices. The construction is substandard to most hotels I have stayed at, and lower than all the other SPG choices. The suite upgrades for platinums at this hotel are extremely limited.

I really want to get a tour with Tong since their service has really good reviews. I've sent an e-mail to the e-mail address on their website and I haven't heard anything back.

May I ask how you contacted them and reserved your tour?

If you like elephants, and it sure sounds like you do, then I would avoid doing any riding of the elephants. They are not cared for well - and are being ridden around by tourists all day long and chained up when they aren't. By creating demand for this activity you assist in keeping them in this horrible life. I love Thailand and the people are some of the nicest I've ever known. But their treatment of elephants in this regard is very very sad. I think it would be better to donate some money to saving elephants rather than paying money to ride them.

If you want to see elephants, better to go to safari in Africa where you can see them in their own habitat, not chained up or with riding gear on.

Re Chiang Mai, I second others opinion - the Le Meridien there is very nice and you'll like Chiang Mai more than Chiang Rai unless you are a backpacking type (which I'm guessing you're not) as there is more to do.

Thanks for the advice.

I have already booked my airfare to not be in Chiang Mai due to the pollution, but I could still change things around. For the people still recommending Chiang Mai.. have you been there in March?

My current plan (very beach heavy) is:
3 days/4 nights in BKK
- Will do temple tour, Ayutthaya (probably with Tong), and spend some time walking around and eating :)
RE: Elephants, the more I have read the more I think it would be better to just stay away from that, although the Tour with Tong website has an interesting elephant stop

2 days in Krabi
- See Phi Phi islands and some of the attractions in the area

5 days Ko Samui
- just relax on the beach

c_9, Thanks for the link for the cycling tours. I might look into a half day tour outside of BKK.

pb9997, Those programs look great but unfortunately I don't have the time to commit to something like that on this trip.

Pollution? Bangkok is filled with pollution just the same as Chiang Mai. For a few days of your life it won't matter (unless someone has asthma in which case even Bangkok may be a problem).

I was in Chiang Mai in March. If memory serves, weather was nice (but hot). Lots of nice buddhist temples to see in Chiang Mai. Great hotel (Le Meridien). I've been to Chiang Mai a few times, it's a real Thai city and worth seeing. Bangkok feels less like real Thailand and more like any other major city (albeit a very cool yet dirty one).

I love Samui - but 5 days there is an awful lot - unless you truly love just lazing about.

But I agree with the other posters, wouldn't do more than 3 spots with the amount of time you have. So you'd have to choose between Krabi and Chiang Mai. Both are very different. If you want beach heavy, stay on plan. If you want city/beach split - with a chance to see all 3 types of things Thailand offers (int'l city, thai-ish city, and beach), swap Krabi for Chiang Mai. No wrong answer here - just personal choice.