Couple travelling to Thailand

[longie]

Hi All,

Would love your expert advice 🙂

Wife and I are off to Thailand in mid November (just booked the flights). Arriving in Bangkok for 12 days. We want a mixture of sights, relax, beach. My wife has Arthritis, so climbing, walking long distances can be a problem and also a fear of boats ! (I think I could get her onto 1 or 2 max during the vacation).. and I know the seas and boats are an essential part Thailand and island visiting (but feel it may be out, except if we go to one and stay there for the ‘beach’ part), so would love your opinions etc. I was think bangkok beginning and end for a couple of days (to coincide with the flights), happy to fly around to other parts of the country. I believe Nov is a good month to visit, but not sure if the weather is better is certain parts.

Thanks everyone 🙂

[memesweeper]

I would recommend at least one long-distance train journey, ideally an overnight sleeper. The Man in Seat 61 has the details you need.

Check the weather — different parts of the country will have different rainfall levels when you are there.

If you travel to Chiang Mai (and you should) you may find a stay at Tanita House delightful: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g293917-d1582410-Reviews-Tanita_House-Chiang_Mai.html — I was there a decade ago but the reviews suggest it is just as good as it ever way.

You can fly from Chiang Mai the length of the country thus avoiding a backtrack through Bangkok.

Don’t miss the crazy-huge weekend market in Bangkok.

Most boat trips will be pretty short, except perhaps the run to Samui from Surat Thani, so maybe swerve that one.

[Hbommie]

Bangkok has many options for sightseeing and will keep you both entertained for 2-3 days (or more if you like a slower pace and want to dig deeper), the transport links in the city are excellent with x2 MRT systems (although it woud be better if they had joined up usability). The city is also geared to travelling on the river, from local boats (bus service) longtails to tourist boats which maybe more suitable as they are less franetic.

The usual suspects to move on from Bangkok are Samui, Phuket, Hua Hin, Chang Mai, Krabi but there are other options too.

My recommendation for a first timer would be Bangkok for 3 days, up to the north Chaing Mai or Chiang Rai and back to Phuket or Khao Lak and fly back to the UK from there (HKT). Its not the most exotic option but is a road well travelled.

The spread of accomodation is vast and will take some planning depending on your preference and pocket but you dont have to spend £££’s to get really good hotels, or you could go with a 3 centre trip using a TA who will package the quality of hotel to suit (not my preffered option but it could work for you).

You don’t have to go on a boat if you don’t want to, yes it is very popular but not essential, Samui and Phuket are big islands with lots to see and do. Phi Phi is the usual ‘must see’ trip but I’ve never been as I didn’t fancy the rugby scrum when you get there. I think I’m too late to that party.

Those are the basics so if you need specific rec’s for trips and sites search for Thailand up top or ask again here.

[Richard Peters]

A trip to Bridge over the River Kwai was a must when we were there: plenty of options through Trip Advisor

[The real Swiss Tony]

What I would suggest is think first about managing jet lag. Can you get straight to a beach destination on the first day, as personally I’d far prefer to acclimatise dozing by the pool in a relaxing resort type environment rather than a big city where the urge to get out and explore will be greater.

A quick look at the obvious destinations suggests Hua Hin might be the driest place in November.

So maybe spend the first 5-6 nights by the beach, then fly to Chiang Mai for 3 nights (Air Asia fly a few times a week from Hua Hin to Chiang Mai, from US$28 but pay extra for row 1….) and finish in Bangkok for 3 nights?

Not so sure I’d be keen on suggesting a long overnight rail journey given your wife’s arthritis.

Grab – the Asian equivalent of Uber – is a godsend as you know what you’re paying and don’t have to speak Thai.

And as already noted there are great hotel deals to be had. Make sure you check as many booking routes as possible. The hotel, even if part of a chain, may have its own site with its own offers.

[davidflies]

Well people are giving their suggestion, I would love to give another advice. One of the most curious sights for first-time visitors to Bangkok happens every day at 8am and at 6pm. Both are when the Thai National Anthem is played in train stations, markets, and civil buildings throughout the country.
Thai people will all stop what they are doing and stand silently in respect, but will all continue with their busy lives on the beat of the last drum. As a foreigner, it’s polite to stop if you happen to hear this song being blared through a loudspeaker with thousands of people standing to attention.

[BJ]

All recommendations on where have merit and just depend on peoples preferences so I’m not going to focus on that here. Instead I am going to focus on how because that is key from your post given your wife’s arthritis and dislike of boats.

Many tourist places in Thailand are very busy so you want to avoid your wife being jostled as much as possible. Many footpaths are uneven, have deep steps, abd are sometimes narrow. Sois (small dtreets) often have no footpaths at all. Regardless of whether there are footpaths or not, at times and places you will find them to be an obstacle course with streetfood vendors, market traders, bikes etc. Be aware that drivers in Thailand do not generally respect pedestrian crossings. Distance between skytrain stations and subway stations can be far and the weather will undoubtedly be 30-35C+ most places most of the time. Skytrain and/or subway stations have elevators and escalators but you may find you have to walk further than steps to access them, this just depends where you happen to be at any time.take care with boats and river buses. Even it Bangkok these do not properly dock at all piers. At some less popular piers only the rear corner of the boat is alugned with the docks to let people step on and off. In such cases and even when the boat is properly docked there can be quite a lit of movement as the river is often quite choppy. Be wary of organised tours sold by hotels and travel agents. The vast majority of these are operated by Toyota minivans. These are quite cramped and access to all seats, even those next to the door may prove challenging to those with limited mobility. Most taxis are Toyota Altis (think Corolla) but you will find many too that sit higher if your wife finds those easier to access. I have noticed that many shopping malls have wheelchairs available for visitor use. Lije elsewhere, distances to walk within BKK and other airpirts can be far so make use if assistance services, it is not the UK, they will not keep you waiting an hour ir fail to turn up. At BKK airport there is a priority immigration lane for disabled although last time I went through thry were being directed to the premium cabin fast track. Your wife will not have to walk far to fibd a WC ib Thailand, they are everywhere, generally much cleaner abd better maintained than in the UK. If in more rural areas carry toilet tissue as it is nit always provided although it can usually be purchased where it is not. Be aware that street lighting in some places can be poor so extra care is needed with walking.

To overcome some of these challenges and make the trip as pleasant as possible fir your wufe I think you would be best to use car and driver guide as much as possible. It will probably be less expensive than you might imagine and put you in fuller control of your itinerary. To this end I suggest you contact Tours with Tong and make them aware of your wife’s mobility needs and dislike of boats. You can have a great vacation in Thailand without taking to the water or even the air. For example, Bangkok, River Kwai, Khao Yai National Park and beach at Hua Hin. If you are happy to take internal flights you could do 3 nights in Bangkok, and 4 each in Chiang Mai and Phuket (or Krabi or Samui). Enjoy, whatever you decide in the end

[Travel Strong]

Resurrecting this thread to feedback how useful it has been as a first timer planning a 17 night extravaganza in Thailand for next Spring.

After a lifetime of zero eastern travel (heavy to USA, EMEA) I’ve taken the plunge and booked:

LHR-HEL (Avios, AY via BA site)
1 night in HEL
HEL-HKT (Avios, AY via BA site)
BKK – DOH – LHR (Avios, QR via QR site)

Booked the long night flight on AY as the no recline seat should be good for that. But opted for QR on the return where I might not want to be horizontal.
At the moment it is at least 50% Q suite, but I know that can change!

Probably looking at around
6 nights Phuket
6 nights Ko Samui and/or Krabi
3 nights Bangkok

Thanks to everyone above and also dropping in these threads as useful links for future readers:

https://www.headforpoints.com/forums/topic/my-draft-thailand-japan-itinerary-suggestions-please/

https://www.headforpoints.com/forums/topic/thailand-during-school-holidays/

https://www.headforpoints.com/forums/topic/krabi-or-koh-samui/

https://www.headforpoints.com/forums/topic/avios-for-uk-thailand/

As a western traveller, my usual go to is to book on points with Hilton/IHG/Marriott, but I fear I might be missing out by going with chains on this occasion?
Any thoughts on best types of accomodation?

The redemptions for a Conrad villa in Ko samui do look tempting!

[omicron]

Phuket, Ko Samui and Krabi will all be similar (but not exactly the same of course!), so with 15 nights to spend in Thailand I would probably try to fit in a few more days in Bangkok, or something like Chiang Mai in place of one of the beach destinations.

[Aston100]

omicron wrote:

Phuket, Ko Samui and Krabi will all be similar (but not exactly the same of course!), so with 15 nights to spend in Thailand I would probably try to fit in a few more days in Bangkok, or something like Chiang Mai in place of one of the beach destinations.

Exactly this.
More nights in Bangkok.
Some nights in Chiang Mai.
Drop one of the beach destinations and reduce the other one to 5 nights.
So 5/5/5 – Bangkok / Chiang Mai / Phuket or somesuch

[AJA]

I second substituting Chiang Mai for one of the beach destinations.

[BBbetter]

As above posts suggest, choose one of Phuket / Krabi / Koh Samui as they are pretty much similar and depends on what you want. Phuket has lots of options at every budget and is bigger. Krabi is smaller and has more independents than chain hotels and is popular with backpackers. Koh Samui is more upscale and has many full fledged resorts.
I’d suggest more time at Chiang mai than Bangkok. You can find spacious rooms or villas, attractions are more spread out and varied and finally less humid, less commercialised and a more relaxed vibe than BKK.

[qc]

A road trip between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai taking in Pai is also very interesting and the driving is easy if you’re used to driving abroad.

[Aston100]

qc wrote:

A road trip between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai taking in Pai is also very interesting and the driving is easy if you’re used to driving abroad.

While I don’t doubt what you are suggesting, I have to ask if that is really something for a first time visit of 15 nights?

[Travel Strong]

Thanks all. Based on the unanimous feedback – I will rearrange things and add Chang Mai!

Haven’t booked any of the internal transit or any accomodation yet, so the plan is flexible.

I was also enamoured with the reviews of travelling through PHS airport / Sukhothai – but haven’t looked at all at what we’d actually do / where people visit there yet!

[Hbommie]

Chiang Mai will be a nice addition just bear in mind ‘burning season’ in the north, it can get smoggy. I wouldn’t let this deter you though as the north is interesting.

[BBbetter]

Aston100 wrote:

qc wrote:

A road trip between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai taking in Pai is also very interesting and the driving is easy if you’re used to driving abroad.

While I don’t doubt what you are suggesting, I have to ask if that is really something for a first time visit of 15 nights?

Looks like people are just recollecting their experiences instead of considering the specific constraints. For example OP (first post) mentioned his wife has arthritis, but the replies include suggestions for Phi phi and a long overnight train ride!

[blitz18qb]

BBbetter wrote:

Aston100 wrote:

qc wrote:

A road trip between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai taking in Pai is also very interesting and the driving is easy if you’re used to driving abroad.

While I don’t doubt what you are suggesting, I have to ask if that is really something for a first time visit of 15 nights?

Looks like people are just recollecting their experiences instead of considering the specific constraints. For example OP (first post) mentioned his wife has arthritis, but the replies include suggestions for Phi phi and a long overnight train ride!

I’ve lived here in Bangkok for 4 years…. And I haven’t done half the stuff people try and do in 2 weeks!

Here’s my take and advice things.
It’s always hot. Walking anywhere can be very tiring. Taxis are cheap but will try and charge what they can. Grab/Bolt apps are handy.

Bangkok is nuts – I would recommend staying by the River/Silom area, out of the hustle and bustle of Sukumvit, it also gets more breeze. Recommend doing the ‘Hidden Bangkok boat tour’ (it’s mainly on the canals off the river) on a long tail type boat. See the back klongs and boat stops at temples as you go.

Koh Samet – 2.5hrs from Bangkok, short speed boat ride to the island. Nice beaches and not the big chain hotels.’Samet Villas’ is a decent mid price option (Took my in-laws who are 70+). You can relax unwind and have a cocktail or 2.

Phuket was great during Covid = no tourists. Lately the Russians have come in force and we tend to avoid it now. I did a 2 week quarantine there 😂. Can recommend ‘The Saii-Laguna’ on Bang Tao beach. (They also have a sister hotel on PhiPhi which is secluded and away from main tourist spot but boat ride is a bit longer.

Khao Lak is nice and quieter than Phuket (1hrs drive from Phuket airport….but also has the larger resort style hotels).

Chiang Mai – Good Nov/Dec/Jan Cooler temps – Avoid Feb/March/April – Burning season, air quality is very poor.

Hua Hin – Doable on the train from Bangkok. 2.5hrs in the car. Beaches are OK. Some decent hotels…2 good night markets (Cicada/Tamarind). The Holiday Inn has good sea views….but think you’ll be giving the water park a miss.
I would head another 30mins south to Sam Roi-Yot. ‘Dolphin Bay Resort’ is a lovely escape and right on the beach. (Is more of a family type place).

For Nature ‘I love Phants’ – Elephant and wildlife sanctuary. They take you round in an open/jeep to see the park and animals. Elephants free to come up to the lodge accommodation.

Kanchanaburi – Get the train Over the River Kwai, visit hell fire pass, Commonwealth war graves (Although there are quite a few steps down/up. Erawan Falls national park.

Krabi – bit cheap and dirty in my opinion. Better places to spend your time.

The list is endless
Enjoy your travels, happy to answer any questions you might have.

[qc]

Good advice @blitz18qb – especially the bit about the Russians having returned to Phuket. Definitely recommend staying on the river.

If Mrs @longie isn’t keen on boats I definitely don’t recommend a long tail boat trip nor a trip on the rice barges on the klongs! When we were staying at the Oriental last time they were offering complimentary long tail boat trips in lieu of something that wasn’t open – I should have declined as we had been on a long tail bost a few times before and as I had my ankle in a boot as I had a broken 5th metatarsal. I managed to lower myself down with the help of my husband, the boatman and an Oriental guy but getting out again was less than graceful or ladylike!

The only boat trip I recommend is the river boat or one of the shuttles across the river or to the sky train.

[Hbommie]

I think Mrs @longie is long gone, the OP has 1 post with no follow ups.

The resurrection by @TravelStrong is more interesting.

River in Bangkok for me also.

[HampshireHog]

Chao Praya express an excellent way of getting about combined with the BTS and Metro. Much nicer than taxis and traffic

[yorkshireRich]

Okay I will resurrect also as we are going in Feb.
We don’t have a definitive plan, but we have flight into Bangkok and out of KL planned.
Whether we go 7 days Thailand and 7 days Malaysia, I’m watching this thread intently.

[Guernsey Globetrotter]

yorkshireRich wrote:

Okay I will resurrect also as we are going in Feb.
We don’t have a definitive plan, but we have flight into Bangkok and out of KL planned.
Whether we go 7 days Thailand and 7 days Malaysia, I’m watching this thread intently.

It’s a great thread isn’t it @yorkshireRich ! We’re heading to Bangkok just before Christmas (in J with Finnair) and have 14 days in Thailand so I have been reading avidly…

A bit torn about how to approach Christmas as we arrive in BK on Dec 20th. Thinking stay in the city for Xmas and then head to the islands for NYE etc. but Mrs Globetrotter is a bit wary of big bad Bangkok 😀 If anyone has any recommendations for the festive season in town I’d be grateful (I know it’s predominantly a Buddhist country but I expect there’ll still be worthwhile stuff going on).

Thanks to all contributors!

[Michael C]

Guernsey Globetrotter wrote:

yorkshireRich wrote:

Okay I will resurrect also as we are going in Feb.
We don’t have a definitive plan, but we have flight into Bangkok and out of KL planned.
Whether we go 7 days Thailand and 7 days Malaysia, I’m watching this thread intently.

It’s a great thread isn’t it @yorkshireRich ! We’re heading to Bangkok just before Christmas (in J with Finnair) and have 14 days in Thailand so I have been reading avidly…

A bit torn about how to approach Christmas as we arrive in BK on Dec 20th. Thinking stay in the city for Xmas and then head to the islands for NYE etc. but Mrs Globetrotter is a bit wary of big bad Bangkok 😀 If anyone has any recommendations for the festive season in town I’d be grateful (I know it’s predominantly a Buddhist country but I expect there’ll still be worthwhile stuff going on).

Thanks to all contributors!

The 5* Sunday brunches are jaw-dropping enough all year round, but around Xmas there will no doubt be some stunning decorations and special food. ALL the massive malls will be decorated, and there will be Xmas-y cruises. Also have a look at B-story Café for fun decorations.
Tell Mrs GT it’s going to be fantastic!

[Guernsey Globetrotter]

Top tips – thanks @Michael-C 😀