Thailand / Maldives

[captaindave]

Hi all,

Have family in Bangkok, who we want to see again, probably early 2026, especially as they have had another addition to their Clan..
We can stay with them as they are moving to bigger place very soon.
So thinking stay few days in Bangkok, then somewhere else in Thailand ( previously been to Koh Samui, Koh Chang, chang mai and khoen keen) ideally somewhere different….. possibly with all of us going, not just OH and I .

Would like to then finish off with 5 days relaxing in Maldives, never been before, but the Hilton Baros redemption possibility mentioned on other threads has caught our eye, Subject to me getting enough points together.

BKK to MLE is around 4hr flight, would probably go back to BKK for a night or 2 before flying back to UK.

Reasonable plan ? Critique welcomed

[The real Swiss Tony]

The Maldives is stunning. Lucky enough to have visited once 22 yrs ago but never been back.

The line I keep hearing is the crazy cost of F&B in resort, so I would be taking this into account alongside the opportunity cost of the points. There are plenty of great places in SE Asia where you would get a lot more bang for your Baht/Ringgit/Dong.

And whilst the Maldives will offer you a lovely beach, the resort is likely all you will see/experience.

[masaccio]

Unless you really love water (snorkelling, scuba, etc.) give the Maldives a miss. F&B is obscenely expensive. We love it because it’s safe for OH to have amazing snorkelling and it’s easy but great resort diving.

You can of course visit local islands for massively lower cost where you will get some culture, the same amazing beaches and scuba/snorkelling but the resorts are not as lush and if you like to end the day with a beer then you are SOOL.

[captaindave]

Cheers for the feedback both!

Yep get the point about excessive F & B costs and not a lot to do there, the latter point wouldn’t concern me as it would be relaxation time after a (possibly) hectic time in Thailand with a toddler and 6 month old….
Personally have enjoyed snorkeling the times I have done it, my OH is OK for a short time, but reckons it makes her feel claustrophobic…
Scuba is something have always fancied learning, but T1 diabetic now ( late onset) so I guess the risk of a hypo would make it too risky.

My lad is visiting UK from Bangkok in July, so we can get our heads together re potential schedule, as he has travelled S E Asia much more extensively than me.

Thanks again

[captaindave]

Thinking now potentially

UK TO BKK couple of weeks there, then BKK TO MLE, 5 nights in maldives then MLE TO LHR.

Found some cheap VS saver flights from MLE TO LHR in March 2026.

But my lads work holiday dates are mainly in April… I can’t search on VS flights in April yet..

Is April a bad time for maldives weather wise ( start of rainy season?

[binotsen]

We were at Amari Havodda in the Maldives 5-13 April 2022 and it was wall to wall sunshine for 8 nights.
Probably one of our best family holidays ever – I wouldn’t hesitate to go again in April.

[masaccio]

The May-November period is the southwest monsoon with April being the month the winds change. Mostly the weather is fine, but it depends upon where you are:

https://www.meteorology.gov.mv/climate

Whenever you go, expect at least 1-2 days of it pissing it down which has never bothered me or my OH in the slightest. Snorkelling in the rain is still great though you do get wet.

[captaindave]

Thanks for feedback both