Chang Mai and Koh Samui

odowdchr

Donnie wrote: »

The last airline you should choose is Thai Airways if you wish to save money. Lots of alternatives available.

Depends what your requirements are. If you want a 2 centre holiday and arrive from the UK on Thai anyway, you can get a 3 flight internal package (no backtracking allowed) for about £75 (or it was), must book in advance in UK, not available when you get there or online.
If they're going to Chiang Mai and don't wish to mess about in Bangkok, they can thus check bags straight through from the UK and go through immigration far easier in Chiang Mai instead of Bangkok.
Just an option?

Donnie

You're wrong on this occasion. Even with that deal, it was cheaper to use the low cost airlines.
Added to that, Thai domestic flights fly from a completely different airport from the new international airport, so don't even think about quick transits.

They do still fly from the new airport to their International airports, but you'd need to check.

http://www.thaiair.com/Promotions/Special_Fares_Promotions/Discover_thailand_amazing_fare.htm

Bangkok Airways Discovery Airpass is cheaper; http://www.bangkokair.com/discoveryairpass/?id=2

suzyq

Must agree Koh Samui has been totally ruined I would never go there again, Krabi and Chiang Mai are a much better option. You mentioned that you were celebrating a birthday. A really nice place to stay if your looking for a touch of luxury is The Sofitel at Hua Hin, the town has some interesting old buildings, although the beach isnt that good.

Party_Animal

Many thanks for all your help. It doesn't have to be Koh Samui. I'm going to check out Krabi today. A bit about us. Two middle aged couples who've travelled widely. We're not ones for lying on a beach all day, but enjoy snorkelling and water skiing etc. I'm the only qualified diver. We like to see places, walk, eat out, try local food, watch live music and generally chill out. Its my birthday bash and I want to go somewhere early feb where none of us have been before. Two of us are based in the North West and the other two in the South East. So we'll have to get the shuttle to London. We'd welcome any suggestions and thanks again.

EagerLearner

Thumbs up for Chang on the Northeast in terms of beautiful, chilled and nice beaches + delicious food - White Sands was amazing and I would go there tomorrow if I could. Krabi is good as gives you the options for Phi Phi etc (but is it fully rebuilt yet?) but Tao I would not recommend (we found it too quiet and very dry compared to other islands)... whatever you do, I'm green with jealousy!

Party_Animal

Thanks EL is that Koh Chang?

Donnie

Koh Chang is in the East, near Cambodia, not the North East. They are ruining that too. Used to be my favourite place.

Special_T

Hi
Went to Chaing Mai about 4 years ago – a city in Northern Thailand, and from here to the Golden Triangle – you will have a good time here.
Been to Krabi twice (both before and after tsunami). Stayed at Sheraton Hotel which is a lovely hotel on a great beach, but a little far out (there are a couple of restaurants opposite the hotel, otherwise a hotel / courtesy bus service). We also stopped at the Krabi Thai Village Resort which whilst not on the beach is within a short walk of all local restaurants but a little off the main road.
You may not need to fly from London – we have flown from Birmingham, via Dubai with Emirates
Hope this helps

Party_Animal

Donnie, I've just been looking at Ko Chang and I like the look of it. When you say they're ruining it is it too late to go now? Which is the other Chang and where would you recommend that hasn't been ruined?
Thanks a lot for all the advice.

Donnie

There is another Koh Chang, off Ranong on the west coast,(Ranong is known as the rainiest province in Thailand) though this one hasn't been mentioned.

I haven't been to Koh Chang lately, but after the introduction of the SevenElevens, an Irish pub and several hotel buildings, I've lost interest.

Certainly not developed on the same scale as Samui.

I'm sure that you don't expect me to publish any of the currently unspoilt areas. One needs to for those for yourself....and then keep quiet about it.

I may be biased in that I came to these places as a traveller nearly fifteen years ago, so the changes appear negative to me.

For a new visitor, it could look like paradise.