Thailand March 2016

MasterPoo

Doshwaster wrote: »

I'm tempted by a return to Cambodia this year too. It's now 4 years since I was there and I want to get back before it changes too much.

I'll certainly be back to Bangkok as well. I typically pass through for a few days every year but I did Hong Kong on a stopover to Vietnam for a change. HK was fun but BKK is calling me back.

I typically go mid-market in Bangkok. I don't have MasterPoo's budget but I like to treat myself once in a while and it's amazing what you can get in that part of the world for the price of a dodgy B&B back home. £50-60 a night usually gets a very good 4* in a central location.

Dosh I'm liking the sound of Cambodia, it's on my bucket list too. Which route do you usually opt for when choosing your flights? I'm in the early stages of planning for Easter 2016 but I'm thinking UK-Japan-Oz-Fiji-Oz-Dubai-UK, all in 18 days?!?!?:eek:

georgim

I flew to Aus & Thailand with Emirates, they were excellent on value and service. Dubai airport is a good mid-wayer for Thailand aswell to stretch the legs!

Ps. I did Aus in 10 days and by the time I had got over the flight it was time to come home again! I think that's maybe to many places in 18 days to fully enjoy them... But just some advice from someone who's flown that far a few times!!

totallybored

MasterPoo wrote: »

I just read up on TripAdvisor. They were doing a Stay for 3 nights pay for 2 and I took the opportunity. I did change my mind about 100 times, I was going to stay at the St. Regis before I decided to go for Shangri La.

Really depends what you like/personal choice I guess.

I'm considering the St Regis. I normally stay at the Hansar which is next door as I like the suites there but the St Regis did look nice. I like the location as a weekend in Bangkok is just about shopping for me.

Regarding vfm, I think a 5 star hotel in Bangkok is vfm compared with Hong Kong or Singapore. I've paid the same in Bangkok as a 3 star in Seoul for example, or half the price of a room in Singapore in a 5 star. For me, vfm is getting what you want for the best price and not necessarily just getting the cheapest. I apply this rule to shoes and handbags too

Doshwaster

MasterPoo wrote: »

Dosh I'm liking the sound of Cambodia, it's on my bucket list too. Which route do you usually opt for when choosing your flights? I'm in the early stages of planning for Easter 2016 but I'm thinking UK-Japan-Oz-Fiji-Oz-Dubai-UK, all in 18 days?!?!?:eek:

When I was in Cambodia I only went to Phnom Penh and flew direct from Bangkok on Air Asia. PP is OK for 3 days but probably not worth much longer. If I go back this year I'd also like to get to Siem Reap (even though temples don't bother me much) and down to the coast.

UK-Japan-Oz-Fiji-Oz-Dubai-UK in 18 days sounds suicidal. You must really love airports. That only works out about 2 days in each place.

My only problem this year is that I have just started a new job so scheduling holidays is going to be tricky as I'm the new boy. At my last place I got to choose whatever dates I wanted.

totallybored

MasterPoo wrote: »

Dosh I'm liking the sound of Cambodia, it's on my bucket list too. Which route do you usually opt for when choosing your flights? I'm in the early stages of planning for Easter 2016 but I'm thinking UK-Japan-Oz-Fiji-Oz-Dubai-UK, all in 18 days?!?!?:eek:

I've done london-Bangkok, overnight there then a flight to Phnom Penh. In Cambodia I then went to Kep, Kampot, Siem Reap, Battambang and overland back to Bangkok. I did this in just under 3 weeks the other summer. This time I hope to go to Sihanoukville and Paske to see the Dolphins. The first time I arrived overland into PP from Vietnam and made my way to Bangkok on my own.

MasterPoo

totallybored wrote: »

I'm considering the St Regis. I normally stay at the Hansar which is next door as I like the suites there but the St Regis did look nice. I like the location as a weekend in Bangkok is just about shopping for me.

Regarding vfm, I think a 5 star hotel in Bangkok is vfm compared with Hong Kong or Singapore. I've paid the same in Bangkok as a 3 star in Seoul for example, or half the price of a room in Singapore in a 5 star. For me, vfm is getting what you want for the best price and not necessarily just getting the cheapest. I apply this rule to shoes and handbags too

That makes two of us!

MasterPoo

Doshwaster wrote: »

When I was in Cambodia I only went to Phnom Penh and flew direct from Bangkok on Air Asia. PP is OK for 3 days but probably not worth much longer. If I go back this year I'd also like to get to Siem Reap (even though temples don't bother me much) and down to the coast.

UK-Japan-Oz-Fiji-Oz-Dubai-UK in 18 days sounds suicidal. You must really love airports. That only works out about 2 days in each place.

My only problem this year is that I have just started a new job so scheduling holidays is going to be tricky as I'm the new boy. At my last place I got to choose whatever dates I wanted.

Aaaaahhh that old chestnut, you could've gone in with "I've already booked and paid for my holidays"???

I think you are right re: 18 days being suicidal......I think I should start my own thread, I've managed to derail the OPs. Sorry OP

PompeyPete

First time in Cambodia for us was a 5 night side trip, after having had a great 3 weeks in Myanmar, touring Myanmar by road in a rented taxi.

In Cambodia we just had 3 nights in PP, and 2 nights in Kampot. Just enough to whet our appetite for more.

Must dash, our transfer bus to Antalya Airport has just arrived.

bylromarha

Doshwaster wrote: »

I'm tempted by a return to Cambodia this year too. It's now 4 years since I was there and I want to get back before it changes too much.

Absolutely call in as soon as you can.

First visit in 2007 was so different to 2014 visit. Heck, the difference between our 2012 and 2014 visits was very noticable.

Phnom Penh is becoming more and more westernised and losing the charm it had in 2007. The amount of skyscrapers from my friends balcony this year was in shock contrast to the "Golden Tower" they were building in 2007 - PP's 1st skyscraper. Kep/Sihanoukville/Battambang slowly following PPs lead.

Don't leave it too long. Wonderful country, wonderful people.

lovesgshp

Cambodia is very nice. 3 days in PP is probably enough, but went up to Siem Reap for about another 10 days. Find a tuk-tuk type driver who will show you around at a negotiated price to all the sights for X number of days.
In PP we were taken to his family home and to the local temple where we were greeted like old friends. We took him to SR for a holiday, but had contacts for other drivers to take us around there.
Great time, apart from getting templed out!!!!