Thailand over Christmas and New Year

[SurreyGuy]

I'm looking at "getting away from it all" from Dec 24th to Jan 2nd. I've decided I want to go to Thailand and I need advice on the following :

I'd like to go to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ko Phi Phi Lei, Ko Samui, Krabi and Phuket - is it "do-able"?

T.I.A.

[spk]

Hiya, it is do- able but the route you would be best doing is Bangkok- Koh Samui, Krabi, then Phi Phi and Phuket, then you can fly from Phuket straight up to Chiang Mai. Booking it you are best going to the local TAT - (tOURIST aUTHORITY tHAILAND) when you get to Bangkok, Its in the lonely planet. If you get to Krabi make sure and do Kayaking its really beautiful. Thailand is amazing enjoy

[SurreyGuy]

Cheers spk

I was actually hoping to arrange all my stope pre-departure. I have the kind of luck that means if I was to try and arrange everything when I get to Bangkok, it would "fall down" somewhere along the line! :o(

[Trotbot]

It's do-able if you want to spend all your time travelling and checking into hotels. Stop, take a deep breath and decide what is important. Bangkok to get over your jet lag and then 4 days in one of the above. I'd go for Krabi on that list, having done them all.

One point - hotels have compulsary meals on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve - you stay, you pay, even if you don't eat. The 3 star and below don't tend to inflict this on you, but those that do, charge a fortune for a standard buffet and a couple of staff dressed as elves.

[SurreyGuy]

Cheers Trotbot

It's prob gonna be the only time I get a chance to go to Thailand, so I want to see as much as I can.

[admarlow]

If I was you be in Ko Phangan for the new years eve full moon party (Ill be there!!!)

[antiguru]

You may be interested to know that the Foreign Office are advising against travel to some parts of Thailand at the moment. Not a problem if you�re just going to one resort and back, but given that you have a trip in mind��

http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=O penMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=100702 9390590&a=KCountryAdvice&aid=1013618386505

[admarlow]

as I understand it the government advised against going to a small muslim region in the south, but since the coup I think that it is even safe there now.

[spk]

If you do get to Chiang Mai as well do the elephant trek its great. Im with Trotbot though Krabi was my favourite place in Thailand its super beautiful and really chilled. Phukets a kip dont plan on spending too long there.

[SurreyGuy]

Cheers folks.

I've now decided I might try and get out there around the 20th.

admarlow, I've heard of the "Full Moon Party", but not sure where. What exactly is it?

spk, what's a "kip" please?

[snagged]

I'd second trotbot... With just a week to go to those places, you'll be sitting in different modes of transport 'travelling' more than actually 'doing'.. I'm off there shortly for 9 weeks and my agenda is only about 'double' yours... I do like to sit and chill tho!...

Another thing too bear in mind is finding somewhere to stay on the 24th, 25th, 26th... from past experience it can be a bit of a nightmare finding somewhere - esp. on the islands - many places will be full, with people already 'holed up' over the xmas week...

[snagged]

the full moon party down in Had Rin is overated in my opinion...

[snagged]

and if you haven't booked a flight yet... unless you're lucky enough to get a cancellation, it'll cost you 'big time' now...

[admarlow]

http://fullmoonparty-thailand.com/index.html

http://www.fullmoon.phangan.info/

There is going to be 2 parties one on 31st Dec and one 3rd Jan - can't wait!!

[THAIBUS]

Don't forget to visit Pattaya

[spk]

Sorry a 'kip' is an Irish term for a not so good place, nothing nice to really see and do its rubbish. - its not the best place in Thailand. I was at the full moon party on 15th June though now that is well worth while seeing mate

[SurreyGuy]

Change of plan - couldn';t find anywhere this close to Xmas and N.Y that wasn't gonna cost an arm and a leg! Maybe next yr!

[spk]

aww well nevermind !