Having been to Goa a couple of times in the past and having thoroughly enjoyed the experience, we've decided to head for Asia again next year and give Thailand a go.
We're looking for a quiet-ish beach holiday, but not too far removed from civilisation, where we can do perhaps a little bit of travelling round by car or on excursions, and want to have a look at Bangkok as well.
Although I've not spent too long on investigating all the possibilites as yet, at the moment I am leaning towards flying in to Bangkok, taking an internal flight to Koh Samui and spending 11 or 12 nights at a hotel in the Maenam Beach area, before flying back to Bangkok and spending the remaining 3 or 2 nights in the city.
As this will be our first time in Thailand I would very much appreciate anyones advice on this, particularly on how long to spend in Bangkok and whether it is better to do it at the beginning or the end of the holiday.
I also can't decide on whether to go in March or May.
Hi Paulpud we did Bangkok- Koh Samui in 2006. I would personally recommend doing Bangkok at the beginning rather than the end of the holiday. It is such a busy, manic city it makes you appreciate the tranquility of the beach even more when you get there.
We only stayed 1 night and managed to do most of the things we wanted to and I wouldnt have wanted to stay any longer. However it really depends on how much you want to see and what pace you go at. We were flat out for a day and a half but we then had 12 days of chilling out to look forward to.
We only stayed 1 night and managed to do most of the things we wanted to and I wouldnt have wanted to stay any longer. However it really depends on how much you want to see and what pace you go at. We were flat out for a day and a half but we then had 12 days of chilling out to look forward to.
have to say the opposite 
Bangkok jetlagged can be a bit of an ordeal, to someone who has not been there before. I do think that the majority who aren't mad keen on Bangkok would have felt differently if they had not been jetlagged.
I would recommend 3 clear days in Bangkok. ( I have spent 7 days at one go without getting bored
)It also makes the return journey a bit easier as you will have done one leg of it already. I usually find that my flights out of Bangkok are really late on eg close to midnight so you can have a clear day in Bangkok and then vacate your room and have dinner before heading off to the airport. I also feel that if you do the beach part last, if you are like me, you begin to do the countdown to going home. When you are in Bangkok you have other things to think about and enjoy.
Bangkok jetlagged can be a bit of an ordeal, to someone who has not been there before. I do think that the majority who aren't mad keen on Bangkok would have felt differently if they had not been jetlagged.I would recommend 3 clear days in Bangkok. ( I have spent 7 days at one go without getting bored
)It also makes the return journey a bit easier as you will have done one leg of it already. I usually find that my flights out of Bangkok are really late on eg close to midnight so you can have a clear day in Bangkok and then vacate your room and have dinner before heading off to the airport. I also feel that if you do the beach part last, if you are like me, you begin to do the countdown to going home. When you are in Bangkok you have other things to think about and enjoy.
I have to agree with Fiona and do beach first, Bangkok last.
When we did Bangkok first - I have to say we were too tired to enjoy it properly. Luckily we had booked Bangkok at the end of our beach resort as well.
When we go on holiday to asia we usually aim to arrive in the afternoon/evening.
By going straight to the beach you can relax and get over the journey. We also find that we need the first couple of days to unwind as we both have busy jobs.
If there are any delays on your flight from the beach resort to Bangkok, you do not have to worry about connecting flights if you spend time in the city before catching the flight home.
When we did Bangkok first - I have to say we were too tired to enjoy it properly. Luckily we had booked Bangkok at the end of our beach resort as well.
When we go on holiday to asia we usually aim to arrive in the afternoon/evening.
By going straight to the beach you can relax and get over the journey. We also find that we need the first couple of days to unwind as we both have busy jobs.
If there are any delays on your flight from the beach resort to Bangkok, you do not have to worry about connecting flights if you spend time in the city before catching the flight home.
Thanks for the advice.
I think that's pretty much made up my mind to do Bangkok at the end. I think after spending 10 or 11 days on the beach I'll be suitably chilled and a little more familiar with Thailand before tackling the city. As has been mentioned, being in Bangkok ready for the flight home means I don't have to worry about any hiccups there either.
So now it's the itiniery and time to go. I've been considering Maenam beach in Koh Samui, and would welcome opinions on that, but also I can't make my mind up on when to go. We can go 2nd week March or 2nd week May. I've checked out the weather on Wunderground but there doesn't seem much difference. I know accomodation can be a little cheaper in May but, again, there doesn't seem too much difference at most places so that alone wouldn't really influence my decision.
I think that's pretty much made up my mind to do Bangkok at the end. I think after spending 10 or 11 days on the beach I'll be suitably chilled and a little more familiar with Thailand before tackling the city. As has been mentioned, being in Bangkok ready for the flight home means I don't have to worry about any hiccups there either.
So now it's the itiniery and time to go. I've been considering Maenam beach in Koh Samui, and would welcome opinions on that, but also I can't make my mind up on when to go. We can go 2nd week March or 2nd week May. I've checked out the weather on Wunderground but there doesn't seem much difference. I know accomodation can be a little cheaper in May but, again, there doesn't seem too much difference at most places so that alone wouldn't really influence my decision.
Maenam would be fine- and its not too far from Chaweng if you want a busier nightlife.
Not sure which month would be better for sure but think it would be March.
Not sure which month would be better for sure but think it would be March.
We also put Bangkok at the end for two or three nights...its a great city to visit,a bit of a culture shock you need a few days to appreciate it.
Another beach you could look at on Samui is Cheong Mon, which is quieter,a nicer beach than Maenam, but only a short ride to the life of Chaweng. If you go in March you could also consider the Andaman coast of Thailand...the likes of Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak.
There's some superb flight offers using Singapore Airlines out to Thailand and the Far East at the moment.
Another beach you could look at on Samui is Cheong Mon, which is quieter,a nicer beach than Maenam, but only a short ride to the life of Chaweng. If you go in March you could also consider the Andaman coast of Thailand...the likes of Phuket, Krabi, Khao Lak.
There's some superb flight offers using Singapore Airlines out to Thailand and the Far East at the moment.
Thanks again for all the help
I've just booked flights with Singapore. I missed out on the sale flights, but they were still offering the best price I could get for March at 472.00 and they do look a decent airline.
Just internal flights, resort and hotels now
I've just booked flights with Singapore. I missed out on the sale flights, but they were still offering the best price I could get for March at 472.00 and they do look a decent airline.
Just internal flights, resort and hotels now
http://www.bangkokair.com/index.php?lang=en
They are easy to book with and have quite a few flights each day
They are easy to book with and have quite a few flights each day
Thai Airways now also have a couple of flights per day from BKK to Samui. Prices same as Bangkok Airways but some people will be able to use Airmiles for these flights I'm sure.
thanks for that- been a while since I've been to KS. 
We did Bangkok last..and we still found it a nightmare. On the other hand, I loved the quieter part of Phuket in kata Noi and also Ao Nang on the mainland.
nightmare is true 
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